A Bit of Culture - What does Aum signifies ?

Essentially Aum is a symbol for consciousness that reflects our conscious awareness, sleeping awareness, unconsicous awareness and our higher consciousness. The dot is named "turiya".

Fittingly, the symbol of Aum consists of three curves, one semi-circle curve and a dot. The large lower curve symbolizes the waking state (jagrat).

The larger size signifies that this is the most common (‘majority’) state of the human consciousness. The upper curve denotes the state of deep sleep (sushupti) or the unconscious state. This is a state where the sleeper desires nothing nor beholds any dream.

The middle curve (between the deep sleep & the waking state) signifies the dream state (swapna). In this state the consciousness is turned inwards and the dreaming self beholds an enthralling view of the world behind the lids of the eyes.

The dot signifies the fourth state of consciousness, known in Sanskrit as turiya. It signifies the coming to rest of all differentiated, relative existence. This Absolute (non-relative) state illuminates the other three states.

Finally, the semi circle symbolizes maya and separates the dot from the other three curves. Thus, it is the illusion of maya that prevents us from the realization of this highest state of bliss, the semi circle is open at the top and does not touch the dot. This means that this highest state is not affected by maya. In this manner, the form of Om represents both the unmanifest & the manifest, the noumenon & the phenomenon, the realization of the One, “Isha Shiva.”