Symbolism of the five Dhyani Buddhas

The five Dhyani Buddhas are mentioned in most of the tantric systems and represent various physical and mental aspects. Here are given only some of the most common explanations and representations of these so-called 'Heads of the five Buddha-families'.

It should be noted though that many different forms of each deity exist, and different tantras can have slightly different explanations (for example, in the Kalachakra tantra, six Dhyani-Buddhas are mentioned, and most have different colors and shapes).

The five Dhyani-Buddhas are also often found on the crown on the head of tantric Buddhas, like this:

Mental symbolism of the five Dhyani Buddhas:

Deity	Delusion	Enlightened Mind
Vairochana	ignorance, delusion	All-encompassing Dharmadatu Wisdom
Akshobhya	anger, hatred	Mirror-like Wisdom
Ratnasambhava	pride, miserliness	Wisdom of Equality
Amitabha	desire, lust	Discriminating Wisdom
Amogasiddhi	jealousy, fear	All-accomplishing Wisdom

Physical symbolism of the five Dhyani Buddhas:

Deity	Element	Sense	Medical/physical	Organ
Vairochana	space	sight	energy channels	heart
Akshobhya	water	sound	blood flow	kidneys
Ratnasambhava	earth	smell	flesh	spleen
Amitabha	fire	taste	body heat	liver
Amogasiddhi	air	touch	inner winds	lungs

Names and relation to other Buddhas & Bodhisattvas:

Deity (Sanskrit)	English name	Consort	Bodhisattva	Wheel-turning Buddhas
Vairochana	Illuminating	White Tara (Vajradhatvisvari)	Samantabhadra	Krakucchanda
Akshobhya	Unshakable	Locana	Vajrapani	Kanakamuni
Ratnasambhava	Jewel-born	Mamaki	Ratnapani	Kashyapa
Amitabha	Infinite Light	Pandara	Avalokiteshvara	Shakyamuni
Amogasiddhi	Conqueror	Green Tara	Vishvapani	Maitreya