RELIGIOUS SYMBOLS

OBJECTIVES

.Define religious symbols

.tell the different religious and secular symbols

.identify the religious symbols of religions in Botswana

.describe the origin and the meaning of symbols in Botswana

.find out how followers of different religions use religious symbols

WHAT IS A SYMBOL?

A symbol is a colour, number, picture, sign, shape, sound, written word, image or object that is
used to represent or express an idea.

There are two types of symbols namely;

.secular symbols

.religious symbols

WHAT IS A RELIGIOS SYMBOL?

Religious symbol is a picture, sound, written word, image, or objects that represents or express
an idea of religion. Different religions have different symbols.

EXAMPLES OF RELIGIOUS SYMBOLS IN DIFFERENT RELIGIONS

CHRISTIANITY

.A cross

.The fish

.The dove

.Holy communion bread and wine

.Plants with symbolic meaning e.g. olive branch, palm branch

ISLAM

.Crescent moon and star

.The Shahadah

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.The colour green

HINDUISM

.AUM

.The lotus flower

.The swastika

.The bindi

JUDAISM

.The mezuzah

.Star of David

The menorah

BUDDHISM

.Bodhi tree

.lotus flower

.the wheel of life

BAHAI FAITH

.the nine pointed star

.the greatest name symbol

.the ring stone

SIKHISM

.The khanda crescent

.the Ek Onkar

.the Nishan Sahib

WHAT IS A SECULAR SYMBOL?

Asecular symbol is a picture, sound, written word, sign, image or object that represent or
expresses a non religious idea.

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EXAMPLE OF SECULAR SYMBOLS

.An HIV and AIDS Awareness Ribbon (red ribbon)

.Coat of arms

.Botswana flag

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN RELIGIOUS AND SECULAR SYMBOLS

.religious symbols represents fundamental beliefs of a particular religion while the secular
symbols represent things that are not related to any religion e.g. fabric care symbols used on
clothes

.religious symbols are recognized and obeyed by followers of particular religion while secular
symbols are universal and are recognized and apply to people worldwide.

.religious symbols are considered sacred and are used for religious purposes while secular
symbols are not sacred and are not used for religious purposes

SYMBOLS OF RELIGIONS IN BOTSWANA, THEIR ORIGINS AND MEANINGS

CHRISTIANITY

Symbols of Christianity origins Meaning

The empty cross Jesus Christ was crucified on An empty cross(a cross
a cross by the Jews(read more without a figure of Jesus)
from the Bible John 19:117- symbolizes the
37).Crucify mean killing a resurrection(rising from the
person by nailing his or her dead) of Jesus Christ and the
hands and feet to a cross. salvation he bought. You can
read about the resurrection
from the bible(John 20:1-18)
The crucifix Crucifixion was a form of Across with the figure of
death penalty given to serious Jesus onit, symbolizes the
offenders by the Roman crucifixion of Jesus Christ
Emperor. The crucifix and the sacrifices he made for
became a Christian symbol the salvation of people
after Jesus was crucified on
the cross.
The fish The fish was used by early The Greek word for fish is
Christians as a symbol to ICHTUS, and when translated
identify each other during the it means `Jesus Christ son of
time when they were god, savior’. The symbol also
persecuted by roman means that Jesus Christ was a
government. When two fisher of men. The fish is also
people meet and one was not a symbol of baptism, since

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 sure if the other person was a fish live in water.
Christian, he or she would
draw another curved line to
complete the drawing and
form an outline of fish

HOW CHRISTIANS USE THEIR RELIGIOUS SYMBOLS

THE CROSS AND THE CRUCIFIX

Some Christians use the cross and the crucifix for identification. The symbolsare often put in
their buildings of worship.

Some followers wear this as necklaces (ornaments). They wear them as necklaces or use them as
emblems on clothes. Some decorate their homes with pictures and poster on these symbols.

THE FISH

Some followers of Christianity use the fish symbol as stickers on their cars and as decorations on
clothes.

ISLAM

Symbol of Islam origins Meaning

Crescent moon and star Prophet Muhammad travelled The symbol means that Islam
in the desert at night. The informs and guides people on
moon gave light and the stars their life journey. The
guided him; after this, the crescent moon represent the
moon and the star became a new beginning of a new
symbol for Islam month in Islam
The Shahadah The Shahadah is the It represents the Muslims
declaration of faith. It acceptance that Allah is the
originates in Muhammad’s one true God. Muhammad is
teaching that there is no other his prophet.
God except Allah and
Muhammad is his prophet

HOW MUSLIMS USE THE RELIGIOUS SYMBOLS

THE CRESCENT MOON AND STAR

The symbol is used on national flags of several Islamic countries. For example, countries such as
Nigeria, Algeria and Malaysia have the symbol on their National flags. The crescent moon and
star is used on Islamic buildings such as mosques to identify the religion.

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THE SHAHADA

Muslims recite the Shahadah every day. The dying person says it before death. If the person is
unable to do so someone can say in his or her behalf.

HINDUISM

Symbols of Hinduism
The AUM Hindus believe that before The symbol represents the
creation, there was a huge sacred sound AUM.AUM
ocean. It was dark, calm and was the first sound. The
quiet. Then a humming supreme spirit (Brahman)
sounded from deep in the created. Everything else was
ocean. This was the sound created out of this
heard at the beginning of sound.AUM has three sounds
creation. Darkness ended and A-U-M and Hindus always
it became light. represent ideas in three for
example the three main gods,
brahma, vishnu and shiva.
Time-past, present and future.
Stages of existence birth, life
and death.
The lotus flower Hindus trace their origins of The lotus flower represents
the lotus flower to the time of .purity and cleanliness
creation. It is said that the .the awakening of the
sound AUM woke up lord spirituality of life
Vishnu who was asleep I the . the struggle of life in its
coils of a snake which was basic form
floating on the sea.Adawn, .just as the lotus flower grows
the lotus flower grew out of into the muddy soil into
Vishnu’s navel something pure and beautiful.
.people can also grow and
change for the better
swastika The origin of the swastika is The swastika represents good
traced back to the time when luck, good fortune or well
people use to have their being. It is linked to Ganesha,
buildings built in the shape of the god of wisdom
the swastika. This was done .the swastika symbolizes the
for defence purposes. unchanging, all directional
Building in that shape made it and endless nature of the
difficult for the enemies to supreme spirit
enter them at the same time. .the swastika represents the
everlasting nature of
Brahman, as it points in all
directions thus representing
the cycle birth, suffering
death and re-birth
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HOW HINDUS USE THEIR RELIGIOUS SYMBOLS

Symbols in Hinduism can be used as follows;

.The AUM symbol is used during the performance of some Hindu rituals for example:

-it is used during prayers and meditation

-followers were the sign of AUM as a pendant

-At birth, the symbol AUM is written on the baby’s tongue

-some use it in tattoos and body art

.the AUM symbol is also used in everyday life for example;

-Hindus recite it at the beginning of important passages of the Vedas

-Hindus say it when they wake up, when they begin to do something and at thestart of their
journeys

The AUM symbol is used for identification as well as an emblem for example; it is displayed on
Hindu temples, on letterheads and at the beginning of examination papers

LOTUS FLOWER

The lotus flower is used in different ways e.g.

-it can be used as an offering to the gods

-Hindus eat its seeds, young leaves and roots

.large leaves are used to be cover food

-it can be dried and used to make a scented herbal tea

THE SWASTIKA

The swastika symbol is used for identification on temples, shrines, signs, altars and pictures. The
swastika decorates all sorts of items that have something to do with the Hinduculture. For
example; it is used during Hindusweddings, festivals, ceremonies used on clothing and as
jewellery. It is also used to decorate food such as cakes and pastries

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BAHAI FAITH

Symbols of Bahai faith origins Meanings

The nine pointed star The number nine is the highest It symbolizes completeness
single digit number. Nine and perfection. It represents
years after Bab announced the that Bahai faith fulfils the
coming of a chosen expectations of all the other
messenger, Bahaullah had the world religions
revelation that he was the
chosen one while in prison.
The ring stone It was designed by Abdul- The lines and stars on the
Baha-Bahaullah‘s son. ring stone mean the
following;
.the world of god the creator,
the world of manifestation,
the world of man. The
vertical represents the divine
messengers from God who
links the world of man. The
twin story represents the Bab
and Bahaullah messengers
from God.
The greatest name Baha’isbelieve that the Baha means light of glory. It
greatest name was known refers to Bahaullah because
until it was revealed to the he was a supreme
Bab as Bano. It was originally manifestation of God. The
written in word Baha appears in phrases
calligrapher`MishunQalam’ meaning O though the glory
of the all glorious. Allah `u’
Abha meaning God, the all
glorious.

HOW THE BAHAIS USE THE RELIGIOUS SYMBOLS

THE NINE POINTED STAR

The nine pointed star is used for identification with the religion. For example; it is often put on
Bahai centers and temples.

THE RING STONE

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The ring stone is used on jewellery and art works for example;-it can be engraved on personal
rings

-followers wear it as necklaces

THE GREATEST NAME

These symbols can be used on jewellery for example; followers wear it as necklaces. It is put on
Bahai homes and places where there are Bahai activities.

BUDDHISM

SYMBOLS OF ORIGIN MEANING

BUDDHISM
The eight Spoked wheel Early followers represented The wheel represents the
the Buddha s teachings with a continuous cycle of birth, life,
symbol of an Eight Spoked death and re-birth. The eight
Wheel spokes represents the noble
eightfold path Buddhists
should follow to reach
enlightenment.
The lotus flower Followers believe that The lotus flower has different
Buddha could walk when he meanings depending on its
was born. He took seven colour:
steps and lotus flowers White lotus flower represents
opened up where he stepped spiritual perfection and
to support his soft feet. mentally purity
Pink lotus flower represents
the great Buddha
Red lotus flower represents
the original natural and purity
of heart
It represents love.
Blue lotus represents victory
of the spirit over the senses
and the wisdom or knowledge
that people should have
The bodhi tree The Buddha reached The Bodhi tree is a symbol of
enlightenment while sitting Buddha s presence, wisdom
under a big five tree in a and peace
place called BodhiGaya in
India. Followers call this tree
Bodhi tree
HOW BUDDHISTS USE THE RELIGIOUS SYMBOLS

The Eight Spoked Wheel

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It can be used for identification, for example, it can be an emblem and can be put on Buddhists
temples

The Bodhi tree

The Bodhi tree is grown in Bodhi temples. Pilgrims often visit Bodhi tree around Nepal

The lotus flower

The lotus flower is used in different ways. Most of the ports of the lotus are eaten for example;.
Some boil the dried seeds of the lotus as syrup to make sweets

.the lotus can be cut thinly and boiled with pork to make nice soup

Some flowers make a drink from the roots of the lotus

.the large leaves are used to steam food. The petals and stems of certain types of the lotus are
used to make different medicine.

SIKHISM

SYMBOL OF SIKHISM ORIGIN MEANING

The Khanda crescent Sikhs have persecuted in the The circle represents the
past by the Muslim empire unity of mankind and the
and British colonial rulers so oneness of God. God has no
Sikhs had to be prepared to beginning and no end. The
defend their faith. double edged sword in the
centre represents the two
kinds of power that influence
a person: the circular and the
spiritual. The two driving
swords called kirpan remind
Sikhs that they should be
prepared to defend the
religion.
The EkOnkar It is based on the Sikh belief Ek means one. Onkar means
in one god there is only one god. The
symbol represents unity in
Sikhism
The Nishan sahib Sikhs believe that the flag The khanda crescent on the
was brought from the flag represents the beliefs and
kingdom of god by Guru values of the Sikh faith
Nanak. The flag was first
hosted by guru hargobind in
1606 on a building called the
akaltarhat at amristar. The
akaltakht was where Sikhs

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 met to discuss their
concerns.Guru hargobind
sight made it use official.

How Sikhs use the religious symbols

The Khanda Crescent

-it is printed on the Nishan sahib

-it is printed or embroidered on cloths that cover the platform on which the Guru Granth Sahib is
put

The Ek Onkar

The symbol Ek Onkar decorates the beginning of the holy book, the Guru Granth Sahib

The Nishan Sahib(flag)

Identifies the location of a Gurdwara

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