Tara

Tara is an important deity in Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism. Sometimes considered an emanation or consort of the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, Tara is known as a savioress who rescues those in peril. Tara has many different peaceful and wrathful forms, but she is often depicted as either green or white. The green form is associated with her limitless activity, and white with granting a long life. The green and white Taras are also associated with, respectively, the Nepalese princess Bhrikuti and the Chinese princess Wencheng, semi-legendary wives of the Tibetan emperor Songtsen Gampo (d. 649 CE), himself said to be an emanation of Avalokiteshvara. In one popular story Tara is said to have vowed to always appear in female form.