Daruma is a depiction of Bodhidharma, a 5th- or 6th-century Buddhist monk traditionally regarded as the one who introduced Ch’an or Zen Buddhism to China. He was said to have started the physical training of the monks of Shaolin Monastery, which led to the birth of Shaolin kung fu. In Japan, Bodhidharma is known as…
The Shiva lingam, also referred to as Shiva linga, is a non-figural representation of the Hindu god Shiva. It is often depicted within a disk-shaped platform and revered as the beginning of all creation. The Shiva lingam frequently appears in Shiva’s temples. It is the most common object of worship for the said Hindu god….
Nataraja is a famous symbol in India. It is commonly used to represent the Indian culture and is deemed to be among the finest of Hindu art. The cosmic dance of Nataraja is an incarnation of Shiva as the god of dance and dramatic arts. Additionally, Nataraja performs the Nadanta as maker, nourisher and destroyer…
Vajra is a five-pronged ritual object used in Buddhist ceremonies in Tibet. Known as dorje or rdo-rje in Tibetan, varja is the symbol of the Vajrayana school of Buddhism. The varja is a type of club made of either brass or bronze, with its four prongs at each curved around the fifth in the center,…
Ajna is the brow or third-eye chakra. It is the sixth primary chakra in Tantric Buddhism and some certain forms of Hinduism. For the Hindus, Ajna pertains to the subconscious mind, which they believe to be the direct connection to the brahman. The Ajna symbol is depicted as a two-petaled transparent lotus flower. It denotes…
The ancient Shri Yantra, a very popular Hindu symbol, is based on the Vedas. It is used as a meditation aid in tantric worship. The Shri Yantra symbol is often featured in body art, shirts, jewelry, drinking mugs, and a lot of others. Indeed, this symbol has become quite fashionable today. More often than not,…
Sahasrara is the 1,000-petaled lotus symbol in Hindu, Buddhist, and other traditions. It is the symbol of the crown chakra or Sahasrara, the last of 7 primary chakras of the energy body. Sahasrara or crown chakra is said to govern the brain and the nervous system. It is located in the crown or the top…
Although there are 7 types of this very ancient Indian musical instrument, the word “veena” of today has come to signify the Saraswati veena. It is the Carnatic music sphere’s most pertinent instrument. Veena is claimed to be among the hardest instruments to learn and master. It is made by expert artisans out of sturdy…
Serch bythol is a lesser-known Celtic symbol, but it doesn’t mean it is less important. This Celtic knot is found in jewelry and decorative crosses, and in body art as well. Two other Celtic knots—the triquetras or trinity knots—make up the serch bythol. These knots symbolize an everlasting love between a couple, who will be…
Aum, also spelled “Om” or “Ohm,” is a symbol most sacred not only for followers of Hinduism but Buddhism and Jainism as well. Aum is also the symbol’s corresponding sound or chants interpreted in mentioned religions and other similar faiths as the sound of the universe. If you want to learn more about the Aum…