Grade Eight Religion Symbols

Hinduism Aum is great importance in Hinduism. This symbol is a sacred syllable representing Brahman, the impersonal Absolute of Hinduism — omnipotent, omnipresent, and the source of all existence. Brahman, in itself, is incomprehensible; so a symbol becomes mandatory to help us realize the Unknowable.

Judaism The menorah is one of the oldest symbols of the Jewish faith. According to tradition, during the rededication of the temple in the second century BCE after a Greek invasion and desecration, the lamps of the menorah burned for eight days on one day's worth of oil. This is the origin of the nine branched menorah with one branch for each of the eight days, plus one central light used to light the others during the Hannukah festival.

Christianity The cross is one of the earliest and most widely used Christian symbol. In the most broad sense it symbolizes the religion of Christianity. More specifically, it represents and memorializes Christ's death. A great variety of crosses has developed, some with specific symbolic meaning and others that have simply become culturally associated with certain groups.

Islam The star and crescent historically was a symbol of the Ottoman Empire, but later became associated with Islam in general. Now its popularity among Muslims makes it comparable to the Christian cross and the Star of David. Many Muslim nations, such as Pakistan, and non- sovereign nations such as Turk Stan and Tatarstan use it on their national flag, inspiring from the flag of Turkey which was officially adopted in 1844.

Buddhism The Tibetan Wheel of Life symbolizes the Buddhist perspective on life and contains within it numerous symbols of Buddhist themes and teachings.

Bahá'í Faith The most commonly used symbol is the nine-pointed star. No particular design is more desirable than others, as long as it has 9 points. The star is not a part of the teachings of the Bahá'í Faith, but only used as an emblem representing "9", because of the association of number 9 with perfection, unity and Bahá’.

The Khanda symbolizes God's Universal and Creative Power. In it's center is a double edged sword, which symbolizes the primal and almighty power of the creator. The 'Chakra' or the circle is a symbol of the continuity. The two swords on the outside are symbols of the spiritual and political balance in the universe. The Khanda symbolizes God's Universal and Creative Power. In it's center is a double edged sword, which symbolizes the primal and almighty power of the creator. The 'Chakra' or the circle is a symbol of the continuity. The two swords on the outside are symbols of the spiritual and political balance in the universe.