Om (Aum)
Sacred syllable and symbol in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism.
Hindu, Buddhist, Jain · c. 1500 BCE – present
Dharma Wheel (Dharmachakra)
Buddhist symbol representing the Noble Eightfold Path and the teachings of the Buddha.
Description
The Dharmachakra (Dharma Wheel) is one of the oldest known Buddhist symbols. It represents the Noble Eightfold Path of Buddhist practice and the cycle of rebirth. The wheel typically has eight spokes, representing the eight aspects of the path. The hub represents moral discipline, the spokes represent wisdom, and the rim represents concentration. The symbol appears on the national flag of India and the Lion Capital of Ashoka.
Origin & Cultural Context
The Dharmachakra appears in Buddhist art from the 3rd century BCE, following the first sermon of the Buddha at Sarnath.