# Halo

Source: https://buddhisma2z.com/halo/  
Author: Bhante S. Dhammika, *Guide To Buddhism A To Z*  
Licence: CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)

![Halo](https://buddhisma2z.com/images/H/halo.webp)

A halo (*pabhā* or *pabhāmaṇḍala*) is a ring of [**light**](https://buddhisma2z.com/light/) believed to appear around the head of particularly saintly people. Ancient and modern depictions of the Buddha often show him with a halo although the [**Tipiṭaka**](https://buddhisma2z.com/tipitaka/) never mentions him having one. However, it does say at the time he attained [**enlightenment**](https://buddhisma2z.com/enlightenment/) rays (*raṃsi*) of blue, yellow, red, white, orange light emanated from his body (Vin.I,25). Also, in the hours before his passing his skin became extraordinarily clear and bright (D.II,134). Exactly how this type of transfiguration happens is a mystery, but it is a phenomena mentioned in cultures widely separated from each other.

Subjects: Culture and Traditions