Tara is one of the most loved figures in Tibetan Buddhism: a female buddha of compassion in action. Tradition describes twenty-one forms, but the two you will meet most often are Green Tara and White Tara. They share the same root mantra, yet each has its own emphasis. Here is how to tell them apart and choose between them.
Green Tara
Green Tara is associated with swift, active compassion: help in difficult moments and protection from fear. Tradition speaks of her guarding against eight great fears.
How to recognise her: green body; seated with the left leg folded and the right leg extended, ready to step down and help; right hand lowered in the gesture of giving; left hand at the heart in the gesture of refuge, holding the stem of a blue lotus.
Mantra: Om Tare Tuttare Ture Soha.
White Tara
White Tara is associated with long life, health and peaceful compassion. Practitioners often turn to her when they or someone close to them is ill, and for long-life prayers for their teachers.
How to recognise her: white body; seated in full lotus; seven eyes, with an extra eye on her forehead, on each palm and on the sole of each foot, a sign that she sees all suffering; right hand in the gesture of giving, left hand holding a lotus.
Mantra: Om Tare Tuttare Ture Mama Ayur Punye Jnana Pushtim Kuru Soha. The added words ask for long life, merit and wisdom.
Tara in our shop
A matching pair of gilded Green and White Tara statues, and a White Tara thangka. See all Green Tara statues.
Side by side
| Green Tara | White Tara | |
|---|---|---|
| Colour | Green | White |
| Posture | Right leg extended | Full lotus |
| Eyes | Two (plus the wisdom eye in some images) | Seven |
| Main association | Swift help, protection from fear | Long life, health, peace |
| Mantra | Om Tare Tuttare Ture Soha | Adds Mama Ayur Punye Jnana Pushtim Kuru |
Which one should you choose?
- Choose Green Tara for everyday protection, courage and help with obstacles. She is a common choice for a first home shrine.
- Choose White Tara for health, long life and calm, or as a gift for someone who is unwell or for an elder's birthday.
- If you have a teacher, follow their advice on which practice to take up.
Many people keep both, with Green Tara on one side of the main image and White Tara on the other. For size, material and placement, see how to choose a Buddha statue and Buddha statue materials compared.
