Iconography:

In Mahayana Buddhism, the Vajra (sanskrit in Tibetan Dorje) is the symbol of compassion, the most powerful energy in the universe. In tantric Buddhism, it is the symbol of compassion as the active quality of kindness, rather than mere sympathetiec feelings not transformed into action. It symbolizes the male principle of method or skillful means and is there for held in the right hand (male hand). The sanskrit term, Vajra means "the hard or mighty one", while the tibetan term, Dorje meand 'the lord of stones', implying an indestructable hardness, like a diamond. It essentially symbolizes the impenetrable, immovable, indivisible and indestructible state of enlightenment/Buddhahood.

The lotus petals, seen on the center section, is an important Buddhist motif.  Images of the Buddha & other important persons often are shown seated on a lotus throne.  The growth of the lotus, with its roots in mud, growing through water & emerging as a wonderful plant above the water's surface, is seen as an analogy of the soul’s path from the mud of materialism to the purity of enlightenment.

The Zipak (Tibetan) Zeeba (in Sanskrit) originates in a Shaivite legend from the Shandha Purana.  Shiva created a demon called Jalandhara from the blaze of his third eye.  Jalandhara assumed great power & desired an incestuous relationship with Parvati, the consort of Shiva & Jalandhara's adoptive mother.  Jalandhara persuaded Rahu, one of his demonic friends, to demand Parvati's favor.  When Shiva got wind of this, he was understandably outraged, so his third eye blazed again, thereby creating the Zeeba, who made a beeline to devour Rahu.  Rahu decided that Zeeba was going to eat him bones & all & begged Shiva for mercy; whereupon, Shiva offered forgiveness & called off Zeeba.  Because Zeeba had not had anything to eat since coming into the world & had been deprived of his only prey, he turned on himself & devoured his own body until only the head & hands remained.  Shiva was very pleased with his handiwork & invited Zeeba to remain as the guardian to his door.   Since then, he has become a reminder of the consequences of gluttony & greed & also stands as a guardian of practitioners. The Cintamani issuing from the Zipak's mouth symbolizes the wisdom gained from vanquishing greed and gluttony from your life.