Mangala is the name for Mars, the red planet. Mars is also called Angaraka ('one who is red in colour' or Bhauma in Sanskrit. He is the god of war and is celibate. He is considered the son of Prithvi or Bhumi, the Earth Goddess. He is the owner of the Aries and Scorpio signs, and a teacher of the occult sciences. He is painted red or flame colour, four-armed, carrying a 'trident', 'mace', 'lotus' and a 'spear'. His 'mount' is a ram. He presides over 'Mangala-varam'.