The conch is white, fairly big, spiral, and oval with pointed ends. The right-turning (clockwise-spiraling) form is considerably rarer than the left turning form, and is therefore considered more valuable. As a natural object, not made with human hands, it is one of the oldest ritual objects. It is often referred to as a seashell and sometimes as a snail shell. The Tibetan term dung covers both.
In Tibetan Buddhism, it is particularly valued for its powerful sound as an instrument. Shells or conches are used both to call together the assembly and during the ritual as a music offering, or as a container for the saffron water. They also serve as ornaments for decorating thrones, reliquaries (chos-rten,, Skt. stupa), statues, and so on.
Among the Eight Symbols, it stands for the fame of the Buddha's teaching, which spreads in all directions like the sound of the conch trumpet. It thus has a purely religious significance.
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