Hinduism

The Hindu religion is the oldest in the world, with roots tracing back to the Iron Age (Bharne & Krusche, 2012). Hindu architecture has taken a plethora of shapes due to its long history. The Hindu architecture in this exhibition focuses heavily on symbolic representations rather than form and morphology. Hindu architecture is defined by these symbolic representations, whether that be of the cosmos, gods, or other symbols.

Angkor Wat - Symbolism found in Temples

Angkor Wat is a Khmer empire Hindu-Buddhist temple complex. Throughout the complex, connections to symbols like Mount Meru or the lotus flower can be seen. The buildings form a square mandala plan, with the centermost structures being physical representations of Mount Meru. Additionally, they take the shape of unbloomed lotuses.

The Lotus Temple - Using Historical Symbols

Modern religious architecture continues to be built. While the Lotus Temple is not a Hindu temple belonging to the Baha'i Faith, it takes from surrounding cultures as per the architect, Fariborz Sahba. The lotus is a symbol of purity within major religions like Hinduism. The building combines modern building techniques and styles, with large marble slabs and concrete structures, and historical motifs.