Cultural Symbols 🖇️💫
Symbols are the basis of culture. A symbol is an object, word, or action that stands for something else with no natural relationship that is culturally defined. Everything one does throughout their life is based and organized through cultural symbolism. Symbolism is when something represents abstract ideas or concepts. Some good examples of symbols/symbolism would be objects, figures, sounds, and colors.
How do cultures use symbols?
Cultures use symbols to create and communicate values and traditions to the cultural group. Symbols are used by a culture to identify other people who are part of the same culture and are a way to connect and relate to one another in a culture. Symbols are very important for cultures because they help a group create the culture itself. Cultural symbols can represent many things and help cultures express specific ideologies and social standards of the culture that are communicated amongst the group.
National Flag
A gold bordered green and orange vertical bicolour portion was added to the flag in 1951 and the Bo leaves were more spear like. In 1972 the design changing slightly depicting rounder Bo leaves.
Each element of the flag has a specific meaning. The leaves represent Buddhist loving kindness, compassion, equanimity and happiness, the lion represents bravery and the Sinhalese people, the sword is bravery, curly represents hair wisdom, the tail is Noble Eightfold Path and the beard the purity of words. The red represents Sinhalese people, green the Muslim faith, orange Tamil ethnicity and yellow is all culturel.in 1412 the Kingdom of Kotte controlled most of Sri Lanka. It had a flag made up of a plain white field with ornate blue and red leaved white border and a lion with a whip at the centre.
The Kingdom of Kandy was formed in 1469 and slowly took control of the central and eastern portion of Sri Lanka. The flag adopted was the royal standard and featured a gold and black bordered red field with Bo leaves and lion with a sword. Each element of the flag has a specific meaning. The leaves represent Buddhist loving kindness, compassion, equanimity and happiness, the lion represents bravery and the Sinhalese people, the sword is bravery, curly represents hair wisdom, the tail is Noble Eightfold Path and the beard the purity of words. The red represents Sinhalese people, green the Muslim faith, orange Tamil ethnicity and yellow is all cultures.
National Emblem
The national emblem of Sri Lanka was adopted in 1972. It features a golden lion in the center, surrounded by petals of gold representing the Blue Lotus flower. The base of the emblem is a traditional grain vase with sprouting sheaves of rice. Sinhalese heraldic symbols of the sun and moon flank either side of the vase. At the top of the emblem is the crest of the Dharmacakra, representing Buddhism.
Dharmachakrya
The dharmachakra or wheel of dharma is a major symbol of Buddhism. However, it is also employed in other Indian religions such as Hinduism and Jainism.
The dharma wheel or dharmachakra, is the “wheel of law.” It is an ancient symbol revered by Buddhists as it symbolizes their faith, denoting the Buddha’s first sermon in a deer park at Sarnath, in Uttar Pradesh, India. It is said that after his enlightenment, the Buddha started his teachings there, setting the Buddhist law or dharma in motion. If you want to learn more about the Dharmachakra (Wheel of Dharma) symbol, read on to find out the meaning, history, and significance of this Buddhist symbol.
Buddhism and Hinduism share the concept of a great king being linked with turning the “wheel of dharma.” Two kings of the Hindu solar and lunar dynasties are referred to as wheel-turning kings or chakravartins.
Siddhartha Gautama, who became the Buddha, was said to have been a “mahapurisa” or a great man, who could have chosen to become a wheel-turning king himself. But as we know it, he chose to become a Buddha, a wheel-turning sage, which is the spiritual counterpart to such a king.
Naa Tree
The Ironwood (Na Tree), botanically known as ”MesuaNagassarium” was declared the National Tree on 26th February 1986.
It was chosen as the National Tree for several reasons.
It is a tree which originated in Sri Lanka
Its utility
Historic and cultural importance
Exterior posture
Wide distribution
Colour and nature
Ability to draw and sketch it easily
This rain forest tree grows to about 30 m high and indigenous to the lower wet Zone of Sri Lanka. Remarkable Features of NA is beautiful bright Red Leaves and finally matured in to a deep green. Timber has a very hardness and durability and used to make bridges in the early times. Now it is not allowed to use for timber due to its religious value. The flower of NA is also used in herbal medicine and preparation of perfumes, cosmetics and soaps.
It is believed that the first visit of Buddha was to grove of a NA Tree at Miyanganaya and also the next Buddha (Mithriya) will attain enlightenment under a NA tree.
Blue water lily
The “Nil Mahanel” flower, botanically known as “NympheaeStellata” was declared the National Flower of Sri Lanka on 26th February 1986.
Sri Lankan Junglefowl
Sri Lanka Jungle Fowl – Very colorful ground bird, endemic to Sri Lanka is the national bird of Sri Lanka. Distributed commonly in Sri Lanka’s jungle and dense scrub throughout. Roosts high in trees at nights.Flies up to tree branches when threatened.Nests in hidden, scraped place on the ground or on a pile of vegetation just off the ground. Sinharaja is a very good site to watch Sri Lanka Jungle Fowl.
Muslim Qur’an
Muslims believe that the Qur’an, the holy book of Islam, was revealed to Muhammad over a period of twenty-three years, starting with the initial revelation at Mount Hira. After the Prophet’s death, his successors compiled these divine revelations in a manuscript.
The Qur’an contains prayers, moral guidance, historical narrative, and promises of Paradise. It opens with a short prayer called the Fatiha, the most widely recited passage, and is divided into 114 chapters (suras) organized in descending length.
Blue Gem
A beautiful gem from Sri Lanka. Unfortunately most of the best blue sapphires are now in displayed or worn in other countries.
The stuart Sapphire is in the crowns jewels in the UK(At the back of the crown worn by Queen Elizabeth II), while the sapphire worn by Kate Middleton and her late mother in law Diana Spencer was from Sri Lanka as well.
The star of India and the Star of Bombay (both star sapphires) in the American Museum of Natural History in New York City and the Smithsonian are both misnomers in the fact that both of them are from Sri Lanka.
Bible
The Bible is a collection of religious texts and scriptures that are sacred in Christianity. It is divided into two main sections: the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old Testament contains texts that are also part of the Hebrew Bible and include historical accounts, laws, prophecies, and poetry. The New Testament includes the teachings of Jesus Christ and the early Christian Church. Is there something specific you would like to know or discuss about the Bible?
The Christian cross
The Christian cross is a symbol representing the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and is a central symbol of Christianity. It consists of a vertical line intersected by a shorter horizontal line, and it holds deep religious significance for Christians worldwide.
Written by, Chethana Madanayaka
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