PurFact

Identify Religious Symbols

12 questions · Religion & Belief

Signs of faith from around the world: recognise religious symbols like the cross, the star and crescent, the Star of David, the menorah, Om, the dharma wheel, yin and yang, the Khanda, the ankh, the Faravahar, the hamsa and the pentagram. Good to know: The cross is the central symbol of Christianity, recalling the crucifixion of Jesus. There are many forms, from the Latin to the Orthodox cross. The six-pointed Star of David is a symbol of Judaism. It also appears on the flag of Israel. The menorah is the seven-branched lampstand, one of the oldest symbols of Judaism. It is also the emblem of the State of Israel. Om is a sacred syllable and a central symbol of Hinduism. It is often spoken at the start of prayers. The eight-spoked dharma wheel represents the teaching of Buddhism. The spokes stand for the ‘noble eightfold path’. Yin and yang symbolise the interplay of opposing forces in Taoism. Each half contains a dot of the other. The Khanda is the central symbol of Sikhism, made of swords and a ring.

Practise for free

PurFact brings every card back right before you would forget it. That's how knowledge sticks.

All questions with answers

Which religious symbol is this?

Symbol

Grafik: Boris23 · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Show answer

Cross

The cross is the central symbol of Christianity, recalling the crucifixion of Jesus.

💡 Did you know? There are many forms, from the Latin to the Orthodox cross.

Symbol

Foto: Hanyou23 · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Show answer

Star and Crescent

The star and crescent is widely seen as a symbol of Islam.

💡 Did you know? It was originally an emblem of the Ottoman Empire.

Symbol

Foto: Zscout370 · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Show answer

Star of David

The six-pointed Star of David is a symbol of Judaism.

💡 Did you know? It also appears on the flag of Israel.

Symbol

Foto: Wikipedia Loves Art participant "shooting_brooklyn" · CC BY-SA 2.5 · Wikimedia Commons

Show answer

Menorah

The menorah is the seven-branched lampstand, one of the oldest symbols of Judaism.

💡 Did you know? It is also the emblem of the State of Israel.

Symbol

Foto: The original uploader was Vlad2i at French Wikipedia. · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Show answer

Om

Om is a sacred syllable and a central symbol of Hinduism.

💡 Did you know? It is often spoken at the start of prayers.

Symbol

Foto: Eva Naudts · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Show answer

Dharma wheel

The eight-spoked dharma wheel represents the teaching of Buddhism.

💡 Did you know? The spokes stand for the ‘noble eightfold path’.

Symbol

Foto: Alexandramander · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Show answer

Yin and Yang

Yin and yang symbolise the interplay of opposing forces in Taoism.

💡 Did you know? Each half contains a dot of the other.

Symbol

Foto: unbekannt · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Show answer

Khanda

The Khanda is the central symbol of Sikhism, made of swords and a ring.

💡 Did you know? It stands for spiritual and worldly power.

Symbol

Foto: AmosWolfe · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Show answer

Ankh

The ankh is the ancient Egyptian sign for ‘life’.

💡 Did you know? Gods are often shown holding it.

Symbol

Foto: Bernard Gagnon · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Show answer

Faravahar

The winged Faravahar is the best-known symbol of Zoroastrianism.

💡 Did you know? It shows a figure above two outspread wings.

Symbol

Foto: Readra22 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Show answer

Hamsa

The hamsa is a stylised hand seen as a protective symbol against the ‘evil eye’.

💡 Did you know? It is common in Judaism and Islam.

Symbol

Foto: Eddo · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Show answer

Pentagram

The pentagram is a five-pointed star with many symbolic meanings.

💡 Did you know? It is associated with modern paganism, among others.

How PurFact works

Practise for free

Religion & Belief: all topics →