The Om symbol — also written Aum in romanised Sanskrit — is the visual rendering of the most sacred syllable in the Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain religious traditions, representing the primordial sound of the universe and the essence of ultimate reality (Brahman in Hindu metaphysical thought). The symbol consists of a stylised compound character with three principal curves and an associated dot and crescent, derived from the Devanagari script in which Sanskrit is conventionally written. Its appearance as a jewellery motif spans both traditional Indian goldwork — where Om pendants and rings have been part of devotional jewellery for centuries — and contemporary international jewellery markets, where the symbol features prominently in yoga-influenced and spiritual wellness jewellery. Understanding the Om symbol's significance and its appropriate use in jewellery requires some familiarity with the underlying religious and philosophical context.

Religious and philosophical meaning

In Hindu thought, Om is described in the Mandukya Upanishad and other foundational texts as the syllable that contains and represents all of reality. The three principal sounds of the syllable — A, U, and M — are interpreted as representing three states of consciousness (waking, dreaming, and deep sleep), three principal deities of the Hindu trinity (Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva), and three principal divisions of the cosmos (earth, atmosphere, and heaven). The dot above the curves (the bindu) and the small crescent below it represent transcendence — the fourth state beyond the three, called turiya in the Upanishadic literature, the state of pure consciousness that underlies and includes the three.

In Buddhist practice, Om is incorporated into the famous mantra Om Mani Padme Hum associated with the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, and is used in chanting and meditation across both Theravada and Mahayana traditions. In Jainism, Om represents the five supreme beings (the panch parmeshthi) collectively. The symbol thus has substantial transreligious significance across the major Indian religious traditions.

Traditional Indian jewellery use

Om appears in Indian devotional jewellery from at least the mediaeval period, with surviving examples in the collections of the Indian Museum in Kolkata, the Salar Jung Museum in Hyderabad, and the National Museum in New Delhi. Traditional Indian goldsmiths produced Om pendants in 22- and 24-carat gold for personal devotional use, often combined with other religious motifs (the swastika, the shri symbol, depictions of deities) on the same piece. The level of detail varies enormously, from simple stamped or engraved pendants to elaborate carved forms with gemstone settings — typically rubies, emeralds, or pearls — accenting the symbol.

In southern India, where the goldsmithing tradition has particularly deep continuity, Om pendants are produced in large numbers as standard items of devotional gold jewellery, given as gifts at religious milestones (the sacred-thread ceremony, weddings, naming ceremonies) and worn daily by observant practitioners. The pieces are typically high-fineness gold (22-carat is the south Indian standard) with the symbol either rendered in solid relief or as an open-work cut-out form.

Contemporary international use

From the 1960s and 1970s onward, the Om symbol has spread well beyond its traditional Indian context into international jewellery markets, particularly in connection with the global expansion of yoga, meditation practice, and the broader wellness culture. Contemporary Om jewellery is produced in a wide range of materials — sterling silver, gold, gold-vermeil, stainless steel, leather cord pieces — and styles, from minimalist contemporary pendants to more elaborate forms incorporating gemstones with chakra associations or other esoteric significance.

The cross-cultural use of the Om symbol has occasionally generated discussion about cultural appropriation and respectful use, with Hindu and Buddhist commentators offering varying views on what constitutes appropriate non-religious use of the symbol versus what crosses into disrespect. The general consensus in the cross-cultural jewellery trade is that worn Om jewellery as personal ornament, particularly when produced by makers who understand and respect the symbol's significance, is generally acceptable; specific contexts (use of the symbol on shoes, undergarments, or other items where Indian religious sensibilities consider it inappropriate) attract criticism.

Position in the trade

Om jewellery occupies a substantial market segment in both the traditional Indian gold trade and the international wellness jewellery market. Traditional Indian Om pendants in 22-carat gold are valued primarily on their gold content and craftsmanship; contemporary international Om jewellery has substantial design-driven and brand-driven value beyond the material content. Both markets are stable and well-established, with the international market showing particular growth as yoga and meditation practice continue to expand globally.

Significance

The Om symbol is one of the most recognisable religious-iconographic motifs in jewellery, with a continuous tradition spanning at least a millennium of Indian goldwork and a growing international presence over the past several decades. As a jewellery motif, it sits at the intersection of religious devotion, personal ornament, and contemporary spiritual culture. Understanding its religious context allows the jewellery trade to handle the symbol appropriately and to communicate meaningfully with buyers for whom the symbolic significance is the primary value driver.

Further reading

• National Museum, New Delhi — Indian jewellery collection
• British Museum — South Asian collection
• Metropolitan Museum of Art — Indian art
• Victoria and Albert Museum — Indian and Himalayan collection