Jain Tirthankaras, 24 Name List, Symbol, Birthplace, Colour

Q: Who are the 24 Jain Tirthankaras?

They are spiritual teachers who revived Jainism: Rishabhanatha, Ajitanatha, Sambhavanatha, Abhinandananatha, Sumatinatha… Mahavira being the 24th, guiding souls to liberation.

Q: Who is the most famous Jain Tirthankar?

Lord Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara, is the most famous, known for codifying Jain principles of non-violence, truth, and asceticism.

Q: Who is the 21st Tirthankara of Jainism?

The 21st Tirthankara is Neminatha, revered for renouncing worldly life and promoting spiritual purity.

Q: Who is the only female Jain Tirthankar?

There is no female Tirthankara in Jainism; all 24 Tirthankaras are male, though women can achieve Keval Gyan (liberation).

Q: Why is Bahubali not a Tirthankara?

Bahubali attained spiritual liberation through meditation but did not found or revive Jain teachings, so he is a revered monk, not a Tirthankara.

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In Jainism, Tirthankaras are referred as spiritual teachers who have attained liberation and guide others on the path to salvation. They are also called Jina, meaning “conquerors of all inclinations,” as they have overcome worldly desires and attachments.

There are 24 Jain Tirthankaras. The term “Tirthankara” is derived from Teertha (a sacred ford or pilgrimage place) and Samsara (the cycle of worldly existence). A Tirthankara is one who has transcended samsara and attained Kevala Jnana (perfect knowledge).

Jain Tirthankaras

A Jain Tirthankara is not a divine incarnation (Avatar). He is an ordinary soul born as a human who attains the status of Tirthankara through severe penance, inner serenity, and deep meditation. The position of a Tirthankara represents the highest, purest state of the soul, achieved through self-effort rather than divine intervention.

Unlike prophets or founders of religions, Tirthankaras were not creators of a new faith. Instead, they were omniscient teachers who appeared at different stages of human history. They achieved the ultimate spiritual goal of existence, liberation (moksha) and then guided others to walk the same path.

A Jain Tirthankara is described as one who helps others cross the ocean of samsara (worldly existence) to the safe shores of spiritual purity and freedom.

List of Jain Tirthankaras

Over thousands of years, 24 Jain Tirthankaras have been born to teach the path of Dharma (righteousness). Each Tirthankara is associated with a unique emblem or symbol, which makes them easily identifiable in Jain iconography.

These symbols serve as spiritual markers, reminding devotees of the Tirthankara’s teachings and virtues.

Jain Tirthankaras of the Present Cosmic Age

In the current cosmic age, Jainism recognizes 24 Tirthankaras, spiritual teachers who have attained Kevala Jnana (omniscience). The first Jain Tirthankara is Rishabhanatha, credited with establishing the foundations of Jain teachings. The 24th and last Tirthankara is Mahavira, who is the most widely known and whose teachings form the core of modern Jain practice.

Jain Tirthankaras of the Present Cosmic Age
Sl. No.	Tirthankara Name	Symbol	Birthplace	Colour
1	Rishabhanatha (Adinatha)	Bull	Ayodhya	Golden
2	Ajitanatha	Elephant	Ayodhya	Golden
3	Sambhavanatha	Horse	Shravasti	Golden
4	Abhinandananatha	Monkey	Samet Sikhar	Golden
5	Sumatinatha	Heron	Ayodhya	Golden
6	Padmaprabha	Padma	Samet Sikhar	Red
7	Suparshvanatha	Swastika	Samet Sikhar	Golden
8	Chandraprabha	Crescent Moon	Chandrapuri	White
9	Pushpadanta	Crocodile	Kakandi	White
10	Shitalanatha	Shrivatsa	Bhadrak Puri	Golden
11	Shreyanasanatha	Rhinoceros	Samet Sikhar	Golden
12	Vasupujya	Buffalo	Champapuri	Red
13	Vimalanatha	Boar	Kampilya	Golden
14	Anantanatha	Falcon	Ayodhya	Golden
15	Dharmanatha	Vajra	Ratnapuri	Golden
16	Shantinatha	Antelope or deer	Hastinapur	Golden
17	Kunthunatha	Goat	Hastinapur	Golden
18	Aranatha	Nandyavarta or fish	Hastinapur	Golden
19	Māllīnātha	Kalasha	Mithila	Blue
20	Munisuvrata	Tortoise	Kusagranagar	Black
21	Naminatha	Blue lotus	Mithila	Golden
22	Neminatha	Shankha	Dvaraka	Black
23	Parshvanatha	Snake	Kashi	Blue
24	Mahavira	Lion	Kshatriyakund	Golden

Jain Tirthankaras of the Next Cosmic Age

In Jain cosmology, the next cosmic age is known as the Utsarpiṇī (ascending half-cycle). During this half-cycle, it is believed that 24 Jain Tīrthaṅkaras will be born. The names of these Tīrthaṅkaras in the upcoming cosmic age are as follows:

Jain Tirthankaras of the Next Cosmic Age
Sl. No.	Tīrthankara	Previous Human Birth
1	Rishabhanatha	Nabhi Raja
2	Ajitanātha	Muni Suvrata
3	Sambhavanātha	King Jitāri
4	Abhinandananātha	King Samvaranaraja
5	Sumatinātha	King Megha
6	Padmaprabhā	King Vishvasena
7	Suparśvanātha	King Pratishtha Raja
8	Candraprabhā	King Mahasena
9	Pushpadanta	King Sugriva
10	Śītalanātha	King Dridharatha
11	Śreyāṃsanātha	King Shubhanasa
12	Vāsupūjya	King Vasupujya
13	Vimala	King Chandra
14	Anantanātha	King Dharanendra
15	Dharmanātha	King Bhojaka
16	Śāntinātha	King Nami
17	Kunthunātha	King Vijaya
18	Aranātha	King Taara
19	Mallinātha	King Siddhartha
20	Neminātha	King Samudravijaya
21	Pārśvanātha	King Ashvasena
22	Mahāvīra	King Siddhartha
23	Nandi Vardhana	King Yasas
24	Mahābala	King Rishabha

Jain Tirthankaras Significant

Jain Tirthankaras are spiritual teachers who have attained Kevala Jnana (omniscience) and guide others on the path to liberation. There are 24 Tirthankaras in the current cosmic age, each representing a symbol and inspiring followers with their teachings. Among them, five Tirthankaras, Rishabhdev, Parshvanath, Mahavira, Mallinath, and Neminatha are considered particularly significant for their contributions to Jain philosophy, ethics, and spiritual practice. The table below summarizes key details about these Tirthankaras.

Jain Tirthankaras Significant
Tirthankara	Order	Birthplace / Parents	Key Contributions & Facts	Emblem / Symbol	Nirvana Location
Rishabhdev (Adinatha)	1st	Ayodhya; King Nabhi & Queen Marudevi	First Tirthankara; inspired Jain ethics; sons Bharata & Bahubali; daughter Brahmi linked to Brahmi script	Bull	Mount Kailasa (Digambar) / Ashtapad (Shwetambar)
Parshvanath	23rd	Varanasi; King Ashvasena & Queen Vama	Became ascetic at 30; founded four Ganas; taught peaceful living; only Tirthankara depicted with naga hood	Snake	Sammet Sikhar (Parshvanatha)
Mahavira	24th	Born Vardhamana Mahavir; King Siddhartha & Queen Trishala	Left home at 30; attained Kaivalya at 42; taught five major vows; divided disciples into monks, nuns, laymen, laywomen; celebrated on Deepavali	Lion	Pavapuri
Mallinath	19th	Mithila	Only female Tirthankara; also called Malli	Not specified	Not specified
Neminatha	22nd	Cousin of Lord Krishna	Known as Nemi; depicted with dark complexion; taught spiritual liberation	Not specified	Not specified

Jain Tirthankaras Naam Karma

Jain Tirthankaras Naam Karma is a special type of karma that elevates a soul to the supreme status of a Tirthankara, a spiritual teacher and savior who has conquered saṃsara (the cycle of birth and death) and shown the path to liberation for others. Upon attaining complete self-realization, the Tirthankara achieves Kevala Gyana (omniscience).

The Tattvartha Sutra, an important Jain text, identifies sixteen key observances that cultivate the Tirthankara Naam Karma, guiding aspirants toward spiritual purity and ultimate liberation.

Jain Tirthankaras Naam Karma
Observance	Description
Purity of right faith	Maintaining correct understanding and faith in Jain principles.
Reverence	Showing deep respect for enlightened beings and spiritual practices.
Observance of vows and supplementary vows without transgressions	Strictly following ethical and spiritual vows without violations.
Ceaseless pursuit of knowledge	Constantly seeking spiritual and worldly understanding.
Perpetual fear of the cycle of existence	Awareness of the suffering inherent in birth, death, and rebirth.
Giving gifts (charity)	Selfless acts of generosity to aid others and reduce attachment.
Practising austerities according to one’s capacity	Performing penances and self-discipline appropriate to personal ability.
Removal of obstacles that threaten the equanimity of ascetics	Ensuring ascetics can pursue spiritual practices unhindered.
Self-control	Mastering desires, impulses, and emotions.
Purity of conduct	Maintaining ethical and moral behavior in all actions.
Avoidance of injury to living beings	Practicing Ahimsa in thought, word, and deed.
Patience	Cultivating tolerance and endurance in all circumstances.
Truthfulness	Speaking and acting in accordance with truth.
Non-attachment	Avoiding emotional or material attachment to worldly possessions or relationships.
Celibacy	Observing chastity and controlling sexual desires.
Contemplation on the true nature of the self	Deep meditation on the soul’s essence to realize its pure state.

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