The number four is greatly associated with Vishnu.  His four arms represent the four stages of development of all forms of life.  They also represnt the four dominion over the four directions of space and absolute power, the four aims of life which results in the division of human life into four periods and the Hindu caste into four caste and history into four ages.  It also represnt four aspect of human destiny and the four vedas.

Vishnu is often depicted as either blue of black.  The color black is more closely associated with Shiva who is depicted in white.  His incarnations take on the color of the age in which they appear, such as white, red or yellow.  The deity is always shown wearing a yellow dhoti through which his dark body can shine through.

In his right hand,he holds the discus, symbol of the mind.  His lower right hand holds the conch, the symbol of the five elements and the orgin of existence.  The sounds created from the conch is associated with the sound from the creation of the universe.  From this evolved the five elements.  In his other hand he holds the bow which is called shranga, the symbol of casual power of illusion from which arises the universe.  The arrows are the sense which represent intellectual activities.  In his upper left hand, he holds a lotus, the symbol for the mmoving universe.  It is the symbol of all things that are good (eternity, prosperity, and purity)  His lower left hand holds the mace, the symbol of the notion of individual existence.  The mace is also associated with the goddedd Kali, the goddess of time who destroys all those who oppose it.

The icons on his body also attruibutes to the greatness of the deity.  An example of this is the armlets he wears.  These represent the three aims of life; pleasure, success, and righteousness.  The other example is the earring shaped like monsters, typically makra.  They represent the two methods of knowledge: the intellectual knowledge and the intuitive perception.  The power of the god is encased in the garland of victory made from either five rows of flowers or jewels, representing the five senses. (Gupta, 1974).

The icon mose associate with Vishnu is the cakra, partly because in the Rg Veda, he is characterized as a solar diety.  the word Cakra is also used as a metaphor to the sun.  Although in most books, he is not known for his warrior ability, he is associated with the celestial god, Indra.  With his cakra, he helps Indra in his battles with Vrtra and other demons.

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