Hariti

Both a revered goddess and demon in some Buddhist traditions / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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Hārītī (Sanskrit), also known as Chinese: 鬼子母(神); pinyin: Guǐzǐmǔ(shén), Japanese: 鬼子母神, romanized: Kishimojin, is both a revered goddess and demon, depending on the Buddhist tradition. She is one of the Twenty-Four Protective Deities of Mahayana Buddhism.

Quick facts: Translations of Hārītī, Sanskrit, Chinese, Ja... ▼
Translations of
Hārītī
SanskritHārītī
Chinese鬼子母 or 鬼子母神
(Pinyin: Guǐzǐmǔ or Guǐzǐmǔshén)
Japanese鬼子母神
(Rōmaji: Kishimojin)
Korean귀자모신
鬼子母神
(RR: Gwijamoshin)
TagalogHaliti
Glossary of Buddhism
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Statue_of_Hariti_%28%E9%AC%BC%E5%AD%90%E6%AF%8D_Guizimu%29_in_Shanhua_Temple_%28%E5%96%84%E5%8C%96%E5%AF%BA_Sh%C3%A0nh%C3%B9as%C3%AC%29_in_Datong%2C_Shanxi_Province%2C_China.jpg
Statue of Guǐzǐmǔ with a child rakshasa in Shanhua Temple (善化寺 Shànhùasì) in Datong, Shanxi Province, China

In her positive aspects, she is regarded for the protection of children, easy delivery and happy child rearing, while her negative aspects include the belief of her terror towards irresponsible parents and unruly children.

In both Chinese and Japanese Buddhism, she is venerated as a protector deity, but in many folk traditions is often recognized as a female demon of misery and unhappiness towards children and parents.