Goddess Lakshmi :-

Goddess Lakshmi is depicted in a beautiful female form with golden complexion. She is seated or standing on a full-bloomed lotus and holding a lotus bud. The lotus, a seat of divine truth, represents beauty, purity and luxuriance.

It signifies that like a lotus not drenched by the water in which it grows, one should enjoying worldly wealth without getting obsessed with it.

Her FOUR HANDS represents spiritual virtues:-
1.  Dharma (Righteousness)
2.  Kama (Genuine Desire)
3.  Artha (Wealth)
4.  Moksha (Liberation from cycle of birth of birth & death)

The front hands represent Physical activity and those at the face indicate spiritual activities. The lotuses in her Hind hands convey the idea that one must perform all worldly duties in accordance with one's Dharma to attain Moksha.

Gold coins cascading from her hand illustrate that her true devotees gain prosperity. She always wears gold-embroidered red clothes.

Red symbolizes activity and the golden lining denotes prosperity. This indicates that the Goddess is eternally busy distributing wealth to industrious devotees.

Elephants are shown spraying water on her from golden vessels. Elephants symbolize the prominence ushered in by worldly wealth. The spraying of water denotes activity. The golden vessels denote wisdom and purify.

Wealth should not be earned merely to acquire fame or satiate material cravings. It should be shared with others to bring them happiness.

Only eight of these manifestations (Ashtalakshmi) are worshipped on Deepavali.
1. Adi Lakshmi who emerged from the Ocean with the ambrosia pot in her hands.
2. Dhanya-Lakshmi, who provides an abundance of food.
3. Dhairya-Lakshmi who guards against inquietude and perturbation.
4. Gaja-Lakshi, who bestows fortune, wealth, power and beauty.
5. Santana-Lakshmi, who confers the hapiiness of marriage and progeny.
6. Vijay-Lakshmi, who spells fruition and success.
7. Vidya-Lakshmi, who grants erudition.
8. Dhana-Lakshmi, who bless with affluence.