`BUDDHISM SIGNS AND SYMBOLS 

LCFAITH A64 
SIGN/SYMBOL  NOTES/INFO  PHOTOS 

Wheel of Dharma  The golden wheel symbolises the auspiciousness

(Patrick and Francis)  of the turning of the precious wheel of Buddha's
  doctrine, both in its teachings and realizations, in
all realms and at all times, enabling beings to
experience the joy of wholesome deeds and
liberation.The rim represents the factor of limitation,
the hub represents the Earth’s axis, and the eight
spokes shows the Eightfold Path dictated by
Buddha. 

Pair of Golden  The golden fish symbolises the auspiciousness of

Fishes (Patrick and  all living beings in a state of fearlessness, without
Francis)  danger of drowning in the ocean of sufferings, and
migrating from place to place freely and
spontaneously, just as fish swim freely without fear
through water. Having complete freedom in water,
fish represent happiness, fertility, and abundance.
On a spiritual level, they represent the boundless
abundance of the Buddha’s energy , which never
diminishes, no matter how much is given away. 
Chatra (Saco)  (Parasol) represents firmament (Earth’s sky 
represented as a dome) and its’ 
expansiveness/space. Also represents 
protection from any harm. Also represents 
authority. 
One of the Eight Auspicious Signs 
(Ashtamangala). 

Lotus (Dominic &  In Buddhist symbolism the lotus is symbolic 

Shaun)  of purity of the body, speech, and mind as 
while rooted in the mud, its flowers blossom 
on long stalks as if floating above the muddy 
waters of attachment and desire. It is also 
symbolic of detachment as drops of water 
easily slide off its petals. 

Srivatsa (Saco)  (Endless knot) symbolizes Samsara (the cycle 

of life), dependency, continuum, 
no-beginning-no-end, eternality, 
omnipresence, union of wisdom and 
method, and much more related to 
endlessness. 
One of the Eight Auspicious Signs 
(Ashtamangala). 
 
P.S. the endless knot means much infinite,   
because it’s endless. 
Dhvaja (Saco)  (Banner/flag) Buddha's victory over the four 
māras​, or hindrances in the path of 
enlightenment* 
● pride,  
● desire,  
● disturbing emotions,  
● fear of death 
One of the Eight Auspicious Signs 
(Ashtamangala). 
 
*wiki 

Swastika (Tin & Jas)  -Swastika in Buddhism represents universal

harmony, dharma, the balance of opposites,
and, originally, eternity and good luck or “all is
well”.
-bad connotation in the west because of how the
Nazis twisted a symbol of peace and turned it into a
symbol of hate
-You can also find the swastika symbol imprinted on
the body, palms, chest, or feet of Buddha.

Wisdom Eyes  - The eyes of wisdom or Buddha eyes 

  are used to represent the potential to 
  awaken and see clearly. 
  - Purpose of meditation practice 
  - Intention of the dharma 
   
   
   
   
     
Buddhapada  ● ‘Footprints of Buddha’ 
(Phillip)  ● Symbolizes Buddha’s presence when 
he touched the ground and Buddha’s 
absence when he entered nirvana.  
● Buddhist legends say when Buddha 
attained enlightenment, his feet made 
an imprint on the stone he stepped in.  
● Serves as a reminder of Buddhist ideal 
of non-attachment.  
 
 
 
HINDU RITUALS 
LCFAITH A64 
RITUAL NAME  NOTES/INFO 

1. Dahi Handi  Dahi Handi is a celebration of their deity Krishna’s birth. Dahi Handi is a 
Hindu festival in which young boys and men form a human pyramid to break 
a clay pot or vessel that is filled with curd or other milk related products 
which is hung at a particular height and level. Dahi Handi comes from the 
words Handi or the clay vessel and Dahi which means full of curd.  
 
The festival of Dahi handi is inspired from the childhood events of Krishna. 
Krishna loved butter, curds and other milk related products and would often 
steal them from people’s homes. The people then started hanging their 
butter and curds in pots so that it would be unable to be reached by Krishna. 
And so Krishna and his friends formed human pyramids to reach these clay 
pots.  

2. Life-cycle Rituals (Pregnancy &  While the mother is pregnant, the father may part t​ he hair of the mother 
Birth)  three times upward from the front to the back. The Hindus believe that doing 
so will promote conception, as well as bring good health to both the mother 
and her child. Charms and talismans may also be used to ward off witches 
and demons from curing the pregnant woman and her baby. 
 
When the child is born, ​ the father should glance at his face and then bathe 
facing the north. Then before cutting the umbilical cord, the baby who is 
untouched by anyone except the midwife, is placed facing the east onto his 
mother’s lap, by the father. This ritual is done to free the newborn from the 
sin of intaking liquor (​amniotic fluid) and to grant them a long life. 
 
 

3. Sannyasa  is a form of asceticism, is marked by renunciation of material desires and 

prejudices, represented by a state of disinterest and detachment from 
material life, and has the purpose of spending one's life in peaceful, 
love-inspired, simple spiritual life. An individual in Sanyasa is known as a 
Sannyasi (male) or Sannyasini (female) in Hinduism. 

4 Antyeshti or Antim Sanskar: ritual   

done at the time of cremation   ● https://www.speakingtree.in/blog/hindu-death-rituals-and-beliefs 
 

5. Graha Shanti Puja  Graha Shanti Puja is performed to drive away the ill-effects, doshas of the bad 
planets and increases the flow of positive energy in the person and family. 
Performing Graha Shanti also bestows the dwellers of the home with peace 
and prosperity. 
● Performed before moving into a house, whether rented or owned. 
● Performed by Hindi speaking North Indian Pandit. 
● An auspicious date compatible to Janma Nakshatra of wife/Female 
family head. 
● It helps to please the planets and the Gods, and bring good fortune. 
Benefits:  
 ● Protects the house from negative energy, evil eyes and increases the 
flow of positive energy in the home. 
● Bestows the family with prosperity, harmony and good fortune. 
● Purifies and spiritualizes the surrounding and environment of the 
home with holy vibes and a divine ambiance. 
 
●Helps to overcome and removes any obstacles and hurdles one may 
come across in their life. 
● Graha Shanti puja ensures that the Vastu Purush and the nine planets 
are revered to prevent untimely and unfortunate events from 
happening to both the home and its dwellers. 
How to perform: 
● The necessary items include Navgrah Yantra, incense, lamps, turmeric, 
kumkum, camphor, ghee, sandalwood paste and coconuts. 
● Fruits, flowers, rice, sesame oil, betel nuts and leaves, sweets and 
havan kund samagri are also required. 
 
1. Chant the Navagraha Mantras 
2. Offer fruits, sweets, incense to appease the Navagrahas. 
3. Homam or fire ritual. 
 
 
 

6. Domestic Worship  The home is the place where most Hindus conduct their worship and 
  religious rituals. The most important times of day for the performance of 
  household rituals are dawn and dusk, although especially devout families 
  may engage in devotion more often. 
   
  For many households, the day begins when the women in the house draw 
  auspicious geometric designs in chalk or rice flour on the floor or the 
  doorstep. For orthodox Hindus, dawn and dusk are greeted with recitation 
  from the Rig Veda of the Gayatri Mantra for the sun—for many people, the 
  only Sanskrit prayer they know. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

7. Antyeshti (Hindu Funeral Rites)  After the death of a family member, the relatives become involved in 
  ceremonies for the preparation of the body and a procession to the burning 
  or burial ground. 
   
  For most Hindus, cremation is the ideal method for dealing with the dead, 
  although many groups practice burial instead; infants are buried rather than 
  cremated. At the funeral site, in the presence of the male mourners, the 
  closest relative of the deceased (usually the eldest son) takes charge of the 
  final rite and, if it is cremation, lights the funeral pyre. 
   
  After a cremation, ashes, and fragments of bone are collected and eventually 
  immersed in a holy river. After a funeral, everyone undergoes a purifying 
  bath. The immediate family remains in a state of intense pollution for a set 
  number of days (sometimes ten, eleven, or thirteen). 
   
  Diwali. ... One of the most popular festivals of Hinduism, Diwali symbolises the 
  spiritual "victory of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over 
  ignorance." Light is a metaphor for knowledge and consciousness. During 
  the celebration, temples, homes, shops and office buildings are brightly 
  illuminated. 
 
 
 
 
 
9. Diwali festival rituals 

8. Hindu Birth Ritual