carrying a flame-shaped white 'Namam'. [1] The lotus represents the 1,008-petalled Sahasrara (in Tamil , Ladam ) and the Namam represents the Aanma Jyothi or atman , sometimes translated as "soul" or "self". [1] There are references for Thirunamam in both primary and secondary scriptures, Akilattirattu Ammanai [2] and Arul Nool