Religious Symbols and their significance

SYMBOLS AND THEIR SIGNIFICANCE

PRESENTED BY:-SHILPA S KUMAR

PGD – THEOLOGYTHM – 201

Symbol

• A "symbol" is an object that represents, stands for, or suggests an idea, belief, action, or material entity

• Every symbol is an outcome of the psychic-body of man and his mind. Some major symbols are: Chakra, Mudra, Om, Yin-Yang, Svastika, Khanda, Rudraksha, Kumbh, or Parasmani and Circumambulation etc.

SYMBOLS

• The peak experiences in the wakeful state, dream state, deep sleep state and super conscious state are all expressed through symbols in art, religion and philosophy. In order to interpret any symbol in totality, one should try to relive those experiences.

• The symbols cannot be understood merely by applying the intellect.

• Though born out of terrestrial sphere, they do not belong to it. They have their roots in the higher dimensions of spiritual life.

Swastika

• The swastika is an equilateral cross with four arms bent at 90 degrees.

• The word "swastika" comes from the Sanskrit svastika - "su" meaning "good" or "auspicious," "asti" meaning "to be," and "ka" as a suffix.

The swastika literally means "to be good". Or another translation can be made: "swa" is "higher

self", "asti" meaning "being", and "ka" as a suffix, so the translation can be interpreted as "being with higher self".

Contd…

• Archaeological evidence of swastika-shaped ornaments dates from the Neolithic period and was first found in the Indus Valley Civilization of the Indian subcontinent .

• It is considered auspicious by Hindus, Buddhists and Jains equally. Swastika is worshipped as a symbol of Ganesa, Navagraha and Lakshmi.

• In China it represents the notion of prosperity and long life.

Chakra Chakra is representative of cosmic manifestation.

Kala Chakra - the wheel of time;Karma Chakra - the wheel of actions; Dharma Chakra - the wheel of moral order; Sansara Chakra - the wheel of birth and death.

The eight spokes represent the Noble Eightfold Path of Buddhism.They are said to have sharp edges to cut through ignorance.

Eight-spoked Dharma chakra in Buddhism:

Its overall shape is that of a circle (Chakra), representing the perfection of the dharma teaching.

The hub stands for discipline, which is the essential core of meditation practice.

The rim, which holds the spokes, refers to mindfulness or Samadhi which holds everything together.

Rudraksha

Is a large evergreen broad-leaved tree whose seed is traditionally used for prayer beads in Hinduism.,

Rudraksha (Mala) is a garland of a particular type of beads usually 108 in numbers used for muttering a Nam or a Mantra. It is known:

As Japamala, Mantramala or Smarani and is found in most of Hindu families;

As Tasabiha by Muslim Indians; As Rosary by the Indian Christians and As Chakra by the Indian Tibetan Buddhists.

Shivalinga

• Shiva literally means auspiciousness and linga means a sign or a symbol.

• Shiva also means ‘One in whom the whole creation sleeps’ after dissolution.

• The cult of Shiva and the worship of his emblem, the linga, are as old as Hinduism itself. Nobody has been able to indicate, so far, the definite period during which this cult originated.

Kumbha or Kalash

Kalasha, literally means "pitcher or pot"), is a metal pot with a large base and small mouth. Sometimes "Kalasha" also refers to such a pot filled with water and topped with a coronet of mango leaves and a coconut. This combination is often used in Hindu rites. The entire arrangement is called Purna-Kalasha, Purna- Kumbha , or Purna-ghata . Each of these names literally means "full or complete vessel“.

The Purna-Kalasha is considered a symbol of abundance and "source of life" in the Vedas.

The Kalasha is believed to contain amrita, the elixir of life, and thus is viewed as a symbol of abundance, wisdom, and immortality

Lotus

• The bud of the lotus symbolizes potential, specifically of a spiritual nature. Because the lotus rises from unclean water to blossom as a pure, uncontaminated flower, it is a symbol of purity and resurrection.

• Among its many meanings and significance, the lotus is a symbol of "spontaneous" generation, and so it also represents divine birth, spiritual development and creation itself.

• At night, the lotus flower sleeps. At sunrise, with the waking of the sun, the lotus flower emerges to life. Just as in nature. Life is born, and reborn.

Nandi – the bull

Nandi is the vehicle for the Hindu god of Shiva. In Hindu mythology, Nandi is the bearer of truth and righteousness.

Nandi has been given many anthropomorphic properties:- He is the protector of dharma (morality/religious way).He is the head of 18 siddhas (scholars) of Hinduism.As he is the assistant of the main god of Shiva - he can also grant many boons. In South India - there is a tradition of talking one's wish to Nandi's ears that is then believed to be granted.

Nandi signifies strength, load bearing capacity and virility. Given that Shiva didn't have to fight fierce battles or travel quickly between the worlds (he spent most time meditating) he didn't have to choose for a more agile vahana similar to Vishnu's. Given that bulls were the main form of transportation in rural India, it made perfect sense for Shiva - who is the most down to earth & connected with rural India - to take a form that was close to the people.

Circumambulation

• Circumambulation around sanctum sanctorium in the temple or deities is called Pradakshinam (Pradakshina). It has to be done always in a clockwise manner with the deity on our right side during circumambulation.

• Waving of camphor lamp in a circular manner in Niranjana or Arti is known as Pradakshina.

• Hindus and Buddhists perform Pradakshina for purification purpose.

• In India, Tibet, China and Japan there are galleries or passages round the Stupas or Shrines for circumambulation by pilgrims.

• Muhammadans walk several times round sacred places notably the Kaaba at Mecca whilst,

• Oriental Christians perform the same round the Holy Sepulcher at Jerusalem.

• A devotee taking a round on his own axis does the circumambulation for the Sun.

Om

• Aum or Om is a mystical or sacred syllable in the Dharmic religions. It is placed at the beginning of most Hindu texts as a sacred exclamation to be uttered at the beginning and end of a Reading of the Vedas or previously to any prayer or Mantra.

• The Mandukya Upanishad is entirely devoted to the explanation of the syllable

Faravahar

• Is one of the best-known symbols of Zoroastrianism, the state religion of ancient Iran. This religious-cultural symbol was adapted by the Pahlavi Dynasty to represent the Iranian nation.

• The "Faravahar," the winged disc with a man's upper body

• the symbol is influenced by the "winged sun" appearing on Bronze Age royal seals symbolizing royal power in particular.

• Since the symbol primarily appears on royal inscriptions, it is also thought to represent the 'Divine Royal Glory', the Fravashi of the king, or the divine mandate that was the foundation of a king's authority.

• In "modern" Zoroastrianism, the Faravahar is used as a reminder of one's purpose in life, which is to live in such a way that the soul progresses towards union with Ahura Mazda.

Yin – Yang

• The outer circle represents "everything", while the black and white shapes within the circle represent the interaction of two energies, called "yin" (black) and "yang" (white), which cause everything to happen.

• They are not completely black or white, just as things in life are not completely black or white, and they cannot exist without each other.

•While "yin" would be dark, passive, downward, cold, contracting, and weak.

• "yang" would be bright, active, upward, hot, expanding, and strong.

• The shape of the yin and yang sections of the symbol, actually gives a sense of the continual movement of these two energies, yin to yang and yang to yin, causing everything to happen: just as things expand and contract, and temperature changes from hot to cold.

Torii

• It has two upright supports and two crossbars on the top, and is frequently painted vermilion. Some torii have tablets with writing mounted between the crossbars. Traditionally, torii are made of wood or stone.

• The torii are important because they are reminders of a significant event in Shinto mythology: the return of goodness and light to the world.

• The torii also indicate a departure from the human world and entrance into the world of kami.

• These are figures that are meant to ward off evil spirits and misfortunes.

Star of David

• has six-points, which symbolize that God rules over the universe and protects us from all six directions: North, South, East, West, Up and Down.

• In the 17th century, the Shield of David as the hexagram began to represent the Jewish community and Judaism.

• It is named after King of ancient Israel;

• With the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 the Star of David on the Flag of Israel has also become a symbol of Israel.

Khanda

• Khanda was introduced by the sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind Singhji.

• Khanda is commonly called the Sikh coat of arms, or "Khalsa Crest". The Khanda constitutes of four weapons in one, each with a symbolic meaning.

• The weapons are: A double-edged sword called a Khanda sits in the middle. A Chakkar is a circular weapon that surrounds the Khanda Two daggers, or Kirpans are crossed at the bottom and sit on either side of

the Khanda and Chakkar. They represent the dual nature/duties of the Gurus, Miri and Piri.

• The Khanda symbolises knowledge of God, the Chakkar symbolizes the oneness of God, Miri means political sovereignty and Piri means spiritual sovereignty.

Symbols are the totality of the situations of our psychical states, which have been well established through generations in all cultures.

THANK YOU !!