Jina fact file
Symbols and signs
Jina Rishabhanatha, sculpture, unknown, 9th century. Museum no. IS.12-1996
Seated posture
The Jina is seated in the padmasana or lotus position and is meditating. Jains are meant to meditate for 48 minutes or one thirtieth of each day.
Parsvanatha with Seven-Hooded Cobra Canopy, Chakravarti Paloja, 12th century. Museum no. 931(IS)
Standing posture
This is known as the kayotsarga or body abandonment posture. Standing like this, completely immobile with arms hanging free from the body, was considered a form of severe penance. It also shows that the Jinas were following the doctrine of ahimsa or non-violence as by keeping still they could not harm any creatures, even accidentally.Clothing
Jinas are sometimes shown wearing very simple clothing. These sculptures were made by members of the Svetambara sect whose monks and nuns wear simple white clothing. Svetambara means 'white clad'.
Nudity
Other Jinas may be completely naked. A second sect called the Digambaras believe in complete renunciation and their monks renounce all possessions including clothing. Digambara means 'sky clad' or naked. Only Jinas are represented naked. Other spirits are shown clothed.
Santinatha, sculpture, 1168. Museum no. 930(IS)
Symbol on chest
Most sculptures of Jinas bear a distinctive mark on their chest known as a srivatsa. This helps to distinguish them from other religious figures especially the Buddha. Hindu images of the god Vishnu sometimes have different forms of srivatsa on one side of the chest.Bump on the top of head
Sign of great wisdom.
Jina Rishabhanatha, sculpture, unknown, 9th century. Museum no. IS.12-1996
Lotus flowers on palms of hands and soles of feet
Lotus flowers are symbols or purity and perfection. You may also find Lotus flowers used for decorative effect on the Jina's nimbus or on his throne.
Jina Rishabhanatha, sculpture, unknown, 9th century. Museum no. IS.12-1996
Nimbus
This halo-like structure around the head emphasizes the divinity of the Jina
Santinatha, sculpture, 1168. Museum no. 930(IS)
Elongated earlobes
This reminds viewers that the Jinas renounced wealth in their search for liberation. Their ears are elongated because when they were rich they wore heavy earrings that stretched their earlobes.
23rd Tirthankara Parsvanatha, sculpture, 7th century. Museum no. IS.18-1956
Wheel of Law
This is often found under the Jina's cushion or throne. It is a symbol of Jain teaching. It is called the dharmachakra.
Jina Rishabhanatha, sculpture, unknown, 9th century. Museum no. IS.12-1996
Three-tiered canopy or umbrella
It was customary for kings to have umbrellas or parasols held above their heads so a canopy above the head of the Jina is a symbol of his spiritual sovereignty.Guardian spirits and heavenly attendants
The Jina may be attended by guardian spirits called yakshas (male) and yakshis (female) and by heavenly attendants.
Look out for the following:
Parsvanatha with Seven-Hooded Cobra Canopy, Chakravarti Paloja, 12th century. Museum no. 931(IS)
Dharanendra, the Serpent King
The most easily recognisable of the yakshas is Dharanendra, the Serpent King. The serpent king protected the Jina Parsvanatha with his coils and by forming a canopy with his hoods. His consort, the Yakshi Padmavati sometimes holds an umbrella above Parsvanatha's head.
Heavenly musicians
Attendants carrying garlands
23rd Tirthankara Parsvanatha, sculpture, 7th century. Museum no. IS.18-1956
Attendants carrying flywhisks
These are used by the Jina's attendants to whisk away all insects so that the Jina does not harm them accidentally when moving. They are also symbols of royalty or divinity.
Attendants carrying nooses
The attendants use these to catch evil-doers and draw them towards the truth.
Attendants carrying goads
Usually used to prod elephants, attendants use these to push those who do wrong, to steer them along the right path.
Animals
Lions are often found on the throne of a Jina.
Key words
Ahimsa
Jain doctrine of non-violence and respect for all lifeDharanendra
A yakshi Serpent KingDharmachakra
Wheel of Law that symbolises Jain teachingDigambara
An austere sect of Jainism. Digambara means 'sky clad' and its followers believe in the renunciation of all worldly possessions so Digambara monks go completely naked.Gyanbazi or Gyanbaji
Jain version of Snakes and LaddersJina
A series of 24 leaders or teachers whom Jains revere. Jina means 'conqueror' or 'liberator' because the Jinas succeeded in casting off all worldly concerns.Kalpa Sutra
Sacred Text which tells the story of the life of the MahaviraKayotsarga
Standing in the 'body-abandonment' postureKarma
A substance that becomes attached to the soul, weighing it down and making liberation from the cycle of rebirth impossibleMaharvira
The 24th and last of the Jinas.Padmasana
Seated in the lotus positionPadmavati
The yakshi who is consort to Dharanendra, the Serpent KingParsvanatha
The 23rd Jina. Usually shown protected by the Serpent King DharanendraRishabhanatha
The 1st Jina. Identifiable by his long hair.Samavasarana
The hall where Jinas preach sermonsSamvara
A demon who attacked ParsvanathaSantinatha
The 16th JinaSvetambara
A sect of Jainism meaning white clad whose followers wear simple white clothesSrivatsa
Mark on the Jina's chest which identifies the figure as a JinaTirthankara
Jinas are also known as Tirthankaras which translates as 'ford-makers'. Jinas, unlike other liberated souls, help others to liberation from the cycle of earthly life, death and rebirth, as well as achieving liberation themselves.Uttaradhyayanasutra
Religious text which sets out rules for monastic behaviour.Yakshis and Yakshas
Male and female spirits that act as guardian spirits to the Jinas.Download: Jina fact file (.pdf, 359.0 KB)
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