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Hindu iconography - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Over the millennia of its development Hinduismhas adopted several iconic symbols, forming part of Hindu iconography, that are imbued with spiritual meaning based on either the scriptures or cultural traditions. The exact significance accorded to any of the icons varies with region, period and denomination of the followers. Over time some of the symbols, for instance theSwastika has come to have wider association while others like Aum are recognized as unique representations of Hinduism. Other aspects of Hindu iconography are covered by the termsmurti, for icons and mudra for gestures and positions of the hands and body.
Contents [hide] 1 Hindu sacraments 1.1 Tilaka 1.2 Vibhuti 1.3 Rudraksha 2 Universal symbols 2.1 Om (pronounced Aum) 2.2 Swastika 2.3 Sri Chakra Yantra 3 Symbols associated with individual deities 3.1 Shiva Lingam 3.2 The Lotus 3.3 The Veena 3.4 Conch 3.5 Chakra 3.6 Multiple heads and arms 3.7 Vhana 4 Table of symbols 5 See also 6 References 7 Further reading 8 External links

Hindu sacraments

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Hindu sacraments are physical objects or markings that are considered sacred and used as a sign of devotion by the followers of Sanathana dharma (Hinduism). These are often objects associated with a puja (prayer) or religious ceremony.

Tilaka

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The tilak a (or tilak ) is a mark worn on the forehead or other parts of the body as a sign of spiritual devotion. Hindus may wear a tilaka regularly or especially on religious occasions. The shape of the tilak a is often an indicator of devotion to a certain deity. For example, a 'U' shape tilaka usually denotes devotion to Vishnu, while Shiva devotees often wear it in the form of three horizontal lines. It may be made of saffron, vermilion, turmeric, clay or simply ash. To denote marriage and auspiciousness, married Hindu women commonly wear a decorative vermilion dot or bindu, or bind on the forehead. This is analogous to a wedding ring worn in western countries. In southern India, the mark is called pottu (or bottu). The exact shape, size and location of the bindi or pottu shows regional variation; for instance, in northern India the bindi is often worn just below the hairline, while in southern India it is more common to wear it between the eyebrows. In east India, especially in West Bengal, traditionally largerbindis are worn as mark of devotion towards Goddess Durga.
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Vibhuti

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Vibhuti is the holy ash obtained from sacred puja rites involving fire. Also a variant called Basma used as Vibhuti is prepared from the purified ashes of cow dung. Ash as the product of fire is considered intrinsically pure[citation needed]. It is used on the forehead, normally as three horizontal lines representing Shiva. Some Hindus meld both the three horizontal vibhuti lines of Shiva and the 'U' shape thilaka of Vishnu in an amalgam marker signifying Hari-Hara(VishnuShiva). In addition, sacred ash signifies that the body's origin is from dust and ash and to dust and ash it shall return. The ash is a marker of impermanence. Everything in the interim is but an illusion (maya). Vibhuti, when applied on forehead, also signifies that the latter is willing to destroy all bad and evil thoughts in his mind(such as jealousy, envy, lust, anger, greed, etc...), as he knows it is these things that, if not destroyed, will bring all pains in his life.

Rudraksha

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Rudraksha are seeds of the rudraksha tree that, in Hinduism, represent the tears of Lord Shiva (also known as, Rudra). They are often threaded into a necklace and used as a rosaryto accompany prayer and meditation.

Universal symbols

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Among the most revered symbols in Hinduism, three are a quintessential part of its culture, and are most representative of its general ethos:

Om (pronounced Aum)
Main article: Om

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Om (or Aum, ) is the sacred sound symbol that represents Universe; the ultimate reality (Brahman). It is prefixed and sometimes suffixed to all Vedic mantras and prayers. Aum is often said to represent God in the three aspects of Brahma (A), Vishnu (U) and Shiva (M). As the Divine primordial vibration, it represents the one ultimate reality, underlying and encompassing all of nature and all of existence. The written syllable called omkara serves as a deeply significant and distinctly recognizable symbol for Hindu dharma. The pronunciation of Aum moves through all possible human linguistic vowel sounds and is different from the pronunciation of Om. Both are often symbolically equated, although they are sonically distinct.

Swastika

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Swastik a is a symbol connoting general auspiciousness. It may represent purity of soul, truth, and stability or, alternatively, Surya, the sun.[1] Its rotation in four directions has been used to represent many ideas, but primarily describes the four directions, the four Vedas and their harmonious whole. Its use in Hinduism dates back to ancient times.

Sri Chakra Yantra

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Many Hindus use Religious symbols

Sri Chak ra Yantra of Tripura Sundari (commonly referred to as Sri Yantra) is on their vehicles, this image show s a mandala formed by nine interlocking triangles. Four of these triangles are theOm on a Bajaj Pulsar Bike. oriented upright, representing Shiva or the Masculine. Five of these triangles are inverted triangles representing Shakti, or the Feminine. Together, the nine triangles form a web symbolic of the entire cosmos, a womb symbolic of creation, and together expressAdvaita Vedanta or non-duality. All other yantras are derivatives of this supreme yantra.

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Om (Aum/Ohm)

Swastik (Swastika)

Sri Chakra Yantra

Symbols associated with individual deities

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Several symbols (animals, flora, instruments, weapons, or even color) in Hindu iconography are associated with particular devas, and vice versa. In certain cases the deities themselves are personifications of natural forces, for instance Agni (fire), Vayu (wind), Surya (Sun) andPrithvi (Earth). In other instances, the associations arise from specific incidents or characteristics related in Hindu theology. The iconography serve to identify the particular deity in their pictorial or sculptural representations. The symbolism also often links the deities with a particular natural or human attribute, or profession. It is important to understand the symbolism, in order to appreciate the allegorical references in not only Hindu scriptures (for instance, Puranic tales), but also in both ancient and modern secular works of authors from the Indian subcontinent.

Shiva Lingam

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Goddess Lakshmi holding and standing on a lotus.

The Shiva Lingam represents the divine beingShiva, and is used as a symbol of the power of fertility and strength.

The Lotus

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The Lotus is associated with the creation theology as well as the gods Vishnu, Brahma, and Lakshmi.

The Veena

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The musical instrument Veena is associated with the Hindu goddess Saraswati and the sageNarada. It represents arts and learning.

Conch

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Main article: Shank ha The conch shell is a major Hindu article of prayer, used as a trumpeting announcement of all sorts. The God of Preservation, Vishnu, is said to hold a special conch, Panchajanya, that represents life as it has come out of life-giving waters. In the story of Dhruva the divine conch plays a special part. The warriors of ancient India would blow conch shells to announce battle, such as is famously represented in the beginning of the war of Kurukshetra in the Mahabharata, a famous Hindu epic. The conch
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Shiva Lingam

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shell is also a deep part of Hindu symbolic and religious tradition. Today most Hindus use the conch as a part of their religious practices, blowing it during worship at specific points, accompanied by ceremonial bells. Shankha also symbolizes the sound that created the universe and stands for knowledge.

Chakra

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The Chakra or disc-like weapon of Vishnu is often found mounted on the A Hindu pundit (priest) blow ing the top of Vaishnavatemples or incorporated into architectural designs. conch during puja. Images depicting Vishnu's four-armedNarayana form almost always include the Chakra in one of his hands. It is a general symbol for protection. Chakra is also known to symbolize the need to follow dharma and to condemn adharma.

Multiple heads and arms

This section requires expansion . (July 2011)

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An array of Hindu, Buddhist, and some Jain deities are often depicted with multiple heads, arms, and other body parts, creating what one author refers to as a "multiplicity convention" in religious iconography.[2] Such multiple body parts represent the divine omnipresence andimmanence (ability to be in many places at once and simultaneously exist in all places at once), and thereby the ability to influence many things at once.[2] The specific meanings attributed to the multiple body parts of an image are symbolic, not literal in context.[3] In such depictions, the visual effect of an array of multiple arms is to create a kinetic energy showing that ability.[4] The many arms are compared to a caterpillar, having many legs, but not having to think about how to coordinate their simultaneous use.[citation needed]

Vhana

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Main article: Vhana Vhana or vehicle, sometimes called a mount, is an animal or mythical entity closely associated with a particular deity in Hindu theology. Sometimes the deity is iconographically depicted riding and/or mounted on the vahana; other times, the vahana is depicted at the deity's side or symbolically represented as a divine attribute.
In Indian dance, the idea of multiple arms is often show n by several dancers standing behind each other w ith their arms in different positions.

Table of symbols
God or deity Adi parashakti Brahma

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Hindu Gods, Deities, Mythological Figures and Their Associated Symbols Associated symbols Chariot of seven lions, Sri Chakra Note Supreme Deity of Hindu mythology

Lotus, swan (hamsa), Vedas, garland of beads Creator god (akshamala) Shesha, shankha, chakra,gada, lotus, Garuda, Preserver of creation
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Vishnu

color blue Shiva Linga, Nandi, third eye,trishula (trident), Destroyer, symbol of crescentasceticism and renunciation moon, rudraksha, cobra,drum, tiger skin, vibhuti

Shiva Saraswati

White lotus, swan, peacock,veena, color white

Goddess of learning, music and art

Goddess Sarasw ati depicted playing the veena

Lakshmi

Red lotus, elephant, shower of gold, kumbha, owl, peacock feather

Goddess of wealth and prosperity Consort of Vishnu Goddess of courage, fertility, power, complete incarnation of Supreme deity, Adi parashakti Consort of Shiva God of War, rains, fertility and the night-time sky King of the heavens God of duty and contracts King of the waters God of justice and death King of the dead The Sun-God Father of Yama Symbol of Sanskrit alphabet, destroyer of evil Guardian of desert wastes, Goddess beyond time Symbol of righteousness and good governance
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Parvati

Lion, Nandi, trident, chakra, gada, padam, couch, cross bow, khadag

Indra

Thunderbolt (vajra), rainbow, clouds

Varuna

Noose (pasha)

Yama Surya

Noose (pasha), dhanda (rod),buffalo Chariot, sun-rays, the colour of gold Garland of severed human heads, scimitar, khanda, khapar, khadag, trident

Kali

Rama
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Bow and arrow, the colour blue, royal panoply

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Avatar of Vishnu The colour blue, cow, flute,Sudarshana Chakra, milk, peacock feather Protector of cattle Avatar of Vishnu Propounder of theBhagavad Gita God of foresight, wisdom and good fortune Son of Parvati and Shiva God of war and commander-inchief of the gods Guardian of hills Son of Siva and Parvati Symbol of devotion (bhakti) and strength Devotee of Rama

Krishna

Ganesha

Akua, rat, modak, Aum

Murugan

Peacock, vel, rooster flag

Hanuman

gada

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