1. HAFSITE.ORG

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

3. Aum/Om

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

5. 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

6. 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

7. namaste

8. 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.

9. bindi and tilak

10. 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).

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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

14. swastika

15. 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.

16. 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”

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

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

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

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

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

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

23. 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

24. THANK YOU