Yakshini
/jəˈkʃɪni/noun
In South Asian mythology, a female nature spirit or supernatural being, often associated with fertility, beauty, wealth, and desire.
Did you know?In Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain traditions, Yakshinis could be benevolent guardians or dangerous enchantresses, and iconic female figures appear on ancient Indian gateways as fertility symbols.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-Iranian period
Proto-Indo-Iranian
*yaǵ- / *yaz- (proposed)
“A proposed ritual root connected with reverence or worship; the deeper origin of yakṣa remains debated.”
Ancient Sanskrit
Sanskrit
yakṣa (यक्ष)
“A supernatural being or nature spirit, often associated with forests, fertility, wealth, and hidden treasure.”
Ancient Sanskrit
Sanskrit
yakṣiṇī (यक्षिणी)
“The feminine form of yakṣa: a female spirit or supernatural being.”
3rd century BCE–1st century CE
Prakrit/Pali
yakkhinī / yakkhī
“A female yakkha, appearing in South Asian religious and literary traditions as a spirit or guardian.”
19th century
English
yakshini
“An English transliteration of Sanskrit yakṣiṇī, used in translations and scholarship concerning Indian religion, art, and mythology.”
Modern English
English
yakshini
“A female nature spirit in South Asian mythology, often depicted as beautiful, powerful, and connected with fertility or occult forces.”