Index

Symbol

Explanation

1

A

Agni stoma/Ladder

Agni stoma Yagna – The ladder symbol indicates the ascendency of the soul to heaven.

Reference article:

‘Agni stoma / Jyoti stoma Yagna’- uplifting the dead man’s soul to heaven. (2)

2

Ammit/ crocodile

Ammit the crocodile /Taweret Egyptian demon goddess

Reference:

The crocodile symbol indicates the Egyptian demon Ammit and Goddess Taweret. (3)

3

Ankush

Ankush symbol. Ankush means ‘elephant goad’. Most probably, this symbol could have been used in a sense ‘to control’ the evil spirits.

Reference:

‘Ankush’ symbol indicates a ceremony for controlling the ‘evil spirits. (4)

4

Astaka/

spear

The arrow symbol indicates the word ‘Astaka’. Astaka is the eighth day of a fortnight, the favourite god of the day is ‘Rudra’.

Reference:

1.‘Astaka symbols’ indicates the ‘Mamsastaka’ ritual. (5)

2. “Rudra” was the most important God of the Indus Valley Civilization. (6)

5

B

bangles

The bangle symbol indicates the mother goddess as well the meaning of protection.

Reference article:

Bangles symbol suggest the idea of a female goddess.

6

Bee and beehive symbols

Bee symbol indicates the soul of the dead ancestor

Bee-hive also means a ceremony associated with the resurrection of the soul

Reference article:

Bee was another form of dead man’s resurrected soul.

7

bird

The bird symbol also indicates the soul of the dead ancestor

Reference article:

The bird symbol indicates the same idea as ‘fish symbolism.’

8

bird

This bird symbol is different; it indicates the ‘firebird’, which carries the soul to heaven in the Agnicayana ceremony.

Reference article:

Evidence of ‘Vedic Yagna’ in Indus seal inscriptions.

9

bow

The bow symbol indicates God ‘Rudra.’

Reference:

“Rudra” was the most important God of the Indus Valley Civilization.

10

Branch

Branch symbol indicates the word – Zakhastha- (Sastha). Zakhastha means ‘branch living’ in Sanskrit. ‘Sastha’ is likely a degenerated form of ‘Zakhastha’. ‘Sastha’ stands for the meaning of ‘God’ in Indus seal inscriptions. The three symbols in this row are variations of the same idea, ‘Sastha’.

Reference article:

‘Branch symbol’ indicates the word ‘Sastha.’

11

Brick symbol/

Istikrta ritual

Brick- symbol indicates ‘Istikrta’ ritual.

Reference:

Bick symbol indicates Istikrta ceremony

12

C

Caduceus symbol

Caduceus symbol – Indicates the messenger god of Greeks ‘Hermes’. Twisted serpents could have indicated the Sumerian god Ningishzida also.

It could have indicated the fifth day of the Hindu calendar -Naga Panchami.

Refer to the article:

Indus script numerals indicate various gods as per calendar days.

13

chair symbol

The chair symbol indicates the tenth day of the Hindu calendar month. It could have stated the god Yama/ Osiris

Refer to the article -Indus script numerals indicate various gods as per calendar days.

14

chevron with determinative symbol

Chevron symbol indicates goddess ‘Neith’.

Similar to the arrow symbol

Reference:

Double bow and double arrow indicate goddess Neith

15

comb symbol

The comb symbol indicates ‘offering table’, similar to the ‘pitchfork’ symbol. The only difference is that the ‘comb’ symbol had been drawn vertically.

Reference:

The comb symbol indicates the word ‘Offering.’

‘Pitchfork’ symbol indicates ‘offering table.’

16

Concentric circles

Concentric circles – symbols of protection

Refer to the article –

Concentric circles indicate protection through ‘Apotropaic magic’.

17

Cone

The Cone symbol means ‘given everlasting life’ That is million years of an afterlife by the Egyptian god Heh / or / his parents Sah and Sopdet. In the Indian context, God ‘Heh’ is transformed into the modern-day god ‘Ayyappan’.

Refer to the articles –

1. Cone symbol means ‘given everlasting life.’

2. Difference between Ayyappan and Ayyanar

18

crab

The crab symbol indicates the month of Karkida and the god Rudra.

Reference:

Rudra” was the most important God of Indus Valley Civilization.

19

Crocodile

The crocodile symbol indicates the Egyptian demon Ammit.

Read the following article for more information:

The crocodile symbol indicates the Egyptian demon Ammit and Goddess Taweret.

20

D

Stick symbol

Noose symbol

Danda (Stick) symbol indicates the agnoukaran ritual for dead ancestors, where a stick is offered in the fire. Most probably, the stick could have meant a ‘command’ to the dead man’s ghost not to come back and trouble those living relatives. A second possibility, the noose and stick symbol, could have indicated the pre-Vedic god ‘Varuna’.

Reference:

A single vertical stroke symbol (stick symbol) could indicate the Agnoukaran shraddha ceremony.

God Varuna was present in the Indus Valley civilization

21

‘Diamond shape’ altar

The ‘Diamond shape’ altar symbol indicates the Yagna pit. Especially Smasana-cayana Yagna. Smasana-cayana means funeral ceremony.

Reference:

Evidence of ‘Vedic Yagna’ in Indus seal inscriptions.

22

Double bow symbol

Double bow – symbol indicated ‘goddess Neith.’

Reference article:

Double bow and double arrow indicate goddess Neith.

23

Double arrow

The double arrow also indicates goddess Neith.

Reference article:

Double bow and double arrow indicate goddess Neith

24

Double mountain

Double mountain -indicates God ‘Aker.’

Reference article:

Double mountain indicates ‘Aker’.

25

Dvi-Kavu symbol indicates – sacrifice meant for two entities, first entity gods and second entity ‘Pithrus.’ Kavu symbol indicates sacrifice in Indus script inscriptions.

26

This symbol could indicate the idea of Dvi-Kavu

(Or)

It could be the symbol of Meshkhenet – two uterus symbol

27

E

embryo

‘embryo’ symbol indicates – a growing fetus in the womb. This symbol is occurring in high frequency. It is likely; it was one vital ceremony to protect the growing child.

Reference:

Fetus symbol- indicates growing embryo and thereby suggests the transmigration of the soul.

28

embryo

It could be a variant of the ‘embryo’ symbol.

29

F

fence

The fence symbol means ‘Anv-Ashtakya’ symbol. The next day after the Astaka ceremony is called ‘Anv-Astaka’ when the burial ground/ funeral ground fence is made.

Reference:

The fence symbol indicates the Anv-Ashtakya ceremony

30

Fetus

The Fetus symbol indicates a growing ‘embryo’.

Reference:

Fetus symbol- indicates growing embryo and thereby suggests the transmigration of the soul.

31

Firestick

Fire stick-symbol indicates the word ‘Yagna’. These fire sticks are used in creating new fires in the Yagna ceremony.

Reference:

The firestick symbol indicates ‘Arani sticks’ of Vedic Yagna.

32

fish

The fish symbol indicates the dead man’s soul in heaven. Sanskrit name for dead ancestor/manes is ‘Pithru’.

Reference:

Fish symbolism in Indus Valley Civilization

33

Funeral mounds

The funeral mound symbol is associated with God ‘Heh’(Ayyappa) — the funeral mound was likely raised on the seventh day after death – because the seventh-day ritual is associated with ‘funeral mound’.

Reference:

Indus numerals represent various gods as per calendar days

34

G

goat

The goat symbol indicates the Sumerian god ‘Ea.’. There is a second possibility that it could have also indicated the Vedic God Pusan. There is a separate article explaining that the hoof symbol could have indicated the ‘Vedic’ God Pushan (Equivalent of European god Pan)

Reference:

1. Goat symbol indicates –Sumerian god ‘Ea.’, who was equivalent to ‘Hermes.’

2.‘Hoof’ sign indicates the Vedic god ‘Pushan’(Pan)

35

Gate-keeper god

Gate-keeper god. In Tamil Nadu, the gatekeeper is called ‘Karuppa-swami’ (The Black-one- without mentioning the actual name).

Reference:

Karuppa Swami’ was the ‘Gate Keeper God’

36

Garhapatya sacrifice

Wheel symbol -indicates Garhapatya sacrifice – house holder’s sacrifice

Reference:

Wheel symbol could be indicating ‘Garhapatya’ sacrifice

37

H

H – symbol

H – symbol could be indicating God Indra.

H – symbol could be indicating the Vedic god Indra and Marduk of Sumeria. –

‘H’ indicates the four winds used by Marduk as his weapon

38

Hoe symbol

Hoe symbol shows the seed sowing ritual of Smasana-Cayana ceremony (Funeral ceremony)

Reference:

The hoe symbol shows the ‘seed sowing’ ritual of the Smasana-cayana ceremony.

39

Honeycomb symbol

Honeycomb symbol – indicates the soul rebirth ritual – dead man’s soul is reborn as a bee in a honeycomb.

Reference:

Bee was another form of dead man’s resurrected soul.

40

Hoof symbol

Hoof symbol indicates Vedic god Pushan (Equivalent of European god Pan)

Reference:

‘Hoof’ symbol indicates the Vedic god ‘Pushan’(Pan)

41

K

Ka – symbol

Ka – symbol indicates the ‘upraised hands’ indicates ‘Ka’ the spirit of the dead man – as per religious ideas of Egypt, the same was followed in IVC also.

Reference:

Upraised hands symbol means ’ka’ soul.

42

This symbol is a composite symbol.

‘Ka’ (upraised hands) symbol + offering symbol

43

Karkida symbol

Karkida symbol indicates God Rudra

Reference:

“Rudra” was the most important God of the Indus Valley Civilization.

44

Karkida symbol

Karkida symbol — this ‘inverted fork’ symbol looks like the cancer constellation.

Reference:

“Rudra” was the most important God of the Indus Valley Civilization.

45

Karma symbol

It is a composite symbol expressing the word ‘Karma.’ It is the best example of ‘logosyllabic writing in Indus script. The fish symbol is inside the ‘ka’ symbol. Fish stands for ‘ma’ symbol (Matsya- means fish in Sanskrit). Both these symbols together indicate the word ‘karma’. Another important point is the word ‘Matsya’ indicates. that the Indus script was based on the Sanskrit language.

Reference:

Sanskrit influence on the Indus script

46

Karuppa-swami

Karuppa-swami — This symbol, a god with a stick, indicates a gatekeeper god. Karuppa-swami was the Gatekeeper god as per Tamil culture, still prevalent in Tamil Nadu today. They were called ‘Dwara-palakas’ in Sanskrit. I have given the Tamil God name because his real name is unknown.

Reference:

Karuppa Swami’ was the ‘Gate Keeper God’

47

Kavu symbol

Kavu symbol indicates the word ‘sacrifice’. Parpola says this symbol looks like the head of a cow. The other possibility is the ‘upraised hands’ symbol of Egyptian hieroglyphics, which stood for the sound ‘Ka’, which meant departed ‘soul’ of a dead person.

Reference:

‘Kavu’ means ‘sacrifice’ in Indus inscriptions

48

This symbol also indicates ‘Kavu’, a wooden frame using which the sacrifice animal was choked to death.

Reference:

Kavu-2 – variant of ‘Kavu’ symbol

49

Kedaga (shield)

‘Kedaga’ means ‘shield’ in Sanskrit. This Indus symbol stands for the meaning ‘shield’. Rituals associated with this shield offers protection to individuals.

Reference:

Kedaga symbol indicates apotropaic magic

50

Kur symbol

Kur symbol – This trifoliate pattern referred to the netherworld in Sumerian cuneiform. One notable point is that this is the only logo used in Indus script adapted from Sumerian cuneiform. In contrast, many symbols have been borrowed from Egyptian hieroglyphics.

The Mountain symbol also indicates ‘Kur.’

Reference:

Kur symbol indicates netherworld.

51

Leaf messenger

Walking man with leaf shape is indicating the leaf messenger

Reference

Leaf – messenger symbolism in Indus script

52

M

Mat symbol

During the Yagna ceremony, ‘Darbha’ grass will be spread like a mat to invite gods to participate in the Yagna ceremony. This symbol indicates a mat made out of ‘Darbha grass’ and stands for ‘invitation’. The invitation to ‘Pithrus’ is also made on similar lines to the invitation made to gods by IVC priests.

Reference:

‘Mat’ symbol indicates the word ‘invitation’ to the Yagna ceremony.

53

Meshkhenet

(goddess)

Two – ovaries symbol indicates goddess Meshkhenet

Two bricks symbol also indicates Meshkhenet

Reference

Two bricks symbol indicates ‘Meshkhenet.’

54

mountain

This triple mountain symbol indicates the nether world. The nether world is on top of mountains for some cultures; others are in the underworld. The other symbol indicating the ‘nether world’ is the ‘Kur’ symbol. Refer to the separate entry for the ‘Kur’ logo. This mountain symbol could have indicated the Sumerian god ‘Enlil’ also. (Later day shiva of Hinduism)

Reference:

Mountain symbol could be indicating the ‘God of death or the ‘land of the dead.’

55

N

Ningishzida

God with projections in his shoulder is ‘Ningishzida’, a Sumerian god who was a psychopomp. Psychopomp means a god who accompanies the dead person’s soul and guides him through the nether world.

Reference:

‘Ningishzida’ the Sumerian dragon in the Indus Valley civilization

56

Number three

Number three has been used in many ways. In addition to referring to the regular numeral, it also stands for ‘Many gods’ and ‘Dangerous gods.’

Reference:

Number three specifies ‘Many gods’ and also ‘Dangerous gods.’

57

Noose and stick

Noose and stick symbol could have indicated the pre-Vedic god ‘Varuna’. The second possibility is that it could have stood for the word ‘command’ in Egyptian hieroglyphics.

Reference:

God Varuna was present in the Indus Valley civilization

58

Numerals

Numerals

Numerals – represent various gods as per Hindu calendar days

Reference article – Indus numerals represent different gods as per calendar days.

59

P

‘Pitchfork ‘ symbol

‘Pitchfork ‘symbol indicates ‘offering table.’ Similar grapheme appears in Egyptian hieroglyphics with the same meaning. In addition to that, the ‘comb-like symbol also indicates the identical meaning of ‘offering’. The only difference is that the offering table has been drawn vertically. I have written a separate article for this ‘comb’ symbol. Read under ’comb symbol’ for more information.

Reference:

‘Pitchfork’ symbol indicates ‘offering table.’

60

Pithru symbol

Pithru symbol indicates a dead ancestor. The fish symbol also meant Pithrus—precisely the deceased person’s soul.

Reference:

Fish symbolism in Indus Valley Civilization

61

Plummet

Plummet symbol – This kind of plummet amulet was inserted in mummy wrappings. Egyptians believed that such plummet amulet would bring in ‘balance’ in their next life.

Reference:

Plummet is a kind of amulet.

62

R

Rudra

Rudra – He was the most important god of IVC. Many symbols indicate this god.

1. crab symbol

2. cancer constellation symbol

3. crab within pipal tree.

4. Bow and arrow symbol.

5. Arrow symbol.

Reference:

Rudra was the most important god of IVC.

63

S

Sa’ symbol

Similar to ‘Sa’ symbol of Tawaret of ancient Egyptian civilization. Tawaret was a benevolent demoness.

Reference:

The crocodile symbol indicates the Egyptian demon Ammit and Goddess Tawaret.

Sa – symbol of Indus valley civilization

64

Stick symbol

/single stroke

Stick symbol/Single stroke symbol

I have already discussed it under the ‘Danda’ symbol. Refer to danda for more information.

Reference:

The single stoke symbol indicates the ‘Agnoukaran’ ritual.

65

Smasana cayana altar

This symbol indicates the Smasana cayana altar (Vedic burial) in the Indus Valley Civilization. I have already discussed the issue under the ‘diamond-shaped altar’.

Reference:

‘Smasana cayana altar (Vedic burial) in Indus Valley Civilization’

66

Spike symbol

The spike symbol indicates the modern Buddhist magic instrument of ‘Vajra Kila.’

Reference:

The spike symbol indicates a ritual to control evil spirits

67

Swath a mummy

Swath, a mummy ritual, indicates ‘mummification’ rituals in the Indus Valley civilization.

Reference article – swathe a mummy

68

T

Tammuz – messenger god

Tammuz as a milk carrier in the Indus valley civilization

Reference – Tammuz as milk carrier in Indus Valley civilization

69

Thunderbolt

Thunderbolt of ‘Varuna’

X symbol indicates ‘Varuna or Yama’

70

Tilak symbol

Tilak symbol means Pithru-karma ceremony

Reference

Tilak symbol means Pithru-karma ceremony

71

Twisted bird symbol

twisted bird stands for the idea – fear

Reference article:

Twisted bird stands for the idea – fear

72

Two bricks symbol and two ovaries symbols

Two bricks symbol indicates the Egyptian Goddess Meshkhenet

Reference:

Two bricks symbol indicates the Egyptian Goddess Meshkhenet

73

Two – vertical strokes

Two vertical strokes indicate Dvi Kavu (Sacrifice for two entities)

Reference:

Two vertical strokes indicate Dvi Kavu (Sacrifice for two entities)

74

U

Upraised hands symbol

‘Upraised hands’ symbol means ’ka’ soul

Reference:

‘Upraised hands’ symbol means ’ka’ soul

75

W

Water Symbol

The water symbol indicates God ‘Varuna.’

Reference:

Varuna was present in the Indus Valley civilization

76

Wheel symbol

The wheel symbol could indicate ‘Garhapatya’ sacrifice

77

X

x-symbol

X symbol indicates ‘Varuna or Yama’ / Osiris

Reference:

X symbol indicates ‘Varuna or Yama’

78

Y

The yagna symbol consists of two Arani sticks (fire sticks) placed in a cross position or side by side. Sometimes, it also looks like a ‘quotation mark’.

Reference:

The firestick symbol indicates the ‘Arani sticks’ of Vedic Yagna.

79

Y

Yoni symbol

Equivalent to the embryo symbol

Yoni symbol indicates the mother goddess and the concept of rebirth.

Reference:

Yoni symbol indicates the mother goddess and the concept of rebirth.

80

Z

Zee symbol

Zee symbol indicates the ‘thunderbolt’ of Varuna