emphasizes a rich and symbolic iconography centered on Vishnu and his avatars, particularly Krishna and Rama, as the supreme deity.
The core iconography of Vishnu typically features a blue or black complexion, symbolizing the infinite and all-pervading nature of the divine, and a four-armed form holding key attributes:
Conch (Śaṅkha): Represents the primordial sound of creation (Om) and the proclamation of truth.
Discus (Cakra): Symbolizes the mind, cosmic order, and the destruction of ignorance and evil.
Mace (Gadā): Embodies strength, authority, and transformative knowledge.
Lotus (Padma): Signifies purity, spiritual creation, and enlightenment, rising untouched from mud.
Additional symbolic elements include:
Vaijayantī Mālā (garland of Parijata flowers): Represents mastery over the senses.
Śrīvatsa (mark on the chest): Symbolizes divine beauty and the eternal bond with Lakshmi.
Ananta Śeṣa (the serpent with a thousand heads): Represents cosmic stability and Vishnu’s resting place during cosmic dissolution.
Garuda, the eagle-mount: Symbolizes devotion, speed, and the soul’s journey toward liberation.
Iconographic forms vary widely, from the four-armed Vishnu to eight-armed or eleven-faced forms like Vishnu-Vaikuntha, reflecting his cosmic totality. The U-shaped or Y-shaped tilaka (forehead mark) worn by Vaishnavas, often made of sacred clay, signifies the foot of Vishnu and the inseparability of the divine couple, Vishnu and Lakshmi. These symbols are deeply rooted in sacred texts like the Puranas, Agamas, and Bhagavad Gita, and are central to worship in both temples and home altars.
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Hinduism/Vaishnavism-and-Shaivism
chintan.indiafoundation.in/articles/the-iconography-of-vishnu/