The document discusses the spread of various religions including Buddhism, Islam, Christianity, and Hinduism through different means such as missionaries, rulers adopting the religions, and colonization. It also discusses religious symbols associated with different faiths such as the Om and swastika in Hinduism, crescent and star in Islam, cross and dove in Christianity, and dharma wheel and bodhi tree in Buddhism. Finally, it talks about how symbols can serve as powerful tools for branding and identity for religions and organizations.

1. Spread of
religions and
symbolism
Group 2

2. Spread of religions
• Missionaries, pilgrims, and converts; transmission of diverse
beliefs and practices ; 2nd and 12th centuries.
• Believers spread their faith to rulers of diverse states,
merchants, travellers, and local communities. They adopted and
promoted the new religions.
• There was also vertical transmission of religion (from parents to
children)
• Colonization was another way in which religion was imposed
upon the indigenous people

3. • Some elements of change occurred when religious leaders
interpreted doctrine differently in different historical contexts
• Change also occurred as a result of influence from indigenous
religions; eg. Buddhist beliefs were translated into the Chinese
cultural context, they were influenced and shaped by earlier Taoist
beliefs.
• The practice of adapting to a variety of local contexts was, one of
the reasons behind the extraordinary success of most religions

4. Buddhism
• In 2nd century B. C., Buddhist beliefs were transmitted along
the Silk Road.
• Buddhist missionaries were a major force
• The missionaries came with scriptures and artwork.
• Monasteries, stupas, were constructed.
• Cave temples also emerged during this time. extensive wall
paintings dedicated to Buddha, his saints, and his story (6th
century A.D.)

5. Islam
• During the 8th century A.D., a significant number of
conversions to Islam began.
• With the expansion of Islam, mosques replaced the Buddhist
monasteries and stupas along the Silk Road.
• By the 15th century, most of Central Asia had been
converted to Islam.
• Central reasons for the spread of Islam into Central Asia are
A. governments supported Islam.
B. less complicated to conduct trade with the local businessmen
as a Muslim rather than a Buddhist because they were
usually treated better

6. Christianity
• Christianity started in Jerusalem. It spread in the
Jewish country through its apostles
• Even though it was not initially accepted in Rome,
Emperor Constantine converted to Christianity,
making the spread of Christianity much easier.
• establishment of different churches made it even
easier to spread
• European nations began to colonise the New World
• soldiers and missionaries took Christianity with
them to the new world.

7. Hinduism
• The tradition understands itself to be timeless, having always
existed. Was popular from 2000 BC.
• The north india, was characterized by the religious ideas of
the Vedas, which were brought from outside of India by
ancient Europeans, the Aryans.
• These outsiders invaded northern India and pushed the
indigenous people (dravidians) to the south.
• Since then Hinduism has historically been a non-missionizing
religious tradition.
• This is specifically linked to the fundamental theological
worldview that all schools of Hinduism share - Human beings
are reborn into the world according to their past deeds in
prior lifetimes. This is the basic law of karma. Thus being a
Hindu is not a matter of choice or cultural circumstance; it is a
reflection of the workings of the cosmos

8. • Hinduism has, however, spread to other parts of the world.
• It has spread as a result of Hindu kings conquering non-Hindu
lands;
• it has spread as a result of colonization and then globalization;
• in the modern period it has spread as a result of westerners
adopting, and converting to, Hindu practices and beliefs.

9. RELIGIOUS SYMBOLISM
• Use of symbols, including, acts, artwork, events, or natural
phenomena, by a religion. Religions view religious texts, rituals, and
works of art as symbols of compelling ideas or ideals
• Every religion has its own body of symbols which suggests the
ultimate reality, the deity and other spiritual truths
• expresses the moral values of the society or the teachings of the
religion, and foster solidarity among adherents
• Bring adherents closer to their object of worship.
• It is a way for an individual to declare their faith to the world
(wearing certain clothing or jewellery that declares their faith)

10. • A symbol does not have the quality of conceptual clarity and
specificity. Rather, it has the characteristics of vagueness and
ambiguity.
• Symbols can mean different things for different people.
• The power of symbols lies in its vagueness. What it lacks in
conceptual clarity is filled up by the power of its suggestiveness.
• A symbol is seen to be a profound expression.
• Wearing of religious symbols enhance their spiritual beliefs.
• Wearing of religious symbols can be viewed as a good luck symbol
to wearers.
• Some may wear religious symbols as a statement.
• Some wear religious symbols just because they liked the look of it.
• Some wear religious symbols to draw strength from.

11. SYMBOLS

12. Om
• Sanskrit letter Om.
• First sound in the cosmos that led to creation. It is thus the first
principle of the universe.
• Composed of three separate sounds; The three worlds—the earth,
atmosphere, and heavens; the three great gods—Brahma, Vishnu,
and Shiva; and three of the Vedas—the Rig, Yajur, and Sama.
• Begins Hindu mantras, sacred verbal formulas, and prayers, and it is
often the first (and last) letter of sacred texts.

13. Swasthika
• Swastika is an ancient Hindu symbol that denotes well-being and
auspiciousness. (in sanskrit :all is well)
• charm to bring good fortune
• The right-hand swastika is symbol of god Vishnu as well as the sun.
• The Nazis adopted the swastika because it was understood as an
Aryan symbol indicating racial purity and superiority

14. Lotus
• Hindu gods and goddesses are typically depicted with lotuses:
• Gods and goddesses are also described using lotus imagery:
• Lotuses are associated with purity: although they begin in the
mud, they grow up through the water and emerge on the
surface. When they open, the flower is utterly cleansed.

15. Mudras
• Mudras are symbolic bodily gestures that denote particular
religious sentiments or intents.
• For instance, the abhaya mudra, the gesture of "no fear" made by
opening the palm outward; displayed by gods and goddesses to
symbolize their protective abilities.
• anjali mudra:"Namaste“ This is a gesture of respect and greeting;
done not only when two people meet, but when a worshipper
approaches a god.

16. Latin cross
• Cross of Christ’s crucifixion. When shown with the image of Christ, it is
called a crucifix.

17. Dove
• The dove symbolizes purity, innocence, peace and is used to
represent the Holy Spirit. The dove brought back an olive branch to
Noah which was a sign to him that the waters had receeded.

18. Blessing
• The three extended fingers suggest the Holy Trinity, while the two
closed fingers represent the twofold nature of the Son.

19. Anchor
• It ranks among the most ancient of Christian symbols found in the
catacombs relating to the virtue of hope of salvation and holding
secure in faith.

20. Crescent and star
• What is seen today as symbols of Islam are actually remnants of
past empires and modern Arab nationalism. They have little to do
with actual Islamic beliefs
• It was the flag of the Ottoman Empire- dominant Muslim power for
almost 700 years. The European world always associated the
Ottomans and their flag with Islam .

21. Shahadatain
• means “two Shahadas.” The Shahada is the Muslim statement of
faith.
• The Shahada is the most fundamental belief in Islam. In order for a
person to become Muslim, they must recite the Shahada.

22. Eight Pointed Star
• prevalent throughout most of the Muslim world. It can be seen on
flags, mosques, and Qurans.
• Muslims have always used geometry and shapes to express
themselves artistically rather than drawing, painting, or sculpting
images of living creatures.
• Arabic calligraphy and shapes were used to create beautiful Islamic
designs. The 8 pointed star is a result of this.

23. Colours
• The most prominent two colors are green and white.
• green has been associated with Islam for centuries. Allah mentions
the color green in several Quranic verses as the color of clothing in
paradise.

24. The two golden fish
• mean luck and fortune.
• courage and fearlessness to face the ocean of sufferings and to be
able to swim freely like fish through water.

25. Dharma wheel
• Dharma chakra
• used to represent Buddha himself.
• It has also universally become the symbol for Buddhism.
• The dharma wheel has eight spokes, which represent Buddha’s
Eightfold Path.

26. The eternal knot
• symbolize how everything is connected
• represent how religion and secular affairs, as well as compassion
and wisdom are united and connected to each other.

27. The Bodhi Tree,
• Gautama Buddha, is said to have achieved enlightenment, or Bodhi
under this tree
• Bodhi tree is recognizable by its heart-shaped leaves, which are
usually prominently displayed.

28. SYMBOL AS BRAND
IDENTITY
• Symbol is a sign that stand for something.
• Symbols help customers memorize organization’s products and services.
• Symbols emphasize our brand expectations and shape corporate images.
• Symbols are made an integral part of brand identity.
• Symbols are easier to memorize than the brand names as they are visual images.
These can include logos, people, geometric shapes, cartoon images, anything.
• Brand symbols are strong means to attract attention and enhance brand
personalities by making customers like them.

29. • Brand Symbols are much more than plain artistic work and outcomes of
creative bursts.
• Symbols are the signifiers of the company’s ideology, history, heritage, spirit
and tradition.
• The brand cannot be imagined without the sign or symbol.
• The symbol may indirectly deliver functional , self expressive or emotional
benefit to the customers.
• Brand identity is what the owner wants to communicate to its potential
consumers.

30. Examples
• LIC-two cupped hands protecting a lamp. It is a very powerful metaphor
for what LIC stands for : the ‘cover against risk and provision of
protection’
• Kelvinators Penguin Symbol-cool effect
• ‘Three Petal’ symbol employed by ‘PONDS’-It is a metaphor for delicate,
feminine and fragrant floral products.

31. • BRAND IDENTITY – PARACHUTE
SYMBOL : Flag shaped logo with a coconut tree against a
blue back ground.
The symbol shows purity, environment friendly.

32. MARKETING PERSPECTIVE
• Religions have logos. People identify themselves with these logos.
• People crave a sense of belonging to something larger than themselves
• Large numbers encourage greater participation
• Stories and larger-than-life promises are effective marketing tools,
especially if reinforced again and again.

33. • Human species is open to manipulation by messages during early
stages of development.
• It is passed as an idea virus from parents to children, and is instilled
from a young age while kids do not have defences to form their own
opinions and make up their own mind.
• Religion successfully rallies people, to publicly brand themselves as
subscribers and work without any compensation as word of mouth
marketers to attract new members to their religious brand of choice.
• Thus religion succeeds in a big way even though it is purely based on
spreading ideas without any evidence backing up their claims.