Sacred Object
Yantra
Sanskrit: Yantra
A yantra is a geometric diagram used in Hindu and Tantric ritual and meditation as a visual support for the presence and worship of a deity, most closely associated in Shakta tradition with the goddess through forms such as the Sri Yantra.
- Category
- Other
Material Culture & Craftsmanship
Yantras may be drawn or painted on paper, cloth or wood for ritual use, inscribed on metal plates for more permanent installation in a shrine, or, in elaborate architectural applications, incorporated into temple design itself.
Symbolism
The Sri Yantra, among the most well-known yantras, is composed of nine interlocking triangles surrounding a central point (bindu), understood in Shakta and Tantric philosophy as representing the union of masculine and feminine cosmic principles and the process of creation unfolding from an undifferentiated source.
Ritual Use
Yantras are consecrated and installed in shrines as an abstract, geometric embodiment of a deity for worship, and meditated upon as a visual support for concentration; such consecration and use is traditionally guided by a qualified priest or teacher.
Sources & References
- A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History and Literature — John Dowson, Trübner & Co. (1879) · Link
Public domain.