Unalome Meaning, Symbolism And Tattoo Designs – What Is An Unalome Symbol?

Today’s post is about a seemingly simple yet really powerful symbol with a deep and beautiful meaning behind it; the unalome.

unalome-four-symbol-collage-with-page-title-text-and-site-branding

If you are a Buddhist, you probably already know what the unalome symbol means. If you practice yoga, you are familiar with it because the chances are someone in the class already has the unalome tattooed on them.

Unalome Lotus Tattoo Idea, an Illustration
Unalome and Lotus Flower by Anne Mathiasz

And if you are a tattoo artist, a hundred variations of the symbol were probably already etched into your mind because everybody wants it tattooed on them as the symbol has been becoming increasingly popular among tattoo lovers with every passing day.

Unalome Lotus Meaning
Unalome and Lotus by Waqasaliya

But what does the unalome mean? Where did it originate, is it a Buddhist or a Hindu symbol ? Let us get right into it.

Is Unalome a Buddhist Symbol ? Where Did The Unalome Originate From?

The unalome (also known as unaalome and sometimes misspelled as unilome) is an ancient symbol that has been found in both Hindu and Buddhist scriptures and artwork. It has originated from ancient India but it is not exactly known how and when.

Unalome Endless Knot and Om Symbol
Unalome, Endless Knot Symbol and Om by Bc21

So, it is fair to say that the unalome is both a Buddhist and a Hindu symbol.

If you would like to learn more about Buddhist symbols, check out our detailed post on the topic here.

Unalome Meaning and Symbolism Explained – What Does The Unalome Symbol Mean?

Before we get into the meaning of the unalome in Buddhism, it is crucial to provide you with some background information about the faith, assuming you are new to it.

Unalome Tattoo Ideas, A simple unalome symbol
Unalome Tattoo Ideas, An Unalome Symbol by BC21

In Buddhism, a person has to go through many struggles and suffering throughout their lives to get mature, wise and enlightened. Not only in just one lifetime, mind you, they believe in reincarnation, too.

Unalome Pics, An Unalome with the Lotus Flower and a Heart, Unalome Tattoo Meaning and Designs
Unalome Lotus Pic with a Heart by Art of Line

Buddhists believe that to reach the ultimate state of enlightenment, which is called nirvana, one has to go through many cycles of death and rebirth (called samsara) during which they will experience immense suffering. Only after that, they can quench ‘the three fires’ that are greed, aversion and ignorance and become enlightened.

But how does it relate to the unalome symbol?

Unalome Meaning and Symbolism Explained, An Unalome Symbol with Om and Lotus On Top
Unalome Symbol with the Om Symbol and a Lotus by Bc21 on Shutterstock

In parallel with this core tenet of the faith, in Buddhism, the unalome represents the path a person has to take in order to achieve clarity of mind and enlightenment.

 

Unalome Heart Tattoo Design
Unalome and a Heart by Varvara Gorbash

The symbol starts with a spiral at the bottom. This spiral represents the start of one’s journey to enlightenment and fears, doubts and weaknesses one might have at this stage. There is a secondary meaning behind the spiral, however. It also represents how we, as human beings, struggle to let go of our earthly desires and belongings.

Unalome Lotus and Spiral Tattoo Design
A Detailed Unalome Illustration by Varvara Gorbash

After the spiral comes the curves, loops, zigzags or endless knots before the line uncoils finally.

These loops, curves and zigzags represent the ups and downs, the twists and turns of a person’s life and the obstacles they will encounter during their lives before finally reaching enlightenment.

Unalome Om Symbol Photo
Unalome Om Symbol by Anne Mathiasz

And then there are the dots at the end of the unalome. There are different interpretations regarding the meaning of the dots.

While some sources suggest that they mean the end of one’s journey to enlightenment, that is to say, finally reaching enlightenment and clarity, others believe the dots mean the actual death of a person which could also kind of be thought as ‘the end of one’s journey’, in quite the literal sense.

Unalome Lotus Tattoo Design
Unalome, Lotus and Heart a Drawing by Varvara Gorbash

According to some experts, the dot (or dots), which is drawn a little bit further away from the main symbol, represents the uncertainty of life and that we fail to perceive that one final, ultimate truth.

The Unalome And The Arhats, The Enlightened Saints of Buddhism

The unalome is also used to represent the arhats (also known as arahants), the saints of Buddhism, and their struggle to attain nirvana.

Arhats are the people who have finally completed their journey, escaped the endless cycles of rebirth and reached the ultimate state of enlightenment.

Some sources state that becoming an arhat also means that person gains the status of Buddhahood while others suggest that becoming a Buddha is about much more than becoming an arhat.Unalome and Moon Tattoo Ideas

The spiral in the unalome symbol represents the crown part of an arhat, that is to say, the top of their head. The line that uncoils and finally becomes fully straight represents the arhats reaching nirvana.

The Unalome In Hinduism

The unalome’s meaning in Hinduism is much less complicated than what it represents in Buddhism.

In Hinduism, the unalome is considered as the symbol of the third-eye of Lord Shiva, one of the main deities in Hinduism, also known as the Auspicious One.

Lotus, Unalome and Crescent Moon
Lotus Flower, Unalome and Crescent Moon by Varvara Gorbash

Through the third-eye of Lord Shiva, the un

alome represents wisdom, knowledge and, much like how it does in Buddhism, the path to perfection.

The Female And Male Versions Of Unalome Tattoos: The Difference

Is there a difference between a female and male unalome tattoo?

Although there is no real proof about this, there is a consensus suggesting a difference between female and male versions of unalome tattoos.

If the starting point of the spiral in the unalome looks right, that is an unalome symbol for males. If it looks left, that one is for females.

Unalome for Men, Male Unalome Symbol
Male Unalome Symbol by Varvara Gorbash

 

Female Unalome Symbol, Unalome for Women
Female Unalome Symbol by Varvara Gorbash

The Unalome And The Lotus Flower: Meaning and Symbolism

Did you know that the lotus flower is one of the most important symbols in Buddhism?

It is not only a universal symbol of strength and perseverance but also a symbol of rebirth, purity and spiritual awakening in Buddhism.
Being a symbol of rebirth and reincarnation, the lotus represents the endless cycles of rebirth in Buddhist faith as it rises out of the muddy waters every day, blooms as the beautiful flower it becomes and goes back down into the mud.

This cycle is repeated every day. That is why, the lotus is a really powerful representation of a Buddhist person’s struggle and journey to become enlightened.

Unalome Moon Tattoo Design
Unalome and Two Crescent Moons, a Great Tattoo Idea by Varvara Gorbash

The unalome, on the other hand, represents a person’s journey to enlightenment in spite of all the ups and downs in their lives and the obstacles they encounter.

Within this context, it would be quite accurate to say the unalome symbol and the lotus flower represent very similar concepts in Buddhism.
That is why when an unalome is used along with a lotus flower in a tattoo, the symbolism of enlightenment behind that tattoo is strengthened even more, it is ‘doubled’, if you will.

A Colored Unalome Symbol with Flowers
An Unalome Illustration by Varvara Gorbash

The enlightenment comes with the purity of the soul. As the lotus is also a symbol of purity, using a lotus flower above the unalome (together with or instead of the dot) symbolizing the final stage of enlightenment would make a beautiful and really meaningful unalome lotus tattoo.

Unalome and Lotus Flower Meaning Explained, A Tattoo Design
Unalome and Lotus by Varvara Gorbash

If you would like to read more about the lotus flower, its meaning and symbolism, please kindly check out our detailed article here.

Unalome Tattoo Meaning and Design Ideas

What does an unalome tattoo mean? Well, that depends on the symbol and the other, complementary elements comprising the tattoo.

There is a reason unalome tattoos are so popular among ink lovers. This intricate and visually appealing symbol has a powerful meaning and it is something most of us can relate to.

Unalome is mainly a symbol of strength and perseverance, it represents how a person overcomes the struggles in their life to find peace within and discover their own truth.

In that sense, an unalome tattoo would make a great choice for anyone who has gone through a lot but persevered. It is a “mark of survival”, if you will.

In Buddhism, unalome is the symbol of one’s journey to reach nirvana, the final state of enlightenment. And one cannot reach nirvana without going through all the struggles.

In fact, Buddhists even believe that one cannot reach nirvana without dying, being reborn into this world, going through all the struggles of life and then repeating this cycle over and over again.

The zig zags, curves and ups and downs in an unalome represent the struggles of a person. The dots at the end are believed to represent either death, the end to one’s journey or reaching enlightenment, the ultimate truth.

Other Meanings of Unalome Tattoos

As reaching enlightenment is only possible through the purification of one’s soul, the unalome is also a symbol of purity. It would make a great choice for a person who would like to represent the purity of their spirit.

Whatever path you take to follow your destiny, it will change you. And, in order to reach your goals and your own ultimate truth, you will have to transform into a new being, sometimes going through many difficulties.

In that sense, an unalome tattoo is a great idea for the ones seeking to mark the transformation, spiritual evolution and change they have gone through to get to where they are now.

Are Unalome Tattoos Disrespectful?

The short answer is no, not really. But, much like many other symbols held sacred in many different cultures, it also depends on where and how you use it.

Unalome and Lotus Tattoo Ideas
Lotus Flower on Top of An Unalome Symbol by Varvara Gorbash

While people are more strict and protective about some of the symbols representing their cultures, like the images of Buddha, as long as it is not used in an insulting or disrespectful manner, there is no reason an unalome tattoo should be considered offensive. However, there seems to be a consensus between tattoo artists suggesting it would be a better idea to have unalome tattoos on your upper body rather than on or around your feet.

 

 

Unalome Symbol And Its Meaning
 

And this wraps up our piece on the unalome, its meaning and tattoo ideas for this beautiful and powerful symbol. If you liked this post, you will probably enjoy reading our in-depth article on symbols of strength and perseverance here.

You might also like to read about Cho Ku Rei, a spiritual symbol that is used in Reiki practices, click here to read our extensive article.

Thanks for reading on Symbols and Meanings.

Unalome Designs – Pics/Images For Unalome Tattoo Ideas

If you are looking to get inspired for unalome tattoo ideas, here is our gallery with even more pics featuring unalome designs for you to choose from.

Unalome Meaning and Symbolism Explained A Blue Lotus and Unalome
Unalome Lotus by Gorbash Varvara

 

Unalome with Heart and Lotus
Unalome with a Lotus Flower and a Heart by Varvara Gorbash
Unlome Symbol Meaning Explained, Unalome Moon Design
Unalome and Crescent Moon by Varvara Gorbash
Unalome Butterfly Tattoo Idea
A Beautiful Butterfly and Unalome by Varvara Gorbash
Unalome with Heart and Lotus, Unalome Meaning Explained
Unalome with a Lotus Flower and Heart by Varvara Gorbash
Unalome Lotus Tattoo Ideas, an Illustration
Unalome Symbol by Gorbash Varvara
Beautiful Lotus Flower and Unalome Symbol Tattoo Design
A Beautiful Lotus with Unalome by Varvara Gorbash
Unalome Tattoo Ideas Drawing
Unalome and Lotus by Varvara Gorbash

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unalome-25-symbol-versions-on-one-sheet
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