The fraternal greeting of Balinese society: OM SWASTIYASTU. This expression aims to harmonize and strengthen relationships among human beings: it may be used as a welcome or upon parting, and upon formal occasions to open or to close a ceremony.

The more formal mantra which marks the conclusion of an event is OM SANTI, SANTI, SANTI OM, which may be translated as “May we be in peace”.

Upon greeting, the palms are pressed together, before the heart, with fingers vertical. This of course depends on the social context and is thus not an obligatory gesture.

One who is greeted should reply OM SWASTIYASTU, using the same prayerful gesture.

The significance of OM is the Deity, SU signifies “well-being”, ASTI is “to exist”, while ASTU signifies “hope”. Thus, the greeting OM SWASTIYASTU  may be translated as “May we aspire [hope] to always receive God’s blessings”.

Every occasion, on a daily basis, finds it appropriate to share this greeting with one another.

The rôle of symbols in religion is to provide a visual focus that will assist believers in strengthening their beliefs, aligning their hearts and souls more perfectly with the higher life. This is known as NIYASA or MURTI PRAYA, and for this purpose Hindus make use of the sacred swastika.

The swastika is formed from a cross: a vertical line intersects a horizontal one, both mid-section.

The upright symmetrical cross is stylized in art and culture with four arms at 90° (right) angles. These may face left (counterclockwise) or right (clockwise) in Balinese designs.

The swastika embodies the sense of rotational harmony of a dynamic natural realm. The symbol directly refers to the great SANG HYANG WIDHI WASA as the Creator of all.

The word SWASTIKA itself carries several subtle meanings, which may be summed up as “happiness”, “well-being”, “fullness of spirit” and “good welfare”.

The vertical line of the cross specifically symbolizes a harmonious relationship between mankind and nature.

If mankind, the Creator and the natural realm are in a harmonious balance, then humans will enjoy a state of happiness, fulfillment and well-being. – the true objective of religious practice.

The  rotation to the right of the clockwise swastika is symbolized by the four right-angle arms. This is the symbolic movement of nature itself, which also rotates to the right.

All within nature: wind, water, fire, also experiences this rightward rotation, which imparts harmony to the world.