Symbols—
Throughout history we have used symbols, stories, and sound
to express our human condition and to illustrate our connection
to each other and the world we live in. These expressions are
ancient—they explore where we come from, who we are, and
what we can become. They reflect our deepest beliefs and common
values.
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One of the most ancient of symbols what unites us is
the Sun. Many ancient cultures see
the Sun as the source of everything that is. It is a
symbol of creative power and eternal renewal. The worship
of the Sun was common to many civilizations. Even in
these modern times the Sun is a symbol of the supreme
being in many religions. In nature, the Sun is the centre
of the system—the heart of the cosmos. The solar
cycle defines the progression of time. It is the source
of heat for the world, representing vitality and passion.
It is the source of light in the darkness representing
knowledge and truth.
Click here for stories illustrating the symbol of the
Sun.
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The Moon is considered a symbol for the feminine, nurturing principle in life because the cycle of the moon corresponds to the phases of a woman’s life. It is often called Grandmother Moon in many native traditions. It shows the earth cycles of birth, growth, decline, death, and rebirth. It is also associated with the emotions, intuition, and the mysterious side of nature. The moon shows us the value of receptivity and illustrates the need for reflection and adaptation.
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Many ancient cultures believed the Four Elements were the essential building blocks of nature that sustain the world. Ancient healers sought to bring these elements into balance to create health and harmony for the members of their communities.
Air is the breath of life—prana—the vital energy and a symbol of inspiration. Air governs our mental capacities.
Earth is the foundation—solid ground—the source of nourishment and a symbol of fertility and regeneration. Earth governs our physical life.
Fire is the purifier—illuminator—the source that generates and destroys. Fire governs our spiritual development.
Water is the source of life—spiritual rebirth—the source of cleansing and renewal. Water governs our emotional health.
Click here for stories illustrating the four elements.
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Another important symbol is the Circle.
The Circle is a form without a beginning or an end. Therefore,
it symbolizes unity and eternity. Ancient civilizations
saw their world and their existence in it as circular—the
sun and the moon, the disk of the earth surrounded by
water, the progression of day and night, and the cycle
of life and death. The Circle shows the eternal movement
of time and the rhythm of the universe. The symbol of
the Circle is still used in our sacred architecture and
celebrations (e.g., our domed places of worship and the
circumambulations of our sacred places). The Circle expresses
the continuity of life, time, and divinity.
Click here for stories illustrating the symbol of the
Circle.
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The most ancient meaning of the Triangle represented the female principle. The Goddess was the original trinity representing the Virgin, the Mother, and the Crone. Later, the triangle sitting on its base became a male or solar symbol representing god, ascent, prosperity, and fire. The reversed triangle became the female or lunar symbol representing the goddess, descent, fecundity, and water. These two triangles superimposed create duality.
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The Spiral is also a symbol found
throughout the world and frequently found in nature.
The Spiral illustrates movement and potential movement.
It symbolizes the form that evolution takes—a
cycle merging into the next, completing the cycle
preceding, and forming the cycle that follows. It
also illustrates involution—a return to the
center. It is connected to the cycle of death—going
into the earth to the core—and rebirth—coming
out again by the same way. The Spiral naturally
shows the process of growth as coming to the same
point again and again, but returning at a different
level so that one can see new possibilities from
a new perspective.
Click here for stories illustrating the symbol of
the Spiral.
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| One Heart, Many Rhythms is a non-profit organization that works in partnership with first peoples of the world to conserve and express the traditions of their culture. We believe all peoples of the world and their way of life are precious and worthy of preserving, and that all ways of knowing add value to our well-being.
©2004-2007 One Heart Many Rhythms |
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