Facts about Benzaiten

1. 04

   In Japan, Benzaiten appears on the reverse side of the 5,000-yen banknote, making her the only deity from the Seven Lucky Gods to receive this monetary honor.

   BenzaitenJun 6sharecurrencyreligionjapanese
2. 03

   Across Hindu, Buddhist, and Japanese traditions, Benzaiten accumulated approximately 15 different names and titles reflecting her evolution from the Saraswati goddess of the Ganges River.

   BenzaitenMay 21sharemythologyreligioncultural-syncretism
3. 02

   Benzaiten's association with music stems from her role as goddess of the biwa, a four-stringed Japanese lute prominent in classical court music since the 8th century.

   BenzaitenMay 21sharemusicjapaneseinstrument
4. 01

   The island of Enoshima in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan houses a shrine dedicated to Benzaiten, the only Japanese deity among the Seven Lucky Gods, established during the Heian period.

   BenzaitenMay 21sharereligionjapanancient