Two symbols appear again and again in Balinese religious life: the Ongkara and the swastika. The Ongkara is the sacred syllable Om written in Balinese script. Every mantra and prayer begins with it, and it serves as a focus for concentration on Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa. Its sounds, A, U and M, are linked with Brahma, Wisnu and Siwa, the three powers of the one God.
The swastika is an ancient Hindu symbol of good fortune and well-being. Its name comes from Sanskrit and is related to the Balinese greeting Om Swastiastu, which wishes prosperity and peace. The symbol is thousands of years old in Hindu, Buddhist and Jain traditions. It predates and has no connection to its misuse by the Nazis in the 20th century; in Bali it carries only its original sacred meaning.
In Bali you will see the Ongkara on temple gates, shrines, offerings, jewelry and in the headers of official documents. The swastika is carved into doorways, temple walls and sacred objects, and sometimes appears as a sun symbol on the padmasana. For visitors from the West it can be surprising, but it is a symbol of blessing here, displayed openly and treated with respect.
Highlights
- Om in Balinese script
- The greeting Om Swastiastu
- Swastikas carved on temple doorways
- Sun symbols on the padmasana
Good to know
- Greet people with Om Swastiastu and palms pressed together; it is warmly received.
- Avoid wearing clothing printed with the Ongkara to the beach or bars.
Bali: Culture, Religion & Traditions
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