Top 20 Places to Get Buddha Sculptures Melbourne, Victoria (2024)

Early Buddhist art and symbolism never used human-like representations of the Buddha; that only came later. Instead, Buddha was represented by various animals depending on the symbolic context.

The Lion

The most common representation is the Lion, a symbol of protection, royalty and sovereignty. And the Buddha himself is often referred to in texts as “the Lion of the Shakyas.” His teachings are also known as the “Lion’s Roar” in the sutras, symbolizing the supremacy of his word over other spiritual teachings.

The White Elephant

Another Buddha symbol is the White Elephant, a figure of Indian royal power. In the myth of Queen Maya, the future Buddha is believed to have taken on the form of a white elephant to enter his mother’s womb.

The Riderless Horse

There’s also the Riderless Horse, which represents the Buddha’s royal horse, Kanthaka. It’s a symbol of the Buddha’s renunciation when Siddhartha Gautama left his palace at Kapilavastu to live his life as an ascetic.

The Mythical Serpent

Then, there’s the mythical serpent with magical powers known as the “Great Nāga.” In the sutras, the Buddha is often referred to as the “Great Nāga” as well. This term indicates the greatness of the Buddha’s magical powers, including his psychic insight, which is superior to that of all gods and spirits.

Deer

Deer are used to symbolize Buddhist disciples and represent the Buddha’s first sermon given in the deer park of Varanasi.

In conclusion, we’re back to our opening question.

And the answer is YES! If the beliefs and traditions of Buddhism resonate with you, you can wear Buddha symbols.

But don’t buy any Buddha symbol because it looks cute or trendy in your social circle. It will not bring any harm or misfortune, but rather it’s out of respect for what Buddha symbols represent.

Getting something just for the sake of it goes against one of the prime Buddhist beliefs: over-indulgence. When we buy something from an egotistical perspective, we don’t appreciate it. We want it either to impress others, to show off, or out of greed.

Conversely, when we acquire something from a deep appreciation for its symbolic worth, it takes on spiritual meaning. It becomes an invaluable part of our lives, one that we can rely on as a constant reminder or for faith and protection.

Before you buy any Buddha symbol to wear or to put in your home or office, research its specific meaning and see how you can spiritually incorporate its presence into your life.

Or, if you long to bring one of the many aspects of Buddhism into your life, find out which Buddha symbols bring that energy.

Even if your intention doesn’t align directly with a particular symbol, remember that Buddhism is a flexible religion available to all. As long as your purpose is pure and for the greater good, there’s no problem.

Whether you want a Buddha symbol for yourself or someone else, at Karma and Luck, we appreciate its profound spiritual significance. Therefore, we only stock ethically-made Buddha symbols handcrafted worldwide by artisans with respect, love, and care.

Buddhism

According to tradition, the founder of Buddhism lived in the 6th century BCE. The first Buddhist artifacts in India appeared around the 3rd century BCE. Soon afterwards, Buddhism spread to China, Japan, Korea, and the rest of East Asia.

How did Buddhism travel so far and survive for so long in all of these different cultures? One answer may lie in its symbols or representations of ideas, objects or relationships. Because the original Buddha did not write down his teachings and did not like his images to be revered, symbols were used to remember and share his lessons. These symbols proved to be highly adaptable, working their ways into cultures receptive to Buddhist philosophy. These symbols have been important aspects of Buddhist life for millennia. For those looking to learn something about this Eastern worldview, there’s no better place to start.

Buddha

For centuries, Buddhists followed the original Buddha’s proscription of not revering him in human form. So, many of the oldest Buddhist symbols represent the Buddha himself, or at least various enlightened aspects of him.

Perhaps one of the earliest and most common symbols is the Dharmachakra or the eight-spoked wheel. The Buddha is sometimes called the “wheel turner,” which sets a cycle of teachings in motion. The eight spokes of the Dharmachakra represent the eight parts of the path to wisdom and the end of suffering. The swirl in the middle represents the Buddha himself, along with the moral code of the universe (Dharma) and the spiritual community (Sangha). This symbol is, therefore, the Buddha and Buddhist philosophy rolled into one.

Many symbols of the Buddha are similar in that they represent both the Buddha and Buddhism, or some aspect of its teaching. For example, a similar symbol is found in the stupa, a mound-shaped Buddhist shrine or tomb. Stupas are architectural symbols of the enlightened mind of the Buddha, representing the path to enlightenment as a mountain that must be climbed. The various components of a stupa also represent the five elements of earth, water, fire, air, and space, each corresponding to an aspect of the enlightened being.

Footprints represent the physical presence of the Buddha and the idea of following in the Buddha’s footsteps. The Bodhi Tree is where the Buddha sat and achieved enlightenment, a prominent symbol of the Buddha and his path.