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Promoting Human Dignity Mutual Respect & Pluralism Religious Symbols Promoting Human Dignity Mutual Respect & Pluralism

Aum/Om

Hindus consider aum to be the sound of creation and the universe It is composed of three syllables: ah oo mm

The Mandukya Upanishad is devoted to Om Om is the IMPERISHABL E word Om is the UNIVERSE, and this is the exposition of Om The past, the present, and the future, ALL THAT WAS, ALL THAT IS, ALL THAT WILL EVER BE is Om Likewise, all else that may exist BEYOND THE BOUNDS OF TIME, that too is Om

mind, body, and spirit with the vibration of the universe Hindus believe that the very vibrations created by chanting om are considered Sacred and Powerful The vibrations of Om help the chanter align their mind, body, and spirit with the vibration of the universe

namaste

Namaste Hindus traditionally greet each other by bringing their palms together in the middle of their chest and saying NAMASTE. The word means “the divine within me bows to the divine within you.” It reflects the respect that Hindus have for the divinity all around them. This short video depicts this thought.

bindi and tilak

Bindi Traditionally, the “red dot” or bindi, was primarily a symbol of marriage. The bindi is associated with the worship of God as the feminine divine. It is also indicative of the conceptual “third eye of spiritual wisdom,” that Shiva is depicted as having. Bindis were red or maroon in color and made of vermilion paste (kumkum).

Today, the bindi has largely become a fashionable accessory for Hindu females of all ages, regardless of their marital status. Now bindis come in all shapes, sizes, and colors.

Tilak The male version of forehead markings can be representative of an individual's deity tradition. The marking is amongst the first requisite steps in most rituals and sacred ceremonies. They can be made of kumkum, sandalwood, or sacred ash in a variety of shapes including lines, U-shapes, and dots.

both bindis & Tilaks… feminine & masculine aspects of the divine Are placed about one centimeter above the center of the eyebrow considered to be the sixth chakra Represent interdependence of both feminine & masculine aspects of the divine Are reminders of a seeker’s ultimate goal of enlightenment, liberation or moksha

swastika

Swastika For Hindus, the ancient swastika is a symbol of auspiciousness and good fortune. It is commonly used at the entrance of Hindu homes, as an integral part of worship rituals, in temples, and on invitations to special occasions such as weddings and other rites of passage. The Nazis misappropriated this symbol for their hateful message.

A holy symbol for many cultures Hinduism Buddhism Jainism Sikhism In Sanskrit, the word is a combination of “Su” meaning “good” and “Asti” meaning “to exist”

The four limbs of the Hindu Swastika have diverse symbolic meanings The Four Vedas 1 Yajur Rig Sama Atharva

The four limbs of the Hindu Swastika have diverse symbolic meanings The Four Stages of Life 2 Brahmacharya Sannyasa Grihastha Vanaprastha

The four limbs of the Hindu Swastika have diverse symbolic meanings The Four Goals of Life 3 Artha Dharma Kama Moksha

The four limbs of the Hindu Swastika have diverse symbolic meanings The Four Yugas 4 Treta Satya Dyapara Kali

The four limbs of the Hindu Swastika have diverse symbolic meanings The Four Seasons 5 Spring Winter Summer Fall

The four limbs of the Hindu Swastika have diverse symbolic meanings The Four Directions 6 North West East South

key takeaways Bindis and Tilaks Namaste Om the Swastika is a Hindu symbol with many meanings that represents the sound of the universe Namaste is a Hindu greeting which stems from the belief that divinity exists within everyone and everything Bindis and Tilaks are worn to remind Hindus of their ultimate goal of liberation the Swastika is a symbol of good fortune

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