The Conch Shell (Sankh)

In the Eastern culture, the sound of the conch is associated with the sacred syllable Om, the first sound of creation. Conches that spiral clockwise are said to symbolize the expansion of infinite space. These conches belong to Lord Vishnu, the preserver god. The conch is one of the five principle weapons of Vishnu. Followers of Vishnu believe the conch shell was given to us to destroy all evil. It was said to “banish evil spirits, avert natural disasters and scare away poisonous creatures.” In Tibet the conch shell is used in Buddhist rituals, both blown and as a receptacle for holy water. It can also be heard as a musical instrument in a Tibetan orchestra. The conch shell was a vessel for precious oils and medicines in the Indus Valley civilization more than 4,000 years ago.

The Conch Shell