Symbolism of the Stupa

5coloured stupaThe stupa is an archetypal Buddhist image which became associated with the Buddhist tradition during the Buddhas life time. Each element of the stupa is associated with one of the 6 elements.

  • earth, the yellow cube or square, 
  • water, the white sphere or circle,
  • fire, the red cone or triangle
  • air, the light green disc
  • the diamond, ether or space
  • the blue sky surrounding, consciousness, also shunyata

Chorten onthe way to Spiti Valley