Symbols Flashcards
Describe and explain the Swastika
Symbol of good fortune and clockwise rotation of the sun.
Right handed Swastika - Vishnu, sun god Surya
Left handed Swastika - Kali (Shakti), night + magic; used by the Nazis.
Literally ‘well being’
Describe and explain the Lingum
Shiva’s phallus, symbolising Shiva’s energy and power to generate and regenerate life. Described as a cosmic pillar, reaching into space at one end, and the bowels of earth at the other
Describe and explain the Lotus
Rises from unclean waters to blossom as a pure and beautiful flower, represents the hindu soul (grows in darkness before becomes pure). Symmetrical, symbolising harmony; this is often associated with the Goddess Lakshmi
Describe and explain a Murti
A statue/image of a God/deity
Describe and explain the Mandala
Circle shape, representing the universe, which is used during meditation to focus the mind and gain inner peace; the idea is to concentrate on the centre
Describe and explain the cow
Nurtures + sustains life in the village. Milk provides essential food, dung provides fuel, heat + light, urine has medical qualities.
Ahimsa = total harmlessness to all living creatures - many hindus are vegetarian + its illegal to kill it in India
Not worshipped, only respected
Describe and explain Om (Aum)
Sacred hindu sound, greatest of all mantras, ‘will not fail to bear fruit’ if said, used at the beginning + end of mantras. This embodies the essence of the entire universe and is the root that holds everything together. A.U.M.: 3 worlds/3 main Gods/3 sacred Vedas (Rig, Yajur, Sama)
What is written in the Laws of Manu about killing cows?
‘… Cow and ascetic - they should never be killed’
What did Ghandi say about killing cows?
‘One can measure the greatness of a nation and its moral progress by the way it treats its animals’