Hindu Symbols
Hinduism is made up of a combination of different religious, cultural, and philosophical practices that find their roots in different parts of India. This religion is brimming with symbolism.
Some people actually believe that there is no other religion that employs the art of symbolism in such an effective manner as Hinduism.
While most of the symbols are invariably saturated with spiritual meaning, others are representative of their gods and goddesses, philosophies, teachings, and cultural traditions.
There are two main categories of the Hindu symbols: i. Murti — These symbols are inclusive of drawings and icons
ii. Mudra — These symbols re inclusive of hand gestures and positions of the body
The Symbolism of gods and goddesses- Why Do Hindus Worship Different Deities?
Deities and rituals are a huge part of Hinduism; they have great religious significance. All the deities found in Hinduism are symbols of the Supreme Being and point to a particular aspect of the creator (Brahman).
The Hindu Trinity is usually represented by three Hindu gods: Brahman who is the creator, Vishnu who is the protector, and Shiva who is the destroyer.
Among all religions found in East Asia and across the globe, Hindus have the most freedom to worship their “idol” of choice who in turn offers their prayers to the creator. Each and every one of the Hindu gods and goddesses controls a specific force in nature that governs a person’s path of spiritual progress.
In order for a person to achieve all-rounded spiritual perfection, he/she needs to gain favor with different deities who help stir up his/her consciousness to help him develop similar attributes as the gods.
Each Hindu deity has many characteristics such as how they dress or what weapons they carry. These characteristics are represented by symbols which are used to identify the different gods and goddesses. For example, Krishna may be identified by the peacock feather worn on the head, or by the flute that he carries which symbolizes divine music.
Symbols in Hinduism
When looked at on the surface, the symbols used in Hinduism may seem absurd. However, when you get to learn their deeper meaning you will discover so much- their hidden meanings are intriguing.
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. Hindus believe that God first created sound frequencies and the universe arose from them.
The Om sound is considered to be a symbol that represents the essence of the universe; its threefold nature represents several important triads:
- The 3 worlds- earth, atmosphere, and heaven
- The 3 main gods- Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva
- The 3 Vedic scriptures- Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda
Om is to Hindus what the cross is to Christians. This root mantra is spoken at the beginning and end of Hindu prayers and meditations. In written form, Om is used to marking the beginning of a text in an inscription or a manuscript.
The Om symbol consists of three curves, a semi-circle, and a dot. The lower curve is the largest and is a symbol of the waking state of consciousness.
Its large size means that this is the most common state of the mind.
The middle curve represents the state between deep sleep and consciousness; also known as the dream state. In this state, one is able to view the world behind closed eyelids.
The upper curve symbolizes the unconscious state. In this state of deep sleep, the person does not get any dream. Overall, the three curves represent the entire physical phenomenon.
The semi-circle in the Om symbol separates the dot from the curves and is a representation of Maya. Maya is believed to prevent us from reaching the highest state of bliss as represented by the upper curve.
The dot on the symbol is used to represent the fourth state of consciousness where a person comes to rest and achieves the ultimate aim of all their spiritual activity. This fourth state is the absolute state that illuminates all the other three states.
Om is the most chanted sound in all of India. In addition to being used in sacred texts, prayers and invocations, the Om sound may also be used as a greeting. In a nutshell, Om is the god in the form of sound- a word of great power. It’s the most important mantra is both Hinduism and Buddhism as well.
2. Sri Chakra or Sri Yantra
This symbol is a complex yet beautiful geometry that has, for the longest time, been used for worship and meditation. The shape is made up of 9 triangles that radiate from a central point and interlock with each other.
Of the 9 triangles, 4 are upright and symbolize the masculine side (Shiva) while the other 5 are inverted and symbolize the feminine side (Shakti).
In totality, the Sri Chakra is used as a symbol of the unity between the masculine and the feminine divinity.
The triangles interlock to form a web of 43 smaller triangles with each one of them housing a particular deity that represents a specific aspect of existence.
The Sri Chakra is quite similar to a mandala; what sets it apart is that the Sri Chakra can either be a 3-dimensional object or a 2-dimensional diagram.
When in the 3-dimensional state, the Sri Chakra is a representation of Mt. Meru which is believed to lie at the axis of the universe. This cosmic mountain is the bond of everything in the cosmos and it’s also regarded as a place of a spiritual journey. The Sri Chakra is mostly used in the Sri Kula tradition in Tantrism.
3. Swastika
The Swastika symbol is widely used in Indian religion specifically Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. The term Swastika is derived from the Sanskrit term “svastika” and has two meanings. ‘Sv’ means ‘good’ or ‘higher self, ‘Asti’ means ‘to be’ or ‘being’, and ‘ka’ is a suffix.
The word basically translates to “to be good” or “being with higher self.” This symbol is mostly used as a representation of good fortune and other times it’s also used as a sun symbol.
The figure has right-angled arms which represent the indirect way that Divinity is apprehended by intuition and not by intellect.
The arms are usually right-facing (clockwise) but sometimes may be left-facing in the mirrored form. The anticlockwise Swastika is used as a symbol of magic, night, and the goddess Kali.
The Swastika is in the shape of a cross which has four arms, pointing in all the four directions to describe the four Vedas and to signify the omnipresence eternal nature of the Absolute.
The Swastika symbol may also be used to represent peace, honesty, truth, purity of the soul, and stability. One of the uses of the symbol is to mark the opening of account books, doors, and thresholds.
4. Shiva Linga
This term comes from the combination of two words: “Shiva” and “linga” which translate to auspicious and symbol respectively.
The term is used in reference to the Supreme Being. The Shiva Linga is a symbol of Lord Shiva and represents God Himself in all His three aspects: Creator, Protector, and Destroyer.
It symbolizes the power of fertility and strength. The symbol reminds us of the Omnipotent Lord which is formless.
The symbol is an elongated column that resembles an erect penis, the emblem of the generative power in nature. It symbolizes the cosmic creation which is effected by the male and female powers of nature. The Shivalinga symbol is also a representation of truth, knowledge, and infinity. Depending on the mobility of the symbol, there are two broad classes of the Shivalangas:
i. Cala — These are made using stones, metal, crystals, or clay and can be moved from one place to another with ease.
ii. Acala — These are built using hard stone or heavy metal and are usually found in temples, fixed to the ground.
5. Nataraja
This symbol depicts Lord Shiva in a dancing pose. The beautiful avatar is intended to put a message across that ignorance can only be overcome by knowledge, music, and dance.
The sculpture is carved in stone or cast in bronze.
Lord Shiva is also referred to as Nataraja which means “Lord of Dancers” or “The King of Dance.”
In Sanskrit, “Nata” means dance while “Raja” means King. The dance pose that is represented in the avatar is blissful and depicts the Hindu god Shiva on an aureole of flames, balancing on one leg upon Apasmara.
The flames represent the creation and destruction of the cosmos in a never-ending cycle of time. Apasmara, on the other hand, is a demon-dwarf that symbolizes darkness and ignorance.
Shiva’s other leg is a representation of liberation from demons and other evils. His right hand, he holds a double-sided drum that makes the first sounds of creation and in his left hand, he holds a fire that will destroy the universe.
6. Shiva’s Nandi
Nandi is Lord Shiva’s mount or Vahana. The Nandi symbol is a huge white bull that has a black tail and kneels at the feet of Lord Shiva. This symbolizes disciplined animality which results in the ideal devotee to Shiva. The symbol is also a representation of Shiva’s strength.
7. Lotus (Padma)
The lotus is the holiest flower in India. It has, over the years, achieved a status that cannot be equaled by any other flower.
It’s used as a symbol both Hinduism and Buddhism and primarily represents untouched beauty and non-attachment. Even though the plant is rooted deep in the mud, the beautiful lotus remains to be clean and continues to float on the water.
This gives clear teaching of how humans should carry themselves throughout their lives, untouched by sin.
The lotus flower is also used as a symbol of etiquette and culture, creation, fertility, and perfection of beauty.
Many Hindu deities like Vishnu, Ganesha, and Parvati are depicted holding the lotus in their hands. In the East Asian cultures, you will find the lotus flower symbol on buildings and cars. Again, the lotus is associated with the chakras.
Here we’ll provide you with a basic overview of a series of chakras where the lotus flower holds special significance. These chakras are an important aspect of different types of meditation:
i. Muladhara: The Root Chakra This chakra is depicted as a red lotus flower that has four petals.
The root chakra is related to instinct, security, survival, and human potentiality. Physically, it governs sexuality, mentally it governs stability, emotionally it governs sensuality, and spiritually it governs a sense of security.
ii. Swadhisthana: The Sacral Chakra This chakra is depicted as an orange lotus that has six petals.
The sacral chakra is considered to correspond to the testes or the ovaries that produce the sex hormones during a person’s reproductive cycle.
This chakra is generally believed to physically govern reproduction, mentally govern creativity, emotionally govern joy, and spiritually govern enthusiasm.
iii. Manipura: The Solar Plexus Chakra This chakra is depicted as a yellow lotus with ten petals.
The solar plexus chakra is associated with the metabolic and digestive systems that convert food matter into energy for the body.
Physically, the Manipura governs digestion, mentally it governs personal power, emotionally it governs expansiveness, and spiritually it governs all matters of growth.
iv. Anahata: The Heart Chakra
This chakra is depicted as a green lotus with twelve petals. The heart chakra is located in the chest area and is related to the thymus which is the site of maturation of the T cells. T cells are responsible for fighting diseases. Physically this chakra governs circulation, emotionally it governs unconditional love, mentally it governs passion, and spiritually it governs devotion.
v. Vishuddha: The Throat Chakra
This chakra is depicted as a blue lotus with sixteen petals. The throat chakra is associated with the thyroid gland which produces the thyroid hormone which regulates growth. Physically, the chakra governs communication, emotionally it governs independence, mentally it governs fluent thought, and spiritually, it governs a sense of security.
vi. Ajna: The Brow Chakra
This chakra is depicted as an indigo lotus with two petals. The brow chakra is associated with the pineal gland which produces the hormone melatonin which regulates sleep. Mentally, this chakra governs visual consciousness, emotionally it governs clarity on an intuitive level.
vii. Sahasrara: The Crown Chakra
This chakra is depicted as a violet lotus with one thousand petals. The crown chakra is described as having a total of 1,000 petals which are arranged in 20 different layers with each one of them having 50 petals.
The Sahasrara is a symbol of detachment from the illusion which is important in helping us to achieve a higher level of consciousness.
8. The Veena
This is a stringed musical instrument found in India that represents arts and learning. The Veena is also used as a symbol of the Hindu goddess Saraswati and the sage Narada.
9. The Conch Shell
The conch is also used as a Buddhist symbol but has a different interpretation. In Hinduism, the conch is a major article of prayer; the horn-trumpet is used to make announcements.
It is used as an attribute of Vishnu (the God of Preservation) who is said to hold a special shell as one of his main emblems.
In East Asian Cultures, the warriors blew the conch to announce battle.
In India today, the conch is mainly blown as a part of religious practices such as worship. In addition, this symbol is used to represent the sound that was used to create the universe.
10. Multiple arms and heads
The idea of multiple heads, arms, and other body parts is used to portray the illusion of “multiple conventions” in religious iconography.
The deities are depicted standing behind each other with their arms in different positions.
The visual effect created shows kinetic energy indicating the ability to be in different places and exist at all these places at once.
This symbol represents the divine omnipresence which means that the Supreme Being is able to control many things simultaneously.
11. Vahana
In Hinduism, the Vahana (meaning vehicle) is a mythical animal that is associated with a particular deity.
In religious iconography, the deity is depicted riding on the mythical animal or at times, standing next to the Vahana.
12. Vishnu
Vishnu is one of the gods that make up the Hindu Triad. He is a protector and a preserver.
The Rig Vedic Vishnu is depicted as the sun in its three main stages — rising, zenith and setting.
In these three stages Vishnu cruises through the three divisions of the universe — the earth, the atmosphere, and the sky.
Vishnu is believed to have taken these three steps for the protection, preservation, and benefit of mortals. The zenith is appropriately called Vishnu’s place.
13. The Tilaka
You will often find the tilaka symbol on the foreheads of devoted Hindus.
This symbol comes in different forms and designs depending on the religious ceremony or the custom taking place. It’s, however, quite different from the bindi that is worn by the women.
A U-shaped tilaka is a symbol of a Hindu’s devotion to Lord Vishnu while a horizontal one (Tripundra) is used by Shivites as a symbol of their devotion to Lord Shiva. The Tripundra has 3 horizontal lines which represent the three godly forces: creation, sustenance, and destruction.
Click here to keep reading about many other Hindu symbols and their meaning
Originally published at east-asian-cultures.com on April 13, 2019.
