Palden

Palden (Tibetan: དཔལ་ལྡན, Wylie: dpal ldan) is a Tibetan word meaning "glorious," "splendid," "magnificent," or "fortunate." It is commonly used as part of personal names, place names, and in religious contexts.

In personal names, Palden is frequently used as a prefix or suffix, signifying qualities like auspiciousness and good fortune. Examples include Palden Dorje, a common Tibetan name.

It also appears in the names of monasteries and geographical locations across Tibet and the Himalayan region, signifying the importance and sanctity of those places.

In a religious context, Palden Lhamo (Tibetan: དཔལ་ལྡན་ལྷ་མོ།, Wylie: dpal ldan lha mo) is a significant example. She is a wrathful deity considered the principal protectress of Tibet, Lhasa, and the Dalai Lamas. The term “Palden” in this context emphasizes her glorious and powerful nature. More broadly, the word “Palden” can be used to describe anything that is considered to be of high spiritual merit or importance.