Hindu Temples Flag Shape: While visiting the temples every day, we feel the sound of the bells, the light of the burning lamps and the peace of the entire complex, but one thing often escapes our notice. That triangular flag waving in the wind on the top of the temple, is never round, nor square, nor in any other shape… just always a triangle.
Is this just a part of tradition or is there some secret hidden behind it, which is understood but less told? This question gives the most interesting twist to this whole story.
Temples are identified as much by their shikhara, bell or statues as by the flag waving at that height, which tells the devotee sitting at a distance that the temple is situated in this direction. But have you ever noticed why the flag in temples is always a triangle? While the design of other flags varies with time and culture.
The flag of the temple has remained the same for ages. To understand this, we have to look at religious beliefs as well as energy science. Energy science says that the triangle is a shape that symbolizes upward moving energy. That means the energy coming out of it always goes in the upward direction.
The spire of the temple is also built on the same principle, which works to draw energy upwards. When the triangular flag flutters in the wind, its pointed shape focuses the positive waves upwards and spreads this energy throughout the complex, just like the flame of a lamp spreads light throughout the room.
The triangle has also been considered to have a deep meaning in Hindu philosophy. A triangle symbolizes the three powers—creation, maintenance and destruction. That is, the balance of Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh, that is why the flag on the temple is not just a decoration, but is considered a sign of spiritual identity and divine message.
In ancient times, flags were also used to indicate the direction of the temple, its position and the place of worship. Waving the flag was a sign that the temple was active and worship was going on, while the absence of the flag was considered a sign of stoppage of operations.
From a scientific point of view, a triangle is the most suitable shape to survive in strong winds. At high altitude the wind is very strong and flags of other shapes can tear quickly, whereas the triangle maintains balance by cutting the wind better. That is, this shape proves to be strong and useful from both religious and scientific points of view.
