Ma簽ju?r蘋 is depicted as a male bodhisattva wielding a flaming sword in his right hand, representing the realization of transcendent wisdom which cuts down ignorance and duality. The scripture supported by the lotus held in his left hand is a Praj簽?p?ramit? s贖tra, representing his attainment of ultimate realization from the blossoming of wisdom.

Ma簽ju?r蘋 is often depicted as riding on a blue lion, or sitting on the skin of a lion. This represents the use of wisdom to tame the mind, which is compared to riding or subduing a ferocious lion. He is one of the Four Great Bodhisattvas of Chinese Buddhism, the other three being: Bodhisattva K廜ξtigarbha, Bodhisattva Avalokite?vara, and Bodhisattva Samantabhadra.

In China, he is often paired with Bodhisattva Samantabhadra. In Tibetan Buddhism Manjushri is sometimes depicted in a trinity with Avalokite?vara (Tib. Chenrazig) and Vajrap?廜?? (Tibetan: Channa Dorje).