The Alpana Pattern

The AUM

The Aum is a chant which harmonizes the physical, emotional and intellectual forces(it brings together the body, the feelings and the brain). It awakens sleeping brain cells and brings the person to a state ready for prayer or the mantra.

The person then asks God for understanding and intelligent guidance in speech and the sharing of knowledge.The sign is made up of three parts which are said to represent the three stages of life: birth, life and death.

The Swastika 

The swastika is a symbol representing good luck and prosperity.

Alpana Patterns

Many patterns are used but this paisley pattern has a pretty story attached to it:

The Monkey god Hanuman was hungry and looked up into the trees for fruit. He ate one which was a wonderful flavour, much better than all of the others. It was a mango. To make sure that all of his friends could find the same good fruit he went along and squeezed them all into this distinctive shape.