Religious Symbols and Meanings
All religions in the world have their own symbols and meanings. Here, we are going to discuss religious symbols and their meanings and how they play a significant role in expressing their respective faiths.
All religions are deeply entrenched in tradition and rituals. To express certain beliefs and systems in a particular religion, many symbols were used. Some of these religious symbols have lost their signification with passing time, but some of them still continue to pass on the intended beliefs.
Religious symbols and meanings are often confused with occult symbolism. However, religions like Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism and many others rely on such symbols to preach people about religion and inculcate certain values in them. In this article we are going to discuss religious symbols and their meanings.
Christian Religious Symbols and Meanings
Christianity is one of the oldest religions in the world. Here is a collection of Christian religious symbols and their meanings.
The Christian Cross: The Christian cross is the symbol for Christ's resurrection. The crucifix, with the body of Jesus on it, which is favored by Catholic and Orthodox churches, symbolizes the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
Ichthys (fish): This is one of the most common religious symbols in Christianity. The word "Ichthys" is derived from the first letters of the sentence "Jesus Christ, God's son, savior" in ancient Greek. In Roman times the fish symbol was used as a mark for meeting places and tombs.
Six Pointed Star: The six points of the six-pointed star stand for the six days of creation. They are also said to represent the six attributes of God which is love, power, wisdom, mercy, majesty and justice. It is also known as the Star of David in Judaism.
Alpha and Omega: The Greek letters alpha and omega which are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, symbolizes that God is "the beginning and the end" or eternal. The symbols were widely used in early Christianity and it also appears in the Roman catacombs.
Agnus Dei : Agnis dei in Latin stands for Lamb of God. An Agnus Dei is visual representation of Jesus as a lamb who makes the ultimate sacrifice by atoning for the sins of humanity.
Buddhist Religious Symbols and Meanings
Buddhism was founded by Gautam Buddha in 6th century B.C, which later spread from the Indian subcontinent to China. Here we have listed some Buddhist religious symbols and their meanings.
Lotus: The Lotus flower is one of the most important religious symbols in Buddhism. The lotus symbolizes purity and enlightenment. Lotus flower symbol has been depicted in some form or other in Buddhist art. Especially, Buddha is often portrayed as sitting on a lotus while praying for enlightenment.
Conch Shell: The conch shell is used in Buddhist rituals for gathering devotees together. It represents the thoughts of the Buddha. The musical sound of conch shell reaches the ears of the devotees and awakens them from slumber and ignorance.
Endless Knot: The endless knot is a geometric diagram which symbolizes that everything is interrelated. All living things exist only as part of a web of karma and its effect. As the endless knot has no beginning and no end, it also represents the infinite wisdom of Buddha.
Dharmachakra: Dharmachakra is one of the best known symbols of Buddhism which is a turning wheel which represents the endless cycle of birth and rebirth. It also symbolizes the teachings of Buddha which brings spiritual change in a person.
Some More Religious Symbols
Here are some of the most commonly seen religious symbols of the world. The most important thing about religious symbols is that it is not limited by boundaries created by language, region and dialects. Since religious symbols convey the same expression irrespective of the language known, religious symbols are recognized instantly by people all over the world. This makes it easier for a religion to spread and thus more and more people become aware of the beliefs through such religious symbols.
Any religion or culture can be better understood and appreciated if you know the religious symbols and meanings behind it. I hope the above article has cleared all your doubts about symbolic faith.
Religious symbols and meanings are often confused with occult symbolism. However, religions like Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism and many others rely on such symbols to preach people about religion and inculcate certain values in them. In this article we are going to discuss religious symbols and their meanings.
Christian Religious Symbols and Meanings
Christianity is one of the oldest religions in the world. Here is a collection of Christian religious symbols and their meanings.
The Christian Cross: The Christian cross is the symbol for Christ's resurrection. The crucifix, with the body of Jesus on it, which is favored by Catholic and Orthodox churches, symbolizes the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
Ichthys (fish): This is one of the most common religious symbols in Christianity. The word "Ichthys" is derived from the first letters of the sentence "Jesus Christ, God's son, savior" in ancient Greek. In Roman times the fish symbol was used as a mark for meeting places and tombs.
Six Pointed Star: The six points of the six-pointed star stand for the six days of creation. They are also said to represent the six attributes of God which is love, power, wisdom, mercy, majesty and justice. It is also known as the Star of David in Judaism.
Alpha and Omega: The Greek letters alpha and omega which are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, symbolizes that God is "the beginning and the end" or eternal. The symbols were widely used in early Christianity and it also appears in the Roman catacombs.
Agnus Dei : Agnis dei in Latin stands for Lamb of God. An Agnus Dei is visual representation of Jesus as a lamb who makes the ultimate sacrifice by atoning for the sins of humanity.
Buddhist Religious Symbols and Meanings
Buddhism was founded by Gautam Buddha in 6th century B.C, which later spread from the Indian subcontinent to China. Here we have listed some Buddhist religious symbols and their meanings.
Lotus: The Lotus flower is one of the most important religious symbols in Buddhism. The lotus symbolizes purity and enlightenment. Lotus flower symbol has been depicted in some form or other in Buddhist art. Especially, Buddha is often portrayed as sitting on a lotus while praying for enlightenment.
Conch Shell: The conch shell is used in Buddhist rituals for gathering devotees together. It represents the thoughts of the Buddha. The musical sound of conch shell reaches the ears of the devotees and awakens them from slumber and ignorance.
Endless Knot: The endless knot is a geometric diagram which symbolizes that everything is interrelated. All living things exist only as part of a web of karma and its effect. As the endless knot has no beginning and no end, it also represents the infinite wisdom of Buddha.
Dharmachakra: Dharmachakra is one of the best known symbols of Buddhism which is a turning wheel which represents the endless cycle of birth and rebirth. It also symbolizes the teachings of Buddha which brings spiritual change in a person.
Some More Religious Symbols
Here are some of the most commonly seen religious symbols of the world. The most important thing about religious symbols is that it is not limited by boundaries created by language, region and dialects. Since religious symbols convey the same expression irrespective of the language known, religious symbols are recognized instantly by people all over the world. This makes it easier for a religion to spread and thus more and more people become aware of the beliefs through such religious symbols.
| Image | Religion | Symbol | Meaning |
 |
Christianity | The Christian Cross | Christ's resurrection |
| Ichthys (fish) | Used as a mark for meeting places and tombs | ||
| Six Pointed Star | The six attributes of God which is love, power, wisdom, mercy, majesty and justice | ||
| Alpha and Omega | God is "the beginning and the end." or eternal | ||
| Agnus Dei | Jesus as a lamb who makes the ultimate sacrifice by atoning for the sins of humanity | ||
 |
Buddhism | Lotus | Purity and enlightenment |
| Conch Shell | Thoughts of the Buddha | ||
| Endless Knot | Infinite wisdom of Buddha | ||
| Wheel of Dharma | Endless cycle of birth and rebirth | ||
 |
Hinduism | Swastika | Two forms of God Brahma, creator of the Universe |
| Trishul (trident) | The three prongs of the trishul represents God Shiva as creator, preserver and destroyer | ||
| Om | A cosmic sound meaning omnipotent | ||
| Chakra | Protection from evil | ||
 |
Judaism | Star of David | Shield of God |
| Menorah (seven branched candelabrum) | Presence of God in our hearts | ||
| Mezuzah | Nation of Israel | ||
| Hamesh hand | Protection against the evil eye | ||
 |
Islam | Crescent | Good omen |
| Eight pointed star | To mark the end of a chapter in Islamic literature | ||
 |
Zoroastrianism | Faravahar | Guardian spirit |
 |
Taoism | Yin-Yang | Interaction of "yin" and "yang" energies |
| Eight Trigram | A lucky talisman | ||
 |
Jainism | Triratna (three umbrellas) | The triple gems of Jainism |
| Kalasha (Pot with water) | Completeness and wisdom | ||
| Mirror | Clarity and reflection of one's true self | ||
| Swastika | Peace and prosperity | ||
 |
Pagan | Ankh | Egyptian sun god Amen-Rah |
| Circumpunct (circle with dot) | Spiritual merging of male and female force | ||
 |
Sikhism | Khanda | It signifies truth, the willingness to stand up for dharma |
| Ik Onkar | One Creator | ||
 |
Shinto | Torii | Transition from the sacred to the profane |
Any religion or culture can be better understood and appreciated if you know the religious symbols and meanings behind it. I hope the above article has cleared all your doubts about symbolic faith.
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