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Oct 10, 2024 · Most Hindu symbols have a spiritual meaning that connects back to early philosophies, teachings, and cultural traditions within Hinduism. While the exact meaning of each symbol may vary depending on the region or sect that it’s being worshiped in, we’ll give you a breakdown of the most common meanings of the most iconic symbols in the Hindu ...
- The Swastika
- Om
- The Tilaka
- Sri Yantra
- Shiva Lingam
- Rudraksha
- Veena
- Lotus
- Bindi
- Dhvaja
The Swastikais an equilateral cross with the arms bent to the right at 90 degree angles. It’s considered a sacred and religious Hindu icon. Although it’s been found historically in all corners of the globe and appears in many major religions, it’s said to have originated in India, rooted firmly in the Vedas. Stigmatized after being adopted by Adolf...
Om or Aum is a spiritual Hindu symboland sacred sound known as the sound of the entire universe used in meditation. The first syllable in any Hindu prayer, it’s chanted independently or just before a spiritual recitation and considered to be the greatest of all Hindu mantras. Here’s what each element, the crescent, the dot and the curves represents...
The Tilaka is a long, vertical mark, typically with a dot at the end. It’s made by applying paste or powder on the forehead of Hindu devotees, starting from just below the hairline down to the end of the tip of one’s nose. The U-shape and horizontal lines of this symbol indicate devotion to the gods Vishnu and Shiva respectively. An important spiri...
Also known as the Sri Chakra, the Sri Yantrafeatures nine interlocking triangles radiating from a central point called the ‘bindu’. The elements of this symbol have various interpretations. The nine triangles are said to represent the human body and the totality of the cosmos. Out of these nine, the four upright triangles represent Shiva or the mas...
In Hinduism, the Shiva Lingamis a votary object symbolic of the god Shiva. It’s thought to be an emblem of generative power. Also referred to as Shivling or Linga, this symbol is a short, cylindrical pillar-like structure. It can be made of various materials such as stone, gem, metal, clay, wood or other disposable material. The symbol signifies Sh...
Rudraksha are seeds from the Rudraksha tree, found in Nepal, the Himalayas, South Asia and even in Australia. These seeds represent the tears of Lord Shiva which are also known as Rudra and are usually threaded into a necklace for praying or meditation purposes, much like the Catholic Rosary. Rudraksha beads symbolize the Divine power and its link ...
The Veena is a stringed musical instrument, mostly used in Carnatic Indian classic music. The Hindu Goddess of Knowledge, Saraswathi, is often depicted holding a veena. Like the Goddess herself, this instrument represents knowledge and purity which radiates in all directions when played. The music produced by the veena is symbolic of life and the s...
In Hinduism, the lotus is a significant flower as it’s associated with many gods such as Lakshmi, Brahma and Vishnu. The gods are usually depicted with lotus flowers, a symbol of purity and divinity. The lotus flower is an ancient symbol with different interpretations. However, the meaning of the flower originates from the way it grows in nature. I...
The bindiis a vermilion dot worn in the middle of the forehead by Hindus and Jains and is commonly referred to as ‘pottu’ or ‘bottu’. It’s a decoration that was initially for religious purposes. The Hindus believed that the forehead is the area of cloaked wisdom and the main reason for applying it was to generate and strengthen this wisdom. Also co...
In Hindu or vedic tradition, the Dhvaja is a red or orange flag or a metal banner fixed on a post and commonly featured in temples and religious processions. The Dhvaja is made either of copper or brass, but there are those made of cloth as well. These are hoisted temporarily in temples for special occasions. The Dhvaja is a symbol of victory, sign...
This designation highlights the importance of respecting all forms of life, as illustrated in the texts where the consequences of harming animals are discussed. The commentary emphasizes the ethical implications of actions involving Mina, aligning with the broader principles of non-violence and reverence for living beings found in Hindu philosophy.
The Swastika is a holy sign and symbol from thousands of years ago. Practically, the only symbol that is more important in the Vedic tradition is the Sanskrit Om Symbol. It is an ancient symbol and has been found on sculptures from the early excavations of Mohenjo-Daro. "Beyond its certain presence in the "proto-writing" symbol
Apr 13, 2019 · There are some Hindu symbols such as the conch and the lotus that are similar to Buddhism symbols. In this list, we’ll have a look at some of the most common and sacred Hindu symbols and the meaning behind them: 1. Hindu symbol Aum ( Pronounced as Om) In Hinduism, Om is a sacred sound that is considered the greatest of all mantras.
- East Asian Cultures
Sep 21, 2024 · Here we mention 6 sacred symbols of Hinduism and what they mean. 2 / 7 OM. OM, the sound of the universe, and the vibrations that are enough to put your mind at peace in an instant, is one of the ...
Over the millennia of its development, Hinduism has adopted several iconic symbols, forming part of Hindu iconography, that are imbued with spiritual meaning based on either the scriptures or cultural traditions. The exact significance accorded to any of the icons varies with region, period and denomination of the followers.