Jain Symbol : An Introduction

The comprehensive Jain symbol consists of a crescent of the moon, three dots, the Swastika or Om, the palm of a hand with the wheel (Chakra) inset, and an outline figure encompassing all symbols. Each individual symbol is also separately used in Jainism.

The three dots represent the Jain path of liberation (Jain trinity): Right Faith (Samyak Darshan), Right Knowledge (Samyak Jnäna), and Right Conduct (Samyak Chäritra), which together lead to liberation. These dots also represent the three worlds: the lower region including hells, the upper region including heavens, and the middle region which includes earth. All worldly (non liberated) souls take birth, live, die, and suffer (pains or pleasures) in these three worlds.

The crescent of the moon represents the region known as Moksha. This region is beyond the three worlds and it is the permanent place where the liberated souls reside.

The Swastika is a sacred symbol in Jainism. The four sides of Swastika symbolize the four forms of existence of the worldly (non-liberated) souls. The four forms are; heavenly beings, human, Tiryanch (which includes animals, birds, and plants), and hellish beings. It reminds us that worldly souls undergo a continuous cycle of birth, suffering, and death in these four forms. Hence one should follow the true religion and be liberated from suffering.

The Sanskrit word Om is made up of five sounds and letters; a, a, ä, u, and m:
• The first letter "a" represents Arihants (human beings who have eradicated all four Ghäti Karma. It includes Tirthankars who have established religious order)
• The second "a" represents A-shareeri (A-shareeri means without physical body, liberated soul or Siddha or perfected being)
• The third letters "ä" represents Ächärya (Ascetic who is the head of congregation)
• The fourth letter "u" represents Upädhyäy (Ascetic teacher)
• The fifth letter "m" represents Muni (Sädhu/Sädhvi or monks/nuns who are initiated (who have taken Dikshä) by taking five Mahävrat (great vows)).

Hence the Om represents the salutation to the five revered personalities in the Jain religion. Om is a short form of the Namokar Mahämantra.

The palm of the hand signifies the assurance; 'do not be afraid', indicating that human beings suffering due to karmic bondage do not need to be disheartened. Another meaining is “stop and think before you act to assure that all possible violence is avoided.”

The wheel of dharma (Chakra) with 24 spokes represents the religion preached by the 24 Tirthankars consisting of nonviolence (Ahimsä), compassion, Anekäntvaad, Aparigraha and other virtues, and equality of all the souls.

The outline figure looks like a person standing with their feet apart and arms resting on both hips. This represents the Jain description of the shape of the universe. The text underneath the symbol, “Parasparopagraho Jivänäm" translates as "Living beings (souls) render services to one another".

The overall symbol depicts the belief that living beings of all the three worlds (heaven, hell, and earth) suffer from the miseries of transmigratory existence. They can follow the path of true religion, which is Right Faith, Right Knowledge, and Right Conduct as expounded by the Tirthankars. This will bring auspiciousness to themselves, minimize suffering to others, and help them to obtain perfection, after which they will live forever as perfected beings.

The main Jain symbol was adopted by Jain communities at large during 2500th Nirvän year (1974) celebration of Lord Mahavir. The JAINA symbol replaces swastika with OM because Swastika is not viewed as a pious religious symbol by the western world.