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Types of Buddhist Symbols: Explained

Buddhism is a complex religion, with many symbols that can be difficult to understand. They have been used for centuries and are an integral part of the Buddhist faith. Buddhist symbols are typically used in Buddhist art, architecture, ceremonies, and rituals. As Buddhism spread around the world it took on different forms depending on where it was practiced. This article will explain the types of Buddhist symbols.

The Om symbol 

The Om symbol is Buddhist in origin and the most universal of all Buddhist symbols. It is called Om because when spoken aloud it begins with “Ohhh … Mmm …” These are sounds believed to have physical benefits for humans. The symbol itself represents completeness or fulfillment.

 

This symbol is known as a mantra. Buddhists use Buddhist symbols to aid them in their meditation and chanting sessions. They believe that the practice of repeating these symbols guides one towards enlightenment or Nirvana, depending on which type of Buddhist they are following.

 

Om is a Sanskrit word meaning “God” but it also means many other things such as truth, unity, supreme soul, etc. It represents all those meanings together into just one simple form making it very unique from any Buddhist symbol out there!

The Unalome symbol

This is another popular symbol in Buddhist artwork. If you’ve asked yourself what is an unalome, this will hopefully give you the answer. The Unalome has two important parts, a beginning, and an end. 

 

The beginning of the Unalome is a swirl that begins above your head and goes downwards. The end of this Buddhist symbol starts in the centerline between two eyes (commonly called left eye and right eye), or sometimes it will start to one side or another depending on what type of imagery you are looking at. There is also an important Buddhist phrase that comes from Nichiren Daishonin’s interpretation of the Unalome: Nam Myoho Renge Kyo (“Devotion to the Mystic Law”).

 

The end of the Buddhist symbol will either end in a spiral, or it might stop at the centerline. If it spirals outwards then that means your life is flowing and moving like water (water flows downhill). If your Unalome stops on this Buddhist path then that means there’s something blocking you from continuing to flow forward with your life. Sometimes people see an Unalome as two separate symbols because of how they are presented in Buddhist artwork, but both parts have meaning when looking at them together.

The Dharmachakra or “Wheel of Dharma” symbol 

This symbol represents Buddhist teachings which include Buddhist ideals, paths to enlightenment, and Buddhist philosophy. The Dharmachakra is often used on prayer wheels because the spinning of the wheel represents spreading Buddhist teachings throughout society.

 

Here’s a list of things for which the Dharmachakra is used:

 

• Buddhist teachings
• Buddhist ideals
• Buddhist paths to enlightenment
• Buddhist philosophy

 

The Dharmachakra is a significant Buddhist symbol because it represents the Buddhist philosophies that are important. The wheel itself represents spreading these principles throughout society and for this reason, prayer wheels often have pictures of Dharmachakras on them so that people can spin the wheel and spread Buddhist teachings.

 

The Buddhist wheel symbol is one of the most iconic Buddhist symbols and can be seen in many places throughout Buddhist teachings, art, architecture, and culture. Just like its name suggests this wheel has eight spokes that represent the Noble Eightfold Path that Gautama Buddha taught to his followers.

The Treasure Vase symbol

The Treasure Vase refers to Buddhist teachings and the Buddhist scriptures. It always carries water, which represents wisdom. The vase itself is empty inside because it holds no fixed views of its own on anything in particular; rather it reflects all points of view equally well. This symbolizes that Buddhists are ready to learn new things without preconceived ideas or notions getting in their way.

The Lotus Flower Symbol 

The Lotus Flower Buddhist symbol represents Buddhist enlightenment and purity. This Buddhist symbol is often seen as a water lily (Nelumbo Nucifera) and has many different species, mainly in tropical areas of Asia. The flower grows from mud but stands above the muddy bottom because it has roots that extend underwater to draw up nutrients without being tainted by them. Buddhist people use the Lotus Flower Buddhist symbol to illustrate how pure their souls are.

Bodhi Tree Symbol 

A very common symbol in Buddhist art is the Bodhi Tree. The Bodhi tree symbolizes enlightenment, wisdom, and awakening. It can be seen in several Buddhist paintings and Buddhist tattoos.

 

The Bodhi Tree is a fig or ficus religious tree that Buddhists believe to be the same one Siddhartha Gautama meditated under for 49 days, and this resulted in his enlightenment. It was later cut down but grew back from a cutting of the original tree and now grows all over Southeast Asia. The Bodhi Tree symbolizes the Buddhist principle of impermanence.

 

Now you know some of the most popular Buddhist symbols there are. They are usually seen everywhere from artwork to common household items and usually carry sacred meanings on them. Knowing them and living by the rules of these symbols is very different than what people are used to. If you ever decide to become a Buddhist, you’ll be on the right path with the information from this article!