|
Hindu Symbols
There are a variety of Hindu symbols, many of them are used in art, sacred objects, and in rituals. These symbols usually signify Hindu concepts, they may signify attributes of deities, or gods, or goddesses themselves.
This section of our symbols website explains the history and the meaning and use of some of the most well known Hindu symbols.
 Om or Aum is of paramount importance in Hinduism. This symbol (as seen in the image on the right) is a sacred syllable representing Brahman, the impersonal Absolute of Hinduism - omnipotent, omnipresent, and the source of all manifest existence. Brahman, in itself, is incomprehensible; so a symbol becomes mandatory to help us realize the Unknowable. Om, therefore, represents both the unmanifest (nirguna) and manifest (saguna) aspects of God. That is why it is called pranava, to mean that it pervades life and runs through our prana or breath.
|
 Bindi - One of the most well known items in Hinduism is the bindi, a dot (often the color red) worn on women's foreheads. It is a form of the tilak, a symbolic mark worn by many Hindu men and women, but that has less religious meaning then other tilaks.
Traditionally, the bindi is worn on the forehead of married Hindu women. It symbolizes female energy and is believed to protect women and their husbands from bad things. Bindis are traditionally a simple mark made with the paste of colored sandalwood, sindoor or turmeric. The bindi is most commonly a red dot made with vermilion.
|
 Brahman - One can say that Brahman Itself (him/herself) constitutes the essential building material of all reality, being the substance from which all things proceed.
Brahman, as understood by the scriptures of Hinduism, as well as by the 'acharyas' of the Vedanta school, is a very specific conception of the absolute. This unique conception has not been replicated by any other religion on earth to this day, and is exclusive to Hinduism. |
 The Hindu Swastika (Sanskrit svastika, "all is well") is a cross with four arms of equal length, with the ends of each arm bent at a right angle. Sometimes dots are added between each arm. The swastika is an ancient symbol that has been found worldwide, but it is especially common in India. Its name comes the Sanskrit word svasti, meaning good fortune, luck and well-being.
The swastika is most commonly used as a charm to bring good fortune (in which case the arms are bent clockwise), but it has a variety of religious meanings as well. It should not be confused with the Nazi version of the swastika. |
 Fire Altar - The fire altar is regarded as a distinct symbol of ancient Vedic rites.
It is through the fire element, denoting divine consciousness, that the Hindu make offerings to the Gods. Hindu sacraments are solemnized before the fire.
|
 Dhvaja, or 'flag,' is the orange or red banner flown above temples, at festivals and in processions. It is a symbol of victory, signal to all that "Sanatana Dharma shall prevail." Its color betokens the sun's life-giving glow.
|
Vata, the banyan tree, symbolizes Hinduism, which branches out in all directions, draws from many roots, spreads shade far and wide, yet stems from one great trunk. Siva as Silent Sage sits beneath it.
|
Ganesha is the Lord of Obstacles and Ruler of Dharma. Seated upon His throne, He guides our karmas through creating and removing obstacles from our path. We seek His permission and blessings in every undertaking.
|
Sri yantra is called the mother of all yantras because all other yantras derive from it.
The Sri Yantra is a configuration of nine interlacing triangles centred around the bindu (the central point of the yantra), drawn by the super imposition of five downward pointing triangles, representing Shakti, the female principle and four upright triangles, representing Shiva, the male principle.
|
 The Lotus Flower - The holiest of flowers for Hindus, the beautiful lotus is symbolic of the true soul of an individual. It represents the being, which lives in turbid waters yet rises up and blossoms to the point of enlightenment. |
Resources:
Hindu Symbols - Ancient Symbols Website
|
|
