Hindu Iconography - Table of Symbols

Table of Symbols

Hindu gods, deities, mythologocal figures and the associated symbols
God or deity Associated symbols Note
Adi parashakti Chariot of seven lions, Sri Chakra Supreme Deity of Hindu mythology
Brahma Lotus, swan (hamsa), Vedas, garland of beads (akshamala) Creator god
Vishnu Shesha, shankha, chakra, gada, lotus, Garuda, color blue Preserver of creation
Shiva Shiva Linga, Nandi, third eye, trishula (trident), crescent-moon, rudraksha, cobra, drum, tiger skin, vibhuti Destroyer, symbol of asceticism and renunciation
Saraswati White lotus, swan, peacock, veena, color white Goddess of learning, music and art
Consort of Brahma
Lakshmi Red lotus, elephant, shower of gold, kumbha, owl, peacock feather Goddess of wealth and prosperity
Consort of Vishnu
Parvati Lion, Nandi, trident, chakra, gada, padam, couch, cross bow, khadag Goddess of courage, fertility, power, complete incarnation of Supreme deity, Adi parashakti
Consort of Shiva
Indra Thunderbolt (vajra), rainbow, clouds God of War, rains, fertility and the night-time sky
King of the heavens
Varuna Noose (pasha) God of duty and contracts
King of the waters
Yama Noose (pasha), dhanda (rod), buffalo God of justice and death
King of the dead
Surya Chariot, sun-rays, the colour of gold The Sun-God
Father of Yama
Kali Garland of severed human heads, scimitar, khanda, khapar, khadag, trident Symbol of Sanskrit alphabet, destroyer of evil
Guardian of desert wastes, Goddess beyond time
Rama Bow and arrow, the colour blue, royal panoply Symbol of righteousness and good governance
Avatar of Vishnu
Krishna The colour blue, cow, flute, Sudarshana Chakra, milk, peacock feather Protector of cattle
Avatar of Vishnu
Propounder of the Bhagavad Gita
Ganesha Aṅkuśa, rat, modak, Aum God of foresight, wisdom and good fortune
Son of Parvati and Shiva
Murugan Peacock, vel, rooster flag God of war and commander-in-chief of the gods
Guardian of hills
Son of Siva and Parvati
Hanuman gada Symbol of devotion (bhakti) and strength
Devotee of Rama

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