Lakshmi is the consort of the god Vishnu. She is one of the most popular goddesses of Hindu mythology and is known as the goddess of wealth and purity.
According to the legends, she was born from the waters of the milky ocean during the churning of the oceans. She is especially worshipped on Fridays and during the important festival such as Diwali. Many temples are also dedicated to the goddess. Symbolically she represents all the supreme qualities, and powers of God. She is the splendour, radiance and abundance that flows from the Divine.
All the positive qualities that you may find in the universe emanate from her. She is the source of all forms of wealth. At the physical level she is strength, material wealth, physical health, beauty and grace. At the mental level she is peace, happiness, positive attitude, and inner harmony. At the spiritual level she symbolizes all the yogic powers or the siddhas, selflessness, kindness, discipline and selfless service.
As the consort of Vishnu, goddess Lakshmi performs the same duties as Vishnu, as the preserver of the worlds and their order and regularity. In the icons and images she is usually shown seated or standing on a lotus in waters with elephants in the background. The lotus symbolizes creation, beauty, harmony, diversity, stability, and support. The elephants symbolize strength and royalty. The owl is her vehicle which symbolizes fearlessness and the ability to see in darkness. Symbolically she personifies the following.