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the Tibetan goddess Tara...

Tara is the patron goddess of Tibet and has 21 forms. In her original form of Green Tara she embodies the feminine aspect of compassion.

She is one of Tibetan Buddhism's most popular deities. Her name means both "She Who Delivers" and "Star". (Her name is also sometimes applied to other female deities.)

She is regarded as an emanation of the Bodhisattva (future Buddha or Buddha to be) Avalokiteshvara, and is said to have been born from a lotus floating in one of his tears in order to help him.

Tara came to be regarded as the Shakti (the feminine active essence) or sometimes as the wife of Avalokiteshvara. In Tibet, it is believed that she is reincarnated in every virtuous woman.

The 21 different forms of Tara each have their own colour, posture and attributes; they can all appear to be either peaceful or wrathful.

The most common forms are Green Tara and White Tara. The Green Tara is said to be the Original Tara, and holds a blue lotus in each hand to signify her compassion.

The White Tara is often said to be to be a form of the Green Tara, and is believed to be another form of Sarasvati, the wife of Brahma.

When red, yellow or blue, Tara is said to be in a menacing mood... when she is green or white she is gentle and loving.

Tibetan Buddhists believe that their ancestors are Avalokiteshvara (in the form of a monkey) and Tara (in the form of a rock ogress, sGrol-Ma).