ABC

Signs of a buddha

Symbols and art

Several Buddhist writings make reference to the thirty-two signs of a Great Man (Skt. Iakshana). They describe the inner and outer features of a universal ruler (Skt. Chakravartin). The Buddha, too, was considered a Chakravartin. Hence, one also finds some of these signs in representations of Buddha figures: locks of hair curled to the right, long slender fingers, a fleshy protuberance on the crown of his head, or a youthful appearance.