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quick improved section per standard format and cleaned formatting

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	{{Short description\|Hindu iconography}}		{{Short description\|Hindu iconography}}
	~~{{Expand Tamil\|date=December 2021}}~~		[[File:Pillayar Suli.svg\|thumb\|''Pillaiyar Suḻi'' is a sacred textual symbol attributed to [[Hindu]] god [[Ganesha]]]]
	[[File:Pillayar Suli.svg\|thumb\|~~The~~ Pillaiyar Suḻi]]		{{Hinduism}}
	{{Hinduism}}'''Pillaiyar Suḻi''' ({{~~Lang-~~ta\|பிள்ளையார் சுழி}}),<ref>{{Cite book \|last=Sircar \|first=D. C. \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hXMB3649biQC&newbks=0&printsec=frontcover&pg=PA93&dq=pillaiyar+su%E1%B8%BBi&hl=en \|title=Indian Epigraphy \|date=1996 \|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Publ. \|isbn=978-81-208-1166-9 \|pages=93 \|language=en}}</ref> also rendered '''Ganesha's curl''', is sacred textual symbol~~. Various [[Tamil Hindu]]s usually write it at the beginning of diaries, notebooks, and invitations before writing anything new~~. It is ~~primarily found in~~ [[~~South India~~]] ~~and~~ [[~~Sri Lanka~~]]~~.<ref>{{cite book\|title=The Indian Review~~, ~~Volume 65\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-D_jAAAAMAAJ&q=pillayar+suzhi\|last1 = Natesan\|first1 = G. A.\|year = 1966}}</ref><ref>{{cite book\|title=Flipside of Hindu Symbolism: Sociological~~ and Scientific Linkages in Hinduism By M. K. V. Narayan\|isbn = 9781596821170\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ewRfp4qpvt4C&dq=pillayar+suzhi&pg=PA37\|last1 = Narayan\|first1 = M. K. V.\|date = April 2007}}</ref> It is ~~dedicated~~ to ~~deity [[Ganesha]], who believed that the Pillaiyar Suḻi symbolises~~ an auspicious beginning. ~~It is~~ similar to the [[Tamil script\|Tamil ~~and Malayalam~~ letter]] உ,ഉ(u).<ref>{{cite book\|title=99 Thoughts on Ganesha By Devdutt Pattanaik\|isbn = 9788184951523\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Wh22qvzQuowC&dq=pillaiyar+suzhi&pg=RA1-PA62-IA3\|last1 = Pattanaik\|first1 = Devdutt\|date = 27 January 2015}}</ref> Ganesha is ~~ritually worshiped first with prayers for success in various traditions of Hinduism~~.		'''Pillaiyar Suḻi''' ({{Langx\|ta\|பிள்ளையார் சுழி}}), also rendered '''Ganesha's curl''' or '''Ganesha's circle''', is a sacred textual symbol. It is dedicated to the [[Hindu]] deity [[Pillaiyar]] (Ganesha), who is ritually worshiped first with prayers for success and is used to symbolize an auspicious beginning. The symbol consists of a circle and a curve similar to the [[Tamil script \|Tamil letter]] ''உ''(u) with two lines and a dot below. It is used primarily by [[Tamil Hindu]]s , who usually use it before writing anything new.

	[[~~Sri Vaishnavism~~\|~~Sri Vaishnavas~~]] ~~believe~~ that ~~this “௳” sign~~ represents the ~~goddess~~ [[~~Lakshmi~~]], and it is ~~an alternative for~~ writing [[Shri]] - (Tamil:ஸ்ரீ, Sanskrit:श्री)~~, a Sanskrit term~~ that ~~means~~ the ~~same~~.<ref>{{~~Cite~~ web\|last=Limited\|first=Alamy\|title=Vaishnavite symbol, Ulagalandha Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram~~, Kanchi, Kancheepuram, Tamil Nadu, India, Asia Stock Photo - Alamy~~\|url=https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-vaishnavite-symbol-ulagalandha-perumal-temple-kanchipuram-kanchi-kancheepuram-83604503.html\|access-date=2021~~-12-14~~\|~~website=www.alamy.com\|language~~=en}}</ref>		==Nomenclature and Symbol==
			Pillayar Suli in [[Tamil language]] can be roughly translated to "Ganesha's curl" in English with ''[[Pillayar]]'' denoting the [[Hindu]] god "[[Ganesha]]" and ''Suli'' meaning "curl". It is also known as "Ganesha's circle".<ref name="Patnaik"/> The symbol consists of a circle and a curve similar to the fifth [[vowel]] of the [[Tamil script]] ''உ''(u) accompanied by two straight horizontal lines and a dot below.<ref name="Patnaik">{{cite book \|title=99 Thoughts on Ganesha By Devdutt Pattanaik \|isbn=978-8-184-95152-3 \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Wh22qvzQuowC&dq=pillaiyar+suzhi&pg=RA1-PA62-IA3 \|last1=Pattanaik \|first1=Devdutt \|date=27 January 2015\|publisher=Jaico Publishing House }}</ref>

			==History and theology==
			The symbol is used to denote the [[Hindu]] god [[Ganesha]], who himself was a scribe helping [[Maharishi]] [[Vyasa\|Veda Vyasa]] to write the [[Hindu epic]] ''[[Mahabharata]]''.<ref name="Patnaik"/> As Ganesha is ritually worshiped first with prayers for success, the symbol is written to herald auspiciousness and to remove any obstacles in the path towards success.<ref name="Patnaik"/><ref name="Natesan"/> The origin of the symbol has various explanations.

			Pillayar Suli is considered as a truncated version of the Hindu auspicious symbol and mantra ''[[Aum]]''.<ref>{{cite book \|title=Flipside of Hindu Symbolism: Sociological and Scientific Linkages in Hinduism By M. K. V. Narayan \|isbn=978-1-596-82117-0 \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ewRfp4qpvt4C&dq=pillayar+suzhi&pg=PA37 \|last1=Narayan \|first1=M. K. V. \|date=April 2007\|publisher=Fultus Corporation }}</ref> ''Aum'' is considered a fusion of five forms, the letters signifying ''Akhara'' symbolizing lord [[Shiva]], ''Ukhara'' symbolizing [[Parvati\|Shakti]] and ''Makhara'' representing [[Pasha (Hinduism)\|Malam]] (taints that adhere to the soul) to go with the fourth and fifth letters in sound form representing [[Maya (religion)\|Maya]] (reality and existence) and [[Ātman (Hinduism)\|Ātman]] (the soul).<ref name="Natesan"/><ref>{{cite news\|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/religion/religion-seek-him-with-humility/article6704884.ece\|title=Seek Him with humility\|date=18 December 2014\|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]\|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref> Ganesha as the son of Shiva and Shakthi is denoted by the Pillayar Suli, which combines the first two forms namely ''Akhara'' and ''Ukhara''.<ref name="Natesan"/>

			As per the [[Puranas]], ''Aum'' symbolizes the [[Trimurti]] with ''Akhara'' symbolizing the creator god [[Brahma]], ''Ukhara'' symbolizing the protector god [[Vishnu]] and ''Makhara'' symbolizing destroyer god Shiva. Pillayar Suli represents the fusion of Brahma and Vishnu, as a means to create and protect any new creation.<ref>{{cite report\|url=https://www.advan-kt.com/Hinduism/Hinduism.pdf\|title=Hinduism\|access-date=1 December 2023\|work=Advan}}</ref> According to [[Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham\|Kanchi]] [[Chandrashekarendra Saraswati\|Sankaracharya]], there are various meanings of the symbol. The symbol similar to the Tamil letter ''உ''(u) may be derived from Umayaval or Uma, a name of Parvati who is considered as a sister of Vishnu. As Parvati created Ganesha, the symbol became associated with him. He further explains that the curve emanating from a circle indicates that everything arises from the [[universe]] (represented by the circle) and the curve may represent Ganesha's trunk. The curve followed by straight lines may also indicate that any work that deviates will be set right on worship to Ganesha.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://tamil.oneindia.com/news/tamilnadu/why-pillaiyar-suzhi-before-we-start-writing-anything-261931.html\|title=Why Pillayar Suli before start of anything?\|work=OneIndia\|access-date=1 December 2023\|lang=ta}}</ref>

			Tamil saint and [[Nayanmar]] [[Tirumular]] gives a varied explanation in his [[Shaivism\|Shaiva]] treatise ''[[Tirumantiram]]''. In the fourth section of the tenth [[Thirumurai]], he explains that ''Agharam'' denotes the soul and ''Ugharam'' denotes the body and the combination them represents life.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.tamilvu.org/slet/l41A0/l4130son.jsp?subid=2448\|title=Tirumantiram\|lang=ta\|access-date=1 December 2023\|work=Tamilvu}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=https://temple.dinamalar.com/news_detail.php?id=5747\|title=Nangam Thanthiram\|work=[[Dinamalar]]\|lang=ta\|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref>

			The symbol might have had a different realistic usage during the ancient period. Before the advent and widespread usage of [[paper]], [[palm leaves]] were used to write [[manuscript]]s. The symbol consisting of a circle, a curved line, straight lines and a dot might have been used to test the quality of palm leaves before writing other contents.<ref name="Patnaik"/> It later came to be associated with Ganesha.

			==Usage==
			The symbol is a sacred textual symbol primarily used by [[Tamil Hindu]]s.<ref name="Natesan">{{cite book \|title=The Indian Review, Volume 65 \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-D_jAAAAMAAJ&q=pillayar+suzhi \|last1=Natesan \|first1=G. A. \|year=1966\| page=299,300}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book \|last=Sircar \|first=D. C. \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hXMB3649biQC&dq=pillaiyar+su%E1%B8%BBi&pg=PA93 \|title=Indian Epigraphy \|date=1996 \|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Publications \|isbn=978-81-208-1166-9 \|pages=93}}</ref> The symbol is used to denote auspiciousness and good luck, it is often used before writing anything new.<ref name="Patnaik"/> The symbol is often used in day-to-day activities such as writing a letter, document or a diary.<ref>{{cite book\| title=Worship of Deities in Hindu Religion\| first=Subramanya \|last=Balakrishnan \|year=1991 \|page=12 \|publisher=University of California}}</ref> Students often write the symbol before writing exams or tests.<ref name="Patnaik"/>

			The practice is similar to writing [[Shri]] (Tamil:ஸ்ரீ, Sanskrit:श्री) prevalent in [[North India]] where the word is used to denote lord Ganesh.<ref name="Patnaik"/> [[Sri Vaishnavism \|Sri Vaishnavas]] believe that “௳” sign represents the goddess [[Lakshmi]], and it is an alternative for writing Shri.<ref>{{cite web \|last=Limited \|first=Alamy \|title=Vaishnavite symbol, Ulagalandha Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram\|url=https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-vaishnavite-symbol-ulagalandha-perumal-temple-kanchipuram-kanchi-kancheepuram-83604503.html \|access-date=1 December 2021 \|work=Aalamy }}</ref>

	== References ==		== References ==
	{{Reflist}}		{{Reflist}}
	~~{{refbegin\|33em}}~~

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	[[Category:Ganesha]]		[[Category:Ganesha]]
	[[Category:Hindu iconography]]		[[Category:Hindu iconography]]
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	[[Category:Tamil art]]		[[Category:Tamil art]]


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{{Short description|Hindu iconography}}
{{Expand Tamil|date=December 2021}}
[[File:Pillayar Suli.svg|thumb|The Pillaiyar Suḻi]]
{{Hinduism}}'''Pillaiyar Suḻi''' ({{Lang-ta|பிள்ளையார் சுழி}}),<ref>{{Cite book |last=Sircar |first=D. C. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hXMB3649biQC&newbks=0&printsec=frontcover&pg=PA93&dq=pillaiyar+su%E1%B8%BBi&hl=en |title=Indian Epigraphy |date=1996 |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Publ. |isbn=978-81-208-1166-9 |pages=93 |language=en}}</ref> also rendered '''Ganesha's curl''', is sacred textual symbol. Various [[Tamil Hindu]]s usually write it at the beginning of diaries, notebooks, and invitations before writing anything new. It is primarily found in [[South India]] and [[Sri Lanka]].<ref>{{cite book|title=The Indian Review, Volume 65|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-D_jAAAAMAAJ&q=pillayar+suzhi|last1 = Natesan|first1 = G. A.|year = 1966}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Flipside of Hindu Symbolism: Sociological and Scientific Linkages in Hinduism By M. K. V. Narayan|isbn = 9781596821170|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ewRfp4qpvt4C&dq=pillayar+suzhi&pg=PA37|last1 = Narayan|first1 = M. K. V.|date = April 2007}}</ref> It is dedicated to deity [[Ganesha]], who believed that the Pillaiyar Suḻi symbolises an auspicious beginning. It is similar to the [[Tamil script|Tamil and Malayalam letter]] உ,ഉ(u).<ref>{{cite book|title=99 Thoughts on Ganesha By Devdutt Pattanaik|isbn = 9788184951523|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Wh22qvzQuowC&dq=pillaiyar+suzhi&pg=RA1-PA62-IA3|last1 = Pattanaik|first1 = Devdutt|date = 27 January 2015}}</ref> Ganesha is ritually worshiped first with prayers for success in various traditions of Hinduism.

[[Sri Vaishnavism|Sri Vaishnavas]] believe that this “௳” sign represents the goddess [[Lakshmi]], and it is an alternative for writing [[Shri]] - (Tamil:ஸ்ரீ, Sanskrit:श्री), a Sanskrit term that means the same.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Limited|first=Alamy|title=Vaishnavite symbol, Ulagalandha Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram, Kanchi, Kancheepuram, Tamil Nadu, India, Asia Stock Photo - Alamy|url=https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-vaishnavite-symbol-ulagalandha-perumal-temple-kanchipuram-kanchi-kancheepuram-83604503.html|access-date=2021-12-14|website=www.alamy.com|language=en}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}
{{refbegin|33em}}

[[Category:Tamil culture]]
[[Category:Hindu symbols]]
[[Category:Tamil languages]]
[[Category:Tamil Hindu literature]]
[[Category:Indian culture]]
[[Category:Ganesha]]
[[Category:Hindu iconography]]
[[Category:Indian iconography]]
[[Category:Indian art]]
[[Category:Hindu art]]
[[Category:Tamil art]]

{{Hinduism-stub}}
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Pillaiyar Suḻi - Revision history

AmiePesina: quick improved section per standard format and cleaned formatting

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