treasures of nepal

or fylfot, a kind of mystical cross, is an ancientauspicious symbol common to the Hindu, Buddhistand Jain religions. It is a symbol of good fortune. InBuddhism, it is regarded as one of the 65 divine marks(lakshan) of a great-soul (mahapurusha). The swastikasymbol is found on the imprint of the Buddha’s foot.It also appears on the chest or lotus throne of someBuddha images. Hindus and Buddhists alike believeand have great faith in the eight auspicious symbols:they are the (a) Srivatsa, or endless knot or chain,(b) Dhwaja, or the victory banner, (c) Kalash, or thevase containing the nectar of immortality, (d) Chamar,or fan which drives away diseases, (e) Matsya, or apair of golden fish, symbolising the unity of wisdomand compassion, (f) Chhatra, or the precious parasolthat symbolises royalty and which protects onefrom evil influences, (g) Sankha, or conch, thatsymbolises awareness and (h) Padma, or the lotus,that symbolises purity of the body. It is believed thatif the Sankha (conch) is blown with skill, the vibrantresonance can drive away evil spirits and destroyharmful germs and microbes.There are many spiritual symbols in Nepalese cultureused in different rites and rituals. Shree Yantrais one such very popular symbol. The Yantra is amystical, systematic, geometrical (triangular) diagramdepicting, in a synthetic form, the basic energies ofthe natural world which are represented by the deities.It represents the Universal Goddess. It symbolisesthe union of Shiva with Shakti (or Parvati). It is themain Yantra of Tulaja Bhavani and the Living GoddessKumari. Each deity has its own Yantra (design) inwhich it dwells during the ritual use of the Yantra.Yantras are frequently used by Saktas. Shatakon, orthe six-pointed star, is composed of two trianglesinverted and juxtaposed against one another. Thetriangle is an important yantra of manifold meanings.An upward-pointing triangle symbolises Agni, orfire, and the linga, or phallus, hence, also the maleprinciple of the cosmos, as well as Shiva and Shaivism.A downward-pointing triangle symbolises the yoni, orvagina, and the female principle of the cosmos, hencealso Shakti, (also Vishnu in the female form as Mohini)and Vaishnavism. Therefore, it also symbolises thesynchronisation between Shaivism and Vaishnavism.In Buddhism, a triangle pointing upwards symbolisesthe Tri-ratna, or three jewels - Buddha, Dharmaand Sangha. In Nepal, Shatakon also representsSaraswati, the goddess of learning. Every Buddhistshrine, temple, stupa and monument has Mani prayerwheels. On the prayer wheels, ‘Om Mani Padme Hum’,the mantra of Chenrezig, the Protector, is embossed,etched or painted on the outside. A Mani wheel, or aprayer wheel, can be big or small, free standing or ina row with many others along the walls. Its literarymeaning is ‘Hail to the Jewel (or Buddha) in theLotus’. There are numerous other symbols in Nepaleseart. One of the most common is the tika, or red mark,on the forehead as a symbol of good luck, devotionto the deities and blessing of the seniors and elderlypersons. It has special meaning to the womenfolk. Forthem, it signifies a happy married life. Hindu widowsrefrain from putting on a red tika, wearing red banglesand putting on red saris.15