Symbolism of the Five Wisdom Buddhas

In Vajrayana Buddhism, the Five Tathāgatas (pañcatathāgata), also known as Five Wisdom Tathāgatas (五智如来), Five Dhyani/Meditation Buddhas, or the Five Jinas (meaning in Sanskrit: “conqueror” or “victor”), are emanations and embodiments of the five qualities of the Dharmakaya Buddha of the Ultimate Truth. The Dharmakaya Buddha is known as the First Buddha of Vairocana/Vajradhara, Primodial Buddha or Adi-Buddha.

In Shingon (True Word) Buddhism, especially the Vajrayana Buddhism founded in Japan by Kukai, these five wisdom Buddhas are the primary objects of realization and meditation and they are featured prominently in various tantras practices.

The Five Wisdom Buddhas are visually depicted in the Diamond Realm (Vajradhatu) Mandala. The creation of this mandala is derived based on an esoteric Buddhist sutra called Vajrasekahra Sutra. In traditional Shingon Buddhist halls, the Diamond Realm Mandala is hung on the west wall, symbolizing the final realization of Mahavairocana Buddha. This mandala, together with another mandala known as Womb Realm Mandala representing the Five Wisdom Kings, is used in the Shingon rituals such as initiation or abhisheka ritual in which new initiates are blindfolded and are asked to toss a flower on the mandala to decide which Buddhist figure should the student devote themselves to in the meditation practices.

Essentially the Five Wisdom Buddhas are:

Middle: Vairocana Tathagata (‎大日如來 )

East: Akshobhya Tathagata (阿閦如来)

West: Amitabha Tathagata (阿弥陀如来)

North: Amoghasiddhi Tathagata (不空成就如来)

South: Ratnasambhava Tathagata (宝生如来)

Mental symbolism of the Five Wisdom Buddhas
Deity	Delusion	Enlightened Mind
Vairochana	ignorance, delusion	All-encompassing Dharmadatu Wisdom
Akshobhya	anger, hatred	Mirror-like Wisdom
Ratnasambhava	pride, miserliness	Wisdom of Equality
Amitabha	desire, lust	Discriminating Wisdom
Amogasiddhi	jealousy, fear	All-accomplishing Wisdom

Physical symbolism of the Five Wisdom Buddhas
Deity	Element	Sense	Medical/physical	Organ
Vairochana	space	sight	energy channels	heart
Akshobhya	water	sound	blood flow	kidneys
Ratnasambhava	earth	smell	flesh	spleen
Amitabha	fire	taste	body heat	liver
Amogasiddhi	air	touch	inner winds	lungs

Five Wisdom Buddhas and their relation with other Buddhas & Bodhisattvas
Deity (Sanskrit)	English name	Consort	Bodhisattva	Wheel-turning Buddhas
Vairochana	Illuminating	White Tara (Vajradhatvisvari)	Samantabhadra	Krakucchanda
Akshobhya	Unshakable	Locana	Vajrapani	Kanakamuni
Ratnasambhava	Jewel-born	Mamaki	Ratnapani	Kashyapa
Amitabha	Infinite Light	Pandara	Avalokiteshvara	Shakyamuni
Amogasiddhi	Conqueror	Green Tara	Vishvapani	Maitreya

Imagery symbolism of the Five Wisdom Buddhas
Deity	Color	Direction	Gesture (mudra)
Vairochana	white	Center	Dharmachakra Turning the Dharma-wheel (teaching)
Akshobhya	blue	East	Bhumisparsa Earth-touching
Ratnasambhava	yellow	South	Varada Bestowing, giving
Amitabha	red	West	Dhyana Meditation
Amogasiddhi	green	North	Abhaya Fearlessness

More symbolism of the Five Wisdom Buddhas
Deity	Family symbol and family	Syllable	Vehicle	Aggregate
Vairochana	Wheel	OM	dragon	form (Skt. rupa)
Akshobhya	Vajra	HUM	elephant	consciousness (Skt. vijnana)
Ratnasambhava	Jewel	TRAM	horse or lion	sensation (Skt. vendana)
Amitabha	Lotus	HRIH	peacock	perception (Skt. sanjna)
Amogasiddhi	Double Vajra	AH	Garuda	impulses (Skt. Samskara)

Sources:

Vajrasekaha Sutra

Symbolism of the Five Dhyani Buddha

Symbolism of the Five Wisdom Buddhas

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