Significance of Religious Symbols

September 21, 2021October 4, 2021

A religious symbol is an iconic representation intended to represent a specific religion, or a specific concept within a given religion. Religious symbols are used to convey concepts concerned with humanity’s relationship to the sacred or holy (e.g., the cross in Christianity) and also to the social and material world.

Many people represent their affiliation with a particular faith by wearing Religious Symbols either as clothing or through Silver Jewellery such as pendants.

Religion brings people together and acts as a way of enhancing society to submit to a superior being. For instance, the statue of Jesus represents Him as God. It shows the hierarchical nature of the community as it reminds Christians that they are under God.

Significance of the Cross

The cross is used to remind Christian of how Christ died for their sins. But what would have happened if he didn’t rise again? Well, he did, and from then, the cross is seen as the weight (sins) Jesus carried and died on it to save people. So, the cross is placed in and on top of churches, and some people wear it.

Moreover, Catholics perform the act of the cross to remind them of the journey Jesus took to save Christians. In fact, it is one of the Easter religious symbols too. If you are a Christian, you can show your affiliation using a fine sterling silver cross pendant.

Significance of the crescent and moon

Islam is a significant religion in the world, and you’ve probably noticed their patterns and symbols. For example, the star and the crescent were adopted by Islamic faith during the Ottoman Empire war when Turks conquered Constantinople. It represents life to lead for Allah.

Star of David

Star of David looks like two interlocking triangles. It’s a Judaism symbol representing the tribe of Judah and Benjamin.

Hand of Fatima

This is one of the religious symbols common across several faiths, including Muslims, Christians and Jewish people. It’s an extended hand with an eye in the middle. It has various meanings, including protection against the evil, strength, protection during pregnancy, and that God exists.

Aum/Om

Om is considered to be the most sacred symbols of Hinduism. A significant part of the information regarding Hinduism comes from the four books or Vedas that it is based upon, namely- Rigveda, Samveda, Yajurveda and Atharvaveda.

Om is the most sacred mantras of all. It is believed that when the universe was created, the first sound to be born out of the emptiness was “Aum.” Not only this, it represents the three states of consciousness as well. The pictorial representation of Aum resembles the digit 3. This is because of its deep roots with the number. It also symbolizes the oneness of the three realms- Earth, Heaven, and Underworld.

An Aum Pendant would make a perfect gift for someone of the Hindu faith.

Significance of the khanda in Sikhism

The Khanda is the symbol of the Sikhs, as the Cross is to Christians or the Star of David is to Jews. It reflects some of the fundamental concepts of Sikhism. The symbol derives its name from the double-edged sword (also called a Khanda) which appears at the center of the logo. This double-edged sword is a metaphor of Divine Knowledge, its sharp edges cleaving Truth from Falsehood. The circle around the Khanda is the Chakar.

The Chakar being a circle without a beginning or and end symbolizes the perfection of God who is eternal. The Chakar is surrounded by two curved swords called Kirpans. These two swords symbolize the twin concepts of Meeri and Peeri – Temporal and Spiritual authority introduced by Guru Hargobind. They emphasize the equal emphasis that a Sikh must place on spiritual aspirations as well as obligations to society.

Significance of ek onkar in Sikhism

There is Only One God”. The first two words in the Guru Granth Sahib & one of the cornerstones of Sikhism. They appear at the beginning of the Mul Mantra written by Guru Nanak describing the qualities of God in the Japji. Ik Onkar is a symbol which appears at the beginning the Sikh scripture and means, “One With Everything”. The symbol is written in the Gurmukhi script and has several components. Some references are also spelled out in scripture as to Ek Ankar.

Ik (or Ek) stands for the Gurmukhi numeral “One”.
On is a combination or O and An stands for “Everything”.
Kar is inferred and stands for “Creator”.

The symbol Ik Onkar communicates the idea of one creative being, or one God, manifest in all of existence. The creator and creation are one entity, inseparable in the way an ocean is made up of its individual drops, or a tree is composed of its individual components, roots, trunk, bark, branches, leaves, sap and seeds, (cones, fruits, or nuts). Give your special Sikh friend a fine sterling silver Ek Onkar pendant

Enkai Silver specialise in Fine Sterling Silver Jewellery. Amongst the many pieces they can supply worldwide include religious symbols silver necklaces with pendants.