Fudo-san (as he is most usually called in Japan) is a fierce looking monster.  For someone who doesn’t know better, he looks exactly like a demon.  This is not the case though. Fudô Myo-o is usually surrounded by flames, often painted bright red or orange. They represent the burning of anger and passion to purify the mind. He usually stands or sits on a rock which represents his determination to stay where he stands (his immovability).  

Fudô Myo-o holds a rope in his left hand, used to catch and bind demons and a sword called “Kurikara” or devil-subduing sword to, well, you guessed it, subdue the demons.  It is also used to cut through ignorance.

His face is contorted in anger, his eyebrows elevated and his mouth grimacing menacingly. He usually has two fangs protruding from his mouth: one pointing upwards (represents the strength of his desire to progress upward in his service for the Truth) and the other one pointing downward (represents his unlimited compassion for those suffering in body and spirit).

Samurai identified with Fudo as a guardian figure, called “the Immovable One,” Fudo is also identified with a quality of steadfastness, even when in the midst of danger. His attribute of a sword and wrathful expression make him an apt symbol of the warrior spirit.