The Buddhist protector deity Palden Lhamo

Palden Lhamo, “The Glorious Goddess,” is the protector of the Dalai and Panchen lamas, leaders of the Gelug order of Tibetan Buddhism; many images of Palden Lhamo were made during the Qing dynasty, whose emperors supported the Gelug order.

Palden Lhamo is the only goddess among the Eight Guardians of the Law. Accompanied by lion- and crocodile-headed dakinis, or skywalkers, she rides her mule across the sea of blood that represents the endless cycle of birth and death, in order to liberate living beings from that cycle. The goddess sits on the flayed skin of her son, a nonbeliever. Attached to the trappings of the mule are her various emblems: a book, a ball of magic thread, a skin bag of diseases for germ warfare, and a pair of dice for divination.