# Meaning of symbol? (Pic in thread) **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 27, 2022, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meaning-of-symbol-pic-in-thread/960191 "2022-02-27T16:52:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2022, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meaning-of-symbol-pic-in-thread/960191/1 "2022-02-27T16:52:01Z")
I was given a purse that has some symbols on it: peace sign, yin-yang, etc. (Yes, it’s very hippie.) But there’s a prominent symbol on one side that I vaguely recognize as a letter (word?) in a foreign-to-me language. I’d like to know what it means - can any of y’all help? I don’t want to inadvertently offend, and I prefer to be less ignorant in general. [[Album] imgur.com ![](https://i.imgur.com/Ww3LO3L.jpeg?fb "imgur.com") ](https://imgur.com/a/5L9pknQ) ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2022, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meaning-of-symbol-pic-in-thread/960191/2 "2022-02-27T16:57:27Z")
I recognize that as the OM or aum symbol in yoga practice. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2022, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meaning-of-symbol-pic-in-thread/960191/3 "2022-02-27T16:59:45Z")
“Om” symbol. (Got the answer using Google Lens on the photo.) ---
**Author:** ![eburacum45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eburacum45/32/8690_2.png) [@eburacum45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eburacum45)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2022, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meaning-of-symbol-pic-in-thread/960191/4 "2022-02-27T17:27:25Z")
> **[Om](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Om)** > > Pages for logged out editors learn more > > > > Om (or Aum) (listen (help·info); Sanskrit: ॐ, ओम्, romanized: Ōṃ) is a sacred sound, syllable, mantra, or an invocation in Hinduism. Om is the prime symbol of Hinduism. It is variously said to be the essence of the supreme Absolute, consciousness, Ātman, Brahman, or the cosmic world. In Indic traditions, Om serves as a sonic representation of the divine, a standard of Vedic authority and a central aspect of soteriological doctrines and practice... ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2022, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meaning-of-symbol-pic-in-thread/960191/5 "2022-02-27T17:36:20Z")
It’s a ligature (O+M ), not really an individual letter per se meaning: > **[ओम् (om) - KST (Online Sanskrit Dictionary)](https://kosha.sanskrit.today/word/sa/om?q=%E0%A4%93%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D)** > > ओम्\ind. \ 1. The mystic name of the deity, prefacing all the prayers and most of the writings of the Hindus.\ E. अ a name of VISHNU, उ of SIVA, and म of BRAHMA; it therefore implies the Indian triad, and expresses the three in one. \ ... ---
**Author:** ![am77494](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d2c977/32.png) [@am77494](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/am77494)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2022, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meaning-of-symbol-pic-in-thread/960191/6 "2022-03-01T14:52:15Z")
> [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > I don’t want to inadvertently offend, There is nothing to be offended here. The whole concept of symbols is Western. Like since Christians have the Cross sign, they went looking for signs in other religions that maybe equivalent of the cross sign. Signs are not inherent to many religions The Om symbol is just one of the symbols, in fact it is not even such a widely used symbol in Hinduism. The swastika is much more widely used symbol in Hinduism. But since the western Nazis has spoiled the peaceful meaning attached to the Swastika, our Western friends have decided that Om is the proper symbol for Hinduism. So be it. Peace ---
**Author:** ![md-2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9d8465/32.png) [@md-2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md-2000)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2022, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meaning-of-symbol-pic-in-thread/960191/7 "2022-03-01T18:40:15Z")
Yes, I have a photo I took of a small swastika chiseled into a step leading to the Potala Palace.