The document discusses various religious symbols and their meanings, including: - The Star of David and Menorah in Judaism - The cross/chi-rho and Ichthus symbols in Christianity - The Shahadah statement of faith and star/crescent in Islam - The Aum, Swastika, and Dharma Wheel symbols in Hinduism and Buddhism - The Khanda symbol representing Sikh brotherhood - The yin-yang symbol of balance in Taoism

1. ISRAEL- Judaism & Christianity SAUDI ARABIA - Islam IRAN - Zoroastrianism INDIA – Hinduism & Buddhism CHINA – Confucianism, Taoism JAPAN - Shintoism MONOTHEISTIC RELIGIONS – Believe in One God Time is linear POLYTHEISTIC RELIGIONS – Belief in many gods/goddesses Time is cyclical (reincarnation) EUROPE ASIA AFRICA OCEANA

3. Christianity: 2.1 billion Islam: 1.3 billion Secular/Non-religious/Agnostic/Athiest: 1.1 billion Hinduism: 900 million Buddhism: 376 million Primal-indigenous: 300 million Sikhism 23 million Judaism: 14 million Jainism: 4.2 million Shinto: 4 million Zoroastrianism 2.6 million Scientology: 500 thousand

4. Christianity Ichthus Chi-Rho Uses the first two letters of the word “Christ” in Greek - 

5. DREIDEL- Judaism Used during Chanukah Reminder of persecution of the Jewish faith by the Syrians 160 B.C.E.

6. Temple Menorah Seven branched candelabrum, lit by olive oil in the Tabernacle and the ancient Temple of Jerusalem. One of the oldest symbols of the Jewish people. Symbolizes the burning bush seen by Moses on Mount Sinai (Ex. 25).

7. Chanukah Menorah Nine-branched candelabrum lit during the eight-day holiday of Chanukkah. The ninth branch is for a candle used to light all other candles.

8. Star/Shield of David Magen David Named after King David of ancient Israel, its usage began in the Middle Ages. With the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, the Star of David on the Flag of Israel has also become a symbol of Israel.

9. AUM or OM Ancient Hindu symbol Represents the Hindu Trinity of Gods: Brahma the Creator Vishnu the Saviour Shiva the Destroyer

10. AUM A mystical or sacred syllable in the Dharmic religions. It is placed at the beginning of most Hindu texts as a sacred exclamation to be uttered at the beginning and end of a reading of the Vedas or previously to any prayer or mantra. A word of solemn affirmation and respectful assent, sometimes translated by "yes, verily, so be it“.

11. Swastika A sacred symbol in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. Hindus often decorate the Swastika with a dot in each quadrant.

12. The two symbols represent the two forms of the creator god Brahma - facing right it represents the evolution of the universe; facing left it represents the involution of the universe. It is also seen as pointing in all four directions (North, East, South and West) and thus signifies stability and groundedness.

13. STAR AND CRESECENT Muslim symbol adopted after the conquest of Constantinople in 1453 May represent Muhammad's monthly meditations

14. Shahadah و [ أشهد أن ] محمد رسول أشهد أن ] لا إله إلاَّ الله ] ['ašhadu 'an] lā ilāha illā-llāh, wa ['ašhadu 'anna] muħammadan rasūlu-llāh [ I testify that ] there is no god (ilah) but God (Allah) and [ I testify that ] Muhammad is the messenger of God .

15. DHARMA WHEEL Buddhist symbol of reincarnation Represents the eight-fold path Buddhist follow to achieve Nirvana Said to have sharp edges to cut through ignorance. The hub stands for discipline, the essential core of meditation practice

16. KHANDA - Sikh Represents the Sikh brotherhood known as the Khalsa A collection of four weapons commonly used by Sikhs at the time of Guru Gobind Singh.

17. The weapons have symbolic meanings. Double-edged sword - Khanda the middle symbolises knowledge of God. Chakkar - circular weapon symbolizes the oneness of God. Daggers, or kirpan represent the dual nature/duties of the Gurus Miri and Piri ( political & spiritual sovereignty ).

18. YIN-YANG Symbol of Taoism Represents the balance and harmony of two primal opposing but complementary forces found in all things in the universe. e.g. male-female, earth-sky, wet-dry, etc.