_Geometric and Elemental Symbolism The four elements: Air: identified as blue or black and depicted to be semi-circular. Fire: identified as red and depicted to be triangular. Water: identified as white and depicted to be circular. Earth: identified as yellow and depicted to be square.
Color Symbolism In Buddhist Art: The Pancha-Varna “the five colors”
It is believed that by meditating on the individual colors, the following metamorphosis can be achieved: 1. Black symbolizes anger and killing. 2. White symbolizes rest and thinking. White transforms the delusion of ignorance into the wisdom of reality. 3. Yellow symbolizes restraint and nourishment. Yellow transforms pride into wisdom of sameness. 4. Red symbolizes subjugation and summoning. Red transforms the delusion of attachment into the wisdom of discernment. 5. Green symbolizes exorcism. Green transforms jealousy into the wisdom of accomplishment. Blue transforms anger into mirror like wisdom.
Color Symbolism In Buddhist Art ." Color Symbolism in Buddhist Art. Exotic India, 2002. Web. 8 Dec 2011.
The Eight Auspicious Symbols of Buddhism
The eight auspicious symbols of Buddhist art - known in Sanskrit as 'Ashtamangala,' 'ashta' meaning eight and 'mangala' meaning auspicious. These eight symbols are ubiquitous throughout Buddhist art.
1. The Conch Shell
___Lamas play religious conch shells during major Buddhist festivals.
_These conch shells were carved and embellished with turquoise. The lower portion of the shell is plated with silver.
_The conch shell is said to represent Buddha's beautiful and resonant voice, through which he introduced his followers to dharma.
In Tibetan Buddhism, the conch shell is blown from the rooftops of monasteries to gather monks together and announce religious assemblies. During the exercise of rituals, it is used as a musical instrument and as a means to contain holy water. In addition, conch shell horns are blown as a sound offering to the universe. When the conch shell is placed on top of an altar it functions as a symbolic reminder of the great Buddha and his teachings.
Shells that spiral to the right in a clockwise manner are rare and considered to be especially sacred. The right-spiraling conch is believed to symbolize the motion of the sun, moon, planets and stars. The hair on Buddha's head and body was said to have spiraled to the right. This was seen as one of the many manifestations of Buddhas deep connection to the universe.
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2. The Lotus
The roots of a lotus are in the mud and the stem grows up through the water, and the flower opens above the water. This symbolizes the growth of the soul from the dirty physical world through the course of Buddhist teachings, and through discipline and perseverance of those teachings, finally opens into the bright sunshine of enlightenment. In Buddhism the lotus flower is analogous to the human heart. It is said that the heart is like a closed lotus, and through the practice of Buddhist teachings, the heart begins to open like the flower does in sunlight.
Buddha is often depicted to be sitting on top of a open lotus flower. This serves to indicate his divine status because the flower has bloomed and is free from the mud and dirt of the physical world. This alludes to the purity of enlightenment.
For purposes of meditation, the lotus position is the most recommended for a successful session. The lotus position is stabilizing and straightens the spine which is believed to align the charkas. The index finger is pressed against the thumb so that if the person meditating begins to slouch, pressure will be felt in this area. This allows for the maintenance of perfectly straight spine. It is also good for developing control over rhythmic breathing patterns. The lotus position is considered advanced as it requires good flexibility among the knees and ankles that must be maintained for the duration of the meditation. _
3. The Wheel
_Wheel on the ceiling of a Buddhist monastery in Sikkim, Himalayas.
_Jokhang Temple in Lhasa, Tibet.
The Wheel is also called Dharmachakra. Buddha is said to have "turned the wheel of the dharma" and it therefore became the "wheel of law." It represents the overall teachings of the Buddha and is one of the most important Buddhist symbols. In Tibet, it is called the "the wheel of transformation."
A wheel is an object intended for mobilization and this is symbolic of the motion of the soul as it progress along the spiritual path. It embodies change and also represents the never ending cycle of samsara, or rebirth. The cycle of samsara can only be broken by following the path of the Buddha and reaching enlightenment. The hub stands for training in moral discipline. There are eight spokes on the wheel which are reflections of the Noble Eightfold Path. The spokes represent the correct application of wisdom, which ends ignorance and suffering. The rim represents concentration, which is essential to the successful meditative practice.
In the present context, the wheel is a ubiquitous symbol in Buddhist art and culture. The wheel is often depicted on the body of Buddha, usually on his palms and the soles of his feet. The wheel is also commonly found in the center of mandals, representing the wholeness and totality of the universe.
4. The Parasol
_Ushnisha Sitatapatra (Thousand Armed Goddess of the Great White Umbrella)
__ The umbrellas symbolizes the dome of the sky, casting its shadow on the earth. This shadow is the shadow of protection. The umbrella is carried above an important person or the image of a deity, to indicate that the person or symbol below the umbrella is the center of the universe. In addition, the umbrella is indicative of the fact that deities are entitled to respect.
The handle of the umbrella is the 'axis mundi,' which is thought to be the central axis sustaining the world. The umbrella is typically depicted to be above the head of an important deity as a way to symbolize that beneath the umbrella is the center of the universe. Some consider the umbrella to be like a mobile temple.
In Tibet some dignitaries are entitled to certain parasols. Religious dignitaries are entitled to silk parasols and secular rulers are entitled to parasols that are embroidered peacock feathers. The Dalai Lama is entitled to both. During processions, a peacock parasol is carried and then a silk one is carried after him. The dome symbolizes wisdom, and compassion is symbolized through the hanging skirt. The parasol itself signifies the union of these two elements. There are also octagonal parasols which symbolize the Noble Eightfold Path and square parasols which represent the four cardinal directions of north, south, east and west.
5. The Endless Knot
Tibetan brocade
The intertwining of lines reminds us that all events are conjoined together in a cycle of cause and effect. The knot also represents the binding to our karmic destiny. In addition, since there is no beginning or end the knot also symbolizes the infinite wisdom of the Buddha. The knot is one of the most used symbols in Tibetan Buddhism, and often appears independently.
The endless knot sometimes appears on greeting cards. When this occurs, it is a way to symbolize the link between the giver and the receiver. The recipient is granted righteous karma, which may brighten their path as a result of their good deed.
The video below illustrates the concept of interconnectedness with the world and experience.
6. The Two Fishes
The two fishes on the Dayan Pagoda Buddhist temple in Xi'an, China.
_ The Two Fishes symbolize the two Indian rivers, the Ganga and Yamuna. With regard to meditation, the Ganga and Yamuna are thought to symbolize the flow of the breath through inhalation and exhalation. In addition, they also represent the lunar and solar channels.
In Buddhism, the golden fishes also symbolize happiness, as they are free in water. Fish often swim in pairs, and in China they represent fidelity, and fish are often given as wedding presents. Buddha is sometimes referred to as the "fisher of men" because his teachings rescue people from "the ocean of suffering".
7. The Victory Banner
The victory banner signifies the triumph of knowledge over ignorance. More specifically, the banner is indicative of Buddha's enlightenment. According to legend, Buddha planted the banner on top of Mt. Meru to symbolize his victory over physical barriers.
It also symbolizes Buddha's triumph over Mara, who personifies obstacles to spiritual realization. Specifically, there are four types of Maras: 1). The Mara of Emotional Defilement 2). Mara of Passion 3). Mara of the Fear of Death 4). Mara of Pride and Lust After mastering the four Maras, Buddha could proclaim victory over ignorance and achieve nirvana.
8. The Vase of Inexhaustible Treasures
_ The Vase of Inexhaustible Treasures is also known as “The Treasure Chest.” It symbolizes the spiritual abundance of the Buddha. No matter how much of Buddha's treasure he gave away, the amount of treasure in his chest never diminished. Despite the fact that Buddha's teachings have been dispered to billions of people over the ages, his love and wisdom will never dimish.
In addition, the vase also represents longevity, wealth, prospertiy and the manifestation of desires. The jewels that appear on the upper rim of the vase represent Buddha, dharma, and sangha.