Asian Gong... does anyone know these symbols?

This measures about 11 1/4" diameter, know nothing about it except I am sure its a gong or some type of gong... it sure is loud! Thanks for any help!

 

Late 20th C. Tourist item. I’d be surprised if the symbols have any meaning, but if I had to explain it to someone I’d just go around the symbol wheel counter-clockwise (more mystical that way) pointing at each one in turn and saying: Health, Luck, Happiness, Long Life, Prosperity... You’ll look like a real pro! Oh, the little double-ended tridents between characters are “and.”

 

buddhist symbol for inner peace...

Surprised ?

 

thanks!! =)

 

It is a Buddhist gong, probably from the Himalayas - Nepal, Tibet, and neighbouring countries/regions. The symbols are Sanskrit letters which stand for Buddhist concepts.
Around the central letter is a lotus petal border, the lotus stands for spiritual growth.
The 'tridents' in between are open-ended Vajras. The vajra symbolizes very concentrated cosmic power that can lead to sudden enlightenment. It is likened to a thunderbolt or lightning.
Buddhism in the Himalayas is mostly of the Vajrayana school, in which the vajra is an important symbol.

That is not on the gong.
It is an 'omkar', the symbol for 'Om', which is the sound of cosmic consciousness.

 

Thank you so very much for the detailed help AJ!!