Rellgious symbols

Religions use many symbols to express their morals, beliefs, teachings, and experiences. Here are just a few religious symbols used:

Islam

Star and crescent

Judaism

Star of David

Jainism

Ahisma hand

Buddhism

Wheel of Dharma

Christianity

Crucifix

Sikhism

Khanda

Hinduism

Lotus flower

Taoism

Yin and Yang

Zoroastrianism

Faravahar

Shinto

Torii

What are symbols?

Symbols tell us important Information

without using words. Some symbols are

used to represent a country, group, culture, Branie aiphabet

or set of beliefs. The most effective symbols

lost his sinht Ua ir-i '+ ^ r ii ^{n 9ht H Inv}ented the

are simple and immediately understood.    ™aiphabet,ni829tohei_P

^K    y    other blind or vision-impaired

people read and write. It uses jcombinations of six raised dots _ J ^{t0 r}epresent letters and numbers.

Wheel of fortunę

In astronomy, the zodiac is a ring of 12 constellations that the Sun passes through in each year. Animals and mythological beings symbolize these constellations. Astrologers attempt to predict the futurę by reading the zodiac’s movements. They believe the star sign we are bom under shapes our personality.

*?^Ua'ius

Gemstones

Rare and beautiful gemstones have traditionally held special meaning across many different cultures. “Birthstones” are used to symbolize the time (usually month) of birth. Some Stones are believed to have magical or healing energies.

Ruby

The king of Stones—in ancient Burma nobles would lodge rubies in their teeth to signify power. In India, they are a symbol of royaity.

Emeraid

This stone is a symbol of spring, rain, and fertile soil. In some cultures, emeralds are an antidote for poison and a cure for leprosy.

Blue sapphire

The sapphire’s deep blue color is believed to symbolize the heavens. The stone represents faith, hope, and destiny.

Agatę

Some cultures traditionally carve eyes into this white stone in an attempt to diminish bad luck.

Turquoise

This stone is used to represent the gods in ancient Mesoamerican cultures. It also protected the dead from evii spirits in Ancient Egypt.

(c) 2011 Dorling Kindersley. Ali Rights Reserved.