Hindu people greet each other by placing their two hands together and slightly bowing the head, whilst saying namaste or a similar phrase. They adopt the same posture when greeting the temple deity or a holy person. Thus when greeting another person, a Hindu is offering respect to the soul within (atman) and also to God within the heart (Paramatman).
Ten Important Symbols
*Om (Aum) – the most important Hindu symbol, often used as the emblem of Hinduism
*Hands in prayer – a sign of respect for the sacred, that which is dear to the heart
*Lotus (padma) – symbol of purity/transcendence. Growing out of the mud, it is beautiful, and though resting on water, it does not touch it.
*Conchshell – used during arati: one of the four symbols of Vishnu. The others are the lotus, club and disc.
*Swastika – an ancient solar sign considered to invoke auspiciousnes.
*Trident (trishul) – the symbol of Shiva; often carried by Shaivite sannyasis (renunciates).
*Kalasha – coconut circled by mango leaves on a pot. Often used in rituals such as the fire sacrifice.
*Cow – symbol of purity, motherhood and ahimsa (non-violence).
*Lotus feet (of guru or deity) – touching the feet of superiors shows an attitude of submission and service.
*Dipa/lamp – symbol of light.
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