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OM
There are thousands of symbols in Sanatana Dharma, but the most important one is OM (picture on the left), often
also written as AUM (in English); it is a mystical word and part of all (important) mantras. OM is the breath of the
universe that first sounded during its creation. This Holy symbol is seen in the beginning of all Hindu religious texts.
Ankusa (Ankusha)
The goad (hook) held in the Lord Ganesha's right hand.
Antelope
Antelope is a vehicle of Vayu (Lord of the winds) and Chandra (a lunar deity).
Bindi (and Bindu)
Bindi is a small ornamental and devotional dot drawn on the forehead. Bindu is the "central point" or "central dot"
(of Yantra, of knowledge, etc.).
Buffalo
Buffalo is a vehicle of Lord Yama (Lord of death).
Bull (Nandi)
Bull is a vehicle of Lord Shiva.
Colors
Saffron
It is the color of Lord Agni and it symbolizes all aspects of Sanatana Dharma. It is therefore the most important
color of Hinduism.
Red
Red represents purity and sensuality. Many typical Hindu symbols (such as a dot on the forehead) are in red color.
Red color destroys evil. It radiates healthy aggression - vigor, determination, sexuality and passion.
Green
This color is typical for festive occasions. It symbolizes peace and happiness. It emanates nature and it brings peace
to the mind.
Yellow
It represents knowledge and acumen. It is the color that initiates spring growth. Lord Vishnu is often displayed in
yellow, but Ganesh too, because yellow is the symbol of wisdom. However, this does not mean that other Hindu
Gods, if not displayed in yellow, lack wisdom. What black color means for Kali (strength), yellow means (is typical)
for Lord Ganesh and Lord Krishna.
White
It represents peace and purity. This is the color of Saraswati.
Blue
It is the color of rivers, seas, and the sky, thus it symbolizes distance, depth and height. This color radiates energies
of the remotest ends (the footstool of God) of the universe.
Black
The Lord Krishna's, but also the Kali's color. Black symbolizes power, because it absorbs all other colors, thus it is
the badge of superiority.
Color symbolism of chakras
Colors are also associated with chakras. Although many Internet websites describe the system of chakras (and what
every chakra means) quite well, the association of colors to chakras shows the picture on the left. There are several
chakra systems. The one that is the most famous here in Europe and in the US uses seven chakras: 1) Red - Root
Chakra, 2) Orange - Sacral Chakra, 3) Yellow - Solar Plexus Chakra, 4) Green - Heart Chakra, 5) Blue - Throat
Chakra, 6) Indigo - Third Eye Chakra, 7) Violet - Crown Chakra.
Sir John Woodroffe (1865-1936), a British scholar, established a belief
in the system of the seven chakras, but in the Nepali or Tibetan system
there are only five chakras.
Crescent moon
Crescent moon is the Shiva's and Parvati's symbol. There are rumors
that Muslim Kaaba in Mecca was originally a Hindu temple and a
recent archeological finding of a gold-plated statue of Ganesh in Kuwait
suggests a strong connection between Hindu and Arabic civilizations.
The Kaaba shrine comes from the times of pre-Islamic ages and some
Hindus suppose it was originally an Indian temple of Lord Shiva.
Crow
Crow is a vehicle of Lord Shani, one of the nine primary celestial
beings in Hindu astrology.
Dhavja
The orange or red banner a visitor can see above temples, or which is used in festivals. It is a symbol of victory.
Dog and horse
These are the vehicles of Lord Shiva in His form as Bhairava.
Elephant
Shaivistic rosary
The rosary used by shaivists is made from Rudraxa beads, the number of which is 108.
Shri Paduka (Tiruvadi)
The sacred sandals worn by saints.
Stupa
Stupa is a little tower on tops of Hindu or Buddhist temples - it symbolizes organization of the universe. It is
composed of parts that symbolize five elements (tattwas): earth, air, fire, water, and spirit.
Svastika
This symbol (a sign of the sun) was stolen and smudged by the Nazi ideology (read my article about Lord Ganesh).
Svastika is a symbol of prosperity and it is the second holiest symbol in Hinduism. Its four directions represent also
the four points of the compass. It is also a symbol of good prospects.
Swan
Swan is a vehicle of Saraswati and Lord Brahma.
Tattwas or five elements
These are the Vedic symbols for earth, air, fire, water, and spirit, and they also have their visual forms.
Tiger (and lion too)
Tiger is the vehicle of Lord Ayyappa, but also the vehicle of Goddess Shakti (Kali).
Tilaka (or Tilakam)
A mark worn on the forehead; it shows a path (Vishnu, Shiva, Durga) such a devotee follows. Ganapatyas use a kind
of red paste (rakta candana); shaivists use ash, and vaishnavists clay from a holy place or river (like Ganga).
Tortoise
Tortoise symbolizes a place on which Mother Earth (Prithvi) rests.
Trident or Trishul
This symbol (weapon) belongs to Shiva, but also to Ganesha and Skanda. The symbol can also be found on pictures
of Goddess Durga. The Greek god of the oceans, Poseidon, is also pictured with it.
Trikona
The triangle, a symbol of Lord Siva.
Veena
It is an Indian stringed instrument similar to European lyre. Veena is the symbol of art and learning; Goddess
Saraswati is pictured with it.
Vel
This is a symbol of Lord Murugan (Skanda). Vel is a spear with which Lord Murugan kills evil and subjugates any
knowledge.
Vitthakalai
Vitthakalai is a gold-decorated chariot of Maa Kali according to the belief of Ayyavazhi (a South Indian religious
faith and sect that originated in South India in about the 19th century).
Yantra
Yantra is a visual representation of a deity most frequently drawn as geometric shapes (but this is not the rule) - it is
the same thing as mantra, but instead of sounds the devotee works with pictures. There are many Yantras (circletype, square-type, triangle-type, etc.) and their lines and shapes can have many meanings. The devotee may choose a
Yantra suited for his/her specific spiritual needs.