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
Holi
∗ 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
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