SACRED
SYMBOLS
Their Use In Sacraments And Worship
Their Use In Sacraments And Worship
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OM
: Cosmic Creation
The Foremost among them is the sacred Om. It is believed to be the visual depiction of cosmic sound, from which all matter and space originates. In its monosyllabic sound, it contains the brahman or the entire universe and its energy. So fundamental is Om to Hindu culture, that it is the first shape that every child draws as he begins his education. It is also the first chant of the priest as he invokes the gods in prayer. This motif can be seen on doorways, temples, account books, religious texts, the cradles of the newborn and on ceremonial clothes, in a variety of colours and with many embellishments.
Swastika : Symbol Of The Sun God
The early Aryans looked upon the sun as the source of energy and life. They created a golden-limbed deity - Surya, the sun god - who rides a golden chariot drawn by seven horses. They raised many exquisitely sculpted temples to venerate him. A special graphic symbol was visualized to represent the sun's energy and munificence - the swastika. Hindus draw the swastika in vermilion on business documents and bridal clothes for luck. They paint it on the walls and thresholds of homes to energise the environment. Naturally linked with the glitter of gold, the swastika is worn as a locket hung on a gold chain - a talisman to ward off darkness, despair and danger.
The word swastika means 'all-well'. Its short form swasti is commonly used in all sacraments and ceremonial chants. The shape of this symbol was created to point our the four cardinal directions in which fire sticks were placed to begin Vedic sacrificial fires. An ancient symbol, it was found in civilizations such as the Greek, Egyptian and Chinese. Used in snake worship, it is supposedly seen on the hoods of cobras. The auspicious Swastika is always dedicated to the springtime sun.
The Foremost among them is the sacred Om. It is believed to be the visual depiction of cosmic sound, from which all matter and space originates. In its monosyllabic sound, it contains the brahman or the entire universe and its energy. So fundamental is Om to Hindu culture, that it is the first shape that every child draws as he begins his education. It is also the first chant of the priest as he invokes the gods in prayer. This motif can be seen on doorways, temples, account books, religious texts, the cradles of the newborn and on ceremonial clothes, in a variety of colours and with many embellishments.
Swastika : Symbol Of The Sun God
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The
Swastika is drawn in several ways. The most common one is the
vernal symbol of the sun, with its arms turning at right angles.
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The early Aryans looked upon the sun as the source of energy and life. They created a golden-limbed deity - Surya, the sun god - who rides a golden chariot drawn by seven horses. They raised many exquisitely sculpted temples to venerate him. A special graphic symbol was visualized to represent the sun's energy and munificence - the swastika. Hindus draw the swastika in vermilion on business documents and bridal clothes for luck. They paint it on the walls and thresholds of homes to energise the environment. Naturally linked with the glitter of gold, the swastika is worn as a locket hung on a gold chain - a talisman to ward off darkness, despair and danger.
The word swastika means 'all-well'. Its short form swasti is commonly used in all sacraments and ceremonial chants. The shape of this symbol was created to point our the four cardinal directions in which fire sticks were placed to begin Vedic sacrificial fires. An ancient symbol, it was found in civilizations such as the Greek, Egyptian and Chinese. Used in snake worship, it is supposedly seen on the hoods of cobras. The auspicious Swastika is always dedicated to the springtime sun.