Last year I was walking in the "Camino de Santiago", in Spain, where I met a guy who showed me a symbol engraved in the stone of a bridge. It was a Sun that reflected its rays on the sea. He told me that it was related to Nirvana and the path one has to follow. When I came back from the journey, I tried looking for this symbol on the internet, but didn't find anything about it. The most similar one I found it has been the Unalome symbol. But it seems that all its references are linked to the tatoos, and I didn't find any wikipedia page or Buddhist website talking about it. Back to my question, is the Unalome a Buddhist symbol? Is there a Buddhist symbol similar to the one I have described? I've found the real image, can be find here in google maps photo: https://maps.app.goo.gl/moymLNdJ3LjtrZBt6

Do Buddha statues exist that portray Buddha as a person of white or European likeness? Where would I find them? (Not sure what other than "white" or "European" to call it; you are free to correct me.) If not, why not? (I would like to explain in a few words why I am asking that question, but find it difficult to pin down the right words. It has something to do with the feeling of familiarity or likeness, and just plain fun of entertaining the idea that the Buddha can look like all the other people that are typically around me all day long. Plus, whatever drives people to make cover versions of songs, just seen as a "cover version" of the typical Buddha statue.) EDIT: Replaced the word "caucasian" with "white", because this should be less offensive.

Surely The Buddha appeared quite emaciated when he realized full enlightenment. Why is an emaciated Buddha rarely represented in art?

Why should we worship Lord Buddha statues with flowers, lights and food, even when we know Lord Buddha is not alive and does not exist? Did Lord Buddha instruct us to do so or is there any other reason?

1. Do the suttas make any mention of a halo around the Buddha's head, or was it a later addition through the cultural influence of other religions? I recall mentions of a golden aura around the Buddha visible from a distance that attracted his first followers to him. 2. Since the halo is a symbol common to most world religions (Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, Sikhism), is this a generally encountered spiritual attainment like the six higher knowledges ? Are there records of any arhats getting a halo? Some background that I was able to dig up: > Tibetan Buddhism uses haloes and aureoles of many types, drawing from both Indian and Chinese traditions, extensively in statues and Thangka paintings of Buddhist saints such as Milarepa and Padmasambhava and deities. Different coloured haloes have specific meanings: orange for monks, green for the Buddha and other more elevated beings > [...] > Theravada Buddhism and Jainism did not use the halo for many centuries, but later adopted it, though less thoroughly than other religious groups. **source**: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halo_(religious_iconography)

http://9gag.com/gag/arOnzn5 says that the Buddha's "hair" on this statue represents snails. I thought Buddha shave his head like all his disciples. And there is a claim that his hair are actually snails.

Buddhist religious figures often wear orange robes. And I think that orange is, also, associated with Buddhist religious buildings -- and other religious "stuff" (although this may be simply a coincidence that I have given meaning it does not have) -- things like fabric, prayer flags, and religious art in temples, and painting of religious structures and artistic adornments in religious structures. When did the color orange become associated with Buddhism? Does this have any specific significance or meaning, and if so what is that meaning or significance? Also, sometimes a yellow or red color is used instead in the a similar context. The yellow color often looks like just a use/weather faded orange, or a trick of photography and lighting, or a different shade of orange, that may not be meaningful. But the red color (as depicted below), however, seems to be an intentional choice. Do either of these colors (yellow or red) these have different meanings than orange? And, when did these colors gain significance? Is it simply derived from robes -- https://buddhism.stackexchange.com/q/1642/254 -- or is there more to it than that? From here (Pixabay License - Free for commercial use - No attribution required). From here (Pixabay License - Free for commercial use - No attribution required). From here (Pixabay License - Free for commercial use - No attribution required). *Footnote Re Color Terminology* While this question, as edited, is not predominantly about robes as that has already been answered, the photographs above are primarily included to illustrate the colors that I am talking about as I am art terminology illiterate. I have used the primary color names orange, yellow and red because I have a thin vocabulary of colors and no art background (I haven't taken an art class since I was 13 years old, and I'm now more than three decades older than that). If that is not the proper name of the relevant colors feel free to correct me.

I found a clay tile outside on the street that appears to depict the Buddha. It has a man in lotus position on one side and four scenes along with some text on the reverse. It is roughly as broad as my thumb. I'd be curious to know what scenes are depicted, the meaning of the text, what this tile is called, and what the function of the tile is. I'm guessing it shows his youth, becoming enlightened, being a teacher, and his death, but I don't know if it's more specific or different than my interpretation.

I picked up these two statues today. I have been searching for an hour or two, to identify them or learn anything at all I can about them. I've searched through thousands of images, been comparing Buddhas from different countries, etc. I found this website and saw the [tag:statue] tag and now feel relieved. Please someone tell me anything you can about these. I hope I'm not posting this in the wrong place. Thanks so much

Someone had once asked here "Why is Kwan Yin riding a sea turtle?", but what I'm more curious about is why is she seen on a dragon? There are many images or the Bodhisattva riding a dragon, one I posted being but one example. But who/what is the dragon? Is there a story behind it? I've heard the dragon is a symbol of wisdom and purity, others have suggested the dragon represents a wrathful force subdued by Guan Yin underfoot, but really what's the case here? Is it merely symbolic or is the dragon a literal entity (sentient or otherwise)? Any information would be appreciated (not modern "New Age").

Hello regarding the reclining Buddha statue here in this link http://www.buddhastatuesnow.com -- What are the differences between this and other reclining statues in Asia? I have seen several and this one is different. For example the fingers are much longer and the Buddha appears happy while in other countries he is more solemn and hands are not so prominent. Thank you for any info you can provide!

Greetings to everybody, According to the image above, what do you think from your point of view? Is this disrespectful since The Laughing Buddha is being used for a branding?

And maybe to save two related questions, why does Samantabhadra ride an elephant and Majursri ride a lion? I was meditating with Kwan Yin statute and that was the main distraction, I had no idea why Kwan Yin is on a sea turtle.

What are the possible symbols of mercy and/or compassion in Buddhism? As always answers with supporting references are appreciated.

A year ago I bought one and I just got it is NDC (Nuclear Disarmament Campaign). I don't mind but I wanted feeling peace through everything what I need to having it. And soon I'm gonna practicing vipassana meditation. Can I wear pendant that I have ?

When you read or hear about Gotama leaving his home and family, the story is usually something like "he shaved his face and head and went out to be a wandering monk". But very few depictions of the Buddha (perhaps apart from the laughing, fat buddha) is of a bald man. Why is that? I've also heard, but don't remember the source, that in early times there was no iconography in Buddhism. As far as I remember hearing, depictions of the Buddha did not appear for many hundreds of years. Actually I've heard that the iconography of Buddhism actually comes from the Greek,,that the first to make icons of the Buddha were Greeks living in India. There's obviously a lot of variations over time and between traditions. But can anyone give me some information, and sources about Greek influences on Buddhist iconography? Also I wonder why Buddha almost always is depicted with hair?

This question is about these images: This incident (depicted) happened after Lord Buddha visited a certain Deva realm. - Can someone provide any sutta or sutra reference? - If you can, please explain the event and the drawings?

Every statue of the Buddha I have seen depicts him as having long ears. Did Buddha really have long ears? If so, why and how did he get long ears?

I am a student of art and I am studying on Buddhist art .In the Vihara of Bhaja there is a decorated wall with two important gods of Hindusim, namely Surya and Indra. It refers to the Shunga period. - Why they have used images from Hindu gods? - Why would they have made this kind of art at all? I thought that Buddha was against Hindu gods, and that people should follow him because Buddha advised that people should rely on themselves and not on the gods!

I came across the following image on China's Taobao online shopping site and was hoping someone could explain the content. (the seller could not) The central figure is Shakyamuni Buddha, that much is clear. I am unfamiliar with the rest of the setting.