Do you know what the 8 symbols of Buddhism and there meaning?

Question

I have a pendant resembling a wheel with what I gather to be the 8 symbols of Buddhism (one is a lotus, one is a fish I think).
Can anyone tell me what their meaning are?
Thanks.

Answer 1

Tibetan Religious Symbols -

It is common to see various religious symbols when traveling in Tibetan monasteries, villages. They are used as sacred adornments.

The Eight Auspicious Signs, or eight motifs, generally symbolize how to progress along the Buddhist path.

White Umbrella: a symbol of loyalty and faith and Dharma protection from all evil.

Golden Fish: a symbol of happiness, soul emancipation, and salvation from the sea of suffering

Vase: stores the nectar of immortality and symbolizes hidden treasure

Lotus: symbolizes purity and spiritual enfoldment

Conch Shell: proclaims the teachings of the enlightened ones and symbolizes the spoken word.

Knot of Eternity: symbolizes the unity of all things and the illusory character of time.

Victory Standard: the cylinder symbolizes the victory of Buddhism over ignorance and death.

Dharma Wheel: symbolizes the unity of all things, spiritual law and Sakyamuni himself. The wheel is usually flanked by two deer, the first to listen to Sakyamuni's teachings. The male deer symbolizes the realization of great bliss while the female deer symbolizes the realization of emptiness.

Other common symbols:

Swastika: commonly seen on home walls or on monastery floors. Meaning good fortune, it symbolizes infinity, universe and sometimes sun and moon. Buddhists draw it clockwise while bon followers draw it anticlockwise.

Kalacakra Seal: an adorning motif in murals or on monastery walls. It symbolizes the highest initiations into occult knowledge which can only be possessed by a few high lamas.

Wheel of Life: in murals or on monastery walls. The demon of impermanence holds a wheel, segmented into six sections, which mean all realms of existence respectively. These are: Heaven, demigods, humankind, hell, hungry ghosts and animals. The hub in the center symbolizes ignorance, hatred and greed, the three poisons.

Sun and Moon: usually seen on village houses and top of stupas. The adorning motif symbolizes the source of light and union of opposites.

Answer 2

The eight fold path to Noble Truth
That is to say,
Right Belief
Right Aspirations
Right Speech
Right Conduct
Right means of livelihood
Right Endeavor
Right Memory
Right meditation

Buddhism Mayavagga 1, 6, 17-30

Check out the website below it shows pictures of the Eight Auspicious symbols of Buddhism with the meanings

Answer 3

Give Svartalf the ten points. He is absolutely correct. The symbols he is missing are very, very difficult to place, there is a New Age symbol, Jainism (the upright hand), Zen (the open circle) Rastafarian's in there also. The "flower" is the Lotus of Buddism.... The whole thing is the symbol for the worlds religions and spiritual traditions. ***by the way Svar, the symbol you identified as Native American, or Aztec? its a cover it all symbol for Indigenous Peoples (any Native/Indian religious belief specifically those of the Americas, both north and south)

Answer 4

My Dear Friends,

Although all the points (minus one or two) are totally relevant and coincide with the teachings of Buddhism. We have still yet to answer the question raised by our friend, [Mary2]. It is true that [CAB in AZ] has kindly provided a link to a website that contains the 8 auspicious symbols in Buddhism; but that was not what [Mary2] asked for. I find it rude and insulting to the intellect of [Mary2], assuming that she does not know how to search for the 8 symbols herself, but rather, I beleive she is giving us an opportunity to express our knowledge, and not just copy & paste.

[Mary2], I hope that the information I provide below is helpful and enriched to your liking.

According to the Tibetan Transmission of Buddhism, the Eight Symbol of Auspiciousness are usually displayed as follows (from left to right):
1. Lid --- The spiritual life of Lord Buddha, His Parasol in the spiritual realms
2. Two Fish --- The eyes of Lord Buddha, His Compassion and Wisdom
3. Vase --- The golden mouth of Lord Buddha, His pure and untainted Dharma
4. Lotus --- Countless, innumerable and boundless perfection
5. Shell --- The Dissemination of Dharma, blowing the shell horn
6. Knot/String --- The heart of Lord Buddha, His immeasurable achievments
7. Dharma Parasol --- The mind of Lord Buddha, extermination of klesa (afflictions)
8. Dharma Wheel --- The hand of Lord Buddha, turning the Dharma wheel

Please note that there are always different ways of translating the 8 Symbols of Auspiciousness, because the original language of Buddhism was Sanskrit. Therefore, please forgive any mis-translations or perhaps strong difference of the words that I have used.

In terms of what one looks like, traditionally they are displayed with the auspicious symbol on top and a lotus flower on the bottom (with regards to appearance these lotus flowers are all identical - unlike the one that appears as an auspicious symbol).

The meanings given above are only brief introductions; within each meaning are more profound and in-depth meanings. For now, I have merely given the representation of each of the symbols in context of the relation to the Root Buddha The Great Holy Lord Sakyamuni Buddha.

If there have been any offensive language or content, I welcome criticism and education from all our learned friends from the world wide web.

vhy

Answer 5

The 8th symbols represented in the Dharma wheel , is the Noble Eight Path which is the core teaching of Buddhism .

Answer 6

"Dharma Wheel
The golden wheel symbolises the auspiciousness of the turning of the precious wheel of Buddha's doctrine, both in its teachings and realizations, in all realms and at all times, enabling beings to experience the joy of wholesome deeds and liberation."

For info on the 8 symbols: http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/history/b8symbol.htm

Answer 7

hello if you see the 2 shape looks like a fish that the color is white the other is black that is called ying yang(negative and positive)

Answer 8

Can you post a link to a picture? I'd like to see it.

Answer 9

no.don't really care .sorry.