Jain Symbols

The comprehensive Jain symbol consists of a crescent of the moon, three dots, the Swastika or Om, the palm of a hand with the wheel (Chakra) inset, and an outline figure encompassing all symbols. Each individual symbol is also separately used in Jainism.

The three dots represent the Jain path of liberation (Jain trinity): right faith (Samyak Darshan), right knowledge (Samyak Jnana) and right conduct (Samyak Charitra), which together lead to liberation.

The crescent of the moon represents the region known as Moksha. This region is at upper end of the three worlds and it is the permanent place where the liberated souls reside.

The Swastika is a sacred symbol in Jainism. The four sides of Swastika symbolize the four forms of the existence of worldly (non-liberated) souls. The four forms are, heaven, human, tiryanch (which includes animals, birds and plants) and hell. It reminds us that worldly souls undergo a continuous cycle of birth, suffering and death in these four forms. Hence one should follow the true religion and be liberated from suffering.

The Sanskrit word Om is made up of five sounds and letters; a, a, aa, u, and m:

The first letter "a" represents Arihant (human being who has realized the true nature of reality and conquered the worldly passions)

The second "a" represents Ashariry (Ashariry means without physical body, liberated soul or Siddha or perfected being)

The third letters "aa" represent Acharya (Ascetic who is the head of congregation)

The fourth letter "u" represents Upadhyay (Ascetic teacher)

The fifth letter "m" represents Muni (Sadhu or monks who practices Jain principles).

Hence the Om represents the salutation to the five reverend personalities in the Jain religion. Om is a short form of the Namokar Mantra.

The palm of the hand signifies the assurance; 'do not be afraid', indicating that human beings, suffering due to karmic bondage do not need to be disheartened.

The wheel of dharma (Chakra) with 24 spokes represents the religion preached by the 24 Tirtliankaras consisting of nonviolence (Ahimsa), compassion, Anekantvada and other virtues.

The outline figure looks like a person standing with their feet apart and arms resting on both hips. This represents the Jain description of the shape of the universe. The text underneath the symbol. "Parasparopagraho Jivanam " translates as "Living beings ( souls ) render services to one another".

The overall symbol depicts the belief that living being of all the three worlds ( heaven, hell and earth ) suffer from the miseries of transmigratory existence. They can follow the path of religion, which is right faith, right knowledge and right conduct shown by the Tirthankaras. This will bring auspiciousness to themselves, minimize suffering to others and help them to obtain perfection, after which they will live forever in the world of perfected beings.

Modern Jain thinkers create these symbols. But the original auspicious Jain symbols are eight in numbers, which are as follows:

Swastika
Shrivatsa
Pot
Seating
Nandyavarta
Sharavasamputa
Mirror
Couple of Pisces

These symbols are originally drawn by Indrani, the queen of the Lord of the first or second heaven with silver rice on the golden board in front of Tirthankar at the end of the Snatra Abhisheka on the Mt. Meru after the birth of Tirthankar.

"Shri Shankaracharya has done injustice to this system (of Syadvada) by not understanding it properly. Many learned scholars after him also subscribed to his views. It is to be understood that the great Maharishi thought it unnecessary to see the original works on this system (otherwise he would not have misunderstood Jainism)."

-Professor Phanibhushana Adhikari
(Banaras Hindu University)

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