The Ultimate Guide to Om Symbols (ॐ)
The Om symbol (ॐ) is one of the most sacred symbols in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism. It represents the essence of the ultimate reality, consciousness, or Atman :cite[4]. This divine syllable is chanted during meditation, spiritual practices, and is found at the beginning of most Hindu texts :cite[4].
Key Facts About the Om Symbol
- Spiritual Meaning: Represents the essence of ultimate reality and consciousness :cite[4]
- Religions: Sacred in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism :cite[4]
- Devanagari Om: Unicode U+0950 ॐ :cite[1]:cite[7]
- Om Emoji: Unicode U+1F549 🕉️ :cite[6]
- Alternative Names: Aum, Pranava, Omkara :cite[4]
What is the Om Symbol?
Om (or Aum) is a sacred sound, syllable, mantra, and invocation in Indian religions. It is considered the sound of the universe and the essence of the ultimate reality (Brahman) :cite[4]. The symbol is often found at the beginning and end of chapters in the Vedas, Upanishads, and other Hindu texts.
The visual symbol ॐ is a cursive ligature in Devanagari script, combining अ (a), उ (u), and the chandrabindu (ṃ) :cite[4]. It represents the primordial sound from which the entire universe was created.
How to Type the Om Symbol on Different Platforms
Windows
- Alt Code: Alt + 2384 (numeric keypad) :cite[3]
- Word: Type 0950 then Alt + X :cite[1]
- Character Map: Search for "Devanagari Om"
- Emoji Panel: Win + . then search "Om"
Mac
- Character Viewer: Command + Control + Spacebar :cite[1]
- Search for "Om" in the viewer
- Copy from Character Viewer
Mobile
- iPhone/iPad: Use emoji keyboard (🕉️)
- Android: Use symbols keyboard or emoji keyboard
- Copy and paste from this page
Om Symbol in Microsoft Word
There are several ways to insert the Om symbol in Microsoft Word:
Alt + X Method
Type 0950 then press Alt + X to convert it to ॐ :cite[1].
Unicode Entry
Hold Alt and type 2384 on the numeric keypad :cite[3].
Symbol Dialog
Go to Insert → Symbol → More Symbols, then search for "Om" or use character code 0950 :cite[1].
AutoCorrect
Set up AutoCorrect to replace "(om)" with ॐ for quick insertion :cite[1].
Quick Reference Guide: Om Symbol Codes
| Symbol | Name | Unicode | HTML Entity | Windows Alt Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ॐ | Devanagari Om | U+0950 | ॐ | Alt + 2384 |
| 🕉️ | Om Symbol Emoji | U+1F549 | 🕉 | N/A |
| ૐ | Gujarati Om | U+0AD0 | ૐ | N/A |
| ௐ | Tamil Om | U+0BD0 | ௐ | N/A |
| ༀ | Tibetan Om | U+0F00 | ༀ | N/A |
Om Symbols for Instagram
Stylish Om Combinations for Instagram
Copy and paste these stylish Om symbol combinations for your Instagram bio, captions, and stories:
Om with sparkles
Om with flower
Om with lotus
Gujarati Om with heart
Om combination
Sanskrit Om Symbol and Meaning
In Sanskrit, Om is considered the primordial sound of the universe. The symbol is also called Pranava, meaning "to sound out loudly" or Oṅkāra (Omkara), meaning "syllable Om" :cite[4].
The Sanskrit Om symbol ॐ is written in Devanagari script and consists of several elements:
- Lower Curve: Represents the waking state (Jagrat)
- Middle Curve: Represents the dream state (Swapna)
- Upper Curve: Represents the state of deep sleep (Sushupti)
- Dot: Represents the absolute state (Turiya)
- Semicircle: Represents Maya (illusion) that separates the dot from the other curves
Om Symbol Font Generator
While there isn't a specific "Om symbol font generator," you can use various fonts that support Devanagari characters to display the Om symbol. Some recommended fonts include:
Fonts That Support Om Symbol
- Mangal: Specifically designed for Devanagari script
- Nirmala UI: Windows font with good Devanagari support :cite[1]
- Arial Unicode MS: Broad Unicode support
- Devanagari MT: Mac font for Devanagari script
- Google Noto Fonts: Comprehensive Unicode support
To use different fonts for Om symbols in your documents or designs, simply copy the Om symbol from this page and paste it into your application, then change the font to one that supports Devanagari characters.
Spiritual Usage and Mantras
Basic Om Mantra
The single syllable Om is considered the most fundamental mantra in Hinduism, used for meditation and spiritual practice.
Om Namah Shivaya
One of the most popular Hindu mantras, dedicated to Lord Shiva. It means "Om, salutations to Shiva."
Om Mani Padme Hum
The six-syllable mantra of the Bodhisattva of compassion in Buddhism, particularly in Tibetan Buddhism.
Om Shanti
A mantra for peace, often chanted three times to represent peace in body, speech, and mind.