Chakra (or Sudarshana Chakra) is a spinning disc like weapon with very sharp edge, which serves as an attribute of the Hindu God Vishnu. Lord Vishnu, also called Narayana, is portrayed with four hands, holding a Shankha (a conch shell), the Sudarshana, a Gada (mace) and a Padma (lotus).

Lord Vishnu is depicted holding the chakra from a central hole, with his index finger. The disc spins around his finger. According to the Puranas, he would release it and it would do the required deed and return to his finger. It is revered as a divine weapon.

The Sudarshana Chakra has lots of abstract imagery as well. It is believed that Lord Vishnu is like the Sun, and the planets of the solar system revolve around him, in a disc-like form, creating the impression of the Sudarshan Chakra.

It is also considered to be a symbol of enlightenment, hence in various drawings it is depicted with a brilliant glow.

Lord Vishnu is believed to be the “Protector/Provider” of the Universe. He is depicted lying across the entire expanse of the Universe (Vishwadharam) form. The Sudarshan Chakra in his hand depicts the control over the various stars and galaxies, as if they all orbit around him.

In Ayurveda, Chakra signifies one of seven basic energy centers in human body that corresponds to nerve ganglia branching out from spinal column, as well as states of consciousness, developmental stages of life, body functions, and much more.

Chakra Seven (Sahasrara): Thought, Universal identity, oriented to self-knowledge
Chakra Six (Ajna): Light, Archetypal identity, oriented to self-reflection
Chakra Five (Vishuddha): Sound, Creative identity, oriented to self-expression
Chakra Four (Anahata): Air, Social identity, oriented to self-acceptance
Chakra Three (Manipura): Fire, Ego identity, oriented to self-definition
Chakra Two (Svadhisthana): Water, Emotional identity, oriented to self-gratification
Chakra One (Muladhara): Earth, Physical identity, oriented to self-preservation

Vishnu with Chakra in his upper right hand

Chakra

Yin-Yang represents the ancient Chinese understanding of how things work. The outer circle represents
“everything”, while the black and white shapes within the circle represent the interaction of two energies, called “yin” (black) and “yang” (white), which cause everything to happen. They are not completely black or white, just as things in life are not completely black or white, and they cannot exist without each other.

While “yin” would be dark, passive, downward, cold, contracting, and weak, “yang” would be bright, active, upward, hot, expanding, and strong. The shape of the yin and yang sections of the symbol, actually gives you a sense of the continual movement of these two energies, yin to yang and yang to yin, causing everything to happen: just as things expand and contract, and temperature changes from hot to cold.

Yin Yang

In Buddhism, the golden fish – usually depicted as a pair – symbolize the state of fearlessness while afloat in an ocean of suffering – or what Buddhists call ‘the sea of samsara’. The golden fish became the sign of happiness and emancipation, of freedom and spontaneity, all of which are the consequences and result of the liberation one experiences when taking the teachings of the Buddha to heart.

The Golden Fish

The lotus (Padma) is one of the Eight Auspicious Symbols and one of the most poignant representations of Buddhist teaching.

The roots of a lotus are in the mud, the stem grows up through the water, and the heavily scented flower lies pristinely above the water, basking in the sunlight. This pattern of growth signifies the progress of the soul from the primeval mud of materialism, through the waters of experience, and into the bright sunshine of enlightenment.

Though there are other water plants that bloom above the water, it is only the lotus which, owing to the strength of its stem, regularly rises eight to twelve inches above the surface.

The lotus is one of Buddhism’s best recognized motifs and appears in all kinds of Buddhist art across all Buddhist cultures. Scrolling lotuses often embellish Buddhist textiles, ceramics and architecture.

Every important Buddhist deity is associated in some manner with the lotus, either being seated upon a lotus in full bloom or holding one in their hands. In some images of standing Buddhas, each foot rests on a separate lotus.

The color of the lotus has an important bearing on the symbology associated with it:

White Lotus: This represents the state of spiritual perfection and total mental purity. It is associated with the White Tara and proclaims her perfect nature, a quality which is reinforced by the color of her body.

Pink Lotus: This the supreme lotus, generally reserved for the highest deity. Thus naturally it is associated with the Great Buddha himself.

Red Lotus: This signifies the original nature and purity of the heart. It is the lotus of love, compassion, passion and all other qualities of the heart. It is the flower of Avalokiteshvara, the bodhisattva of compassion.

Blue Lotus: This is a symbol of the victory of the spirit over the senses, and signifies the wisdom of knowledge. Not surprisingly, it is the preferred flower of Manjushri, the bodhisattva of wisdom.

Lotus

Lotus

Hinduism: In Hindu Mythology, Vajra is the weapon of Indra, the Vedic God of rain and king of Devas (Gods). It is a powerful weapon having the combined features of sword, mace, and spear. It was created out of hard thigh bones of sage Dadhichi who gave up his life willingly for a noble cause so that his spine could be used to build the weapon to be used for a noble cause. Vritra, the serpent or dragon of drought had swallowed the cosmic waters. Indra split the serpent’s stomach by the vajra, releasing the waters. Due to this supreme sacrifice, sage Dadhichi became a legend.

Buddhism: The vajra destroys all kinds of ignorance, and itself is indestructible. In tantric rituals the vajra symbolizes the male principle which represents method in the right hand and the bell symbolizes the female priniciple, which is held in the left. Their interaction leads to enlightenment. Also the Dorje or vajra represents the “Upaya” or method in Tibetan Buddhism. When made to be worn as a pendant, it reminds the wearer, and the viewer, of the supreme indestructibility of knowledge.

Vajra

Vajra