Symbols of Victory

Victory is a powerful word that conjures images of athe conch. Sri Krishna, Arjuna, and all heroes of the
battle, the victory going to the winner of the battle.highest order used the conch. It is the symbol of
There are many different symbols of victory- somevictory. "
with ancient origins, as battles have taken place in all- Sri Chinmoy.
cultures since the beginning of creation. Some ofIn Sanskrit, the word for victory is dhvaja, meaning
these symbols include the conch shell, the peacock,standard, flag or sign. Originally, the victory banner
the resurrection of Christ, the letter V, Mt Kailash,was a military standard carried in ancient Indian
the Greek goddess Nike, and the victory banner. Aswarfare, and bore the specific insignia of its champion.
symbolism and storytelling are commonly linked withFor example in the Mahabharata, Sri Krishna's chariot
teaching, religious and spiritual writings often use thewas adorned with a banner showing the image of
word victory in reference to the divine victory overHanuman, the great devotee of Lord Rama.
human limitations and ignorance.The victory banner is also used in Buddhism as an
The word Victory in the English language comes fromemblem of the Buddha's enlightenment, heralding the
Victoria, the Roman goddess of victory, andtriumph of knowledge over ignorance. It is said to
counterpart to the Greek goddess Nike, who is saidhave been placed on the summit of Mt. Meru by Lord
to have assumed the role of the god's personalBuddha himself, symbolizing his victory over the
charioteer in the Titan War. Nike's wings supposedlyentire universe. Again, Mount Meru is believed to be
symbolize the fleeting nature of victory.the central axis supporting the world.
The letter V can mean victory on its own. It wasIn Tibetan Buddhism, Mount Kailash in the Himalayas is
used extensively during the Second World War, anda symbol of victory. Milarepa, commonly known as
today is a generally accepted finger sign for victoryTibet's greatest yogi, said
all over the globe."There is no place more powerful for practice, more
In spiritual terms, the word victory is used in relationblessed, or more marvelous than this; may all pilgrims
to a divine victory, the victory of light over darkness,and practitioners be welcome!"
good over evil. Ancient battles were often foughtThe peacock appears in many Hindu religious myths
when situations forced the powers of good to faceand legends as a protector and symbol of victory.
the powers of darkness, as in The Mahabharata, theSince a potentially deadly emotion such as anger is
famous Indian Epic which is overflowing withdepicted as a serpent, and the peacock is immune to
symbolism and still very much applicable to our ownthe serpent's poison, the peacock symbolizes victory
era, and in fact our own selves. A famous symbol ofover poisonous tendencies in conscious people. In
victory from The Mahabharata is the conch shell,Christianity also, the Peacock is symbolic of victory,
which was blown by the famous warriors in theand also immortality, because of the periodical
battle of Kurukshetra. The conch shell has become anrenewal of its splendid feathers. In Christianity, the
important part of Indian tradition, and is still usedvictory of Christ over Death is said to be the most
today as a part of daily spiritual practices.glorious victory in history, and so The Resurrection
"Of all the musical instruments, the conch is the mosthas been used to symbolize this theme.
sacred and spiritual. Cosmic Gods and Goddesses hold