๐๏ธ
Om Symbol
ohm
Definitions
1
Religion ยท Spirituality
Common
A sacred symbol representing the sound/mantra 'Om' in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. Signifies the essence of ultimate reality or consciousness.
Used in spiritual contexts, meditation practices, yoga communications, and to express connection to Eastern philosophical traditions.
Starting my morning meditation practice ๐๏ธ Finding inner peace before the workday.
Instagram wellness post
Just finished my yoga teacher training! ๐๏ธ Ready to share these practices with others.
Facebook personal update
Wishing everyone peace and harmony on this auspicious day ๐๏ธ
Hindu festival greeting
One of the most sacred symbols in Dharmic religions, particularly Hinduism. Represents the primordial sound from which the universe emerged.
2
Lifestyle ยท Wellness
Common
Symbol used in Western wellness contexts to represent yoga, meditation, mindfulness practices, and spiritual well-being.
Often used by non-Hindus to signal interest in Eastern spiritual practices or wellness activities.
New yoga mats and blocks just arrived! ๐๏ธ Who's coming to class tomorrow?
Yoga studio social media
Finding my zen with this new meditation app ๐๏ธ Highly recommend for stress relief!
Twitter wellness recommendation
Has been adopted in Western wellness culture, sometimes with limited understanding of its deep religious significance.
Evolution Timeline
1960
Gained visibility in Western countries during the counterculture movement with growing interest in Eastern spirituality.
Popularization of Eastern philosophy by figures like Alan Watts and the Beatles' visit to India.
2000
Became increasingly associated with commercial yoga and wellness industry in Western countries.
Mainstreaming of yoga as physical practice separated from religious roots.
2015
Inclusion as emoji recognized its global significance while sparking discussions about cultural appropriation.
Growing digital representation of religious symbols in Unicode.
Cultural Context
In Hinduism, Om is considered the primordial sound that contains all other sounds and represents Brahman (ultimate reality). It's often chanted at the beginning and end of prayers.
The sound 'Om' (actually pronounced more like 'Aum') consists of three phonetic components representing creation, preservation, and destructionโmirroring the Hindu trinity of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.
The symbol's adoption in Western wellness culture has sparked discussions about cultural appropriation versus appreciation, especially when used decoratively without understanding its sacred significance.
The written Om symbol evolved from Sanskrit script and has been found in ancient texts dating back thousands of years. It appears in the Upanishads as a sacred syllable.
Regional Variations
India
Deeply sacred religious symbol used with reverence in spiritual, religious and cultural contexts.
United States
Primarily associated with yoga, meditation, and wellness culture, often with limited understanding of religious significance.
Generational Usage
Gen_X: More likely to associate with 1960s-70s spiritual movements and may use in contexts related to Eastern spirituality and alternative healing.
Gen_Z: Often used aesthetically on social media profiles and wellness content. Some show greater awareness of cultural appropriation concerns than older generations.
Older: Less frequent usage, but when used, often with deeper religious understanding, particularly among those with longstanding interest in Eastern religions.
Millennials: Commonly used in yoga and meditation contexts. The generation that popularized yoga studio culture often includes this in wellness communications.
Common Combinations
๐๏ธโจ
Spiritual enlightenment or awakening; divine energy.
Often used in meditation or yoga contexts to represent transcendent experiences.
๐๏ธ๐
Spiritual devotion, prayer, or gratitude with Hindu/Buddhist connotations.
Used in religious contexts or to express deep spiritual respect.
๐๏ธโฎ๏ธ
Universal peace through spiritual practice.
Combines Eastern and Western peace symbols, popular in interfaith or new age contexts.
๐๏ธ๐ง
Yoga or meditation practice with spiritual dimension.
Used by yoga practitioners to signal deeper spiritual engagement beyond physical exercise.
Related Emojis
๐ง
Meditation/yoga practice often associated with Om chanting
โฎ๏ธ
Another spiritual symbol representing peace
๐
Prayer/gratitude gesture often used in similar spiritual contexts
โก๏ธ
Another religious symbol representing a major faith tradition
โธ๏ธ
Dharma Wheel, another important symbol in Dharmic religions