Rose
Symbolizes youth and the four seasons.
Sanskrit
An ancient Indian language in which many of the original Buddhist sutras or
sacred texts were written.
Stupa
(Pagoda)
In China, Korea and Japan a pagoda is a structure with several stories containing
sacred relics. Maitreya, the Buddha of the Future, is often depicted wearing
a small pagoda or stupa on his headdress.
Swastika
One of the oldest symbols in India and China, the Swastika is mainly a symbol
of good luck.
In Buddhist symbolism, it is used to symbolize the Buddha’s heart.
Tiger
King of the wild animals, the tiger is a symbol of courage and bravery and
it can drive off demons.
Treasure
Vase
This symbolizes spiritual abundance. It is one of the Eight Auspicious Symbols
of Buddhism.
Sword
Many of the gods exhibit swords to show their ability to cut through ignorance
and evil.
Vase
Common to Chinese paintings, the word vase in Chinese sounds much like the
word for "peace." Flowers are popular offerings to the gods and
the vase is an important part of that offering. Shown with a wide variety
of plants and flowers, the vase gives rise to a broad field of symbolisms.
Victory
Banner
It is composed of a cylinder of cloth which represents a parasol. In the Buddhist
religion it represents the victory of the Buddha’s teachings, i.e., the
victory of knowledge over ignorance and evil. It is one of the Eight Auspicious
Symbols of Buddhism.
Wheel
An important symbol in Buddhist art, the wheel represents the endless cycle
of birth, death and rebirth known as samsara. The wheel can also symbolize
the teaching of dharma, of the Buddha, being in constant motion and providing
a path towards spiritual enlightenment and eventual release from this cycle.
Every Buddhist culture uses the wheel in its art as a motif in sculpture,
paintings, architecture and the decorative arts. It is one of the Eight
Auspicious Symbols of Buddhism.
Willow
Symbol of Spring.
Yin
and Yang
The negative and positive forces of universal life. They are represented by
the symbol which is a diagram of an egg showing the yolk and the white, in
dark and light colors to distinguish the two principles. The Yin embodies the
female principle and is associated with the earth, with the North and the cold.
The original meaning of the word means “shady side,” the side of
the mountain not facing the sun The Yang signifies heaven, sun, light, vigor.
Together the Yin and Yang make up the Tao, the eternal principle of heaven
and earth and the origin of all things human and divine. This, in turn, produces
Chi, the perfect balance of all things. |
