Symbols
OM
There
are thousands, if not more, symbols in Sanatana
Dharma, but the most important one is OM, often
also written as AUM (in English); it is a mystical
word and part of important mantras. OM
is the sound of the universe that started during its creation. This
Holy symbol is seen in the beginning of most Hindu religious texts.
Antelope
Antelope is a vehicle of Vayu (Lord of the Winds) and Chandra (a lunar deity).
Buffalo
Buffalo is a vehicle of Lord Yama (Lord of Death).
Bull (Nandi)
Bull is a vehicle of Lord Shiva.
Crescent moon
Crescent moon is a Shiva's and Parvati's symbol. There are rumors that Muslim Kaaba in Mecca was originally a Hindu temple and a recent archeological finding of a gold-plated statue of Ganesh in Kuwait suggests a strong connection between Hindu and Arabic civilizations. Some Hindus believe that the Kaaba shrine comes from an pre-Islamic Indian temple of Lord Shiva.
Crow
Crow is a vehicle of Lord Shani, one of nine primary celestial beings in Hindu astrology.
Dog and horse
These are vehicles of Lord Shiva in His form as Bhairava.
Elephant
Elephant (or Akupara) is a vehicle of Lord Indra.
Garuda
This is a large mythical bird, a half-man, a half
eagle, usually a vehicle of Lord Vishnu.
The picture of Garuda
on the left is from the book Kalachakra
by Tibet Domani.
Kalachakra
The wheel, or circle, of time, is a symbol of perfect
creation. Eight spokes
of the Kalachakra wheel (Wheel of Time)
mark the directions in time and each one is governed by a deity, or
by a different aspect of Shakti. To learn
more about Kalachakra, click here.
Kalasha
Purna Kumbha, or Purnakumbha, sometimes
also Kalasha, is an essential part of worship in Hinduism.
The term is derived from the word Purna
(full) and Kumbha (pitcher), so
you will see a metal (silver, copper, gold or brass) pitcher
full of water, but also with fresh leaves of the mango tree
and a coconut placed on its top. Matsya Purana and Skanda Purana,
too, mention this object. It is used during various religious rites.
It is the arrangement that is called Purnakumbha or Purnakalasha.
It is considered to be a symbol of abundance.
Kamadhenu
A divine cow in the Hindu mythology which is believed to be the mother of all cows.
Kolam
Kolam is a form of art (sandpainting) resembling
yantras usually drawn with rice or powder on the ground, outside of
doorways. Kolams are drawn without interruption. Similar drawings
are used in Voodoo (veves).
Kumkum Tilaka
Shakti followers use kumkuma, or powdered red turmeric. They draw one vertical line or a dot on their forehead.
Linga and Yoni
Objects of worship that can be found in many places; in temples too. They symbolize the best fusion or communication, a fulfillment of the nature's laws when man and woman become like Shiva and His Shakti when they start Their Divine Union by making rules of the universe in direction of love. Thus, Linga also represents manhood and Yoni womanhood.
Lotus
The holiest flower in Hinduism; it also symbolizes creation.
Mouse (or rat)
Mouse (or rat) is a vehicle of Lord Ganesh.
Mudra
Mudra is a symbolic (ritual) gesture. Mudra in Sanskrit is a "spiritual gesture" and it is usually performed with hands and/or fingers, but this is not a rule. In Tantric rituals Mudras follow certain numbers - 64 in Chatuhsasthi Yogini rituals, or 108 in other Tantric rituals. Mudras are also used in Indian dance and literature is available in a number of sources like Finger Yoga, etc. Another source is Hasthalakshana Deepika, which is a book about hand gestures. Double-hand and single-hand symbols are used. Of double-hand symbols we have 1) Sun, 2) Elephant, 3) Ox, 4) Crocodile, 5) Hell, 6) Earth, etc.
Owl
Owl (Ulooka in Sanskrit) is a vehicle of Goddess Lakshmi.
Parrot
Parrot is a vehicle of Kamadeva (Hindu deity of love).
Peacock (Paravani)
Vehicle of Lord Murugan.
Ram
Ram (he) is a vehicle of Lord Agni.
Rudraksha beads: The Tears of Lord Shiva
Rudraksha is a tree that can be found at the foothills of the Himalayas; the trees are, according to a legend (Shiva Purana), a product of Lord Shiva's tears. Shaiva rosaries are made from Rudraksha beads. Rudraksha beads are the natural product of Rudraksha trees and are used for many things. 108 RudraXa beads are used for sacred Shaiva rosaries.
Saffron Color
God Agnis's color symbolizes all aspects of Sanatana Dharma.
Shaivistic
rosary
The rosary used by shaivists is made from rUdraXa beads, the number of which is 108.
Stupa
Stupa is a little tower on tops of Hindu or Buddhist
temples - it symbolizes organization of the
universe according to Sanatana Dharma. It is composed of
four parts symbolizing five elements
(tattwas): earth, air, fire, water, spirit.
Svastika
This symbol was stolen and smudged by the Nazi ideology (read article about Lord Ganesh); it was taken from occult Hindu sources. Svastika is a symbol of prosperity and it is the second holiest symbol in Hinduism. Its four directions represent also the four points of the compass. It is also a symbol of good prospects and the sun.
Swan
Swan is a vehicle of Maa Saraswati and Lord Brahma.
Tattwas or five elements
These are Vedic symbols for earth, air, fire, water, and spirit, and they also have their visual forms.
Tiger (and lion too)
Tiger is a vehicle of Lord
Ayyappa, but also the vehicle of Goddess
Shakti.
Tilaka (Tilakam in Sanskrit)
A mark worn on the forehead; it shows the tradition of devotees. Ganapatyas use a kind of red paste (rakta candana); shaivists use ash and vaishnavists clay from a holy place or river (like Ganga).
Tortoise
Tortoise symbolizes a place on which Mother Earth (Prithvi) rests.
Trident or Trishul
This symbol belongs to Shiva, but also to Ganesha
and Skanda. 
The
symbol can also be found on pictures of Goddess Durga, too, and the
Greek god of the oceans, Poseidon, is also pictured with it.
Vel
This is a symbol of Lord Murugan (Skanda). Vel is a spear with use of which Lord Murugan kills evil and penetrates spiritual knowledge.
Vitthakalai
Vitthakalai is a gold-decorated chariot of Maa Kali
according to Ayyavazhi mythology (a South Indian religious faith and
a sect of Hinduism known as Ayyavazhi originated in South India in
about the 19th century).
