Hevajra, also known as Kedorje in Tibetan, is depicted with seven faces, each representing different aspects of his enlightened nature. The central face is often serene and compassionate, while the other six faces, positioned to the sides and behind, shows different expressions, symbolizing his omniscient vision and ability to perceive all aspects of reality.
Hevajra wears a crown adorned with five skulls, symbolizing the transformation of the five poisons (ignorance, attachment, aversion, pride, and jealousy) into the five wisdoms (wisdom of reality, mirror-like wisdom, wisdom of equality, discriminating wisdom, and all-accomplishing wisdom).
His body color is dark blue, representing the vastness of space and the purity of his enlightened mind. And he is depicted naked yet covered with numerous ornaments.
He wears a garland made of freshly severed human heads, representing the cutting through of delusion and attachment. A green scarf flows around his shoulders, symbolizing the dynamic and balanced nature of his enlightened activities.
He has sixteen hands, 8 right hands holding skull cup with an animal and 8 left hands holding skull cup with 8 worldly gods.
Hevajra is depicted with four legs, which convey his dynamic nature and power. His posture, often described as “dancing,” symbolizes the active and transformative aspect of his energy. He stands atop a sun disc and a lotus seat, symbolizing purity and the light of wisdom.
He is embracing his consort, Nairatmya Devi, in a tantric union. This union represents the inseparability of wisdom (prajna, often represented by the female deity) and skillful means (upaya, often represented by the male deity). Her body color is light blue, representing her wisdom and compassionate nature.
She typically holds a curved knife (Kartika) in her right hand, symbolizing the cutting away of ignorance and delusion. She holds a skull (kapala) filled with nectar in her left hand, representing the elixir of immortality and the transformation of defilements into wisdom.
She is wearing a skull crown, her hair is styled elegantly, depicted as tied up in a traditional manner, symbolizing her dynamic energy and spiritual power. She wears garland of human skulls, symbolizing the conquest of death and the transformation of ignorance into wisdom.
Hevajra and Nairatmya Devi are depicted standing atop a sun disc lotus seat, which signifies their pure and enlightened nature. The lotus symbolizes purity and spiritual emergence from the murky waters of samsara (cyclic existence), while the sun disc represents the light of wisdom dispelling the darkness of ignorance.
