DISC, Aureole, or Gloire, encircling the heads of gods and saints, signifies perfection. It was originally intended, in tbe Sabrean worship, to represent the solar orb ; but in the course of time the symbol was multipliedly added to, and its meanings similarly increased, and in its changes it has represented the sun, the moon, and the whole planetary system. It has been an emblem of monotheism, tritheism, and polytheism, of particular local divinities, as well as of those with univenal dominion. It is put round Vishnu's heat!.
In Egypt, the Delta, A, was originally the type of Baal, afterwards of Siva ; and when placed with its apex upwards, A, was used to denote fire, the element consecrated to tho first-named god. When placed with its apex downwards, v, it typified Vishnu or water •, and there Nvero many other meanings attached to it, some of them very gross.
Discs of steel, from six to nine inches in diameter, and about an inch of breadth of rim, were carried by all Sikh soldiers. The edges aro
ground very sharp, and, after having gained velocity by being rotated on the forefinger of the right band, they are projected to a distance of 50 or 80 yards with considerable force, therefore, but with such want of dexterity or impossibility of regulating their flight, that the bystanders are moro in danger than the object of the aim. The Chakra, the discus of the god Vishnu, resembling a wheel or quoit, is whirled round the middle finger. The Chakm is mythologically described as a circular mass of fire, darting flames in all directions, which, thrown by tho gods, slays the Nvicked, and then returns to the hand from which it issued. The Sikh Akali usually had several of them on their conical caps. They are expensive, and are almost useless weapons.