In Hindu culture, the selection of wedding invitation marks the commencement of the marriage celebration. These cards contain all the basic information associated with the function and are printed with various religious symbols. The process of sending invitations printed with symbols of Lord Ganesha, OM and Mangal Ghat to guests form an essential part of the wedding ceremony. Hindu wedding cards are famous worldwide for their exclusive colors, patterns and symbols. The presence of these different symbols on the Hindu wedding card makes it appropriate for the wedding function.
Below are the various types of symbols used in Hindu wedding cards.
Lord Ganesha- Symbol of Happiness & Prosperity
In Hindu culture, Lord Ganesha is considered God of education, wealth, and knowledge. He is the symbol of harmony and peace. Lord Ganesha is worshiped before all the Gods and Goddesses to remove all the hurdles and obstructions before starting an auspicious occasion like a wedding. He is believed to bring happiness and prosperity to the wedding ceremony. Because of this feature, the symbol of Lord Ganesha is printed on the Hindu wedding cards to make the marriage function hurdle-free.
Swastika- Symbol of Strength & Stability
In Hindu community, the symbol of Swastika is considered highly auspicious and forms an integral part of every Hindu wedding card. The Swastika symbol is in the shape of a cross with branches and is a must for all religious ceremonies in the Hindu culture. The word swastika is the combination of two Sanskrit word’s Su (good), and Asati (to exist) that means May good prevails. It denotes stability, strength and firmness.
OM- Symbol of Peace and Divinity
OM is the most prominent symbol in the Hindu religion. It signifies spirituality and the oneness of all the creation of God. It is seen as an auspicious symbol and denotes the three main Gods of Hindus, namely Vishnu, Shiva and Brahma. The written symbol of OM marks the beginning of a text and because of this characteristic; it is printed on the Hindu wedding cards to bring divinity, peace and bliss in the wedding ceremony.
Mangal Ghat- Symbol of Purity & Sanctity
The symbol of Mangal Ghat has paramount significance in the Hindu religion. It is a customary symbol of a water pot covered with a coconut and mango leaves. This symbol is colorful and denotes good omen. In Hindu Vedas, it is considered as the symbol of wealth and the source of life. It is also believed to contain Amrita, the elixir of life and denotes power and prosperity. Because of this characteristic, it is printed on Hindu wedding card to bring sanctity and purity in the marriage function.
Doli- Symbol of Harmony & Holiness
The Doli symbol is a pictorial representation of a cot carried on the four bamboo poles. In Hindu religion, this symbol has cultural significance and denotes sacred marriage in Indian style. The Doli symbol is printed on the Hindu wedding cards to bring holiness, happiness and harmony to the wedding ceremony.
Jaimala- Symbol of New Beginning
The Jaimala symbol is a pictorial representation of the garland ceremony performed during the Hindu wedding. This symbol represents the beginning of a whole new life as the bride and groom together. It is printed on Hindu wedding cards to bring a good start to the wedding ceremony.