Buddhist flag The
five-colored flag was designed in
Sri Lanka in the 1880s with the assistance of
Henry Steel Olcott. The six vertical bands of the flag represent the six colors of the
aura which Buddhists believe emanated from the body of the
Buddha when he attained
Enlightenment.
Dharma wheel .|left The
Dharma wheel (
dharma-chakra) is one of the earliest Buddhist symbols. It is an ancient Indian symbol of sovereignty and auspiciousness (as well as the sun god
Surya) which pre-dates Buddhism and was adopted by early Buddhists. It appears in early Buddhist sites such as
Sanchi and
Bharhut, where it is a symbol of the Buddha himself. The Dharma wheel also represents the
Dharma (Buddha's teaching, the ultimate truth). The main idea of this symbol is that the Buddha was seen as a person who "turned the wheel", which signifies a great and revolutionary moment in history (i.e. the
teaching of the Buddha's Dharma at
Varanasi). While the Buddha
could have become a great king, he instead chose to become a great sage. complex topped with a
chatra (royal umbrella)The Dharma wheel is thus also a royal symbol, indicating a king who is a
chakravartin ("Turner of the Wheel").
Bodhi tree The
Bodhi Tree (Pali:
bodhirukka) was a
ficus (
ficus religiosa) which stood is on the spot where the Buddha reached
awakening ("bodhi"), called the
bodhimanda (place of awakening). This tree has been venerated since early Buddhist times and a shrine was built for it. Offerings to the Buddha were offered to the tree. The Bodhi tree (often paired with an empty seat or āsana) thus represents the Buddha himself, as well as liberation and
nirvana. Branches and saplings from the Bodhi tree were sent to other regions as well. It is said that when the Buddha was born, the Bodhi tree sprung up on the bodhimanda at the same time.; note the addition of more elaborate chatras (royal umbrella)
Stupa Stūpas (literally "heap") are
domed structures which may derive from ancient Indian
funerary mounds. The earliest Buddhist stupas are from about the 3rd century BCE. It may even have been a belief of some early Buddhists that the presence of the Buddha or the Buddha's power could be found in a stūpa. Other relics belonging to the Buddha's disciples were also enclosed in caskets and placed in stupas. Caskets with relics of
Sariputta and
Moggallana were found in Sanchi stupa number 3, while stupa number 2 contains a casket with relics from 10 monks (according to inscriptions). Stūpa were venerated by Buddhists, with offerings of flowers and the like. Initially, Buddhist stūpas were simple domes which developed more elaborate and complex forms in later periods. Over time, the style and design of the stūpa evolved into unique and distinct regional styles (such as Asian
pagodas and Tibetan
chortens).
Animals Lion Early Buddhist art contains various animals. These include lions,
nāgas, horses, elephants, and deer. Most of these are often symbolic of the Buddha himself (and some are epithets of the Buddha), though they may also be depicted as merely decorative illustrations depending on context. According to Jampa Choskyi, while the animals are considered to be symbols for the Buddha, lions are the symbols of the bodhisattvas or also known as the sons of the Buddha. Though the lion, is a symbol of royalty, sovereignty, and protection, is used as a symbol for the Buddha, who is also known as the "lion of the
Shakyas". Buddha's teachings are referred to as the "Lion's Roar" (sihanada) in the
sutras, which symbolizes the supremacy of the Buddha's teaching over all other spiritual teachings. When looking at the shrines on the iconography, the lions symbolize another role, which they are considered the bodhisattvas who can be seen as the sons of the Buddha.
Garuda clan, a
Gandhara artwork, second century CE.
Garuda is also known as the king of the birds. When looking at the origins of the name it comes from Gri meaning to swallow since he devours snakes. The way he is represented in iconographies, he can either be seen with the upper body of a human, that has big eyes, a beak, short blue horns, yellow hair standing on the end, a bird's claws and wings. In Hinduism, he can be represented as a human with wings. However, when looking at the symbolism of Garuda, it represents the space element and the power of the sun. Though when looking at the representation from a spiritual view, Garuda represents the spiritual energy that will devour the delusions from jealousy and hatred (represented by snakes). Since he represents the space element, this includes the openness that can be seen when he stretches his wings. Though, when looking at Buddhism specifically, he can represent the
dana paramita, when the sun's rays give life to the earth. The deity that Garuda is associated with is
Amoghasiddhi, which is the vehicle of the deity. Through this, he is also the vehicle form of Lokishvara Hariharihar vahana. However, he is a deity of his own, who is said to be able to cure the bites of snakes, epilepsy, and diseases caused by nagas. Garuda can be found in toranas which are the semicircular tympanum that stands above the temple doors. Along with an emerald that happens to be named Garuda stone which is said to be protection against poison. Images of the deity are on jewelry as protection against the bites of snakes.
Lotus The
Indian lotus (
Nelumbo nucifera, Sanskrit:
padma) is an ancient symbol of purity, detachment and fertility, and it is used in various Indian religions. In Buddhism, the lotus is also another symbol for the Buddha and his awakening. In the Buddhist scriptures, the
Buddha compares himself to a lotus (in
Pali,
paduma). Just like the lotus flower comes up from the muddy water unstained, the Buddha is said to transcend the world without stains. In Buddhism, this symbol later came to represent the
Buddha,
Dharma (teaching, eternal law), and
sangha (Buddhist monastic community). In early Buddhist art, the vajra seat may also be depicted as an
empty seat (often under a tree) or a platform. However, these seats or platforms may not specifically symbolize the "vajra seat" itself and may just be an altar or a symbol of the Buddha. A vajra seat or empty seat may also be decorated with lotuses or be depicted as a giant lotus (in this case, it can be referred to as a "lotus throne").
Footprints temple, Sri Lanka.|left The
Buddha footprint (
buddhapāda) represents the Buddha. These footprints were often placed on stone slabs, and are usually decorated with some other Buddhist symbol, such as a Dharma wheel, swastika, or triratna, indicating Buddhist identity. According to Karlsson, "in the 3rd century AD as many as twelve signs can be seen on slabs from
Nagarjunakonda. At that time we can found such signs as fishes, stupas, pillars, flowers, urns of plenty (
purnaghata) and mollusc shells engraved on the buddhapada slab". It also represents royalty and protection, as well as honor and respect.
Indrakhila The
Indrakhila ("Indras post") which appears in early Buddhist sites has sometimes been interpreted as a symbol for the Buddha (but it could just be a symbol of auspiciousness). This is usually "a series of formalized lotus plants one above the other, with artificial brackets in the borders from which hang jewelled garlands and necklaces of lucky talismans betokening both worldly and spiritual riches. At the top there is a trident and at the bottom a pair of footprints".
Flaming pillar Another symbol which may indicate the Buddha is a "flaming pillar". This may be a reference to the
Twin Miracle at Savatthi and the Buddha's magical abilities.
Swastika ,
South Korea|left edict of
Emperor Ashoka c.257 BCE The
svastika was traditionally used in
India to represent good fortune. This symbol was adopted to symbolize the auspiciousness of the Buddha. The left-facing svastika is often imprinted on the chest, feet or palms of
Buddha images. The swastika was also a symbol of protection from evil. The ancient
swastika (which are also
Chinese characters, mainly 卍 and 卐) is common in Buddhist art. It is widely used in East Asia to represent Buddhism, and Buddhist temples. Buddhist symbols like the swastika have also been used as a family emblem (
mon) by Japanese clans.
Endless knot The endless knot is a symbol of good luck. It may also represent
dependent origination. It also symbolizes the "endless wisdom and compassion for the Buddha," among other interpretations. The symbols are used in a variety of ways, such as greeting cards, ceremonial scarves, and in jewelry.
Pair of fishes A pair of fishes (Sanskrit:
matsyayugma) represent happiness and spontaneity as well as fertility and abundance. In Tantric Buddhism, it represents the left and right subtle body channels (nadis). In China, it often represents fidelity and conjugal unity.
Dhvaja , victory banner|left The victory banner was a military symbol of victory, and symbolizes the Buddha's victory over Mara and the defilements (an epithet for the Buddha is the "conqueror"; in Sanskrit, Jina).
Vase '' with image of
Buddha Amitābha. Nepal, 17th century. A treasure vase, which represents inexhaustible treasure and wealth, is also an attribute of wealth deities like
Jambhala,
Vaishravana and Vasudhara.
Conch shell A conch shell represents victory, the spreading the teachings of the Buddha far and wide, and the aspect of speech. It is blown on auspicious events to announce (and also invite) the deities or other living beings of the happening of the auspicious event, such as marriages (in Sri Lanka).
Ever-burning lamp The "ever-burning lamp" (
changmingdeng) is "an oil lamp kept in the monastery that in theory was never allowed to burn out". This was used as a symbol for the Buddhist teachings and for the "mind of correct enlightenment" (
zhengjuexin).
Ruyi Ruyi may have been used as a baton held by a speaker in a conversation (a
talking stick), and later became imbued with different Buddhist meanings. The scepters exact usage is unknown, however, is depicted in ancient Chinese artwork commonly as being held by scholars. The artistic style mirrors Buddhist appreciation of natural forms. Ruyi scepters were often given as gifts.
Wooden fish " (
mokugyo), a wooden percussion instrument used in chanting Wooden fish symbolized vigilance. In practice is a percussion instrument, known most commonly to the Western World as a Chinese temple block. It is symbolic of wakeful attention, as the eyes of a fish never close. • Buddhist prayer beads (
mala), which originated in India as a way to count prayers or mantras and commonly have 108 beads. • The wish fulfilling tree (
kalpavriksha) • The
fly-whisk, which is a tool to drive away insects and thus symbolizes non-harming (
ahimsa). • Yantra. == Groups ==