Buddhist Symbols

"We are not going in circles, we are going upwards. 

The path is a spiral; we have already climbed many steps."
Hermann Hesse, Siddhartha

The image of Buddha is one of the most popular and easily recognized representations of Buddhism throughout the world. However, in the early days after the religion flourished, the Buddha image was not used as Gautama Buddha did not want to be venerated being a mortal person. Instead, a number of symbols were used to represent Buddhism and its teachings. Those early symbols continue to be important Buddhist representations even today and still hold significant symbolic meaning for the followers of the faith.

Believers revere these Buddhist symbols and incorporate them into ritual art as well as daily living to derive inspiration for leading a righteous and fulfilling life. Given below are some powerful Buddhist symbols that are often used for designing art crafts, which are not mere ornaments but reminders of the core beliefs of Buddhism.

Dharma Wheel

One of the most prominent and auspicious Buddhist symbols, the Dharma Wheel represents Buddha himself, his teachings and different aspects of Buddhist practice. It symbolizes the Samsara's or the material world's endless cycle of life, death, and rebirth. The eight spokes of the wheel represent the Eight-Fold Path Buddha set out in his teachings and also symbolize wisdom. The rim represents concentration, and the hub stands for moral discipline. Dharma Wheel jewelry guides the wearer about Buddhist practices that help find the way out of this endless maze of life and death and suffering.

Dharma Ring Silver Price: $153 USD

Dharma Ring Silver and Gold Price: $307 USD

Dharma Ring Gold Price: $1,534 USD

Lotus Flower

As a clean and beautiful flower that rises up from the muddy water, the Lotus is a symbol of mental and spiritual purity and reflects the soul's progress out of the mud of materialism. Wearing jewelry items adorned with the Lotus Flower can inspire the wearer to imbibe Buddhist values of compassion and wisdom, achieve purification of mind, body, and speech, and rise above worldly existence to unite with the divine One.

Lotus Ring Silver Price: $137 USD

Nefertiti Lotus Earrings Silver Price: $175 USD

Ka Bracelet Silver Price: $309 USD

You can read more about the Lotus Flower

Deer

Deer holds a place of honor in Buddhism and symbolizes the Buddhist disciples because Buddha delivered his first sermon at the Sarnath Deer Park in Varanasi. A deer radiates serenity and purity and is symbolic of spiritual qualities. A jewelry piece incorporating a deer image is believed to have a calming influence on the wearer, teaching him/her the values of quietude and gentleness. 

The Awakening Pendant Silver Price: $161 USD

The Awakening Pendant Gold Price: $1,872 USD

Leaf of Ficus Religiosa

The Ficus Religiosa refers to a species of the fig tree that is held sacred in Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism. Buddhists revere it because it was a huge Focus Religiosa tree underneath which Prince Siddhartha Gautama was meditating when he attained enlightenment and became Buddha.

Dharma Pendant Silver Price: $152 USD

Dharma Pendant Gold Price: $1,830 USD

The tree's heart-shaped leaf, also called Buddhi Leaf or Bodhi Leaf symbolizes spiritual awakening and perfection of wisdom. Jewels incorporating this leaf inspire compassion and modesty that are essential for achieving awareness/awakening.

Tibetan Knot

The Tibetan Knot also referred to as the Endless Knot, is made of intertwined lines and symbolizes the illusory, eternal character of time. It represents interconnectedness and continuity that underlies all existence, where there is no end or beginning, and everything happens as a karmic consequence. Tibetan Knot jewelry helps the wearer understand this natural 'cause and effect' rule.

Tibetan Knot Square Silver Price: $150 USD

Tibetan Knot Square Gold Price: $1,456 USD

Related Pages:

Buddhist jewelry
Lotus Flower
Origin of Buddhist jewelry

» Genesa

» Seed of Life

» God's Word

» Personal Creation

» Merkaba

» Mobius Strip

» Lotus Flower

» Merkaba Meditation

» Golden Spiral

» Alchemy Symbols

» Enneagram

» Gordian knot

» Age of Aquarius

» Ka

» Christ Consciousness

» Flower of Life

» Dune

» Abundance

» Tree of Life

» Vesica Pisces

» Star of David

» Talismans

» The Kabbalah

» Hamsa

» Nautilus shell

» Seven fold labyrinth

» I Ching

» Tsuba

» Mokume Gane

» Sacred Geometry

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» Odin's knot

» Healing Jewelry

» Chaldean Astrology

» Self Development jewelry

» Runes Jewelry

» Meaningful jewelry gifts

» The four elements

» Marriage of Lights

» Zodiac Jewelry

» The Ana BeKoach

» Origin of Buddhist Jewelry

» Inspiration Jewelry

» Yin Yang Jewelry

» The Ouroboros

» Eye of Horus

» Egyptian Symbols

» Spring Equinox

» Buckminster Fuller

» Jupiter Exaltation

» Venus in Pisces

» Metatron's Cube

» Buddhist Symbols

» Tibetan knot

» Horn of Plenty

» Emerald Tablet

» Ficino Talisman

» Platonic Solids

» Spiritual Metaphysics

» Planets Gemstones

» Energy Healing

» Crystal Healing

» Ultimate Jewelry Gift Guide

» Alchemy Cosmic Tree

About the Author

David Weitzman

The jewelry artist David Weitzman combines ancient and sacred knowledge into a unique line of jewelry designed to bring people both beauty and inspiration. David's artwork harnesses the power of spiritual symbols and sacred geometry from around the world to bring those wearing this sacred jewelry happiness, vitality, excitement, and love.