A Sankha is a conch shell of ritual and religious importance in Hinduism and Buddhism. It is shell of large predatory sea snail, found in the Indian ocean. Sankha is still used as trumpet in Hindu ritual, and in the past was used as a war trumpet. The sankha is praised in Hindu scriptures as a giver of fame, longevity and prosperity, the cleanser of sin and the abode the goddess Lakshmi, who is the goddess of wealth and consort of Vishnu. The sankha is one of the eight auspicious symbols of Buddhism, the Ashtamangala, and represents the pervasive sound of Buddhism. 

The Dharma Wheel is characterized by eight spokes. Each of these spokes represents the Eightfold Path. This Eightfold Path is considered to be the path to enlightenment. This path to enlightenment requires pure intentions and total commitment to mental discipline and ethical conduct. Buddhism, in its early years, adopted the symbol of the Dharma wheel as its primary insignia. The Dharma wheel is considered to be the "wheel of spiritual change or transformation." The rapid motion of the wheel represents the quick transformation wrought by Buddha's teachings.

The first discourse of Buddha, done at the Deer Park in Sarnath, contains the Four Noble Truths together with the Eightfold Noble Path. This episode in the life of the Buddha refers to the first turning of the Dharma's wheel. On the other hand, his other great discourses in other places like Rajgir and Shravasti represent the second and third turnings of the Dharma's Wheel successively.

The Wheel of Dharma has three major components, namely, the hub, spokes, and the rim. These three components signify integrity, wisdom, and attentiveness. These three characteristics are the three aspects of the teachings of Buddha.