Discover the meaning of the Om symbol: in yoga, Hinduism and more!

Everyone has wondered at some time what the Om symbol is and what it means, as it is widely known and widespread. OM is the most important sacred symbol in Hinduism and is also present in other eastern religions such as Buddhism and Jainism.

This symbol is written in Sanskrit, a traditional language of the regions of India and Nepal. Although it is a dead language, even today it plays an important role in Eastern religious rituals, including the writing of mantras.

As much as it looks like a simple symbol, the OM comprises a set of very deep meanings, in addition to countless uses. In this article, you will know all the important dimensions of this symbol.

The OM symbol is the most sacred and elemental mantra in Hinduism. Like virtually all mantras, OM is a syllable sung at a low vibration to perform spiritual practices. It represents the sound of the moment of creation of all things in the universe. See below a little about everything that this symbol involves.

Each stroke that makes up the OM symbol in Sanskrit represents a different state of consciousness. In this way, it is as if this symbol illustrated the functioning and course of the human mind.

The dot at the top of the symbol represents the absolute state, the highest stage of spiritual development. The semicircle at the top preceding the dot represents the maya state, the obstacles to attaining the absolute state.

The first curve of the symbol (the part that resembles the number 3), represents the state of unconsciousness, the deep sleep in which nothing happens. The lower curve of the symbol represents the conscious state through knowledge through the five senses. And the curve drawn between the two previous states represents the state in which our dreams happen.

The first appearance of the OM symbol occurred in the Upanishads. These are texts written in Sanskrit over two thousand years ago, containing religious teachings that would later form the basis of Hinduism as it is known today.

In all its uses and etymologies, the syllable OM carries a set of very similar meanings, related to metaphysical ideas of totality, essence of life, infinite knowledge and cause of the universe.

Currently, the OM symbol is used to indicate the beginning of spiritual practices, such as prayers and meditations, transforming the symbol into a kind of spiritual tool.

The OM symbol is believed to embody the absolute whole that makes up the universe. For Hinduism, this universal principle is expressed by the concept Brahma, the supreme reality. The statement that “before OM, there was nothing” is common, as its sound represents the initial moment of creation.

Chanting the OM mantra allows the body, mind and spirit to tune into the totality of the universe. The soul’s connection to ultimate reality comprises the two fundamental dimensions of OM: the inner (Atman) and the outer (Brahma). The same concepts also appear in the understanding of reality by Eastern philosophy.

There is a set of sacred texts that bestow the Lord Ganesha as the one who is the ultimate reality and soul. For these traditions of Hinduism, the god Ganesha is identified as the symbol OM. In this sense, Ganesha would not only be the god who removes obstacles, but also the one who represents all truth and knowledge in the world.

In this way, the symbol OM and the god Ganesha would be one, the ultimate reality of all things, all beings and all gods. For this reason, many images of the god Ganesha incorporate the OM symbol in the outline of his elephant head.

The word OM can often be written as “Aum”, due to its composition of three phonemes. This characteristic caused many associations to be created between Aum and Trimurti, the Holy Trinity of Hindu gods, formed by Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.

In the Puranas, ancient Indian texts written in the medieval era, the symbol OM is the representation of the Trinity of Hinduism itself, symbolizing the union of the three gods for the formation of the supreme reality. The letter “A” designated the creator god, Brahma; the letter “U” the preserving god, Vishnu; and the letter “M” the destroyer god, Shiva.

Written in Sanskrit, the expression OM is a syllable formed by five distinct strokes, in which each stroke is linked to a state of consciousness of the human mind. Check out the meaning of each of these moods below.

Represented by the line on the upper curvature, the unconscious state is one in which the being is in deep sleep, where no dreams and no desires appear. In Hinduism, this state is called Sushupti, the real self.

The waking state corresponds to the bottom trace of the OM symbol. Called Jagruti in Hinduism, it represents the state of being that is awake and aware of itself and its senses.

The middle curve between the unconscious state and the waking state belongs to the dream state, known in Hinduism as Swapna.

It is the state of consciousness in which a person or being is dreaming. They can also indicate our memory and imagination.

The semicircle at the top of the OM symbol represents the maya state, which literally means illusion. Maya can denote either a constant state of change or something that appears to be one thing but is not.

Regarding the OM symbol, the maya state is all the obstacles we face to reach the absolute state of consciousness.

The absolute state, or Turiya, represents pure consciousness. He is the highest state of mind of being. In that state, it is possible to experience immeasurable freedom in the form of infinity, without suffering or change.

OM is a very powerful mantra for Hinduism. It embodies the entire universe from the three fundamental movements: creation, manifestation and destruction. Its use in eastern culture is deeply linked to physical and spiritual exercises linked to prayer and yoga. Understand below how this works.

The OM symbol is present in virtually all Hindu sacred texts, including the Vedas, considered some of the most important. In these writings, in addition to narrating episodes involving the gods, many of the prayers and rituals that are still practiced by Hindus are also found.

The mantra OM appears at the beginning and end of virtually all prayers and rituals in liturgical texts. In this sense, it assumes an important role as a sacred incantation necessary for rituals of worship, for prayers, for weddings and for rites of passage that mark various moments in the life of a Hindu, such as birth, baptism and cremation.

The OM symbol appears in many sacred texts. The Pantanjali is one of the sets of these ancient texts that addresses the theory and practice of yoga. In these scriptures, there is a strong connection between OM and yoga, since both are related to the three divine powers (creation, preservation and destruction) and also to the three essences of the spirit (immortality, omniscience and joy).

Because of this, it is quite common for yoga classes to begin and end with the chanting of the OM mantra, to help us access the universal energy within us. Chanting this mantra is also associated with relaxing the body and nervous system, allowing a connection to higher states of consciousness.

The OM symbol is a sacred symbol. Therefore, respect for your tradition should be the first thing a person should look out for, especially if you are not a Hindu or Buddhist. Here are three ways to use the OM symbol in your life.

The main way to integrate the OM symbol into your life is through chanting. It can be used both in meditation and yoga, silently or out loud.

Try chanting it slowly to feel your mental and spiritual vibrations rise. Repetition of the mantra is also welcome, at least three times before starting your routine spiritual practices.

If understanding the OM symbol has made you want to incorporate it into your home as a decoration of your personal space, it is recommended that this be done in spaces dedicated to prayer or meditation.

In this way, the material object carries with it its spiritual symbology, functioning as a reminder to connect daily with the universe and to maintain the balance of mind, body and soul.

Carrying the sacred dimension of the OM symbol with you is an admirable attitude, but one that requires care.
Particularly, you should avoid clothes with this print, especially those that can fade and fall apart over time. As for jewelry, pendants are the most suitable pieces for their discretion.

Without a doubt, integrating the OM symbol into your daily routine will bring you more fullness. By understanding the sacred dimension of this mantra, you will be able to use it in countless moments of your daily life as a meditative, relaxing and energizing practice.