Hinduism Symbols and Holidays Unit 2: Religions that Originated in South Asia
Om or Aum
∗ Three sounds A-U-M (AU = O) ∗ Signifies: ∗ the three worlds - earth,
atmosphere, and heaven ∗ the three major Hindu gods -
Brahma, Vishnu, and Siva ∗ the three sacred Vedic
scriptures - Rg, Yajur, and Sama
Bindi
∗ Traditionally, the bindi is worn on the forehead of married Hindu women.
∗ Symbolizes female energy and is believed to protect women and their husbands
∗ A way of accentuating the third eye, the area between the eyebrows where attention is focused during meditation
Linga
∗ Symbol of the God Shiva ∗ Represents the power of
creativity and fertility
Lotus Flower
∗ Represents beauty and non-attachment to material things
∗ Associated with the gods Krishna, Brahma, and Lakshimi.
∗ Symbols of the centers of consciousness (chakras)
Pratik
∗ Symbol of the Ananda Marga (“path of bliss”) movement
∗ Emphasis on serving society as well as yoga and meditation
∗ Consists of 4 different elements
Swastika
∗ Sanskrit word svasti (sv = well; asti = is), meaning good fortune, luck and well-being
∗ The swastika is most commonly used as a charm to bring good fortune (in which case the arms are bent clockwise)
Tilak
∗ On a man, the tilak takes the form of a line or lines and usually indicates his sectarian affiliation.
∗ Worn every day by sandhus or religious householders and on special occasions like weddings and religious rituals.
∗ Also applied by a priest during a visit to the temple as a sign of the deity's blessing
Trisula
∗ Is the emblem of the god Shiva ∗ Represents Shiva's three
aspects of: ∗ creator, ∗ preserver ∗ destroyer
∗ And Shiva’s three shaktis (powers): ∗ will ∗ action ∗ wisdom
Yantra
∗ A geometrical diagram
representing the universe ∗ Symbolizes the structure of
the seen and unseen universe, from the absolute in the center to the material world at the edges
∗ only created during a highly complex ritual in a purified and sacred place
Hinduism Symbols and Holidays Unit 2: Religions that Originated in South Asia
∗ Most popular festival ∗ Celebrated each year during Feb/March to welcome
spring ∗ Dedicated to the god Krishna ∗ Once a fertility ceremony ∗ Celebrates the destruction of demons ∗ Many of the caste and taboo restrictions are set aside ∗ Pleasure is emphasized
Holi
Holi
Divali (Diwali)
∗ The new year holiday, celebrated in November ∗ Celebrated with a festival of lights ∗ Kali and Lakshmi are connected to Divali ∗ Pilgrimages made to holy sites ∗ Lakshmi (goddess of good fortune) visits every house
with a lamp and brings prosperity to the home
Dasehra
∗ Nine days in October ∗ In honor of the goddess Durga (a consort of
Shiva) ∗ Celebrates Durga’s victory over the Buffalo
demon, Ravana ∗ Presents are exchanged ∗ Dances and processions are held to honor the
goddess