Thiru(word representing sacredness) + Namam(name) represents (The Sacred name). The people of Ayyavazhi wore a vertical white mark on the forehead in the shape of a flame, starting from the central point between the eyebrows, going straight up near the top edge of the forehead.The flame shape represents Aanma Jyothi or Atman. Which in turn means that, Aatman is considered sacred and as the name of God.(See:Symbol of Ayyavazhi) Zealous devotees smeared it on the exterior of the upper arms and over the chest. This white mark was unlike the one worn by a Hindu of Vaishnavism tradition who wore it on the forehead in the shape of 'U', or of Saivism tradition who wore it horizontally as three parallel lines. The white powder used for this mark was made from

Ayya Vaikundar seems to have personally touched the forehead of followers and worn it for them. On account of this action, it came to called also as thottunamam - meaning 'a mark with a personal touch'. A verse in Ukappatippu of Arulnool says: "Our Ayya is coming to us by wearing a thottunamam. This dimension of personal touch stood out to the public eye and was much appreciated by the people of Ayyavazhi.

At present, those who 'serve' in every Pathis or Nizhal Thangals, wear this white mark for the people and give a portion of it in their hands. People carry it home as holy object, and some of them even swallow a little of it believing it to be medicinal.