Hindu symbols

thumb|The swastika is a symbol with many styles and meanings and has been used in many cultures and religions around the world for millennia. thumb|The Cultural appropriation|appropriation of the swastika by the [[Nazi Party (1920–1945) is the most recognisable modern usage of the symbol in the Western world.]]

thumb|Om Ligature (writing)|ligature in [[Devanagari script]] thumb|Om () in Tamil script with a [[trishula at Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, Singapore; Om appears frequently as an icon in temples (kovils) and spiritual retreats]] thumb|A rangoli featuring Om surrounded by stylised peacocks; Om often features prominently in the religious art and iconography of [[Indian religions]] thumb|A Raksha Bandhan|rakhi in the shape of Om

thumb|right|A lingam with tripundra, projected on a [[yoni base]]

thumb|Sri Yantra by [[Harish Johari using traditional colors]] thumb|Unalome is the sacred Yantra used widely in Southeast Asian Buddhism

Yoni (Sanskrit: योनि, ), sometimes called pindika, is an abstract or aniconic representation of the Hindu goddess Shakti. It is usually shown with linga – its masculine counterpart. Together, they symbolize the merging of microcosmos and macrocosmos, the divine eternal process of creation and regeneration, and the union of the feminine and the masculine that recreates all of existence. The yoni is conceptualized as nature's gateway of all births, particularly in the esoteric Kaula and Tantra practices, as well as the Shaktism and Shaivism traditions of Hinduism.

thumb|Statue of Shiva holding a trishula. The trishula () is a trident, a divine symbol, commonly used as one of the principal symbols in Hinduism. It is most commonly associated with the deity Shiva and widely employed in his iconography.

thumb|A woman with a tilaka on her forehead In Hinduism, the tilaka, colloquially known as a tika, is a mark usually adorning the forehead at the point of the ajna chakra (third eye or spiritual eye) and sometimes other parts of the body such as the neck, hand, chest, or the arm. The tilaka may be applied daily for decorative purposes, as a symbol of religious affiliation, for rites of passage, or other special spiritual and religious occasions, dependent on regional custom. It is also used to honour and welcome someone upon arrival.

alt=Munshi Ghat|thumb|250x250px|Munshi Ghat thumb|Dashashwamedh Ghat on the Ganges river, in [[Varanasi.|alt=Dashashwamedh Ghat|250x250px]]

A damaru (, ; Tibetan ཌ་མ་རུ་ or རྔ་ཆུང) is a small two-headed drum used in Hinduism and Tibetan Buddhism. In Hinduism, the damaru is known as the instrument of the Hindu deity Shiva, associated with Tantric traditions. It is said to be created by Shiva to produce spiritual sounds by which the whole universe has been created and regulated. In Tibetan Buddhism, the damaru is used as an instrument in meditation practices.

thumb|upright=1.25|These ammonite fossils serve as a non-anthropomorphic symbol of Vishnu.

thumb|Ashtamangala: first row (left to right): parasol, pair of golden fish, conch; second row: treasure vase, lotus; Last row: infinite knot, victory banner and wheel.

Modak (), modakam (), kolukattai or modaka (), also referred to as jilledukayalu in Telugu () is an Indian sweet dish popular in many Indian states and cultures. According to Hindu and Buddhist beliefs, it is one of the favourite dishes of Ganesha and the Buddha and is therefore used in prayers. The sweet filling inside a modak consists of freshly grated coconut and jaggery, while the outer soft shell is made from rice flour or wheat flour mixed with khowa or maida flour.

thumb|The Pūrṇa-Kalaśa or Pūrṇa-Ghaṭa with "Padmotpalakumudvat" - overflowing pot with Nelumbo|Padma (lotus), Utpala (blue water-lily) and Kumuda (white water-lily), 1st century BCE depiction.

thumb|The abhayamudra gesture thumb|Dewi Sri (Parvati) with her right hand in the abhayamudra. [[Bali, Indonesia.]] The abhayamudra () is a mudra (gesture) that is the gesture of reassurance and safety, which dispels fear and accords divine protection and bliss in Hinduism, Buddhism, and other Indian religions. The right hand is raised to shoulder height, with the palm is facing outward and the fingers pointing upwards This is one of the earliest mudras found depicted on a number of Hindu, Buddhist, Jain, and Sikh images.

form of mystical diagram used in the Shri Vidya school of Hinduism

thumb|A brass kamaṇḍalu, held by a sadhu. Kamandalu () is an oblong water pot, originating from the Indian subcontinent, made of a dry gourd (pumpkin) or coconut shell, metal, wood of the kamaṇḍalataru tree, or from clay, usually with a handle and sometimes with a spout. Hindu ascetics or yogis often use it for storing drinking water. The water-filled kamaṇḍalu, which is invariably carried by ascetics, is stated to represent a simple and self-contained life.

thumb|Elaborate paduka with high platform was part of a bride's trousseau.

ceremonial umbrella or parasol, one of the 8 auspicious signs in Hinduism, Buddhism, etc., often combined with the victory banner (dhjava)

religious symbol

thumb|Shrivatsa as a triangular mark on right side of Vishnu's chest

thumb|A Hindu flag from the temple Maa Naina Devi, Nainital, Uttarakhand, India|260x260px thumb|220px|right|Dhvaja (Victory banner) – pole design with silk scarfs, on the background the Potala Palace

thumb|A Yakshagana dancer with tripundra on her forehead Tripundra ( tripuṇḍra "three marks") is a Hindu Shaivite tilaka, worn by Shaivas as an indication of their affiliation with Shiva. It is also one of the tilakas worn by Smarta Hindus. It consists of three horizontal lines (and sometimes a dot) on the forehead, usually made with sacred ash, and has spiritual meanings in the Shaivite traditions of Hinduism. The Vaishnava counterpart of this tilaka, consisting of vertical lines, is called the Urdhva Pundra.

A kumbha () is a type of pottery in India. Traditionally, it is made by Kumbhars, also known as Prajapatis.

thumb|right|200px|The Kagome crest; six-pointed star thumb|upright|Shatkona represents the union of male and female.

U-shaped forehead mark worn by followers of Vaishnavism as an indication of their devotion to Vishnu

shape consisting of two overlapping concentric squares with relative angle 45°

thumb|A Gupta era one-faced mukhalinga, [[Bhumara]] thumb|A four-faced mukhalinga, 10th century, Asian Art Museum of San Francisco|Asian Art Museum

Hindu supernatural weapon

lotus attribute of Vishnu

Hindu sacred symbol dedicated to Lord Ganesha