Buddhism Buddhism Symbols Symbols

The Eight Auspicious Symbols

Umbrella or parasol Umbrella or parasol Embodies notions of wealth or royalty Embodies notions of wealth or royalty Points to the "royal ease" and power experienced in the Buddhist life of detachment Points to the "royal ease" and power experienced in the Buddhist life of detachment Symbol of the activities that keep one from harm (sun) like illness, bad forces, obstacles..., and the enjoyment of the results under its cool shade. Symbol of the activities that keep one from harm (sun) like illness, bad forces, obstacles..., and the enjoyment of the results under its cool shade.

The Golden Fishes Symbol of happiness and joy Symbol of happiness and joy Usually pictured as two upright fish facing each other. Usually pictured as two upright fish facing each other.

The Golden Fishes The Golden Fishes Originally symbolic of the rivers Ganges and Yamuna, but came to represent good fortune in general, for Hindus, Jains and Buddhists Originally symbolic of the rivers Ganges and Yamuna, but came to represent good fortune in general, for Hindus, Jains and Buddhists Also symbolises that living beings who practice the dharma won’t drown in the ocean of suffering, and can freely migrate (chose their rebirth) like fish in the water Also symbolises that living beings who practice the dharma won’t drown in the ocean of suffering, and can freely migrate (chose their rebirth) like fish in the water

The Treasure Vase The Treasure Vase Sign of the inexhaustible riches available in the Buddhist teachings Sign of the inexhaustible riches available in the Buddhist teachings Also symbolises long life, wealth, prosperity and all the benefits of this world Also symbolises long life, wealth, prosperity and all the benefits of this world Practice of burying or storing treasure vases at certain locations to generate wealth, eg. for monasteries or dharma centers Practice of burying or storing treasure vases at certain locations to generate wealth, eg. for monasteries or dharma centers

The Lotus Flower The Lotus Flower Refers to the complete purification of body, speech and mind, and the blossoming of wholesome deeds in liberation Refers to the complete purification of body, speech and mind, and the blossoming of wholesome deeds in liberation Represents many aspects of the path: it grows from the mud (samsara), up through muddy water it appears clean on the surface (purification), and finally produces a beautiful flower (enlightenment) Represents many aspects of the path: it grows from the mud (samsara), up through muddy water it appears clean on the surface (purification), and finally produces a beautiful flower (enlightenment)

The Lotus Flower Perhaps the most well known symbol Perhaps the most well known symbol Most pictures of Buddhist gods and goddesses are either seated on a lotus or are holding one. Most pictures of Buddhist gods and goddesses are either seated on a lotus or are holding one.

Different colors of the lotus symbolize different things: White lotus- enlightenment White lotus- enlightenment Red lotus- a pure heart Red lotus- a pure heart Blue lotus- victory Blue lotus- victory Pink lotus- supreme Pink lotus- supreme

The Lotus Flower cont’d An open blossom signifies full enlightenment; a closed blossom signifies the potential for enlightenment An open blossom signifies full enlightenment; a closed blossom signifies the potential for enlightenment

The Conch The Conch Symbolises the deep, far reaching and melodious sound of Buddha’s teachings Symbolises the deep, far reaching and melodious sound of Buddha’s teachings Awakens disciples from the slumber of ignorance Awakens disciples from the slumber of ignorance Also used as a horn Also used as a horn

The Endless Knot The Endless Knot A geometric diagram which symbolises the nature of reality where everything is interrelated and only exists as part of a web of karma and its effect A geometric diagram which symbolises the nature of reality where everything is interrelated and only exists as part of a web of karma and its effect Originated from an ancient symbol of two entwining snakes Originated from an ancient symbol of two entwining snakes

Endless Knot Has no beginning or end, it also represents the infinite wisdom of the Buddha, and the union of compassion and wisdom Has no beginning or end, it also represents the infinite wisdom of the Buddha, and the union of compassion and wisdom Also, represents the illusory character of time and long life Also, represents the illusory character of time and long life

The Victory Banner The Victory Banner Symbol of the victory of the Buddha's teachings over death, ignorance, disharmony and all the negativities of this world Symbol of the victory of the Buddha's teachings over death, ignorance, disharmony and all the negativities of this world Roofs of Tibetan monasteries are often decorated with victory banners of different shapes and sizes. Roofs of Tibetan monasteries are often decorated with victory banners of different shapes and sizes.

The Victory Banner Placed on a mountain which symbolizes the Buddha’s conquest of the world. Placed on a mountain which symbolizes the Buddha’s conquest of the world.

The Dharma-Wheel (Dharmachakra) The Dharma-Wheel (Dharmachakra) Represents the Buddha’s teachings Represents the Buddha’s teachings It is said that after Siddharta Gautama achieved enlightenment, Brahma came to him, offered a Dharma-Wheel and requested the Buddha to teach. It is said that after Siddharta Gautama achieved enlightenment, Brahma came to him, offered a Dharma-Wheel and requested the Buddha to teach.

The Dharma Wheel Divided into three parts: the spokes represent perfect wisdom, the hub stands for regulation, and the rim represents meditation. Divided into three parts: the spokes represent perfect wisdom, the hub stands for regulation, and the rim represents meditation.

The Buddhist Flag A recent symbol is the Buddhist flag A recent symbol is the Buddhist flag Designed in 1880 by Colonel Henry Steele Olcott, an American journalist Designed in 1880 by Colonel Henry Steele Olcott, an American journalist First hoisted in 1885 in Sri Lanka First hoisted in 1885 in Sri Lanka A symbol of faith and peace A symbol of faith and peace Now used throughout the world to represent the Buddhism. Now used throughout the world to represent the Buddhism.

The Buddhist Flag cont’d The five colours of the flag represent the colours of the aura that emanated from the body of the Buddha when he attained Enlightenment. The five colours of the flag represent the colours of the aura that emanated from the body of the Buddha when he attained Enlightenment. Loving kindness, peace and universal compassion The Middle Path - avoiding extremes, emptiness Blessings of practice - achievement, wisdom, virtue, fortune and dignity Purity of Dharma - it leads to liberation, outside of time or space The Buddha's Teaching - wisdom

Stupas Represent the enlightened mind of the Buddha Represent the enlightened mind of the Buddha Stupas are often used to store relics from important teachers. Stupas are often used to store relics from important teachers.

Stupas cont’d Represent the five elements: Represent the five elements: the square base - earth the square base - earth the round dome - water the round dome - water the cone shape - fire the cone shape - fire the canopy - air the canopy - air the volume - space the volume - space

The Lion One of Buddhism's most potent symbols One of Buddhism's most potent symbols Associated with regality, strength and power Associated with regality, strength and power Appropriate symbol for the Buddha who tradition has it was a royal prince. Appropriate symbol for the Buddha who tradition has it was a royal prince.

The Lion cont’d Buddha's teachings are sometimes referred to as the 'Lion's Roar', again indicative of their strength and power. Buddha's teachings are sometimes referred to as the 'Lion's Roar', again indicative of their strength and power.

Sources All symbols and information s/budendlessknot.jpg s/budendlessknot.jpg s/budendlessknot.jpg s/budendlessknot.jpg _symbols_ _symbols_