Religious symbols




Most Nepalis are religious by nature and tradition. From birth to death, and from morning to evening every, and from a grain of sand to the high Himalayas, everything has its own religious importance. Moreover, the hardships of life require a great faith in life in the form of deities. 

Chakra: Chakra or the wheel of righteousness is an emblem or tool used as a holy symbol by Hindus and Buddhists.

Chorten: Stone Buddhist monuments, usually round, often containing relics

Guru Rimpoche: Founder of Tibetan Buddhism; Sanskrit name is Padmasambhav

Gompa:Tibetan Buddhist Temple

Janai: auspicious thread worn by some Hindus for meditation

Kora:Tibetan word for circumbulation of religious shrine

Mani stone: stone carved with Tibetan Buddhist prayer om mani peme hoon

Shivlalinga: literally God Shiva’s Penis, a stone object worshipped by the Hindus. The linga is the phallic symbol of lord Shiva and it displays supreme power generally identified analogue of cosmic deity.

Stupa: hemispherical Buddhist religious structure similar to a chorten

Sankha: Shankha is a Sanskrit word used to denote a sleek and smooth conch shell. It is believed that if the Shankha is blown with skill, it can scare away evil spirits and is described as a killer of germs and enemies.

Shree-Yantra: Different yantras, for tantric puja or meditation, are used by tantric pundits. Shree yantra is composed of two sets of triangles one of which is composed of Shreekanthas and the other set of triangles is composed of Shivayavatis.  These two triangles reflect the unison of Shiva and Shakti.

Satkon: This popular symbol of the union of Shakti and Shiva, that indicates the union of the two, is represented in several Nepali works of art like the Mandala paintings , windows and doors etc.

Swastika: Unlike in the West Swastika has positive connotation denoting auspiciousness. Swastika is a Sanskrit word which means doing good for all, is a very ancient oriental symbol.

Tika: A color put on the forehead as a symbol of God’s grace. Tika is also used in Tantra as a hypnotic tool.



Religious symbols Religious symbols Reviewed by WhiteHat on 5:56 PM Rating: 5

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