Questions tagged [symbolism]

Questions about symbols and iconography, which are used to symbolizing the ideas and concepts of philosophical and spiritual meanings behind.

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Are Lord Shiva and Lord Shankar two different deities?

According to TimesofIndia, There is a subtle difference between the Supreme Soul Shiva and Shankar the deity. The Supreme has been worshipped in the oval or egg-shaped form of the Shivalingam. ...
Mr_Green's user avatar
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13 votes
2 answers
1k views

What is the Yogic meaning of getting liberation by reaching Varanasi?

Varanasi which is also known by the name Kashi is one of the the most sacred place. It is also known as Avimukta which means which is never forsaken by Shiva. अविमुक्तं स्वयं लिङ्गं स्थापितं परमा...
Tezz's user avatar
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17 votes
7 answers
31k views

What is the meaning of the word "Shiva"?

Is "Shiva" just a name of a God or does the word actually denote something? In other words, what is the real meaning of the word "Shiva" (also spelled as Śiva or शिव)?
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25 votes
7 answers
11k views

Why don't men wear the likes of Mangal-Sutra to signify they are married?

In Hinduism, brides wear Mangal Sutra to signify that they are married. Additionally, the use of sindoor, red kumkum powder also applied along the parting of the hair, is also worn by married women. ...
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10 votes
1 answer
3k views

Why is Lord Shiva called NilaLohita?

NilaLohita which means the Lord who is both Blue and Red. Nila means blue and Lohita means Red. NilaLohita is one of the popular name of Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva is called by the name NilaLohita itself ...
Tezz's user avatar
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9 votes
4 answers
1k views

Are mythologies real (historical) or merely allegorical?

Are all mythologies real or are they stories or symbolic things meant to teach us something higher? I know that we (individuals) too are not so real as far as Vedanta is concerned. All is one. But ...
Sai Baikampadi's user avatar
23 votes
3 answers
2k views

What is the significance of the swastika?

The swastika symbol is used in many ceremonies, such as the yagya, among others. What is its significance? Also, what is the correct direction for the swastika? This or its mirror image?
kBisla's user avatar
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15 votes
3 answers
688 views

Significance of certain deities using a particular animal as their vehicle

The Hindu texts are replete with references of deities using a particular animal as their primary vehicle. E.g., Ganesha has a mouse for his vehicle, Shiva uses an ox (Nandi), while Karthikeya is ...
The Hungry Dictator's user avatar
18 votes
5 answers
8k views

Why are Gods and Yogis shown sitting on animals skins?

It can be observed that many Hindu Gods and saints are shown sitting on animal (tiger) skins. What could be the reason behind this?
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14 votes
1 answer
97k views

Why does lord Shiva wear a Naga (snake) around his neck?

As you can see in many pictures of Shiva, he wears a naga wrapped around his neck. Credits for Image So is there any reason behind keeping that naga around his neck, or is that a vahan for lord Shiv ...
Mr. Alien's user avatar
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8 votes
2 answers
882 views

What is the origin of Namaskar? What does it signify?

Namaskar or Namaste is the traditional way of greeting/praying in India. Also in temples we use the same gesture to pray to the Lords. As Hinduism is hiding many unknown facts in it's rituals, curious ...
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8 votes
1 answer
3k views

What are the symbols and weapons in the hand of Sadashiva?

Sadashiva is described as being eternal form of Lord Shiva. He is represented with Five-faces and ten hands. The five heads of Sadashiva are known as Sadyojata [West facing], Vamadeva [North facing], ...
Tezz's user avatar
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8 votes
1 answer
760 views

Why is Vishnu described as holding a vessel and a mirror?

When a mantra is given in the Puranas, it's usually preceded by a Dhyanam, which describes the appearance of the god whom you're supposed to meditate upon before reciting the mantra. For instance, in ...
Keshav Srinivasan's user avatar
13 votes
1 answer
2k views

What is the significance of the weapons and other items held by the Lord Vishnu?

Lord Vishnu holds a Disc (Chakra), Conch (Sankha), Komidi Gadha, and also holds other elements like a lotus in his hand. Is there any explanation in scriptures of why Lord Vishnu holds these ...
Shree Krishna's user avatar
11 votes
3 answers
10k views

Why does Lord Krishna wear peacock feather on His head?

Why does Lord Krishna wear peacock feather on His head? What is the significance of playing Basuri/Flute by Lord Krishna? Is there any reference that took place that made Lord Krishna to wear peacock ...
LightAchala's user avatar
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10 votes
3 answers
11k views

Did Krishna have 16108 wives?

Most Hindus believe that Lord Krishna had 16108 wives. Can someone explain this? I have heard that, according to Srimad Bhagavata, the number "16108" has a different philosophical meaning. What does ...
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10 votes
1 answer
14k views

What is the meaning behind Shiva with 26 heads and 52 hands?

I was wondering what the meaning is behind Shiva's 26 heads and 52 hands in a temple in Tamil Nadu? I have never seen him in this form before.
Linda's user avatar
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8 votes
6 answers
15k views

Why is the queen required to sleep next to the dead horse at the end of Aśvamedha Yajña?

From the Wikipedia article on Aśvamedha Yajña: After this, the horse, a hornless he-goat, and a wild ox (go-mrga, Bos gaurus) are bound to sacrificial stakes near the fire, and seventeen other ...
Say No To Censorship's user avatar
2 votes
3 answers
998 views

Why Lord Shiva is considered as the destroyer of world?

I don't know that why Lord Shiva is considered as the destroyer of the world? Please somebody answer my question! Every Hindu in the history of the world today knows the following: Brahma, Vishnu, ...
Goltu's user avatar
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16 votes
8 answers
20k views

Why is goddess Kali shown topless?

We've often seen in many photos that Goddess Kali is topless or half-nude. What is the meaning of this image? Is this image questioning Hinduism's morality level?
Kiran RS's user avatar
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13 votes
1 answer
2k views

Why do idols of Lord Ganesha only rarely have the trunk turning to the right?

I've rarely seen idols of Lord Ganesha with his trunk turning towards the right. As far as I know, people say that Ganesha idols having the trunk turning towards the right should be given extra care ...
Mr. Alien's user avatar
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11 votes
1 answer
8k views

Why is Moon on Lord Shiva's head only shown as crescent?

The story that of, how the Moon god ended up in Lord Shiva's hair, goes like this: Moon god had to get relief from the disease that he got by his own fault. He came to know that the only remedy for ...
Ponmari Subramanian's user avatar
10 votes
3 answers
2k views

Is Sambhoga (sex) the need of the body or soul as per Vedas?

I am not sure if there is an explanation to this question in Vedas or not but it came to my mind because we have often heard about 'KaamDeva' in mythological stories and what was expected of him when ...
Just_Do_It's user avatar
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10 votes
3 answers
6k views

Why do Hindus follow the quote "Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam"?

I often hear about "Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam" which means "The whole world is one family". What is the story behind this quote?
The Hungry Dictator's user avatar
9 votes
1 answer
4k views

Do Hindus mourn the death of animals the same way they mourn their deceased relatives?

Hindus remain austere and refrain from participating in any religious ritual for a specified number of days (mostly 13) when any family member expires. The popular thought is that the home becomes "...
Vikrant's user avatar
  • 553
9 votes
2 answers
564 views

Why third eye is vertically placed?

I am bit curious to understand why is the third eye in Shiva/Shakti depicted vertically not horizontally like the other two eyes, is there any specific reason/logic behind that or is it just ...
Just_Do_It's user avatar
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8 votes
1 answer
11k views

What is the reason behind Lord Kartikeya holding a rooster flag?

Kartikeya (also called Muruga, Skanda, Subrahmanya) is the son of Lord Shiva and Parvati. He is mostly worshiped in the southern part of India. He is also the commander-in-chief of the army of the ...
Sarvabhouma's user avatar
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8 votes
2 answers
2k views

Why do Hindu Gods have multiple organs?

Why do Hindu Gods have multiple heads & multiple shoulders? Is it just meant to symbolically represent the God we worship is cosmic?
pbvamsi's user avatar
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6 votes
1 answer
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Which Hindu scriptures discuss Kapāla Mokṣa?

If you ever attended a Hindu funeral or cremation, you will notice that it is customary to wait until the kapāla (skull) of the deceased cracks. I think this is taken as a sign of the deceased person'...
Say No To Censorship's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
544 views

Are Puranic stories symbolic? [duplicate]

Quora scholar According to him purans are symbolic, there storys are symbolic. So is it true, is this the way ancient scholar have interpretated Puranas? what is the opinion of majority of puranic ...
Dark Knight's user avatar
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25 votes
3 answers
21k views

Why is there a Damaru attached to Lord Shiva's trishul?

Why is a Damaru attached to the Trishul that Lord Shiva carries? What does that Damaru signify?
Vikram Deshmukh's user avatar
15 votes
1 answer
1k views

Why does Lord Ganesha have a mouse as his vehicle?

How did Lord Ganesha get a mouse as his vehicle? Is there a story behind this? And what does the mouse signify?
Kiran RS's user avatar
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14 votes
2 answers
15k views

Do birth marks signify anything?

I understand that it may sound little absurd but I have noticed that some people have birth marks and some have none, some birth marks are pretty prominent ones. My question: Do birth marks tell ...
Just_Do_It's user avatar
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9 votes
1 answer
10k views

Shani Dev and Crow

Shani(शनि) deva, also known as शनैश्चर is one of the Navagraha (the nine primary celestial beings in Hindu astrology) of Jyotiṣa. If we visit the temples, there is good chance that Shani(शनि) deva is ...
AADHinduism's user avatar
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8 votes
2 answers
7k views

What is the significance of Lord Ayyappa's sitting posture?

Lord Ayyappa is mostly shown as sitting in a peculiar posture. Like shown in the images given below: When i checked his Dhyana Sloka in order to find out whether this posture is any particular ...
Rickross's user avatar
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8 votes
1 answer
6k views

Number 9 in Hindu mythology

What is the significance of Number 9 in Hindu mythology? Even that every important numbers when summed up ends to a number 9. Example#1: the life span of four yugas from this link Krita or Satya-...
Mr_Green's user avatar
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8 votes
2 answers
3k views

What is the symbolic representation of Swami Natarajar? What is the reason of using him in all classical dances?

I heard about many interesting facts about Swami Natarajar's pose but I am not OK with the answers and I haven't had strong reasons for them. I am looking for the pose of Swami such as Swami having ...
Ponmari Subramanian's user avatar
6 votes
4 answers
2k views

Symbolism behind Shiva holding deer in his hand?

What is the reasons/significance of Shiva holding deer in his hand?
Kanthri's user avatar
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6 votes
3 answers
1k views

Does the word "Indrajāla" (Indra's net) have any connection to the god Indra?

Does the Sanskrit word Indrajāla (Indra's net) have any connection to Indra or Arjuna? Has this word been used in any Hindu scripture? If so in what context? This Sanskrit dictionary suggests the ...
Say No To Censorship's user avatar
6 votes
2 answers
14k views

Historicity of the Bhagwa flag

I know of Marathas and Rajputs using bhagwa flags as their official hoists, but is there some older (Puranic) legend in associating the bhagwa flag with Hinduism? I'm very specific about the origin ...
Vineet Menon's user avatar
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6 votes
1 answer
4k views

What is the symbolism behind Ganga flowing from Lord Shiva's head?

Images depict Ganga flowing out from Lord Shiva's head. What is the symbolism behind this? Images:
Amit Saxena's user avatar
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4 votes
1 answer
3k views

Why do Hindu Gods carry weapons?

I always wonder why Hindu Gods carry weapons. I mean they are "Gods", why do they need weapons?
Anshul Patel's user avatar
4 votes
2 answers
3k views

What is the reason behind considering number 12 as special?

Purna Kumbh Mela is celebrated every 12 years. It is also believed that spiritual progress happens in practitioners in the cycle of 12 years i.e., it takes 12 years of disciplined practice to change ...
CR241's user avatar
  • 3,097
3 votes
2 answers
224 views

Symbolism & Figurative Meaning Of Samudra Manthan

Could possibly recommend commentary of Hindu texts that explains the symbolism of Samudra Manthan ? What is the figurative meaning of it ? Is it meditation in the brain brings up : bad stuff, ...
veganenvironmentalist's user avatar
3 votes
2 answers
263 views

Which other texts besides Padma Purāṇa describe a deity having scriptures as parts of their body?

In the Svarga Khaṇḍa of the Padma Purāṇa, we get a beautiful composition, where various Purāṇas are described as parts of the body of Śrī Hari Viṣṇu himself. Here's the description: श्रीपाद्मे महापुरा...
Vivikta's user avatar
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2 votes
1 answer
105 views

What is meant by Lord Vishnu as protector?

I would like a more detailed meaning of this. Whom does he protect? From what does he protect?
user15740's user avatar
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2 votes
2 answers
1k views

Do Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva represent Cosmic Energy, Cosmic Space and Cosmic Time?

Are there any interpretations of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva representing Cosmic Energy, Cosmic Space and Cosmic Time? If not, what exactly do Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva represent symbolically?
user avatar
1 vote
2 answers
4k views

Need a brief analysis of Karna. Is he representative of anything in Indian mythology?

Can someone please give me a brief analysis of who Karna was and what legacy he left behind? Is he representative of anything (i.e., any symbolism attached to him) in Indian mythology?
user2329's user avatar