The 7 most powerful symbols in Hinduism and how to channel their energy

Symbols have always been a part of rituals, traditions, and even everyday activities. From the simple cross that convent school children are used to drawing in the air during morning prayers, to the OM symbol that many great Sadhus and ordinary men and women meditate upon, each symbol has a certain message to give. This message could be protection, love, prosperity, the start of something new, and much more. In Hinduism too there are certain symbols, powerful and simple, that carry messages and energies to help people, and here we mention some of them.

One of the most famous and easy-to-remember symbols is undoubtedly the ‘OM’, or sometimes written as ‘AUM’. OM is said to be the sound that emanated when the Universe took its first breath, and then on it became the sound that brought people closer to their own thoughts, peace, their stillness, and more. And one of the easiest ways to channel and harness the energy of OM is to simply chant it during meditation or any other part of the day when you feel stressed or lost. Close your eyes, imagine the OM in your mind, and chant it however you like.

Trishul, the divine weapon of Lord Shiva that is also known as the ‘Trident’ is a symbol of protection, fearlessness, and the removal of evil. Some also believe that the three ends of the Trishul are a symbol of Lord Shiva’s energy to create, preserve, and transform. And in more recent times, the Trishul is seen as a symbol of balance that Lord Shiva creates in the Universe by finishing evil and empowering the righteous. To harness the energy of the Trishul, the easiest thing to do is to meditate on it. This meditation can be done by thinking about Lord Shiva holding his Trishul in hand, or by placing an image or a Trishul in front of you during the meditation.

A common Hindu symbol, the Swastika is drawn to mark something new and auspicious. Be it buying a new bike or car, or starting a Puja or ritual, a Swastika is drawn to symbolise a new beginning and to attract positivity and warm energy towards the space.The Swastika has four arms that point in different directions, and have different meanings to them. For example, some believe that the 4 arms in different directions are a symbol of the 4 tenets of Hinduism - Dharm, Arth, Kama, and Moksha.To channel the energy of the Swastika symbol, the most basic thing to do is to draw the Swastika wherever you wish for good fortune and new beginnings, and do so with a set intention.

Another famous Hindu symbol is the Shri Yantra. The Shri Yantra is a symbol of prosperity, good luck, happiness, improved finances, and much more. Some say that the Shri Yantra is a symbol of Maa Lakshmi, while others believe it symbolises the interconnectedness of Shiva and Shakti, the divine masculine and feminine. To channel the energy of the Shri Yantra, it is best to bring a Shri Yantra home, or keep it in the office, and pray to the divine to invite positivity into your life. The Shri Yantra is activated by keeping it in milk and rosewater overnight or by keeping it somewhere out in the sunshine.

The Vata vriksha symbol, which is basically a picture or a sign of the Banyan tree, is another famous and powerful symbol that gives the message of good health and longevity in life. For centuries now, the Vata vriksha has been a symbol of longevity, wisdom, and shelter for it stays healthy for a long time, has always been a place of shelter owing to its large cover, and more. It is also believed that Lord Krishna used to sit and rest under the Vata vriksha, and played his flute for the humans and animals.

The ShivShakti star is basically two stars, one straight and the other inverted. This star is said to be a symbol of the divine masculine and the divine feminine, and thus a part of Shiva and Shakti. And just like both the masculine and feminine have their roles in the Universe, in the same way, this star is a symbol of balance, creation, and the interconnectedness of forces.

The Shankha, also called conch, is a symbol of purity, victory, and new beginnings. It is said that Lord Vishnu holds the most powerful and divine conch in the entire Universe, the Panchjanya, and one blow from it can change the course of the entire universe. It can purify the Universe, eliminate all evil, and even start a new era. Today, before any major rituals or days, the conch is blown by people during prayers to cleanse the surroundings, invoke divine blessings, and keep away negativity with help of the vibrations that are passed.