☸️
Wheel of Dharma
wheel of DAR-muh
Definitions
1
Religion · Buddhism
Common
A sacred Buddhist symbol representing the Eightfold Path and Buddha's teachings. Used to signify Buddhist faith, spiritual practices, or reference to Buddhist philosophy.
Used in religious contexts, mindfulness discussions, or to indicate spiritual practices like meditation and yoga.
Just finished an amazing meditation session at the temple ☸️ Feeling so centered now.
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For anyone interested in learning more about Buddhism ☸️, I recommend starting with these books on mindfulness.
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One of Buddhism's most important symbols, representing the cycle of rebirth and the path to enlightenment. The eight spokes symbolize the Eightfold Path.
2
Lifestyle · Mindfulness
Common
Used to represent spiritual practices, mindfulness, meditation, or yoga without specific religious affiliation. Indicates a focus on inner peace and balance.
Often used by non-Buddhists to indicate meditation, yoga, or general spiritual wellness practices.
Morning routine: coffee, journaling, and 20 minutes of meditation ☸️ #mindfulness
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Has expanded beyond strictly religious contexts to represent general mindfulness and wellness culture in Western societies.
Evolution Timeline
1993
Included in Unicode 1.1 as a religious symbol representing Buddhism.
Early digitization of religious symbols
2010
Gained popularity in Western digital communication with the rise of mindfulness apps and yoga culture.
Wellness movement and meditation app boom
2018
Usage expanded beyond religious contexts to represent general spiritual wellness and mindfulness practices.
Mainstream adoption of meditation and mindfulness
Cultural Context
The Wheel of Dharma (Dharmachakra) represents Buddha's teachings and the Eightfold Path. The eight spokes symbolize right view, intention, speech, action, livelihood, effort, mindfulness, and concentration.
In Western contexts, the symbol has been partially secularized, often used to represent general mindfulness and meditation practices without specific Buddhist religious connotations.
The Wheel of Dharma appears on the national flag of India and was an important symbol in Emperor Ashoka's reign, when Buddhism spread throughout Asia.
The symbol has become more visible in digital culture with the rise of meditation and mindfulness apps, which often incorporate it into their branding and interfaces.
Regional Variations
India
Used with deeper religious significance, particularly in regions with Buddhist populations. Also appears in discussions of Indian history and heritage.
United States
Often used in wellness and mindfulness contexts without deep religious significance. Common in yoga communities and meditation apps.
Generational Usage
Gen_X: More likely to use in explicitly Buddhist contexts or formal spiritual discussions. Less casual usage than younger generations.
Gen_Z: Often encountered through meditation apps and wellness content on TikTok and Instagram. May use it aesthetically without full religious context.
Older: Rarely used except by practicing Buddhists or those with specific interest in Eastern religions. Usage tends to be more reverent.
Millennials: Commonly used in wellness circles, yoga communities, and mindfulness practices. Often appears in profile bios to signal spiritual interests.
Common Combinations
☸️🧘
Buddhist meditation or mindfulness practice
Commonly used to indicate meditation sessions or mindfulness practices in Buddhist contexts
☸️🙏
Buddhist prayer, reverence, or gratitude
Used to express spiritual devotion or gratitude within Buddhist practices
☸️✨
Spiritual enlightenment or awakening
Represents spiritual insights or moments of clarity in Buddhist practice
☸️🕉️
Eastern spiritual traditions
Represents the connection between Buddhist and Hindu spiritual practices