Hindu iconography
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Over the millennia of its development Hinduism has adopted several icons, collectively referred to as 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 the Swastika, have come to have wider association while others like Aum are recognized as unique representations of Hinduism.
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[edit] Hindu sacraments
Hindu sacraments are physical objects or markings that are considered sacred and used as a sign of devotion. These are often objects associated with a puja (prayer) or religious ceremony.
[edit] Tilaka
The tilaka (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 tilaka 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 bindī 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 souther India it is more common to wear it between the eyebrows. In east India, especially in West Bengal, traditionally larger bindis are worn as mark of devotion towards Goddess Durga.
[edit] Vibhuti
Vibhuti is the holy ash obtained from sacred puja rites involving fire. 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 (Vishnu-Shiva). On another level, the sacred ash also signifies that man's origin is from dust and to dust he shall go. Everything in the interim is but an illusion (maya).
[edit] Rudraksha
Rudraksha are seeds of the seeds of the rudraksha tree that, according to Hindu mythology represent the tears of tears (aksha) of Lord Shiva (also known as, Rudra). They are often threaded into a necklace and used as a rosary to accompany prayer and meditation.
[edit] Universal symbols
Among the most revered symbols in Hinduism, three are a quintessential part of its culture, and are most representative of its general ethos:
[edit] Aum
Aum (or Om, ॐ) is the sacred symbol that represents God (Brahman). It is prefixed and sometimes suffixed to all Vedic mantras and prayers. It is often said to represent God in the three aspects of Shiva(A), Vishnu(U) and Brahmā (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 ॐ called omkara serves as a deeply significant and distinctly recognizable symbol for Hindu dharma. The pronunciation of the Aum moves through all possible human linguistic vowel sounds and is different from the pronunciation of Om. They are often symbolically equated though they are sonically distinct.
[edit] Swastika
Swastika 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. Nazism used a tilted version of this symbol[1] under the name Hakenkreuz, and associated it with the notion of "purity of race".
[edit] Sri Chakra Yantra
Sri Chakra or Yantra of Tripura Sundari (commonly referred to as Sri Yantra) is a mandala formed by nine interlocking triangles. Four of these triangles are orientated upright representing Shiva or the Masculine. Five of these triangles are inverted triangles represent Shakti or the Feminine. Together the nine triangles form a web symbolic of the entire cosmos, a womb symbolic of creation and together express Advaita-ism or non-duality. All other yantras are derivatives of this supreme yantra.
[edit] Symbols associated with individual devas
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) and Prithvi (Earth). In other instances, the associations arise from specific incidents or characteristics related in Hindu mythology. 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. In that sense the Hindu devas are analogous to patron saints of certain denominations in Christianity.
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.
[edit] Shiva Lingam
The Shiva Lingam represents the divine being Shiva, and is used as a symbol of fertility and strength.
[edit] The Lotus
The Lotus is associated with the creation mythology as well as the gods Vishnu, Brahma, and Lakshmi.
[edit] The Veena
The musical instrument Veena is associated with the Hindu goddess Saraswati and the sage Narada. It represents arts and learning.
[edit] Conch
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 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.
[edit] Chakra
The Chakra or disc-like weapon of Vishnu is often found mounted on the top of Vaishnava temples or incorporated into architectural designs. Images depicting Vishnu's four-armed Narayana form almost always include the Chakra in one of his hands. It is a general symbol for protection.
[edit] Table of symbols
| God or deity | Associated symbols | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Brahma | Lotus, Swan (Hamsa) | Symbol of creation |
| Vishnu | Lotus, Shesha Naga, Chakra, Conch, Mace (Gada), Color blue | |
| Shiva | Third eye (bindi), Shiva Ling, Cobra, Crescent, Drum, Tiger skin, Trident, Rudraksha, Vibhuti, Trident (Trishula) | |
| Lakshmi | Lotus, Owl | Symbol of wealth and prosperity |
| Parvati | Tiger | Symbol of fertility Consort of Shiva |
| Saraswati | Lotus, Peacock, Swan, Veena, Color white | Symbol of learning, art. |
| Rama | Bow and arrow | Symbol of righteousness Avatar of Vishnu |
| Krishna | Cow, Milk, Flute (bansuri), peacock feather, Color bluish-black or black | Avatar of Vishnu |
| Ganesha | Aum, Modak (a sweet), rat | Symbol of good fortune |
| Hanuman | Mace (Gada) | Symbol of devotion (bhakti) Avatar of Shiva |
[edit] References
- ^ a b Karel Werner, A Popular Dictionary of Hinduism 147-48 (Curzon Press 1994) ISBN 0-7007-0279-2
