Sound symbol (mantra)

Om (Aum)

ॐ

Associated deity

Parabrahman (the formless absolute) — invoked before any deity

Meaning

Om is the primordial sound (pranava) from which the universe is said to manifest, comprising three matras A-U-M corresponding to creation, sustenance, and dissolution. It is the seed-syllable that opens nearly every Vedic mantra and is treated in the Mandukya Upanishad as itself the Brahman.

Use in rituals

Chanted three times at the start and end of any puja or japa
Placed at the head of every written mantra and shloka
Inscribed on the entry threshold and puja-room wall
Used as the primary bija for pranayama and meditation
Drawn on the first page of new account books on Diwali

Placement guidance

Hung above the puja altar facing east, or on the main entrance door at eye level — never on the floor, footwear, or in bathrooms.

Common materials

Brass
Copper
Wood (sandalwood, teak)
Stone
Silver pendant
Vermilion paint on wall

Iconography

A curved Devanagari glyph with a lower loop (waking state), upper loop (dream state), side loop (deep sleep), crescent (illusion/maya) and dot or bindu (turiya — the fourth, transcendent state).

Modern relevance

Universally recognised as the visual identity of Hindu and Yogic traditions; opens every shanti-path and is the standard symbol on temple letterheads, wedding invitations, and prayer apps worldwide.

Explore further

See the full symbol library, related Sanskrit mantras, and the complete wisdom library.