Symbols are highly significant tools in communication because the human psyche is intimately linked to the symbols. The symbols are meaningful in the context of the fact that human minds universally relate to symbols across cultures. This should not be surprising for those of us who understand the implication of collective unconsciousness.
The notion of the collective unconscious was propounded by Carl Jung, a psychoanalyst. Collective unconsciousness, also referred to as “objective psyche”, holds that a part of the deepest unconscious mind is inherited rather than shaped by experience. According to Jung, human beings in common share collective unconsciousness. It links to our deep-seated instincts and beliefs, such as life and death instincts. These also connect other instincts, such as sexual behavior and spirituality. The powerful spirituality symbols must then be understood as a part of our common heritage preserved in our collective unconscious. Most of these symbols are infinity symbols that make us ponder what is the spiritual meaning of the infinity symbol?
Symbols as the Languages of the Soul
Let us ask what is the meaning ofspirituality symbols?
Spirituality symbols are the languages of the soul. These are also the language of our dreams. According to occultists, signs and symbols are the language of dreams. The signs and symbols are given a supernatural power at their creation. Signs and symbols, words and images, colors and lights have for ages indicated spiritual meaning.
Symbols are the vehicles of communication in all religions. The symbols are intimately related to divinity, holiness, and purity. The mystic traditions all over the world have their strong affiliation to the powerful spiritual symbols.
The list of these symbols used across cultures and religions are endless. Here are some of the most powerful symbols used in different cultures and religions.
The Lotus
The Lotus is a powerful spiritual symbol in Buddhism. It is also a very significant symbol in Hinduism. In Hinduism, the Goddess of wealth, Lakshmi stands over the lotus flower. The lotus in these cultures symbolizes enlightenment. The lotus depicts its outgrowth from muck and darkness and its flourishing in the bright daylight of sunshine. This flower, as we all know, remains untouched by the muck and dirt in which it grows. This symbol parallels the journey from darkness to light. It represents inherent human capabilities to rise and flourish to attain light and wisdom. The lotus flower is often given the supreme example of detachment. This flower remains untouched by the dirty water surrounding it.
The Ankh
Ancient Egypt has been the storehouse of spiritual wisdom. There are several powerful spiritual symbols associated with the ancient religion in Egypt. The Ankh is one among them. This symbol relates to the symbol of life. This symbol symbolizes fertility, regeneration, life, and eternity. It bestows the qualities of spiritual wisdom and the eternity of life. In ancient times, this symbol helped during sexual practice with the aim to reinvigorate and regenerate the sexual energy. Life, being eternal, helps us delve into the question of what is the spiritual meaning of the infinity symbol.
The hieroglyphic symbol was most commonly used in writing in Ancient Egypt. In writing and in Egyptian art, it represents life. It symbolizes life or breath of life. As the Egyptians believed in eternal continuity of life, the ankh symbol represents the present mortal life and the life beyond.
The Tree of Life
The World Tree or Tree of Life is a powerful spiritual symbol in many cultures and religions world over. The tree of life appears in cultures from Mayans and Celts to Nordic and Buddhism. While these cultures maintained the sacredness of the Tree of Life Symbol, their details, including the stories, may differ. Nonetheless, they all point to conceptual, philosophical and spiritual core associated with the sacred Tree of Life.
The tree of life relates with the cyclical movement of life from birth and death to rebirth. This notion largely helps us understand what is the spiritual meaning of the infinity symbol. The Christianity religion believes that the tree of life is in the Garden of Eden, where Adam and Eve tasted the forbidden fruit.
The tree of life is also related to the four earth elements representative of the universal connection found in the creation. There are several other meanings associated with tree of life such as ancestry, rebirth, personal growth, strength, and beauty.
The Hamsa
The Hamsa is a powerful spiritual symbol, while this Arabic word itself means ‘five’, symbolic of the five digits of the hand. This ancient Middle Eastern symbol represents the hand of God. As a protective sign, it is popular across several cultures. It brings health, happiness and prosperity. This symbol is often used together with the Evil Eye to protect the user against someone or something evil. The wearer of this symbol believes no harm can come to them, so long as they wear this amulet.
Hamsa hand has two main styles, one depicted as a regular hand and the other shows two thumbs symmetrically positioned. Historically, it is believed that no one with evil intentions can harm the wearer of this symbol.
In Hebrew, the number 5 and the fifth letter are significant. The number 5 in Hebrew is Hamesh and the fifth alphabet in Hebrew is ‘Hey’ which means God. This symbol is associated with the five books of Torah. In Judaism, this symbol is understood to mean the Hand of Miriam. In Sunni culture, it represents the five pillars of Islam, while the Shi’ites understand it to mean the Five People of the Cloak. It is also associated with the hand of Fatima, the daughter of Prophet Mohammad.
The Flower of Life
The flower of life is a significant spiritual symbol from sacred geometry. Sacred geometry consists of different geometric shapes with deep metaphysical significance. The flower of life is a pattern formed by a series of 7 or more overlapping circles depicting a flower-like grid. The flower of life is observed to contain all geometric shapes. It is believed to contain all patterns of creation. Nearly all ancient cultures recognize this symbol, believed to symbolize the origin or creation. It is also believed to represent the unity principle of the creation from the same source.
If you concentrate on the flower of life for some time, you will feel uplifted. For spiritual practitioners, this symbol often serves as an object of meditation.
Dharma Wheel
The Dharma Wheel or Dharma Chakra motif has a deep spiritual significance in Buddhism. It is one among the eight auspicious symbols in Buddhism. The wheel represents change and motion, the essence of Buddhist philosophy according to which the universe is ever in flux, never constant. The round shape of the wheel or the circle represents the perfection of Buddha’s teaching and the rim of the wheel symbolizes mindfulness and meditative concentration. Buddha’s moral discipline finds its representation in the hub. There are three swirls seen on the hub, said to represent the three sacred jewels identified as Buddha, Sangha, and Dharma, in Buddhism.
The spokes in the wheel represent several things according to their number. If the spoke has four wheels, they represent the four noble truths. If there are eight spokes, they represent the eight-fold noble path. When there are 12 spokes in the wheel, they represent dependent origination that is 12 in number. According to the ancient Buddhist cosmology, there are 31 realms of existence. A wheel with 31 spokes represents the same.
The Caduceus
The Caduceus symbol and the Rod of Asclepius symbol are often confused. The Caduceus symbol is associated with Greek God Hermes. It is the symbol of commerce. This symbol is often mistakenly used in the medical profession because it is similar to the Rod of Asclepius. Traditionally a symbol of Hermes, Caduceus features two coiled serpents around a winged staff. This symbol also represents planet Mercury.
The symbol is understood to mean two primal life force energy, we all have. The two coiled serpents represent the Kundalini energy, arising from the base of an individual’s spine. These two serpents depicting the Kundalini force are masculine and feminine principles. The upward motion of the Kundalini force is believed to indicate the progress and growth that culminates in reaching the pinnacle or the wings of new life. The staff is the spine through which the Kundalini force travels upwards.
The Pentacle
The Pentacle is a powerful spiritual symbol in use since ancient times. It is shaped as a five-pointed star with one the top point facing upwards. It represents the five cosmic elements of earth, water, air, fire, and ether. These primordial elements constitute the universe and the humans alike.
The Pentagram or Pentacle is among the most ancient symbols persistently used in several cultures, including the Indian, Chinese, Mayan, Babylonian, Greek, and Egyptian. The Pentacle is a mystic symbol. It contains several layers of symbolism. This symbol is interpreted to mean the quest for oneness with the cosmos. The symbol relates to unity, light, love, and life. The Pentagram associated with divine protective powers is said to protect the user from evil forces and misfortunes. Some modern-day belief systems like the Wiccans and neo-Pagans hold this symbol in the highest esteem.
