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

∗ 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

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