Saraswati in Japan - Double Down

About the Goddess Sarasvati in Japan

Recently, the owner and designer of Giovedi, traveled to Tokyo and explored the mythology of Japan. The Goddess Sarasvati originated from Buddhism and relates to a Hindu goddess (Saraswati) and the Goddess Benten in Japan. Sarasvati is the Goddess of the Sea, of Love, of Beauty, and of Eloquence.

In Japan, she is the patroness of geishas, dancers, musicians, and writers. She is also one of the Seven Gods of Good Fortune. In this role, she is a bringer of good luck in Beauty, Wealth, Fertility, and Offspring. At Japanese shrines that are dedicated to Sarasvati, visiters will wash their coins in the shrine’s spring because it is said that this will double their money.

In Japanese legend, Sarasvati is a protector of children, a matchmaker of soul mates, and an inspiration for happy marriages. She represents Intelligence, Memory, Wisdom, and Devotion. As the Goddess of Speech, she is believed to have brought language to humans, and she encourages the skills of poetry and music. She is the Goddess of the Sea and is often seen around images of water, which symbolizes her eloquent and fluid speech, and her ability to give life to flowers and vegetables in the springtime. Sarasvati is believed to have been born from an ancient river, and is sometimes shown riding over the waves on a dragon or in a boat filled with pink flowers. These images are similar to Venus, the Roman Goddess of Love and Beauty, who was also born from the water.

In the Sarasvati Collection by Giovedi, the colors and fabrics represent all the aspects of the Goddess’ personality. Springtime colors of yellow, green, orange, and pink show the rebirth of nature influenced by the Goddess of Love and Fertility. The bright blue shades of aqua, teal, and periwinkle are associated with Sarasvati’s rule over the Sea and the fluidity of poetry and music. The striking colors of red and black are used in many of the Sarasvati evening bags to represent the Japanese legends of the dragons that she is pictured with. In one myth, Sarasvati won the heart of a destructive dragon and married him to save a village. Many of the woven fabrics and real leather used in the Sarasvati handbags were purchased in Tokyo. The sleek texture of the leather makes a fashionable match with the bright floral-inspired prints. The Sarasvati Collection is inspired by the beauty of Japanese fashion and the eminence of this goddess who radiates all the positive aspects of Spring.