ZAKIRAM / GODDESS OF WEALTH AND TURNING POINTS

Ask her for prosperity,
ask her for courage,
ask her for a turning point.

At Zaki Temple in Lhasa, people come before the dark-faced goddess Zakiram with hopes for business, prosperity, a protected home, and a turning point. Her gaze is forceful, her round chest mirror gathers light, and she is known as a Goddess of Wealth whose presence brings courage at decisive moments.

SEVAIN / STORY 01

A GODDESS WHO ARRIVED AND STAYED

She travelled far,
then stayed inside generations of wishes.

Research on the history of Zaki Temple and the belief surrounding Zakiram traces both local and Central-Plains narratives. In one widely circulated telling, a female deity travels west with a learned master and remains near Zhaji Tang; other accounts place her beginnings locally.

The different versions do not confine her to a single beginning. Instead, journey, arrival, and remaining become the story’s most compelling thread: a female figure brought to another place is received there, then given new meaning within local life.

THE FIGURE / FACE, MIRROR, ROBES

Begin with the two eyes,
then follow the reflector down.

Zakiram is most readily recognised by the two eyes and red tongue on her black face. Crown and side pendants open outward, while the wordless round reflector draws the eye back to the centre. Layered robes descend to reveal a pair of chicken feet.

From a distance, the black face and crown feel fiercely protective. Up close, beads, robe lines, and the round reflector make the act of looking intricate. Hers is not a softly pleasing face, but a presence that asks the viewer to pause, focus, and gather the mind.

Zakiram portrait detail with two eyes, red tongue, and crown in side light — The black face gathers light; two eyes meet the viewer.

TWELVE DETAILS / ONE FIGURE

Twelve details,
returning to one complete figure.

From eyes, crown, and side pendants to the chest reflector, layered robes, and chicken feet, these line studies divide looking into twelve close encounters. Recognise each part, then return to the force of the standing figure.

**Two-eye face**Two eyes and a red tongue form the facial axis by which Zakiram is recognised.

**Blank chest reflector**A wordless round reflector rests at the chest; beads sit sparsely along its lower edge.

**Crown edge**The crown opens outward; uneven heights retain an upward force.

**Paired curl pendants**Paired curls answer one another, with tassels falling to unequal lengths.

**Chicken feet and threshold**A pair of chicken feet appears beneath the robe; the threshold holds the moment of standing.

**Full figure**Crown, face, reflector, robes, and feet gather into one vertical silhouette.

**Granular headband**Small points follow an arc, forming a slow rhythm across the brow.

**Side pendants**Pendants descend at either side; curls and short tassels keep a slight difference.

**Layered robe hem**Layered robes hold the body at centre as fine lines spread toward the ground.

**Eyes and brow line**Brow line and two eyes open outward; the gaze arrives before the rest of the face.

**Crown and headband**A rising crown overlaps an arcing headband, joining lift with enclosure.

**Reflector and hanging veil**Long lines hold the round reflector; beads and hanging forms draw the eye downward.

A rain-darkened stone path passing between a deep doorway and yellow walls — The stone road narrows toward the doorway; the story keeps growing after arrival.

A STORY CHANGED BY PLACE

After she remained here,
another place became home.

Zakiram’s story endures not only because of a journey, but because of what happened after arrival. Temple, streets, traders, and passers-by brought concerns for livelihood, travel, and family before her. Over time, a travelling narrative overlapped with local life and became part of Lhasa’s everyday memory.

Continue through seven scenes

WHAT PEOPLE ASK HER TO CARRY

Prosperity, momentum,
protection, and clarity.

Some want business to flourish; some want to meet an approaching opportunity. Some hold family safety close; others want to trust their judgement again. Zakiram’s forceful image gives these wishes a centre that can be seen, touched, and carried.

Livelihood and abundance

To keep a shop’s light on, give long labour a steadier return, and let what is earned care for oneself and those one loves.

Journey and courage

Before a new city, work, or chapter of life, acknowledge hesitation and take the first step with intention.

Family and steadiness

To hold distant loved ones in mind while tending nearby relationships, and find a kinder balance between intimacy, duty, and personal boundaries.

Judgement and clarity

When an answer has not yet appeared, gather scattered thoughts, and see facts, consequences, and what truly matters.

FROM GODDESS TO TALISMAN

Wear the wish
closest to the heart.

When Zakiram’s eyes, crown, robes, and mirror enter a pendant, a monumental goddess comes to the scale of the body. The outward gaze refuses retreat, the round mirror gathers abundance and protection, and layered robes give her presence weight.

Wear it to work, on a journey, into a negotiation, or give it for a birthday, opening, or new chapter. Each return to the chest renews one intention: let life begin to move.

Choose a Zakiram piece

Paper wrapping, silver, and minerals in morning light

READ FURTHER

From research back to story,
and from story to choice.

To trace the different origin narratives, continue with research on the history of Zaki Temple and Zakiram belief. To see how people speak of her today, read a contemporary lifestyle account. Then return to figure, material, and the work you would choose to wear over time.

Read the research Read a contemporary telling

She travelled far,then stayed inside generations of wishes.

Begin with the two eyes,then follow the reflector down.

After she remained here,another place became home.

Prosperity, momentum,protection, and clarity.