Symbolism

"Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned."
- Buddha

Lotus:

The lotus is one of the most important symbols in Buddhism. It stands for purity and enlightenment. A lotus grows from the ground into a beautiful and sweet-smelling flower. Just like people can become from ignorant to pure, and so blossom to enlightenment.
The traditional sitting in meditation is called the lotus position.

Stupas:

The enlightened mind of Buddha is reflected trough stupas. The stupas can be symbolic for five elements.
Earth: represented by the square base of the stupa.
Water: represented by the round dome
Fire: represented by the cone-shape
Air: represented by the covering
Space: represented by the volume

Drum:
A drum is usually kept to the right of an altar inside the temple, it is used in chanting. It gives a sound which symbolizes the end of the cycle of rebirth. It is also used to alert a community that the service in the temple begins or ends.

Bell Bowl:
The bell bowl is used while chanting; it is kept to the right of the altar.

Buddhist flag:
The Buddhist flag is used during celebrations. It has five colors; blue, yellow, red, white and orange. Blue stands for universal compassion. Yellow stands for the middle path. Red stands for blessing. White stands for purity and liberation. Orange stands for wisdom.       

 
The Buddhist flag

Wheel:

Stands for unity. It is a very prominent symbol in Buddhism. It can refer to the wheel of life or samsara. It can also present Buddha’s teachings and particularly the eightfold path. Such wheels are usually showed with eight spokes, each spoke representing one of the eight principles of the eightfold path. Sometimes they are showed with twelve spokes, which symbolizes either the twelve principles in Buddhism or the twelve-year calendar within an endless cycle of time. 

Deer:

Sometimes you see pictures of the Buddha on a throne which has two deer on it, facing each other, illustrated. Different sources say it relates to the Buddha’s teachings which took place at the Deer Park in Sanarth, Northern India. Other times deer represent the Buddha’s teachings itself.

Fish stands for love.

Vase stands for wisdom.

Conch shell (tropical sea animal) stands for the voice of Buddha.

Endless knot stands for friendship.

Incense:

Incense is symbolic of self-purification and self-dedication and is offered in memory of Buddha. It is also used as a form of meditation.

Flowers:

Flowers in a temple symbolizes the shortness of life and the constant change inherent in existence.

Symbolism in a picture of the Buddha:

Ears: Buddha statues and pictures always have long earlobes with sometimes slits. The slits represent the Siddhartha Gautama, the prince he was before he became Buddha. As a prince he had heavy jewelry in his ears. They remind you that you have to give up attachment to material objects in order to become enlightenment.
Eyes: The eyes are often half closed, the Buddha is meditating, and they show serenity and peace. Sometimes there is a dot between the eyes of the Buddha, it symbolizes the “wisdom eye”.
Hair: At the top of the head is often a large dome, it symbolizes expanded wisdom. The top of the Buddha has often a raised area, which symbolizes enlightenment mind.
The hands and feet are equal in length and scale.
The "Chu Van" symbol is often found on the breast of a Buddha statue, it symbolizes the mark of enlightenment.

Buddha's hand gestures:

Bhumisparsha: Gesture of Witness. It is also called "touching the earth mudra". All the five fingers of the right hand touch the earth, the left rests palm upward, it signifies meditation.
Varada: The open palm is facing outward. It stands for charity and compassion. It symbolizes the willingness to dedicate oneself to human salvation.
Dhyana: Both hands rest in the lap, with the right hand over the left. This gesture is said to be the meditating gesture before reaching enlightenment.
Abhaya: Also called "blessing-gesture" or "gesture of fearlessness". The palm of the right hand is facing outward and the fingers are extended upwards. The palm of the left hand is resting on the lap. It symbolizes fearlessness, peace, and protection.