Emblem of the
Ramakrishna Order

The wavy waters in the picture are symbolic of Karma (action); the lotus, of Bhakti (devotion); and the rising sun, of Jnana (knowledge). The encircling serpent is indicative of Yoga (union with God) and the awakened Kundalini (coiled-up spiritual energy), while the swan stands for the Paramatman (the Supreme Self). Therefore, the picture illustrates the idea that by the union of Karma, Jnana, Bhakti and Yoga, the vision of the Paramatman is obtained.

-- Swami Vivekananda