Anyone who is on social media or does a lick of shopping will have seen the uprise in popularity of symbols like the hamsa, the cross, the om sign, dream catchers, lotus flowers -- maybe even statues of Buddha or Ganesh. Tattoos of all these signs and figures have been the new, hip thing mostly because of the “exotic” look or because it seems like they are taking yoga much more seriously.
It doesn’t seem harmless at all. Yes, it is the latest fashion trend. You’re likely to get a couple compliments on your shirt with a hamsa because it is aesthetically appealing and different to the eye. Yes, it makes you appear cultured. It seems calming and you may know at the back of your mind it has meaning, but never actually take the time to research.
Well, it should be important. Many of these signs are sacred to Buddhists, Hindus, and other religions all over the world. Many are outraged and offended to see their ancient symbols misused. I was appalled one day when I saw an Om sign on the rear end of yoga pants. Is it not apparent how offensive this is to Hindus? The fact is, if they did, they would never wear a symbol which means the first breath of creation and life on their bottom.
Just as attaching the Christian cross to the bottom of yoga pants would be disrespectful. Another day, I saw a girl tattoo a lotus flower on the bottom half of her back, near her bottom. The same idea applies. If she would have known how sacred this symbol is to Hindus and Buddhists, that it means spirituality, purity and eternity, she probably would not have tattooed it to her butt.
Of course, these are the most extreme of examples, but even if you are not necessarily disrespecting a religion wearing a sacred symbol inappropriately, you can still be offensive if you are not aware of the meanings and why they are important. Those who are offended want those who use these symbols to embrace why it is cherished and have a good reason for owning it.
I was raised in the Lebanese culture and the Evil Eye is a sign which has a lot of meaning in it. I grew up knowing the story of the Evil Eyes, also known as Nazars. Seeing people wearing these and not know what it means, but simply think it looks “cool” makes me think they are kind of clueless. It could mean anything and you are wearing it because you think it looks cool? Personally, I do not affiliate with a certain religion, but I am open-minded to them all. I prefer to call myself spiritual. Learning and being mindful about religions, spirituality and faith are important to understanding different cultures and individuals. It allows room for more intellectual conversations and further learning. I believe it is okay to wear these signs as long as you truly understand and respect its meaning and want to advertise to the world you are an approachable individual who will explain the reason you wear it.
I do encourage further research for these symbols. Challenging yourself to increase understanding and mindfulness of such symbols catalyzes growth within yourself and builds respect for others. So, here are some brief meanings and origins to the most popular signs I have recently seen:
Hamsa
The Hamsa symbolizes the Hand of God in the ancient Middle Eastern culture and Jewish religion, tracing back to Mesopotamia. They believe it protects against the Evil Eye and brings luck and joy to the wearer or owner. There are a few different kinds of Hamsas. If the fingers are spread apart, it is said to protect against evil and corrupted sources. If the fingers are close together, the symbol is said to give good luck.
Om
For such a small name, this symbol has lots of meaning in Hinduism and Buddhism. It is the universe, creation, and the oneness of all. It has been popular to practice in yoga where it is a mantra chanted at the beginning and end of sessions and prayers.
Lotus Flower
This symbol is sacred to many different cultures and religions and has many meanings in each one. In Buddhism, it signifies spiritual awakening, faithfulness and purity. In Hinduism, it represents eternity, purity and spirituality. In ancient Egypt, it was a symbol of unity, rebirth and all creation.
Dream Catcher
The dream catcher was first used by a Native American tribe who were experiencing terrible nightmares. A tribe elder had a vision which led to the design of the dream catcher which was said to catch the nightmares so the tribe would not have them anymore. So, the dream catcher is a sacred symbol which chases away the bad and leaves good fortune.
Cross
In Christianity, the cross signifies God’s love because of His sacrifice. Before this event, the cross meant death as it was a way of execution, but it is widely known as a Christian sign.
Buddha
It is important to pay attention to the pose of a Buddha statue because they all have different meanings. These statues are sacred to Buddhists and the statues you can buy are represented by the real statues in temples around the world. It is important to know what they mean and why you own it out of respect for Buddhists around the world. One of the most common Buddha statues is the protecting one which shows Buddha with one hand up and the other in his lap. The meditating Buddha brings calming and serene feelings. Both hands are in the lap and his legs are crossed. The Earth touching Buddha, the one above, marks his enlightenment. In this pose, he is cross-legged, the left hand in his lap and his right hand facing the ground.
Ganesh
This Hindu statue represents a popular deity who is known to remove obstacles. Ganesh has an elephant head, has four arms and a broken tusk. Usually, Hindus will honor him before travel or even before writing a book to avoid hardships.
