Symbolism varies in their meaning, every culture has its own interpretation of symbolism, but what is certain is that symbolism is as old and ancient as human early civilizations cradling their way in our history.
This is the first part of our symbolism, there will be other symbols posted on our website for you, to help you help us reinterpret symbolism and its true origin and establish some more scientific facts about what it stood for in ancient times and what it stands for in our present days, hoping to reach a better understanding on how our minds work and whether there is any change in our perception of our surroundings and how we relate to it in our endeavor of what is a perpetual struggle for survival.
There are different types of symbols falling under several categories:
Religious symbols, Treasure symbols, Dreams symbols, Traditional symbols that maybe mythological, related to pagan beliefs, magic and sorcery, the good and the bad that is deeply hidden in our subconscious which may reflect our inherited fears and sense of security, reflecting on our knowledge and awareness.
We would love to hear from experts and interested individuals about this subject to help us enrich our database and share it with the world.
Adam El Masri
All Seeing Eye; A symbol representing spiritual sight, inner vision, higher knowledge, insight into occult mysteries. It’s on the $1 bill. Masonic symbol for the all-seeing eye of god also the eye of Horus.
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Alchemy 1: A 17th century “sign” illustrates the blending of geometric shapes, elemental symbols and astrological signs. Each part representing the various “elements” and forces needed for magical work in the quest for physical transformation and spiritual illumination and immortality. Many medieval alchemists based their philosophies on mystical traditions rooted in the Kabbala (Jewish mysticism), Hermetic magic and the occult practices of ancient civilizations such as Egypt and China. See Philosopher’s stone and phoenix. Compare it with the next symbol
Alchemy 2: A “magical-alchemical symbol” replaces the above triangle with a hexagram and adds more shapes within the magical circle: a cross and an additional circle with the Hindu “Bindu” (dot in the center) at the bottom of the hexagram
Anarchy: The lines of the “A” often extend outside the circle. To many Satanists and other fast-growing occult groups it represents their slogan, it represents the Asmodeas: a demonic force
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Ankh: An Egyptian cross symbolizing a mythical eternal life, rebirth, and the life-giving power of the sun
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Angel: Symbol of good and evil spirits in religions around the world. In this picture it’s a guardian angel
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Arrow: The astrological sign for the archer (Sagittarius) — part of the zodiac. also symbolized war, power, swiftness, the rays of the sun, knowledge… as well as deities such as the Greek god Apollo and goddess Artemis (both hunters), the Hindu weather god, Rudra; and various gods of sexual attraction: Eros (Greek), Cupid (Roman), Kama (Hindu)…. On ancient Roman coins, it represented the Zoroastrian god, Mithra. The native American Cheyenne warriors revered the “sacred medicine arrows” as symbols of male power. Arrows held by skeletons would point to disease or death.
Crystal Ball: Used for divination (fortunetelling, clairvoyance…). When the heavy crystal balls were too expensive.
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Bat: A symbol of good fortune in the East, it represented demons and spirits in medieval Europe
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Blair Witch: A five-pointed compound symbol with a center triangle pointing down. The five lines resemble the microcosmic man with arms and legs outstretched inside a circle (with a pentagram in the background)– a magic symbol or charm among medieval alchemists and wizards.
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Butterfly: Redemption and regeneration. To many pagans, its mythical meaning is linked to the soul (of the deceased) in search of reincarnation
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Sacred Bull (Egyptian Idol): These ancient Egyptian idols — once worshipped as manifestations of gods — are being revived. Its horns resemble a crescent moon supporting the divine sun disc. Some suggest that this combination — like the Chinese yin yang — may symbolize a mythical duality: a union of opposites such as light/dark, sun/moon, life/death, and male/female
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Chaos: The 8-pointed star represents different directions of chaos and the ways one can follow. Comment “from Elric of Melnibone”: The force of Chaos had as its symbol an eight-pointed double-cross (symbols within symbols) with points representing the noncommittal and omnidirectional behavior of Chaos
Circle (Sacred Hoop, Ring): An ancient and universal symbol of unity, wholeness, infinity, the goddess, and female power. To earth-centered religions throughout history as well as to many contemporary pagans, it represents the feminine spirit or force, the cosmos or a spiritualized Mother Earth, and a sacred space
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Circumpunct – Circle with Dot (Bindu) in the Center: It represents the sun and a sun god (called Ra in Egypt), gold (as in alchemy), an archangel (Kabbalah), emotional restraint (Freemasons), and the creative spark of divine consciousness within people linking everyone to the creative mind of a universal “god” thus making each persona “co-creator” (astrology).
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Circle (Quartered): The sacred circle filled with a cross, four equal lines pointing from the center to the spirits of the north, east, south, and west — or to the basic element: earth, water, air (or wind), and fire. In Native American traditions, it forms the basic pattern of the Medicine Wheel and plays a vital part in major spiritual rituals. Many contemporary pagans consider it their main symbol for transmitting the energy of the goddess. (sun wheel) Churches have used variations of the same popular shape, usually calling it the Celtic Cross
Masonic Compass: The Masonic symbol of the compass and the T-square represents movement toward perfection and a balance between the spiritual and physical which resembles Egyptian and oriental mysticism. The compass (used to form circles) represents spirit. The ruler (part of a square) represents the physical
Cow: It symbolized the sky goddess Hathor to Egyptians, enlightenment to Buddhists, one of the highest and holiest stages of transmigration (reincarnation) to Hindus
Crescent Moon: A symbol of the aging goddess (crone) to contemporary witches and victory over death to many Muslims. In Islamic lands, crescent can be seen enclosing a lone pentagram
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Celtic Cross: The symbol for a cultural blend of medieval Catholicism and ancient Celtic traditions. Sometimes this cross is seen with four additional “arms” dividing the circle into eight instead of four sections
Jerusalem Cross: In medieval heraldry, it symbolized the “Crusader’s Kingdom of Jerusalem” often displayed on shields and banners after the initial victory in the battle to recapture Jerusalem during the Crusades. (See the Maltese Cross). Some have linked the four corner crosses the “holy” wounds of Jesus or the four gospels. Similar shapes can be found on Hindu and Buddhist temples or coins — and in various earth-centered cultures — with entirely different sets of meanings. (See circle for relevant references to the four directions)
Iron Cross (or Cross Pattée or Eisernas Kreuz): Adopted as the Iron Cross in Prussia. During the First World War, it appeared on German fighter planes and tanks. Later, it became a fascist symbol in France, Portugal and other nations
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Cross (Maltese): This eight-pointed cross (linking the points of four arrowheads at the center) dates back to the First Crusade in the 12th century. It was used by the Knights Templar, the Knights of Malta, and the Order of St. John of Jerusalem among others. In 1813, during the War of Liberation against Napoleon, it was revived by Prussian King Friedrich Wilhelm III and became an award for acts of heroism, bravery or leadership skills
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Double-Headed Eagle: A Masonic seal and initiation symbol. The number inside the pyramid over the eagle’s head is 33. The eagle is a universal symbol representing the sun, power, authority, victory, the sky gods and the royal head of a nation
Dove: Peace. It sometimes accompanies other symbols occasionally representing the world’s vision of universal peace, such as the rainbow, olive branch, broken cross, globe, and Egyptian ankh
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Dragon: A mythical monster made up of many animals: serpent, lizard, bird, lion… It may have many heads and breath fire. To mediaeval Europe, it was dangerous and evil, but people in Eastern Asia believe it has power to help them against more hostile spiritual forces. In the Bible it represents Satan, the devil
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Dream Catcher: An American Indian magic spider-web inside a sacred circle. After making dream-catchers these occult symbols may block bad dreams but allow good dreams to pass through the center
Elements: The four basic elements to many pagans are earth, water, air (wind or spirit) and fire. Many consider the first two passive and feminine – and the last two active and masculine. In Wiccan or Native American rituals, the “quartered circle” (also the Medicine Wheel) represents a “sacred space” or the sacred earth. The four lines may represent the spirits of the four primary directions or the spirits of the earth, water, wind and fire
Evil Eye: The symbol of a dreadful, fabled curse (believed to bring sickness, death, bad luck loss…). This “evil eye” has frightened people in many parts of the world through the centuries. Here it looks like a female eye on the “Hand of Fatima,” but its shape varies with the culture
Eye Of Horus: it represents the eye of Egyptian sun-god Horus who lost an eye battling Set. Pagans use it as a charm to ward off evil
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FLEUR-DE-LIS: Also called Lily of France, it was first an adaptation of the Gaulish lily representing the Virgin Juno. Among goddess worshippers, it apparently had several meanings, including the Triple Goddess. It appeared in Arthurian legends as well as on the French (and other national) “coat-of-arms” and royal or military emblems. It has also been an emblem for the Boy Scouts
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Frog: A symbol of fertility to many cultures. The Romans linked it to Aphrodite, the Egyptian to the shape-shifting goddess Heket who would take the form of a frog. To the Chinese, it symbolized the moon — “the lunar, yin principle” bringing healing and prosperity. Since frogs need watery places, their image was often used in occult rain charms
Hand Of Fatima (Daughter Of Muhammad) Or Khamsa (Five): Many Muslims believe that the image of the hand with an eye in the center will protect them from the evil eye While this symbol often appears on magical charms, amulets, and jewelry; it is seen in many other places. This Khamsa seems to be the same as the Jewish Hasma (Many serious Muslims view this as folklore or superstition
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Hand of… What? Native American version of two above symbols. Found on a flat, round sandstone disk during the excavation of an old Indian mound in Alabama, its original meaning is lost. Perhaps it was used in rituals preparing for tribal wars
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Hexagram (See Triangles) Or Six-Pointed Star: When surrounded by a circle, it represents the “divine mind” (a counterfeit of God’s wisdom) to numerous occult groups through the centuries. Many still use it in occult rituals. But to Jewish people, it is their Star of David
Infinity: In ancient India and Tibet, it represented perfection, dualism, and unity between male and female. In the occult tarot it’s linked to magic and represents equilibrium or the balance of various forces. In modern times, it became a secular mathematical symbol for infinity in numbers, time or space (eternity).
Lucifer Horn: (Cornu, Cornicello, Wiggly Horn, Unicorn horn, Leprechaun staff). The ancient magical charm or amulet worn in Italy as protection against “evil eye” has also been linked to Celtic and Druid myths and beliefs. Other superstitions link it to sexual power and good luck. It is often worn with a cross (for double protection or luck?). In pre-Christian Europe, animal horns pointed to the moon goddess and were considered sacred
Labyrinth: “…predate Christianity by over a millennium. The most famous labyrinth from ancient times was in Crete… the supposed lair of the mythological Minotaur…. Turf labyrinths still exist in England, Germany and Scandinavia, and are thought to be linked with local feminine deities and fertility rituals…. The patterns of the labyrinth are similar in design and conception to the mandalas of South Asian Buddhism, which are physical representations of the spiritual realm designed to aid in meditation. Labyrinths blend their visual symbolism with the process of walking, which is similar to the Japanese Zen practice of kinhin, literally ‘walking meditation
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Lightning Bolt: In ancient mythologies from many cultures (Norse, Roman, Greek, Native American, etc.) the lighting bolt would be hurled by male sky gods to punish, water, or fertilize the earth or its creatures. Navajo myths linked it to the Thunderbird, the symbol of salvation and divine gifts. On children’s toys, it represents supernatural power. Double bolts, popular with contemporary skinheads, symbolize Nazi power
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Lion: An ancient symbol of the sun, dominion, power, ferocity and bravery, the “king of the beasts” was often used on heraldic shields, flags or banners by medieval European rulers. In Tarot cards, an occult system of divination based on the Kabala, it symbolized strength or power. In ancient mythology it was identified with sun worship and the imagined power of both gods and goddesses
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Lizard: Its “sun-seeking habit symbolizes the soul’s search for awareness.” To the Romans, who believed it hibernated, the lizard meant death and resurrection
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Magic Mirror: Used for scrying or foretelling the future, solve problems, answer questions….The preferred spectrum might be decorated with “magic signs” during full moon rituals. Rosemary Ellen Guiley explains: “The ancient art of clairvoyance achieved by concentrating upon an object– usually one with a shiny surface– until visions appear….The term scrying comes from the English words descry which means ‘to make out dimly’ or ‘to reveal.” The Encyclopedia of Witches and Witchcraft, 307
Mandala: The Hindu term for circle. In Hindu and Buddhist meditations, it is used to raise consciousness. In meditation, the person fixes his or her mind on the center of the “sacred circle.” Geometric designs are common. The center of some mandalas shows a triangle with a bindu (dot) inside a circle. It represents the merging of male and female forces
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Mask: Used by pagans around the world to represent animal powers, nature spirits, or ancestral spirits. In pagan rituals, the wearer may chant, dance and enter a trance in order to contact the spirit world and be possessed by the spirit represented by the mask
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Medicine Shield: A round shield decorated with personal symbols or pictures of the animal spirit(s) contacted on a Spirit Quest or through a classroom visualization simulating an American Indian ceremony. Its basic image is often the form of the “medicine wheel” or quartered circle
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Mermaid: Based on ancient myths in India, Greece, Syria, Africa and other parts of the world. Seen by some cultures as sea goddesses, these seductive beings guarded treasures, frightened travelers, and were eventually featured in alchemy and other occult practices as well as in fairy tales. By medieval times, the alluring Sirens of Homer’s days had apparently evolved into promiscuous split-tailed versions that symbolized mystical sex to alchemists and secret societies. German legends describe a mystical Nixie — a fish-tailed female water spirits, daughter of “Mother Night.” In our times
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OM: Sanskrit letters or symbol for the “sacred” Hindu sound OM (ohm or aum) called “the mother of all mantras. Apparently, the four parts symbolize four stages of consciousness: Awake, sleeping, dreaming, and a trance or transcendental state
Owl: Cherokee [Indian] shamans viewed Eastern Screech-Owls as consultants on punishment and sickness. The Cree believed that the whistle-sounds of the Boreal Owl were a summoning call to the spirit world. Other Native American traditions hold that the owl represents vision and insight. In Africa the owl is associated with witchcraft and sorcery. Australia, China, Greenland, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia and Sweden all have cultures or mythical traditions that give spiritual significance to the owl
Peace Symbol Or A Broken Upside-Down Cross: Like many simple symbols, it meant different things at different times. Some call it Nero’s cross, linking it to the notorious Roman emperor who persecuted Christians. Centuries later, it was recognized as an old Norse Rune. After WW2 (1939-1945), it was found on the tombstones of some of Hitler’s SS troops and labeled ‘The Dead Man Rune
Pentacle Or Pentagram (Five-Pointed Star Pointing Up): A standard symbol for witches, freemasons, and many other pagan or occult groups. To witches, it represents the four basic elements (wind, water, earth and fire) plus a pantheistic spiritual being such as Gaia or Mother Earth
Pentagram (Five-Pointed Star Pointing Down): Used in occult rituals to direct forces or energies. Often represents Satanism, the horned god or various expressions of contemporary occultism, especially when a goat-head is superimposed on the inverted pentagram within a “sacred”.
Philosopher’s Stone: The symbol for the Alchemist quest for transformation and spiritual illumination, The double-headed eagle in the center is a Masonic seal
Phoenix: A universal symbol of the sun, mystical rebirth, resurrection and immortality, this legendary red “fire bird” was believed to die in its self-made flames periodically (each hundred years, according to some sources) then rise again out of its own ashes. Linked to the worship of the fiery sun and sun gods such as Mexico’s Quetzalcoatl, it was named “a god of Phoenicia” by the Phoenician. To alchemists, it symbolized the destruction and creation of new forms of matter along the way to the ultimate transformation: physical (turn lead into gold) and spiritual, immortality. The philosopher stone was considered the key to this transformation
Scarab: Symbol of the rising sun, the Egyptian sun god Chepri (or Khepera), and protection from evil. To ancient Egyptians, the dung beetle rolled its dung balls like Chepri rolled the sun across the sky. The “sacred” symbol adorned popular seals, amulets and magic charms (worn as protection against evil spirits or to overcome bareness) first in Egypt, then in Phoenicia, Greece and other Mediterranean lands. Medieval alchemists used its pattern in their magical diagrams
Serpent Or Snake: Most earth-centered or pagan cultures worshipped the serpent. It represents rebirth (because of its molting), protection against evil, either male of female sexuality, rain and fertility, a mediator between the physical and spiritual world…. It also represents female energy or life force in goddess worship, sometimes linked to the eastern Kundalini force or a supposed “goddess within.” The list of meanings is endless, but in the Bible it usually represents sin, temptation, destruction, and Satan. The circular image of the serpent biting its tail links the mythical significance of the serpent to that of the sacred circle
Spider: Linked to treachery and death in many cultures, it was seen as a “trickster” in ancient Africa, a “spinner of fate” in ancient goddess cultures and — in ancient Greek myths — the goddess Arachne turned into a spider by her jealous rival Athena. “Christian” cultures have linked it both to an evil force that sucked blood from its victims and to “good luck” because of the cross on the back of some species. The Chinese have welcomed the spider descending on its thread as a bringer of joys from heaven
Sphinx: Ancient Egyptian and Babylonian guardian of sacred places –an idol with human head and a lion’s body. The Greek sphinx would devour travelers who failed to answer her riddle. According to A New Encyclopedia of Freemasonry (by Arthur Waite, xii) the masonic sphinx “is the guardian of the Mysteries and is the Mysteries summarized in a symbol. Their secret is the answer to her question. The initiate must know it or lose the life of the Mysteries. his respect the Mysteries have given up their meaning
Spiral: Linked to the circle. Ancient symbol of the goddess, the womb, fertility, feminine serpent force, continual change, and the evolution of the universe, spiritual/physical — the back and forth flow of earthly and cosmic changes. With its focus on the unity of opposites, it resembles the Yin and Yang
Sun Face: The pictured image is part of an 18th century Masonic ritual painting, but it illustrates a symbol that has been central to most major spiritual systems of history. Since the sun god usually reigned over a pantheon of lesser gods. His symbol played a vital part in pagan worship (and in the rituals of occult secret societies) around the world. In Inca myths, the sun was worshipped as the divine ancestor of the nation
Sun and Sun Sign: The sun was worshipped as a personified, life-giving deity in Babylonian, Egyptian, Greek, Roman, and other major civilizations of history
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Sun Sign 2: Found in Turkey and believed to represent the sun and the four directions
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Sun Wheel or Ring Cross: A universal symbol found on ancient slabs in Nordic countries, in pre-Columbian America and in Mediterranean countries. “Today, it is used as a log by some new fascist organizations,” according to the Dictionary of Symbols. Like the swastika and other sun symbols, it represents power and supremacy
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Swastika 1: Ancient occult symbol found in Egypt, China, India. (The lower picture shows part of a Hindu temple) Chinese versions include a right-handed (yang) and a left-handed (yin) version — opposites that “harmonize.” It has represented the sun, the four directions, movement and change (the four appendages) and union of opposites (lines crossing). As a pre-Hitler elitist symbol, it was found in the Skull & Bones vault at Yale. Revived by Hitler, it represents racism and the “white supremacy” of neo-nazis. It’s often placed within a circle
Swastika 2 (Crux Dissimulata): An ancient swastika which symbolized the four winds or directions and their corresponding spirits. It was also a “fire and sun symbol occurring initially in Asia and later among the Germanic tribes,” according to The Herder Symbol Dictionary “The cross inscribed in a circle mediates between the square and the circle,” emphasizing the “joining of heaven and earth…. and “the perfected human being.”
Swastika 2 (Crux Dissimulata): An ancient swastika which symbolized the four winds or directions and their corresponding spirits. It was also a “fire and sun symbol occurring initially in Asia and later among the Germanic tribes,” according to The Herder Symbol Dictionary “The cross inscribed in a circle mediates between the square and the circle,” emphasizing the “joining of heaven and earth…. and “the perfected human being.”
The Tao: An ancient Chinese symbol used originally to represent a widespread belief in unity, polarity, holism, and magic
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Toad: Linked to witchcraft and other occult practices
Tongue (Protruding): Linked to flame, fire, fertility, sexual power and spiritual power. In nations around the world, images of deities or masks with protruding tongues have indicated active and occupying spiritual forces — often a union of masculine and feminine spirits. Such images were vital to pagan rituals invoking [demonic] spirits. The sexual/spiritual forces represented by gargoyles with protruding tongues which adorned Gothic cathedrals were believed to protect the buildings from other spiritual powers
Totem: Carved, painted representation of power animals or animal-human ancestors. To American Indians in the Northwest, who believe that all of nature has spiritual life, the animals in their totems poles represent the spiritual powers of animal protectors or ancestors
Trident: Called “the devil’s pitchfork,” it has symbolized major gods in various pagan cultures. In India, it is linked to the Hindu “trident-bearer” Shiva, spouse of the skull-bearing goddess Kali
Unicorn: To many New Agers, it means power, purification, healing, wisdom, self-knowledge, renewal and eternal life. Origin: In the 4th century BC, Greek historian Ctesias told about a wild animal with healing powers and a spiral horn on its forehead. Medieval myths suggested it could only be caught with help from a virgin who would befriend it
Wheel: A universal symbol of cosmic unity, astrology, “the circle of life,” evolution, etc. The pagan sacred circle plus any number of radiating spokes or petals form the wheel – a Wheel of Life to Buddhists, a Medicine Wheel to Native Americans, a Mandala to Hindus. It symbolizes unity, movement, the sun, the zodiac, reincarnation, and earth’s cycles of renewal. Pagans use it in astrology, magic and many kinds of rituals. This SUN WHEEL became a magical amulet to the Celtic Gaels in Europe. Later, “Christians adopted the form, changing it slightly, so that it became a Christ monogram drawn within a circle
Tibetan Prayer Wheels: “devices for spreading spiritual blessings and well being. Rolls of thin paper, imprinted with many, many copies of the mantra (prayer) Om Mani Padme Hum… are wound around an axle in a protective container, and spun around and around. Tibetan Buddhists believe that saying this mantra, out loud or silently to oneself, invokes the powerful benevolent attention and blessings of Chenrezig, the embodiment of compassion.” (from the prayer wheels)
Wheel Of Dharma: Buddhist wheel of life and reincarnation
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World Health Organization (Who, A Un Agency): This symbol points back to the days of Moses, when a dead serpent was displayed on a stake during the Israelites 40-year journey through the wilderness. Instead of trusting God, the people complained, so “the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people…and many…died.” When they confessed their sin, God told Moses to “make a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole.” Those who then looked at the bronze serpent on the stake with confidence in God’s promise, were healed (Numbers 21:4-9). This became an illustration of the crucifixion through which Jesus bore the judgment we deserve for our sins. (See John 3:14) About 700 BC, faithful king Hezekiah ‘broke in pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made, since the people worshiped it as an idol and “burned incense to it.” (2 King 18:1-5)
World Triad: Originally an oriental symbol, it was “adopted by western Gnostics as an emblem of cosmic creativity, the threefold nature of reality or fate, and the eternally spiraling cycles of time… In Japan it was maga-tama or mitsu tomoe, the world soul…. In Bhutan and Tibet, it is still known as the Cosmic Mandala, a sign of the Trimurti. Like the yin and yang it also represents eternity
Yin Yang: A Chinese Tao picture of universal harmony and the unity between complimentary opposites: light/dark, male/female, etc. Yin is the dark, passive, negative female principle. Yang is the light, active, positive principle. Since the holistic balance between Yin and Yang is dynamic and constantly changing, it illustrates the consensus process, the vision of global unity, and the blending of opposing energies at the heart of Holistic Health
Astrological Chart: used by medieval alchemists in divination. Notice the symbol of the intellect and of the planet (and Roman god) Mercury inside the center triangle. This triangle is surrounded by a hexagram and two smaller triangles positioned as male and female energy – and seven more concentric circles. Compound symbols within magical codes and names inside multiple circles have been used by occultists and sorcerers in many parts of the world. It is still used in African witchcraft
Circle (Quartered):Thesacred circlefilled with a cross,four equal lines pointing from the center to the spirits of the north, east, south, and west— or to the basic element: earth, water, air (or wind), and fire. In Native American traditions, it forms the basic pattern of theMedicine Wheel and plays a vital part in major spiritual rituals. Many contemporary pagans consider it their main symbol for transmitting the energy of the goddess. (sun wheel) Churches have used variations of the same popular shape, usually calling it theCeltic Cross