For other uses, see American literature (disambiguation). American literature is the literature written or produced in the area of the United States and its preceding colonies. For more specific discussions of poetry and theater, see Poetry of the United States and Theater in the United States.
Its use as a Sun symbol can first be seen in its representation of the god Surya (Devanagari: à¤¸à¥à¤°à¥à¤¯, Sun). The swastika is considered extremely holy and auspicious by all Hindus, and is regularly used to decorate items related to Hindu culture. It is used in all Hindu yantras (Devanagari: à¤¯à¤à¤¤à¥à¤°) and religious designs.
Hinduism is replete with symbolismâsome even say that no other religion employs the art of symbolism as effectively as the Hindus. Most of these symbols are representative of the philosophies, teachings and even the gods and goddesses themselves of the Hindus. There are two general categories or branches of Hindui symbols. Hand gestures and the positioning of the body are called âmudrasâ while icons and drawings are called âmurti.â Some Hindu symbols, like the lotus and the conch, are similar to the symbols used in Buddhism.