"Dakini" is an important female deity in Tibetan Buddhism, meaning "woman who walks in the air." They represent wisdom, compassion, and activity, and can be a deity, protector, or guru. Their forms are diverse, including wrathful human forms, animal faces, and well-known deities such as Vajravarahi and Green Tara. They can be divided into worldly and transcendental forms; the former are worldly protectors, while the latter are emanations of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. They are extremely important forces in Vajrayana (esoteric) practice, protecting practitioners, overcoming obstacles, and also playing a vital role in Highest Yoga Tantra.

Concept and Definition: Sanskrit and Tibetan: The Sanskrit term is "Dakini," and the Tibetan term is "Khandroma," both meaning "woman who walks in the air."

Essence: They embody the wisdom of emptiness, are manifestations of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, and are also companions to Vajrayana practitioners (yogis).

Importance: In Tibetan Buddhism, Dakinis, along with Gurus and Yidams, are considered the Three Jewels of Vajrayana.

Main Types and Images

Transcendent Dakinis: Enlightened Buddha Mothers, such as Vajravarahi, Green Tara, Varuna, and Yeshe Tsogyal.

Worldly Dakinis: Protectors or unenlightened spirits, often depicted with fierce expressions.

Classical Imagery: Typically depicted as young and wrathful, wearing a skull crown, holding a kapala bowl (skull vessel) and a katti (curved knife), standing naked on a corpse, symbolizing the destruction of pride.