Ajay Kumar at 13:06, 19 September 2023

2023-09-19T13:06:58Z

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{{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]], 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]]]]

'''Dhvaja''' ({{Lang-sa|ध्वज|lit=flag|translit=Dhvaja}}; {{bo|t=རྒྱལ་མཚན|w=rgyal-msthan}}) refers to the [[Sanskrit]] word for a banner or a [[flag]]. Flags are featured in the iconography, mythology, and architecture of Indian religions such as [[Buddhism]], [[Hinduism]], and [[Jainism]]. They are one of the [[ashtamangala]], the eight auspicious emblems of these religions.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

==Hinduism==
In [[Hindu iconography]], deities are often portrayed with flags, often represented carried or present alongside their [[Vahana|mounts]]. 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 ([[Dhwaja Stambha|dhvajastambha]]) is often erected in front of [[Hindu temple|temples]] or on top of their roofs.<ref>{{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}}</ref> These columns are regarded to symbolise the [[Axis mundi|world axis]],<ref>{{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}}</ref> and a pillar between earth and [[Svarga|heaven]].<ref>{{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}}</ref>

A chapter from the epic [[Mahabharata]] describes the various flags and their devices borne by the warriors of the [[Kurukshetra War]]:<ref>{{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}}</ref>

* [[Abhimanyu]] - Deer
* [[Arjuna]] - [[Hanuman]]
* [[Ashwatthama|Ashvatthama]] - Lion's tail with golden rays
* [[Bharata (Mahabharata)|Bharata]] - Tree
* [[Bhima]] - Lion
* [[Bhishma]] - Tree
* [[Drona]] - [[Kamandalu]]
* [[Duryodhana]] - Serpent
* [[Ghatotkacha]] - Wheel
* [[Indra]] - Sword
* [[Jayadratha]] - Boar
* [[Kamadeva|Kama]] - [[Makara]]
* [[Karna]] - Elephant
* [[Kartikeya]] - [[Mayura (mythology)|Peacock]]
* [[Kripa]] - Bull
* [[Nakula]] - Deer
* [[Sahadeva]] - Swan
* [[Shiva]] - [[Nandi (Hinduism)|Nandi]]
* [[Vishnu]] - [[Garuda]]
* [[Yudhishthira]] - Moon

==Tibetan architecture==
[[File:Dhvaja, roof of Sanga monastery.jpg|thumb|220px|right| Dhvaja ('victory banner'), on the roof of [[Sanga Monastery]].]]
Within the [[Tibet]]an tradition, a list of eleven different forms of the victory banner is given to represent eleven specific methods for overcoming "defilements" (Sanskrit: [[Kleshas (Buddhism)|klesha]]). Many variations of the dhvaja's design can be seen on the roofs of [[Tibet]]an monasteries ([[Gompa]], [[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 a small white "[[parasol]]" (Sanskrit: [[chhatra]]), which is surrounded by a central "wish granting gem" (Sanskrit: [[cintamani]]). This domed parasol is rimmed by an ornate golden crest-bar or moon-crest with [[Makara (Hindu mythology)|makara]]-trailed ends, from which hangs a billowing yellow or "white silk scarf'"(Sanskrit: [[khata]]) (see top right).

As a hand-held ensign, the victory banner is an attribute of many [[deities]], particularly those associated with wealth and power, such as [[Vaisravana|Vaiśravaṇa]], 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]]) 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]] 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]]" (Sanskrit: [[trishula]]) is also commonly displayed on roofs (see the dhvaja on the roof of the Potala Palace below).<ref>A Handbook of Tibetan Buddhist Symbols by Robert Beer, Shambhala, 2003, p.13</ref><ref>The Encyclopedia of Tibetan Symbols and Motifs by Robert Beer, Shambhala, 1999, p.180</ref>[[File:Dhvaja, roof of Jokhang monastery.jpg|thumb|220px|left| Dhvaja ('victory banner'), on the roof of [[Jokhang]] Monastery.]]<gallery class="center">
File:Five Dhvajas, Potala White Palace.jpg|Five Dhvajas (Victory banners), on the roof of the [[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]].
File:Dhvaja-PotalaV40%.jpg |Dhvaja (Victory banner), Roof of Potala Palace.
File:Drapeau hindou (essai) 3.0.svg|A Dhvaja from Hinduism.
</gallery>

== History ==
Dhvajas are probably depicted in [[Indus Valley civilisation|Indus Valley Civilization]] seals, one Indus seal depicts four men carrying variously shaped djvajas or standards<ref>{{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}}</ref> and later also on cast copper coins from the early historic period of the Indian Sub continent.<ref>{{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}}</ref> [[Heliodorus pillar]] inscription also declares the pillar to be Garudadhvaja or [[Garuda]] standard.

<gallery>
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 Empire|Shunga]] copper cast coin, 2nd-1st century BC
File:Heliodorus pillar.jpg|[[Heliodorus pillar]], as Garudadhvaja or Garuda standard, circa 100 BC
File:Sunga horseman Bharhut.jpg|Shunga horseman carrying a portable ''dhvaja'', [[Barhut]], circa 100 BC
</gallery>

== Saffron flags==
{{anchor | Similar }}

The colour [[saffron (color)|saffron color]] is considered sacred in the [[Indian religions]] of [[Hinduism]], [[Jainism]], [[Buddhism]], and [[Sikhism]]. Other flags incorporating the saffron colour based on Indian religions are:

* Religion
** [[Dwajasthambam|Dhvajasthamba]], flagpole in Hinduism

** [[Bhagwa Dhwaj]], the Maratha flag associated with Hinduism

** [[Buddhist flag]]

** [[Jain flag]]

** [[Nishan Sahib]] in Sikhism

* Nations

** [[Flag of India|National flag of India]]

** [[Flag of Nepal|National flag of Nepal]]
** [[Flag of Sri Lanka|National flag of Sri Lanka]]

== See also ==

* [[Dwajasthambam|Dhvajasthamba]]
* [[Hindu iconography]]
* [[Sitatapatra]]
* [[List of Indian flags]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*

[[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]]

Dhvaja - Revision history

Ajay Kumar at 13:06, 19 September 2023