Buddhist symbolism
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[[Image:Dharma wheel.svg|right|thumb|The eight-spoked [[Dharmacakra]]. The eight spokes represent the [[Noble Eightfold Path]] of Buddhism.]]
'''Buddhist symbolism''' appeared from around the 3rd century BCE, and started with aniconic symbolism, avoiding direct representations of the Buddha. Anthropomorphic symbolism appeared from around the 1st century CE with the arts of [[Mathura]] and the [[Greco-Buddhist art]] of [[Gandhara]], and were combined with the previous symbols. Various symbolic innovations were later introduced, especially through [[Tibetan Buddhism]].
==Early aniconic symbols==
[[Image:Buddha-Footprint.jpeg|right|thumb|Footprint of the [[Gautama Buddha|Buddha]]. 1st century, [[Gandhara]], with depictions of the [[triratna]] and the [[Dharmacakra]].]]
Among the earliest and most common symbols of [[Buddhism]] are the [[stupa]], [[Dharmacakra|Dharma wheel]], and the [[Nymphaeaceae|lotus flower]]. The dharma wheel, traditionally represented with eight spokes, can have a variety of meanings. It initially only meant royalty (concept of the "Monarch of the Wheel, or ''[[Chakravatin]]''), but started to be used in a Buddhist context on the [[Pillars of Ashoka]] during the 3rd century BCE. The Dharma wheel is generally seen as referring to the historical process of teaching the [[buddhadharma]]; the eight spokes refer to the [[Noble Eightfold Path]]. The lotus, as well, can have several meanings, often referring to the inherently pure potential of the [[mind]].
The [[swastika]] was traditionally used in [[India]] by Buddhists and [[Hinduism|Hindus]] as a good luck sign. In [[East Asian Buddhism|East Asia]], the swastika is often used as a general symbol of Buddhism. Swastikas used in this context can either be left or right-facing.
Other early aniconic symbols include the [[trisula]], a symbol use since around the 2nd century BCE that combine the lotus, the [[vajra]] diamond rod and a symbolization of the [[triratna|three jewels]] (The [[Gautama Buddha|Buddha]], the [[dharma]], the [[sangha]]).
The first hint of a human representation in Buddhist symbolism appear with the [[Buddha footprint]].
==Physical characteristics of the Buddha==
[[Image:SeatedBuddha.JPG|right|thumb|Seated Buddha, [[Gandhara]], 1st-2nd century CE. Tokyo National Museum.]]
{{main|Physical characteristics of the Buddha}}
Although the Buddha was not represented in human form until around the 1st century CE (see [[Buddhist art]]), the [[Physical characteristics of the Buddha]] are described in one of the central texts of the traditional [[Pali canon]], the [[Digha Nikaya]], in the discourse titled "Sutra of the Marks" (Pali: ''Lakkhana Sutta'') (D.iii.142ff.).
These characteristics comprise 32 signs, "The 32 signs of a Great Man" (Pali: ''Lakkhana Mahapurisa 32''), and were supplemented by another 80 Secondary Characteristics (Pali:''Anubyanjana''). These traits are said to have defined the appearance of the historical Buddha, [[Siddhartha Gautama]] and have been used symbolically in many of his representations.
==Mudras ==
{{main|Mudra}}
The [[Mudra]]s are a series of symbolic hand gestures describing the actions of the characters represented in only the most interesting [[Buddhist art]].
== Eight auspicious symbols ==
{{main|Ashtamangala}}
[[Image:Tibet Lhasa Jokhang Wheel of Dharma.jpg|thumb|right|The dharma wheel is incorporated into the design of this building, part of Jokhang Temple ([[Lhasa]], [[Tibet]]).]]
Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhist art frequently makes use of a particular set of eight auspicious symbols, [[Ashtamangala|''ashtamangala'']], in household and public art. These symbols have spread with Buddhism to many cultures' arts, including Indian, Tibetan, Nepalese, and Chinese art.
These symbols include:
# [[Endless knot]]
# [[Padma (attribute)|Lotus]] flower
# [[Dhvaja|Victory Banner]]
# [[Dharmachakra|Wheel of Dharma]] or Chamaru in Nepali Buddhism
# [[Bumpa|Treasure Vase]]
# Golden Fish pair
# [[Chhatra|Parasol]]
# [[Dung-Dkar|Conch shell]]
==International symbols of the World Fellowship of Buddhists==
[[Image:Flag of Buddhism.svg|thumb|right|The international [[Buddhist flag]].]]
At its founding in 1952, the [[World Fellowship of Buddhists]] adopted two symbols[http://www.mandala.hr/5/relations.html]. These were a traditional eight-spoked dharma wheel and the [[Buddhist flag|five-colored flag]] which had been designed in [[Sri Lanka]] in the 1880s with the assistance of [[Henry Steele Olcott]][http://www.dailynews.lk/2003/06/04/fea06.html].
==See also==
* [[Buddhist art]]
* [[Mandala]]
* [[Religious symbolism]]
* [[Tibetan art]]
* [[Chinese art]]
* [[Japanese art]]
==External links==
*[http://www.fpmt-osel.org/gallery/signs.htm web site showing iconic representations of the 8 auspicious symbols along with explanations]
*[http://www.kheper.net/topics/Buddhism/symbols.html the eight auspicious symbols of buddhism — a study in spiritual evolution]
*[http://buddhism.kalachakranet.org/general_symbols_buddhism.html General Buddhist Symbols]
*[http://www.nepalscraft.com/astamangal_eight_auspicious_symbols.asp web site showing hand carvings on metal crafts of the 8 auspicious symbols along with explanations]
*[http://www.meditateinlondon.org.uk/buddhist-symbols.php Buddhist Symbols: the Eight Auspicious Signs]
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