What Does the Unalome Symbol Mean?

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Decode the spiritual significance of the sacred Buddhist design

Co-authored by Jennifer McVey, Cht and Carmine Shannon

Last Updated: August 27, 2024 Fact Checked

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What is the unalome?

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Meaning of the Unalome

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Parts of the Unalome

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Unalome Tattoos

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Related Symbols

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Video

The unalome is an ancient Buddhist and Hindu symbol that’s said to represent the journey to enlightenment. Recently, it’s become popular as a design in tattoos and jewelry to represent a person’s spiritual path. We’ll fill you in on what the unalome is, exactly, and its spiritual meaning. We’ll also tell you its history in tattooing and give you an overview of other common spiritual symbols.

Unalome Meaning

The unalome is a sacred Buddhist symbol that represents enlightenment, or a person’s spiritual path.
The spiral and loops of the unalome represent life obstacles, and the straight line and dots symbolize enlightenment.
The unalome is a common and popular tattoo, and is typically considered inoffensive as long as the recipient has an earnest belief in enlightenment.

Section 1 of 5:

What is the unalome?

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The unalome is a sacred Buddhist symbol for transcendence. Buddhism is full of artworks and symbols that are often used as shorthands for the teachings of the Buddha, or Buddhism’s primary religious figure. The unalome (oon-uh-loam) is one such symbol, often used to represent transcendence, or a person’s path toward enlightenment.^{[1]
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- The unalome is likely derived from the “urna,” a Buddhist symbol that depicts a swirl of hair between the Buddha’s eyebrows.^{[2]
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- The unalome is also present in the Hindu religion, where it has very similar meanings. Some also say that in Hindu spirituality, it represents the third eye of the god Shiva, which often symbolizes wisdom and things unseen.

Section 2 of 5:

Meaning of the Unalome

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Like the symbol itself, our life paths are often winding, curving, and maze-like. This reflects our fears, anxieties, victories, and successes, all in one symbol.^{[3]
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Research source} The unalome reminds us that, while things may seem complicated and inscrutable, we’re each following and forging our own roads through life in order to reach enlightenment.
While the unalome twists and turns, it ends at the top with a straight line that leads to understanding, enlightenment, and balance.^{[4]
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Research source} And even as the symbol tangles, it remains elegant and purposeful, reminding us to seek balance in our spiritual and mental lives, despite the chaos around us.
The spiral at the bottom of the unalome represents the third eye of the deity Shiva, the destroyer. Shiva’s role as the destroyer is not a negative one—his role is to make way for new things.^{[5]
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Research source} As we walk our life path without guidance, Shiva clears a way for us.

Section 3 of 5:

Parts of the Unalome

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The spiral at the bottom of the unalome represents the numerous emotions that get in the way of enlightenment. It also represents the cyclical nature of our human mistakes.^{[6]
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Research source} It rests at the bottom, or the beginning, of the unalome to symbolism our starting point on the road to balance and enlightenment.
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Loops The loops above the spiral represent our steps toward enlightenment.^{[7]
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Research source} This is when you recognize the journey you must take and start moving toward your end goal. As you progress, the loops become tighter and shorter, as you find life easier to navigate and your understanding grows.
- Looping represents going backwards, as well. As we understand more and more about ourselves and the world, we’ll often fall back on preconceived notions and bad habits on our journey towards leaving them behind.
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Straight line The straight line represents the moment when you finally do achieve enlightenment.^{[8]
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Research source} Your path no longer spirals or loops. Rather, it’s disentangled. The road is straight and navigating it is easy. You see clearly and are in harmony with your surroundings.
- Some say that this line also represents the opening of your third eye chakra, which lets you see the truth clearly.
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Dots Some say that the dot, or 3 dots, at the end of the straight line represent your end goal: enlightenment. They sit at the end of the road and remind you of your goal. Others say that the dots represent moments of difficulty you encounter along the way.^{[9]
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- The dots are separated from the line because enlightenment is separated from our individual lives and egos.
Sometimes, the unalome ends with a lotus flower at the top, above the straight line or around the dots. The lotus is a classic Buddhist and Hindu symbol for obtaining enlightenment.^{[10]
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Research source} Lotuses are strong and vibrant, and grow up through deep mud and muck. In the unalome, it reminds us of our end goal in the path of life.

Section 4 of 5:

Unalome Tattoos

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The unalome tattoo is common in sacred Thai tattooing. “Sak Yant” is a traditional method of tattooing found in Thailand that often depicts sacred Buddhist designs.^{[11]
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Research source} Most Sak Yant designs are incredibly intricate, done in a stick-and-poke style, and almost all of them feature the unalome symbol, often as a repeating feature of the tattoo.^{[12]
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- The term “Sak Yant” comes from “sak,” or the Thai word for tattoo, and “yantra,” which are mystical Sanskrit diagrams often used during meditation.
- Sak Yant tattoos are blessings bestowed upon you by spiritual masters. If you want to get a real Sak Yant tattoo from a master, bring a Thai speaker with you. It’s very easy to commit cultural taboos if you don’t speak Thai, since it’s such a sacred practice.^{[13]
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The unalome is a common modern tattoo. Today, many Buddhist practitioners, or even those simply seeking enlightenment, receive a unalome tattoo as a reminder of their spiritual journey. The tattoo doesn’t need to be stick and poke, and it’s generally not considered offensive as long as the recipient has an earnest belief in enlightenment.^{[14]
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- Unalome tattoos are often positioned with the spiral at the bottom and straight line at the top, to represent upward growth toward enlightenment.
- Some say that when the unalome spiral faces right, or outward, it represents masculine energy. If it faces left, or inward, it represents feminine energy.
- If you want to get an unalome tattoo, consider researching Sak Yant and Theravada Buddhism to be sure you’re being as respectful of the symbol as possible.
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Unalome tattoos should be placed above your waist. Never place it on the legs or the feet, which are closer to the ground and can cause it to become “earthbound.” Some people advise aligning it with a chakra, but other people warn that the ribs, heart, and sternum are spiritually sensitive areas, so it’s best to not get any tattoos there.^{[15]
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- The most disrespectful place to get an unalome tattoo is the foot.
Nowadays, you may see unalome tattoos with stars, oms, hearts, moons, arrows, and more.^{[16]
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Research source} Be aware that as you get more stylistically unique, you may obscure the true meaning of the symbol.^{[17]
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Section 5 of 5:

Related Symbols

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The om is a traditional Hindu and Buddhist symbol, and is considered the primary mantras, or “sacred formulas,” or symbolic designs and sounds.^{[18]
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Research source} It’s said to represent the mind, body, and spirit, or the first sound of the universe. The om is often featured in unalome designs.
A mandala is a circular design that’s often used to symbolize or encapsulate many Buddhist or Hindu teachings. It’s said that we start on the outside of the mandala and work our way into the center, where we achieve enlightenment, understanding, and happiness.^{[19]
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Research source} The unalome is often present in many mandala designs.
The seven chakras are said to be points of energy that connect your mind, body, and soul. Each chakra is found on a different location on your body, and each has a different symbol. While meditating some people choose to focus on each chakra in order to harness or release the energy associated with it.^{[20]
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The hamsa is a depiction of a right hand that originated in Arabic cultures. It’s said to defend the person wearing it against the evil eye, or negative energies. It’s also said to bring good luck and good health.^{[21]
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Research source} Recently, it’s become a popular tattoo, similar to the unalome.