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The OM (AUM) is a Hindu symbol that is the sound by which the universe was created. Om is all sounds, all vibrations, and all mantras together. It is the sound of the infinite, and is said to be Brahman itself. If you don't know anything about Hinduism, Brahman is the holy or sacred power that is the source and sustainer of the universe; the single absolute Being pervading the universe and found within every individual. By sound and form, AUM symbolizes the infinite Brahman (ultimate reality) and the entire universe:

A stands for Creation U stands for Preservation M stands for Destruction

This is representative of the Trinity of God in Hindu dharma (Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva). With this, I have the triple aspect of the Goddess in my tattoo as well as the triple aspect of the God. It's a complete package :-) The three portions of AUM also relate to the states of wake, dream, and deep sleep and the three gunas (rajas, satva, tamas).

The three letters also indicate three planes of existence: heaven (swarga), earth (martya) and netherworld (patala). All the words produced by the human vocal organ can be represented by AUM. A is produced by the throat, U & M by the lips. In the Vedas, AUM is the sound of the Sun, the sound of Light. It is the sound of assent (affirmation) and ascent (it has an upwards movement and uplifts the soul, as the sound of the divine eagle or falcon).

Would you like to know more about this symbol? Visit this page from the Yoga Research and Education Center.