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WORLD RELIGIONS SYMBOLS
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OTHER WORLD RELIGIONS ICONS
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WORLD RELIGIONS SYMBOLS
Sikhism Symbol:
The Khanda is the symbol of the Sikhs, as the Cross is to Christians or the Star of David is to Jews. It reflects some of the
fundamental concepts of Sikhism.
The symbol derives its name from the double-edged sword (also called a Khanda) which appears at the center of the
logo. This double-edged sword is a metaphor of Divine Knowledge, its sharp edges cleaving Truth from Falsehood.
The circle around the Khanda is the Chakar. The Chakar being a circle without a beginning or and end symbolizes the
perfection of God who is eternal. The Chakar is surrounded by two curved swords called Kirpans.
These two swords symbolize the twin concepts of Meeri and Peeri - Temporal and Spiritual authority introduced by Guru
Hargobind. They emphasize the equal emphasis that a Sikh must place on spiritual aspirations as well as obligations to
society.
Torii of Itsukushima Commentary
The Torii, or Gateway, at Miyajima Island is a classic and beloved icon of Japan, as well as a condensed essence of traditional
Japanese architectural expression. This grand wooden gateway, both sturdy and graceful, sits in the tidal flats before the historic
Buddist temple complex of Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima island, in the same region as the city of Hiroshima in Japan.
Built on axis with the sea-facing shrine, the gate serves to welcome spirits of the departed as they come in across the water of Japan's
Inland Sea. At low tide, visitors walk around the great columns of the structure, measuring its great size against the human body. At
high tide, the rugged vermillion gateway seems to float in the waves around it, a gateway for boats, or for spirits indeed.
The nine-pointed star
"A simple nine-pointed star is generally used by Bahá'ís as a symbol of their Faith. The number
nine has significance in the Bahá'í Revelation. Nine years after the announcement of the Báb in
Shiraz, Bahá'u'lláh received the intimation of His mission in the dungeon in Teheran. Nine, as
the highest single-digit number, symbolizes completeness. Since the Bahá'í Faith claims to be
the fulfillment of the expectations of all prior religions, this symbol, as used for example in ninesided Bahá'í temples, reflects that sense of fulfillment and completeness."
The Magen David
The shield of David, or as it is more commonly known, the Star of David, is the symbol most commonly associated with
Judaism today, but it is actually a relatively new Jewish symbol. It is supposed to represent the shape of King David's
shield (or perhaps the emblem on it), but there is really no support for that claim in any early rabbinic literature. In fact,
the symbol is so rare in early Jewish literature and artwork that art dealers suspect forgery if they find the symbol in early
works.
The Jainist symbol
The raised hand means stop. The word in the center of the wheel is "Ahimsa". Ahimsa means non-violence. Between these two, they
remind us to stop for a minute and think twice before doing anything. This gives us a chance to scrutinize our activities to be sure that
they will not hurt anyone by our words, thoughts, or actions. We are also not supposed to ask or encourage others to take part in any
harmful activity. The wheel in the hand shows that if we are not careful and ignore these warnings and carry on violent activities, then
just as the wheel goes round and round, we will go round and round through the cycles of birth and death.
The four arms of the swastika remind us that during the cycles of birth and death we may be born into any one of the four destinies:
heavenly beings, human beings, animal beings, (including birds, bugs, and plants) and hellish beings. Our aim should be the liberation
and not the rebirth. To show how we can do this, the swastika reminds us that we should become the pillars of the four fold Jain
Sangh, then only can we achieve liberation. The four pillars of the Jain Sangh are sädhus, sädhvis, shrävaks, and shrävikäs. This
means that first, we should strive to be a true shrävaks or shrävikäs, and when we can overcome our social attachments, we should
renounce the worldly life and follow the path of a sädhu or sädhvi to be liberated.
The three dots above the swastika represent the three jewels of Jainism: Samyak Darshan (Right Faith), Samyak Jnan (Right
Knowledge), and Samyak Charitra (Right Conduct). We should have all three: right knowledge, right faith, and right conduct together,
then only can we achieve the liberation. The right knowledge means having the knowledge that soul and body are separate and that the
soul, not the body attains the salvation. The right faith means one must have faith in what is told by Jinas, who were omniscient. The
right conduct means that our actions should be void of attachment and hatred.
At the very top part of the Jain Universe symbol is a small curved arc. This arc represents the abode of the Siddhas. It is known as the
Siddhashila. It is the final resting place of the liberated souls. The dot represents a siddha. In order to achieve this stage, a soul must
destroy all attached karmas. Every living being should strive for this state of the Salvation or Liberation.
The Zoroastrian ‘Faravahar’
The word "faravahar" actually is Pahlavi, or Middle Persian. It derives from ancient Iranian (Avestan) word fravarane
which means "I choose." The choice is that of the Good, or the Good Religion of Zarathushtra. Another related word is
fravarti or fravashi, which may derive from an alternative meaning of "protect," implying the divine protection of the
guardian spirit, the fravashi. From these words come the later Middle Persian words fravahr, foruhar, or faravahar.
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The word “hamsa” or “hamesh” means five. There are five digits on the hamsa hand, but the number five
has additional symbolic meaning in the Jewish and Islamic traditions. Five or Hamesh in hebrew represents
the five books of the Torah for Jews. It also symbolizes the fifth letter of the Hebrew alphabet, "Heh", which
represents one of God’s holy names.
Hamsa hand is also known as the hand of Miriam, the sister of Moses and Aaron.
The Hamsa Hand itself has been used for centuries as a symbol of protection against evil and is known in
Jewish lore as the “Hand of Miriam”.
Of ancient Middle Eastern origin, the Hamsa represents G-d's protective hand.
For centuries the Hamsa has been used as a symbol of Good luck. The Hamsa's positive energy draws
happiness, riches and health.
Many believers place the Hamsa hand in their homes and at their work place to ward off the "evil eye".
The term Muslim Cross begs qualification. It is a cross used by some Muslims but does
not represent Islam nor the crucifixion of Jesus2. It is one of several different geometric
cross patterns used by the Sunni Muslim3 Tuareg people of Saharan Africa.
The centre of the cross represents God and since Muslims believe we are one with God,
mankind shares that central spot. The four arms of the cross are to keep evil at bay and
this cross is worn as a protective amulet. Muslims also believe, of course, that a few
grams of shaped metal cannot protect anyone from evil
Tao in chinese
The Trigrams
The Trigrams are a series of combinations of three lines. Some of the lines are Yin (broken) lines
and Yang (solid) lines.
The above eight combinations are all of the possible combinations (in threes) of two different
lines..
There are many arrangements of the Trigrams. The one featured here is one that
puts emphasis on the family structure, an all important concept in Pa-Kua teachings.
The influences of the family play a major role in the shaping of an individuals behavior.
Sometimes, a study of the family illuminates many details of a person's characteristics and
behavior,
thus shedding lights on his future.
In the Pa-Kua School an active involvement of the whole family in the studies is strongly
encouraged.
The reason three lines are used for the formation of the Trigrams, as opposed to two lines or
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perhaps even four, relates to another all important concept in Chinese philosophy.
This is the concept of SKY MAN EARTH. (See below for an explanation)
FATHER MOTHER
ELDEST ELDEST SECOND SECOND YOUNGEST YOUNGEST
SON DAUGHTER SON DAUGHTER
SON
DAUGHTER