Om (Aum): meaning of the sacred sound, the symbol ॐ and respectful use
Om, or Aum, is a sacred syllable in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. Its meaning in the Upanishads (three sounds plus silence), its difference from Ik Onkar, its uses and how to show respect for it.
Key points
| Script | ॐ (Devanagari); ༀ in Tibetan |
|---|---|
| Name | Om or Aum, also called pranava |
| Traditions | Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism |
| Key text | Mandukya Upanishad: A, U, M and silence |
| Use | Beginning and end of prayers, mantras and yoga classes |
| Not to be confused with | Ik Onkar (ੴ), a Sikh symbol |
| Common pitfall | “Om = 432 Hz”: no evidence |
What is Om?
Om (or Aum) is a sacred syllable that opens and closes many texts and prayers in India. It is written ॐ in Devanagari. In Hinduism it is also called pranava. It is chanted aloud, or silently repeated at the start of meditation.
It is present in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism, with meanings specific to each tradition. It is therefore not a single “universal symbol”, but a word and sign shared by several religious families.
In the texts: the Upanishads
The Chandogya Upanishad (among the oldest) begins with the exhortation to meditate on the syllable Om. The Mandukya Upanishad breaks it into three sounds, A-U-M, then a fourth element, the silence that follows them: these four parts are linked to waking, dreaming, deep sleep and a “fourth” state (turiya).
The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali (around the Common Era) also say that the name of God is Om. In India, the word is thus linked to meditation, self-knowledge and the absolute (brahman).
In Vedic ritual, Om is pronounced before reciting a sacred text to open it, and at the end to close it. This is where the habit of beginning and ending a yoga class with Om comes from, even when the context has become secular. The word has no single literal translation: commentators speak of “everything”, “acceptance” or “primordial sound”, depending on the school.
Om in Buddhism and Jainism
| Tradition | Role of Om |
|---|---|
| Hinduism | Primordial syllable, name of the absolute |
| Buddhism (Tibet, India) | Opening syllable of mantras, as in Om mani padme hum |
| Jainism | Abbreviation of the five revered beings (A + A + A + U + M) |
In Tibetan Buddhist mantras, Om is sometimes read as the body, speech and mind of the buddhas. These readings vary by school.
Om and Ik Onkar: two different signs
The Sikh sign Ik Onkar (ੴ) is often confused with Om. In Sikhism, Ik Onkar means “there is one being” and opens the sacred text (Guru Granth Sahib). It is a Sikh symbol written in Gurmukhi, independent of the Hindu sign Om.
Mixing up the two is a frequent error on jewellery and décor. If you buy a piece of jewellery, check which sign it represents.
Chanting Om: what can be said
Chanting Om happens in three stages: an open “a”, a rounded “o-u”, then an “m” with closed lips that vibrates, followed by silence. The exhalation is long and steady. Many people find the practice soothing, like any slow, breath-led chant.
A few small studies (for example a pilot MRI study published in 2011 with twelve participants) report changes in brain activity during chanting. The samples are small, and these results demonstrate no therapeutic effect. If breathing makes you dizzy, stop.
The 432 Hz myth
It is often said that Om vibrates at 432 Hz, the “frequency of the Earth”. No serious measurement confirms this. The pitch of a chanted Om depends on each person's voice, and “A at 432 Hz” is a question of tuning-fork calibration, unrelated to the Indian tradition.
Be wary of “frequency” claims that promise an effect: these are commercial arguments, not facts.
Wearing, writing and chanting with respect
- For many Hindus, Buddhists and Jains, Om is sacred: avoid placing it on everyday objects (shoes, underwear, doormats).
- Avoid tattooing it on parts of the body considered impure in these traditions, or find out first.
- In yoga classes, chanting is optional: you can take part in silence.
- Do not present Om as “the sound of the universe” as if it were a fact: it is a religious teaching.
- Preferably choose objects on which the sign is drawn correctly.
To continue: the lotus, the mandala, singing bowls, and our singing bowls and tingshas range.
Frequently asked questions
What does Om mean?
A sacred syllable with no simple translation. In the Upanishads it designates the absolute and its three sounds plus silence.
Om and Aum: what is the difference?
None: it is the same word, written in two ways. Aum recalls its three sounds, A, U and M.
Is Om a Buddhist symbol?
It is present in Buddhism as well as in Hinduism and Jainism, with meanings specific to each tradition.
Is Om the same as the Sikh symbol?
No. The Sikh symbol is called Ik Onkar (ੴ) and means “one being”.
Does chanting Om do you good?
Many people find it soothing, like other breathing exercises. It does not replace medical advice.
Also read
The meanings mentioned belong to tradition and symbolism. They are neither promises of results nor medical advice. Back to Symbol dictionary.