Important Figures
Aum
Aum is a Hindu sacred sound that is considered the greatest of all mantras. It symbolizes essence of the entire universe.
Cow
In Hinduism, the cow is a very important figure, which is a source of food and symbol of life and may never be killed. However, Hindus do not worship the cow.
Lotus
The lotus represents beauty and non-attachment. The lotus is rooted in the mud but floats on the water without becoming wet. This symbolizes how one should live in the world without attachment to one's surroundings.
Linga
The linga or lingam is the symbol of the god Shiva and the form in which he is most commonly worshipped.
Bindi
One of the most recognizable items in Hinduism is the bindi, a dot worn on women's foreheads. It is a symbolic mark worn by many Hindu men and women.
Pratik
The pratik is the symbol of the Ananda Marga movement. It emphases social service along with yoga and meditation.
Swastika
The swastika is an ancient symbol that has been found worldwide, but it is especially common in India. It symbolizes good fortune, luck and well-being.
Tilak
The tilak is a mark on a Hindu's forehead. On a man, the tilak is drawn with lines and usually indicates his sectarian affiliation. On a women, a tilak is a form of a bindi dot.
Trishula
The trihsula is a trident spear that is the emblem of the god Shiva. The weapon symbolizes empire and the irresistible force oftranscendental reality.
The three prongs of the trishula represent Shiva's three aspects of:
The three prongs of the trishula represent Shiva's three aspects of:
- creator
- preserver
- destroyer
Yantra
A yantra is a diagram representing the universe. It is used in Hindu worship and meditation. The yantra symbolizes cosmogenic development, from the absolute in the center to the material world at the edges.