Yoga Symbols

Yoga symbols are a combination of history, asanas, and imagery that weave together the story of yoga.

Om is one of the most recognized images of yoga.

In this article, we’ll briefly encapsulate the theory behind yoga symbolism. This is deep subject, and we’ve provided some additional resources at the end for you to explore the concept more thoroughly.

Yoga symbols represent the inspiration for the asanas. Centuries ago as holy men developed a way for people to experience health, knowledge, and enlightenment, they studied nature. The connection between plants, birds, reptiles, and animals exemplified the unification of yoga with higher elements such as the sun and moon, or Hatha (ha=sun, tha=moon). Now you know why so many yoga poses are named after creatures!

Here are just a few examples of asana symbols:

• Bakasana – Crane Pose
• Bhujangasana – Cobra Pose
• Garudasana – Eagle Pose
• Kapotasana – Pigeon Pose
• Matsyasana – Fish Pose
• Padmasana – Lotus Pose
• Shalabhasna – Locust Pose
• Suryasana – Sun Salute
• Vrksasana – Tree Pose

Some books show these poses as elaborate illustrations with the creature or element superimposed over a human performing the asana.

The lotus blossom also has a special significance in yoga symbolism, for it represents a number of ideals, including creation, rebirth, beauty, purity, and divinity. The philosophy is that each lotus petal has cosmic energy.

The seven chakras of the body are presented as yoga symbols as well, featuring a lotus blossom in a particular color. Each lotus has a certain number of petals.

The chakras are:

• Sahasrara – Purple (crown, divinity)
• Ajna – Blue (third eye)
• Visuddha – Turquoise (throat)
• Anahata – Green (heart)
• Manipura – Yellow (solar plexus, navel)
• Svadisthana – Orange (genitals, hips)
• Muladhara – Red (base of spine, or root of body)

Learn more about chakras on the Yoga Journal website.

This powerful yoga symbol is the most recognizable. In Sanskrit, it represents everything in the world. Meaning unfolding or expanding, a yogi breathes life, creates life, and experiences life with Om.

Three letters in Sanskrit create the symbol: aa, au, and ma. When Om is spelled Aum, these letters represent heaven, earth, and the netherworld. However, because Om is also the sound of the universe, more people pronounce it as Om and use that spelling.

This symbol is the foundation of meditation. Through the vocalization of the symbol, yogis awaken life and center themselves. Relax your jaw, breathe deep into your diaphragm, and breathe out on the sound: long “O”, like home. Let the breath carry the “O” through the chest and resonate at the back of the throat, closing on the “M” with a slight vibration in the lips and then, silence. Repeat throughout the meditation.

The image of Om is called an omkar, and each element of the image has meaning:

• The long large curve at the bottom of the symbol is the dream state.
• The curve in the middle represents deep, dreamless sleep.
• The upper curve is a being in a waking state.
• The crescent shape at the top stands for the veil of illusion, or Maya. The dot within the crescent is the transcendental state. When the human spirit passes through the veil and experiences transcendental awareness, the human is free of the other forms of existence.

Yoga is a multi-faceted practice with a complex history. It is important to seek out more education on a topic such as yoga symbols, because the explanations are as varied as the practice itself. Try these resources for more help in your quest for understanding.

• Hatha Yoga: The Hidden Language, Symbols, Secrets, and Metaphors by Swami Sivananda Radha features 22 classic yoga poses and explores the symbolism and philosophies of each.
• The Inner Life of Asanas: The Best of Hidden Language Hatha Yoga from Ascent Magazine by Swami Lalitananda is a companion book to the one above.
• Downward Dogs and Warriors: Wisdom Tales for Modern Yogis by Zo Newel. For those interested in the mythological aspects of the practice, this is an entertaining book.
• The Yoga Tradition: Its History, Literature, Philosophy and Practice by Georg Feuerstein provides a detailed examination of yoga. You may also want to try Feuerstein’s Shambhala Encyclopedia of Yoga. This research guide will provide many answers.

Yoga and Its Symbols, a beautiful and informative poster, is available through Amazon and Art.com.

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