The first and most popular type of Hinduism is the symbol of Brahman, Aum or Om. Aum is made up of three Sanskrit letters A, U and M. All major Hindu matrams begin with the chanting of "Aum", which they believe was the only audible sound when the universe was set in motion. Hindus often wear this symbol on their clothes and jewelry, put it on their cars, and paste it on temple walls. They believe it will protect them from evil and bring them luck. Another common symbol of Hinduism is the Swastika. Although this sign is generally associated with Nazi Germany, it originally derived from the Hindu religion where it represents peace and prosperity. “Swastika” literally means “everything is fine”. The symbol used by the Germans was a slightly slanted inversion of this Hindu symbol. A third symbol often linked to Hinduism is the lotus. Many gods and goddesses are depicted holding or sitting on a lotus. However, it is specifically a representation of the goddess “Shri” or “Lakshmi” who is “associated in every possible way with the lotus” (Zimmer, p. 91). The flower also represents courtesy and culture and is used in some rituals. These symbols, among many others, are extremely important in performing rituals and carrying on