Hindu Symbols Flashcards
What is the Aum and what does it look like?
This is the most important Hindu symbol/ syllable/sound
What does the Aum represent and describe?
It represents Brahman who is beyond man’s ability to understand. It describes his characteristics: omnipresent, omniscient and omnipotent.
What do the three syllables/ sounds represent on the Aum?
The three syllables/ sounds represent the three main Hindu gods/ Trimurti (Brahma (creator), Vishnu (preserver) and Shiva (destroyer), the three worlds (earth, atmosphere, heaven) and the first three sacred Vedic Scriptures (Rig, Yajur, Sama).
What does fire represent in Hinduism?
This represents the presence of Brahman
Who is the god of fire?
Agni
What is fire in Hinduism?
In Hinduism, fire is one of five sacred elements of which all living creatures are comprised and is considered an eternal witness essential to sacred religious ceremonies
What are the 4 classical elements?
Air, earth, fire and water
What does water represent in Hinduism?
Water is essential for life. Hindus believe that rivers are symbol of the Supreme Being and that bathing in one of the seven holy rivers will wash away their bad Karma.
What is Murti?
This is an image/idol of a Hindu god or goddess. These are symbolic as they represent the different aspects of Brahman.
Describe the god Vishnu.
Vishnu is represented with a human body, often with blue colored skin and with four arms. His hands always carry four objects in them,
What does Vishnu’s conch shell represent?
The conch shell sound produces ‘Om’, which represents the primeval sound of creation which existed before the creation of the world.
What does Vishnu’s lotus flower represent?
The lotus flower is a symbol of truth, beauty and purity because its stem grows in muddy water but it blossoms as a beautiful flower it is an example of glorious existence and liberation, a symbol of truth, beauty and purity.
What does Vishnu’s chakra or discus represent?
It symbolizes the mind and is a weapon and symbol of the eternal Supreme Being.
What does Vishnu’s mace (the gada) represent?
It represents mental and physical strength, a weapon and symbol of knowledge.
What does Vishnu’s Crown represent?
It is a symbol of the great King
What does Vishnu’s Cobra represent?
The serpent called Anata on whom Vishnu rested before the creation of the world.
What does Vishnu’s jewelry represent?
It is the symbol of royalty.
What do Vishnu’s many arms represent?
It is symbolic of Vishnu’s many powers.
Name the item and its meaning.
