In Buddhist art, the birth of the Buddha is symbolised by:

In early Buddhist art, the birth of the Buddha is symbolised by a lotus and a bull.

Early Buddhist art and symbols:

• In the earliest phase of Buddhist art (before about the 1st century CE), the Buddha was not shown in human form.
• Instead, his presence and the events of his life were shown through symbols.
• This is called the "aniconic" phase of Buddhist art.

Symbols of the main events of the Buddha's life:

• Birth: lotus and bull (the lotus represents purity, and the bull is associated with his zodiac sign, Taurus, or the month of Vaishakha).
• Great departure (renunciation): a horse without a rider.
• Enlightenment: the Bodhi tree.
• First sermon: a wheel (Dharmachakra), often with deer.
• Death (Mahaparinirvana): a stupa.

Other symbols:

• Footprints: the presence of the Buddha.
• An empty throne: the Buddha as a teacher or ruler.
• The parasol (umbrella): honour and protection.

Where these symbols appear:

• They are carved on the railings and gateways of stupas at Bharhut, Sanchi and Amaravati, from the 2nd-1st centuries BCE.
• For example, at Sanchi, scenes show people worshipping an empty throne or a tree.

The lotus in Buddhism:

It grows in muddy water but rises above it with a clean flower, symbolising purity and enlightenment rising above the world.

Images of the Buddha:

Images of the Buddha in human form began around the 1st century CE, in the Mathura and Gandhara schools, with the rise of Mahayana Buddhism.

The eight great events:

Buddhists also remember eight great events, including the birth, enlightenment, first sermon and death, and four miracles.

Why not the other options?

• ✗The Bodhi tree symbolises enlightenment.
• ✗The wheel symbolises the first sermon.
• ✗The stupa symbolises the death (Mahaparinirvana).