What animal is the symbol of the 12th Tirthankara Vasupujya?

The animal symbol of the 12th Tirthankara, Vasupujya, is the buffalo.

Vasupujya occupies the twelfth position in Jainism’s traditional sequence of 24 Tirthankaras in the present avasarpini, or descending half-cycle of time. Jain iconography uses an emblem for each Tirthankara, allowing devotees to identify images that may otherwise look similar. Vasupujya’s red complexion and buffalo emblem are especially important identifying features.

According to Jain tradition, Vasupujya was born at Champapuri to King Vasupujya and Queen Jaya Devi, within the Ikshvaku dynasty. He is traditionally described as remaining celibate and never marrying. His predecessor was Shreyansanatha, whose emblem is the rhinoceros; his successor was Vimalanatha, associated with the boar.

Vasupujya is also distinctive because Jain accounts place both his kevala jnana, or omniscience, and his final liberation at Champapuri. That site, in present-day Bihar, is consequently an important pilgrimage center. The buffalo should not be confused with the deer associated with Shantinatha or the elephant associated with Ajitanatha.