Mārīcī is the Buddhist sun goddess associated with light and known as the “Goddess of Light.”
Mārīcī is a Mahayana and Vajrayana deity connected with dawn, sunlight, radiance, and protection. Her name is associated with rays of light or mirage. Buddhist texts describe her as appearing at dawn, and Tibetan traditions identify her with light, healing, and the aspiration to lead beings toward enlightenment.
Her iconography varies widely. She may ride a chariot drawn by seven horses, echoing imagery of the Indian sun god Surya, or appear on a boar or sow. In East Asia she can have multiple faces and arms, holding objects such as the sun, moon, bow, or weapons. Japanese traditions revered her as Marishiten, a protector associated with warriors.
Surya is the principal Hindu solar god and is also known in Buddhist contexts, but he is not the specific Buddhist goddess intended here. Chandra is linked with the moon, while Ratri is associated with night.