Generally speaking, symbols hold a significant part in humans' lives, whether one takes notice of them or not. In yoga, signs are very popular and prevalent convey a lot of messages. Yoga symbols are like quotes since they have an essential role in human communication and give an idea, message, concept, spiritual belief, or experience in a visual form. Yoga incorporates various symbols to help people understand a more in-depth concept behind everyday things.
Depending on the culture that uses the yoga symbol, each character's definitions can appear entirely or slightly different. In this article, you will learn about the most popular yoga symbols with their meanings and logos.
One of the most popular signs in yoga is "Om," which is also spelled as "Ohm" or "Aum." The symbol signifies the sound of the universe and can energize one's chakras. Om is also believed as a mantra. The chant of Om unifies all sounds and words in the human language.
The vibrations and sounds while chanting “Om” can calm one’s central nervous system and mind. It can also produce feelings of unity, peace, tranquility, and will quickly align one’s mind, soul, and body. Besides, it helps to reduce stress, improves concentration, and supports a healthy sleep cycle.
The Lotus Flower, or the Water Lily, is a common symbol in various cultures. There is a running theme among the Hindu, Egyptian, Buddhist cultures of the Lotus. It rises from dark and muddy waters, and then blossoms into an alluring and gorgeous flower.
The unique thing about the Lotus flower is the process of its blossoming. The core of the pedals and flowers never touch the dirty water in which it grows. As a symbol, Lotus signs the human journey of rising above any unfortunate or adverse circumstances, into a spiritually enlightened and self-aware human being.
Hamsa is another significant symbol in multiple cultures and has some interesting interpretations. It stands for protection against the evil eye, meant to bring wealth, health, and fertility. Most cultures use the Hamsa sign to evoke the hand of god and avoid negative influences. These interpretations are universal and represent purity, faithfulness, and spiritual awakening.
In Sanskrit, the words "mandala" means "circle," which is a direct note to the never-ending circle of life. It is intended to serve as a tool on one's spiritual journey through life. The mandala symbol is used mainly as a meditation tool to tell a story of where someone has already been or to help one reveal someone's path in life.
As an artwork, one can focus on the symbol and follow the designs, shapes, and patterns. As people o this, their thoughts will immediately calm down and allow them to understand the journey they have already been on or even to show them guidance for a future trip. Besides, when someone creates and draws their mandala or does coloring in a blank illustration, the process is relaxing and calming.
Chakras are points along the spinal column that begins at the spine's base and ends at the skull's crown. The chakras are considered to be spots that energy flows within. The word "chakra" means "wheel or disk" since it describes the spinning power life throughout several body points. Interestingly, a chakra can be either deficient, or excessive, or even both. For instance, excessive chakra needs to immediately discharge energy, whereas deficient chakra needs to receive power.
Things such as childhood abuse and trauma, cultural upbringing, physical or emotional injuries, exhausting or restrictive beliefs or habits, and the loss of fundamental human rights, can affect and block chakras. But, when all the chakras are functioning correctly, one feels balanced since chakras link one's body and mind.
The illustration of Buddha is one of the most recognized symbols in the whole yoga world. The original Buddha was called "Siddartha Gautama" right before his enlightenment meditation under the fig tree, which is still considered a protected and sacred site. Nowadays, Buddha, or the logo of Buddha, signifies someone who has attained "Bodhi" and can be a spiritual model for others, because Bodhi is the ideal state of ethical and intellectual perfection.
