# Dhvaja > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Dhvaja > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Dhvaja.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dhvaja > Source revision: 1324190641 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{short description|Flag or banner in Indian religions}} {{redirect|Dhwaja|the 2018 film|Dhwaja (film)}} [[File:A view of Dhvaja from Hinduism, Maa Naina Devi Temple, Nainital, Uttarakhand, India.jpg|thumb|A Hindu flag from the temple Maa Naina Devi, [Nainital](/source/Nainital), Uttarakhand, India|260x260px]] [[File:Dhvaja (pole with silk scarfs), overlooking Potala White Palace.jpg|thumb|220px|right|Dhvaja (Victory banner) – pole design with silk scarfs, on the background the [Potala Palace](/source/Potala_Palace)]] '''Dhvaja''' ({{Langx|sa|ध्वज|lit=flag|translit=Dhvaja}}; {{bo|t=རྒྱལ་མཚན|w=rgyal-msthan}}) is the [Sanskrit](/source/Sanskrit) term for a banner or a [flag](/source/flag). Flags are featured in the iconography, mythology, and architecture of Indian religions such as [Buddhism](/source/Buddhism), [Hinduism](/source/Hinduism), and [Jainism](/source/Jainism). They are one of the [ashtamangala](/source/ashtamangala), the eight auspicious emblems of these religions.{{Cite book |last=Byghan |first=Yowann |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XoPWDwAAQBAJ&dq=dhvaja+flag+sanskrit+hindu&pg=PA279 |title=Sacred and Mythological Animals: A Worldwide Taxonomy |date=2020-03-12 |publisher=McFarland |isbn=978-1-4766-3887-4 |pages=279 |language=bn}} ==Hinduism== In [Hindu iconography](/source/Hindu_iconography), deities are often portrayed with flags, often represented carried or present alongside their [mounts](/source/Vahana). Such flags are often venerated due to their association of a given deity, and also due to the fact that they are regarded to be imbued by their divine attributes. A flag staff or a votive column ([dhvajastambha](/source/Dhwaja_Stambha)) is often erected in front of [temples](/source/Hindu_temple) or on top of their roofs.{{Cite book |last=Stutley |first=Margaret |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vQWQDwAAQBAJ&dq=Hindu+deities+flags+dhvajas&pg=PT126 |title=The Illustrated Dictionary of Hindu Iconography |date=2019-04-09 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-0-429-62425-4 |pages=126 |language=en}} These columns are regarded to symbolise the [world axis](/source/Axis_mundi),{{Cite book |last=Werner |first=Karel |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HvuQAgAAQBAJ&dq=Hindu+deities+flags+dhvaja&pg=PA41 |title=A Popular Dictionary of Hinduism |date=2005-08-11 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-135-79753-9 |pages=41 |language=en}} and a pillar between earth and [heaven](/source/Svarga).{{Cite book |last=Nugteren |first=Albertina |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1vt5DwAAQBAJ&dq=Hindu+deities+flags+dhvaja&pg=PA32 |title=Belief, Bounty, and Beauty: Rituals around Sacred Trees in India |date=2018-08-14 |publisher=BRILL |isbn=978-90-474-1561-9 |pages=32 |language=en}} A chapter from the epic [Mahabharata](/source/Mahabharata) describes the various flags and their devices borne by the warriors of the [Kurukshetra War](/source/Kurukshetra_War):{{Cite book |last=Walker |first=Benjamin |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_J2RDwAAQBAJ&dq=Hindu+deities+flags+dhvajas&pg=PT408 |title=Hindu World: An Encyclopedic Survey of Hinduism. In Two Volumes. Volume I A-L |date=2019-04-09 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-0-429-62421-6 |pages=408 |language=en}} * [Abhimanyu](/source/Abhimanyu) - Deer * [Arjuna](/source/Arjuna) - [Hanuman](/source/Hanuman) * [Ashvatthama](/source/Ashwatthama) - Lion's tail with golden rays * [Bharata](/source/Bharata_(Mahabharata)) - Tree * [Bhima](/source/Bhima) - Lion * [Bhishma](/source/Bhishma) - Tree * [Drona](/source/Drona) - [Kamandalu](/source/Kamandalu) * [Duryodhana](/source/Duryodhana) - Serpent * [Ghatotkacha](/source/Ghatotkacha) - Wheel * [Indra](/source/Indra) - Sword * [Jayadratha](/source/Jayadratha) - Boar * [Kama](/source/Kamadeva) - [Makara](/source/Makara) * [Karna](/source/Karna) - Elephant * [Kartikeya](/source/Kartikeya) - [Peacock](/source/Mayura_(mythology)) * [Kripa](/source/Kripa) - Bull * [Nakula](/source/Nakula) - Deer * [Sahadeva](/source/Sahadeva) - Swan * [Shiva](/source/Shiva) - [Nandi](/source/Nandi_(Hinduism)) * [Vishnu](/source/Vishnu) - [Garuda](/source/Garuda) * [Yudhishthira](/source/Yudhishthira) - Moon ==Tibetan architecture== [[File:Dhvaja, roof of Sanga monastery.jpg|thumb|220px|right| Dhvaja ('victory banner'), on the roof of [Sanga Monastery](/source/Sanga_Monastery).]] Within the [Tibet](/source/Tibet)an tradition, a list of eleven different forms of the victory banner is given to represent eleven specific methods for overcoming "defilements" (Sanskrit: [klesha](/source/Kleshas_(Buddhism))). Many variations of the dhvaja's design can be seen on the roofs of [Tibet](/source/Tibet)an monasteries ([Gompa](/source/Gompa), [Vihara](/source/Vihara)) to symbolize the Buddha's victory over four maras. In its most traditional form, the victory banner is fashioned as a cylindrical ensign mounted upon a long wooden axel-pole. The top of the banner takes the form of the [chatra](/source/chatra_(umbrella)) ("ceremonial [parasol](/source/parasol)"), another of the 8 signs, surrounded by a central "wish granting gem" (Sanskrit: [cintamani](/source/cintamani)). This domed parasol is rimmed by an ornate golden crest-bar or moon-crest with [makara](/source/Makara_(Hindu_mythology))-trailed ends, from which hangs a billowing yellow or "white silk scarf'"(Sanskrit: [khata](/source/khata)) (see top right). As a hand-held ensign, the victory banner is an attribute of many [deities](/source/deities), particularly those associated with wealth and power, such as [Vaiśravaṇa](/source/Vaisravana), the Great Guardian King of the north. As a roof-mounted ensign, the victory banners are cylinders usually made of beaten copper (similar to [toreutics](/source/toreutics)) and are traditionally placed on the four corners of monastery and temple roofs. Those roof ornaments usually take the form of a small circular [parasol](/source/parasol) surmounted by the wish-fulfilling gem, with four or eight makara heads at the parasol edge, supporting little silver bells (see the Jokhang Dhvaja on the left). A smaller victory banner fashioned on a beaten copper frame, hung with black silk, and surmounted by a flaming "[trident](/source/trident)" (Sanskrit: [trishula](/source/trishula)) is also commonly displayed on roofs (see the dhvaja on the roof of the Potala Palace below).A Handbook of Tibetan Buddhist Symbols by Robert Beer, Shambhala, 2003, p.13The Encyclopedia of Tibetan Symbols and Motifs by Robert Beer, Shambhala, 1999, p.180[[File:Dhvaja, roof of Jokhang monastery.jpg|thumb|220px|left| Dhvaja ('victory banner'), on the roof of [Jokhang](/source/Jokhang) Monastery.]] File:Five Dhvajas, Potala White Palace.jpg|Five Dhvajas (Victory banners), on the roof of the [Potala](/source/Potala) White Palace. File:Dhvaja (trident with black silk), roof of Potala White Palace.jpg|Dhvaja (Victory banner) - trident design with black silk, roof of the [Potala Palace](/source/Potala_Palace). File:Dhvaja-PotalaV40%.jpg |Dhvaja (Victory banner), Roof of Potala Palace. File:Drapeau hindou (essai) 3.0.svg|A Dhvaja from Hinduism. == History == Dhvajas are probably depicted in [Indus Valley Civilization](/source/Indus_Valley_civilisation) seals, one Indus seal depicts four men carrying variously shaped djvajas or standards{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bT8KAQAAIAAJ&q=indus+valley+civilization+four+men+standard|title=The Indian Historical Quarterly|date=1985|publisher=Ramanand Vidya Bhawan|language=en}} and later also on cast copper coins from the early historic period of the Indian Sub continent.{{Cite web|url=http://nmma.nic.in/nmma/antiqDetail.do?refId=142933&object=30|title=NMMA|website=nmma.nic.in|access-date=2019-05-30}} [Heliodorus pillar](/source/Heliodorus_pillar) inscription also declares the pillar to be Garudadhvaja or [Garuda](/source/Garuda) standard. File:Unicorn. Mold of Seal, Indus valley civilization.jpg|Indus seal mold depicting Dhvaja like object in front of the unicorn File:Shunga.JPG|Jayadhvaja or triangular standard depicted on a [Shunga](/source/Shunga_Empire) copper cast coin, 2nd-1st century BC File:Heliodorus pillar.jpg|[Heliodorus pillar](/source/Heliodorus_pillar), as Garudadhvaja or Garuda standard, circa 100 BC File:Sunga horseman Bharhut.jpg|Shunga horseman carrying a portable ''dhvaja'', [Barhut](/source/Barhut), circa 100 BC == Saffron flags== {{anchor | Similar }} The colour [saffron color](/source/saffron_(color)) is considered sacred in the [Indian religions](/source/Indian_religions) of [Hinduism](/source/Hinduism), [Jainism](/source/Jainism), [Buddhism](/source/Buddhism), and [Sikhism](/source/Sikhism). Other flags incorporating the saffron colour based on Indian religions are: * Religion ** [Dhvajasthamba](/source/Dwajasthambam), flagpole in Hinduism ** [Dharma Dhwaj](/source/Dharma_Dhwaj), the [Ram Mandir](/source/Ram_Mandir) flag ** [Bhagwa Dhwaj](/source/Bhagwa_Dhwaj), the Maratha flag associated with Hinduism ** [Buddhist flag](/source/Buddhist_flag) ** [Jain flag](/source/Jain_flag) ** [Nishan Sahib](/source/Nishan_Sahib) in Sikhism * Nations ** [National flag of India](/source/Flag_of_India) ** [National flag of Nepal](/source/Flag_of_Nepal) ** [National flag of Sri Lanka](/source/Flag_of_Sri_Lanka) == See also == * [Dhvajasthamba](/source/Dwajasthambam) * [Hindu iconography](/source/Hindu_iconography) * [Sitatapatra](/source/Sitatapatra) * [List of Indian flags](/source/List_of_Indian_flags) ==References== {{Reflist}} ==External links== *{{Commons category-inline}} Category:Buddhist ritual implements Category:Buddhist symbols Category:Ritual weapons Category:Tibetan Buddhist practices Category:Tibetan Buddhist ritual implements Category:Hindu architecture Category:Hindu temple architecture Category:Hindu symbols Category:Jain symbols Category:Hindu iconography --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Dhvaja](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dhvaja) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dhvaja?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.