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OM
: Cosmic Creation - This is the most sacred symbol of Hinduism. It
is believed to be the visual depiction of cosmic sound, from which all matter
and space originates. In its monosyllabic sound, it contains the brahman
or the entire universe and its energy. So fundamental is Om to Hindu culture,
that it is the first shape that every child draws as he begins his education.
It is also the first chant of the priest as he invokes the gods in prayer.
This motif can be seen on doorways, temples, account books, religious texts,
the cradles of the newborn and on ceremonial clothes, in a variety of colours
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LAKSHMI'S
FOOTPRINTS: Auspicious Presence Stop across the doorway from any mud-walled,
thatched villa hut in India and you see tiny, delicately- drawn female footprints
on walls and thresholds. These stylized footprints drawn in white and Vermillion
are an ancient graphic design depicting Laksmi the goddess of lustre and
good fortune. Particularly on festive days, women draw these small, auspicious
footprints on thresholds at twilight to welcome Lakshmi, who bestows wealth
and wisdom, health and good cheer. A new daughter-in-law, entering her matrimonial
home, is welcomed with Lakshmi's footprints drawn over the door. This symbol
of the footprint is used during all sacraments which concern women. Particularly
during her Seemant, a pregnant woman walks over Kumkum or vermilion powder
and leaves her footprints around the house as she walks on that auspicious
day. It is a practice in many communities for the husband to give her gifts
in return for these footprints which promise fortune and long life to the
coming child. |
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THE
THIRD EYE - Font of Perception An Indian symbol that often baffles
many in the West is the third eye. A number of Hindu deities, particularly
Shiva, the destroyer and cosmic dancer, and his wife Durga, are portrayed
in iconography as having a third eye in the centre of the forehead. In fact,
this is merely a symbol representing the capacity of human consciousness
to see beyond the obvious, or perceive beyond the outwardly visible and
tangible; to reach that inner source of life which is the font of divine
energy and power. This symbolism says that all human beings who use their
discriminative powers, can, in the silence of their inner selves, seek the
sanctuary of truth and purity. Despite this deep metaphysical meaning, the
symbol of the third eye is often mistaken as the power to destroy. |
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COCONUT:
Fruit Of Lustre An equally important symbol of the fullness of human life
is the coconut. In fact, in peninsular India, where coconut palms grow in
abundance along the long coastline, this tree is called Kalpavriksha, or
the mythical tree, which grants whatever boon asked for. The coconut tree
offers itself to innumerable uses both utilitarian as well as decorative.
The wide fronds are woven together and used for thatching on village huts,
the husk of the coconut for fuel, the coir for making mats and ropes. The
kernal of the fruit is edible while its water is cool, thirst quenching
and uncontaminated. Coconut oil, derived from this palm, is traditionally
used for cooking as well as anointing the body. The coconut features extensively
in marriage, birth and death rituals and prominently at housewarmings. Often
used in combination with the full pot and mango leaves, it once again reminds
us of the need to make human life a rich experience. In traditional Indian
homes, no gift is complete unless accompanied by a coconut. A teacher is
venerated by the gift of a shawl and shrifal, the 'fruit of lustre', as
the coconut is termed. A pregnant woman is given a coconut as an auspicious
gift. In the absence of idols when conducting various pujas and sacraments,
coconuts are often used instead to represent the gods and goddesses of the
Hindu pantheon. The coconut is thereafter immersed in the sea or in flowing
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POORNA
KUMBH: Living A Full Life Throughout history, man has passionately yearned
to conquer death and the slow but sure degeneration of his strength and
power. Similar to the mythologies of many other countries, India's ancient
literature also contains myths about sages and wise men who spent years
in harsh penance and solitary meditation to master the secrets of immortality.
Many Himalayan herbs were said to possess the magical quality of reviving
a dead person. Epics like the Ramayana or the Mahabharata contain stories
about the use of Sanjeevani, a herb of great life reviving qualities. While
physical immortality and everlasting youth remained only a mythical dream,
Indian elders contemplated a great deal about life and how to make it a
complete experience. They sought, through wisdom, experience and the concentration
of all mental and spiritual energy, to add a certain richness to life, a
wholeness which would take human beings closest to the dream of immortality.
This concept of fullness, of total self-contentment, has been symbolised
in Indian thought and art by the graphic figure of the Poorna Kumbh or the
full pot. According to mythology, the gods, wanting to find the nectar of
everlasting life, churned the cosmic ocean and obtained from its rising
waves the kumbh or pot of nectar. The pot contained within its rotund shape
the fullness and the richness of life. Bitter wars followed for its possession
but none could gain the nectar completely. The pot, however, became a symbol,
and is even today used widely in religious rituals. When entering a new
home, an Indian family ceremonially carries the kumbh decorated with mango
leaves and a coconut. In weddings and death ceremonies, the full pot features
constantly as a reminder of the human desire to achieve completeness in
life . A pot filled with the water of the sacred river Ganga is often worshipped
in household shrines. Such a pot of water is associated with fluidity and
life-giving energy. Often the pot is decorated with a swastika, the symbol
of the sun's energy. Quite naturally, the kumbh has become the theme of
several magnificent festivals held in India around the time Jupiter transits
through Aquarius once in every 12 years. Millions of enthusiastic bathers
gather in Hardwar and Allahabad near the sacred Ganga and in Nasik and Ujjain
on the banks of the Godavari and the Kshipra, for their ritual drenching,
making these festivals the greatest assemblies of bathers in the world.
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LOTUS:
Ultimate Beauty Ancient manuscripts and iconography of India use the
lotus extensively as a symbol of many abstract principles. Gods and goddesses
are constantly portrayed as standing in or sitting upon a many-splendoured
red or white lotus and carrying lotuses in their hands. Buddhist and Jain
deities too are portrayed as sitting in repose with lotuses in their hands.
In all the eastern religions, the lotus is a symbol of beauty, grace, divine
peace and total detachment from the worldly qualities of greed, anger, lust,
passion, jealousy and ego. The lotus, by its very nature, grows in a mossy
pool full of weeds and dirt. In fact, it can take birth only in dirt and
slime. Yet, its beauty is unparalleled. The lotus thus lives in the world
of mossy water, but does not really belong to it. It is detached, complete
in itself, pure and beautiful. The many petals of the mythical lotus also
symbolise layers of the human personality. As they open, the individual
gradually reaches closer and closer to self-realization. The core of the
lotus therefore stands for release from earthly bondage and everlasting
life. It is the national flower of India and a unique symbol of Indian culture.
In Indian literature, it has the greatest variety of names. Because of its
name Padma, Lakshmi is called Padma or Padmaj a meaning’ born of a lotus'.
Because it is called Kamal, Vishnu is called, Kamalnayan or 'lotus eyed'.
The image of a lotus and a bee is constantly repeated in devotional literature
to portray god as the perfectly formed fragrant flower with the devotee's
love being the bee that hovers around it. The lotus is found in many colours
and shapes - that which blooms during the day is called Nalin, Aravind or
Utpala. That which blooms at night is known as Kumuda. The many names of
the lotus are also used to describe aspects of divinity and the mercy of
god. |
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SNAKES:
Represent Energy Snake worship is one of the most ancient cults of human
civilization and prevailed in Syria, Egypt, Greece, Italy, Mexico and is
still found in many African and Asian countries. In the mythological lore
of all these countries, snakes are credited with magical powers over gems
and treasures. They are repositories of wisdom and also control human fertility.
Early Sumerian, Egyptian and Greek seals show serpents as symbols of healing.
In all these cultures serpents are citizens of the netherworld where gems
and jewels of unparalleled radiance are said to be stored. In the Indian
artistic and cultural heritage, the serpent is symbolic of the wealth and
power of underworld treasures, while also having certain sexual connotations
and is worshipped as the deity which bestows progeny on human beings. In
Indian mythology too, Ananta or Shesha the king of snakes, lies coiled in
cosmic ocean and is the abode of the meditating, the god who maintains and
nurtures the universe. Each god of the Hindu pantheon is linked in myths
with snakes. Krishna, the most popular incarnation of Vishnu, is shown as
the conqueror of Kaliya, the snake king of the river Yamuna. In the case
of Shiva, the ascetic god of destruction, the snake is wound round his matted
hair or his throat. Thousands of sculptures and paintings show him with
the coils of five hooded serpents wound around his body. Ancient Buddhist
and Jain monuments too, depict the cult of serpent worship. The most imaginative
symbolism of a coiled serpent, however, is found in later art forms where
the coils represent the kundalini as the dormant energy in every human being.
Serpents are known in mythology as guardians or Digpalas of various directions.
They are: Ananta for the east; Abhoga for the southeast; Padmaka or Padmanabha
for the south; Shankhapala for the south-west; Kulika for the north-west;
Vasuki for the south and Mahapadma for the north-east. |
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The
Celestial Chinese Dragon is comparable as the symbol of the Chinese
race itself. Chinese around the world, proudly proclaim themselves "Lung
Tik Chuan Ren" (Descendents of the Dragon). Dragons are referred to as the
divine mythical creature that brings with it ultimate abundance, prosperity
and good fortune. As the emblem of the Emperor and the Imperial command,
the legend of the Chinese Dragon permeates the ancient Chinese civilization
and shaped their culture until today. Its benevolence signifies greatness,
goodness and blessings. The Chinese Dragon, or Lung , symbolizes power and
excellence, valiancy and boldness, heroism and perseverance, nobility and
divinity. A dragon overcomes obstacles until success is his. He is energetic,
decisive, optimistic, intelligent and ambitious. |
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The
Phoenix is a female mythological bird symbolizing immortality, resurrection
and life after death. |
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The
Dove - A symbol of Peace, is also used as a symbol of the Holy Spirit,
the third person of the Trinity. |
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Cats
have long been held sacred and linked to images of power. In ancient Egypt
the Goddess Bast was not only the divine mother of cats, She was also protectress
of the Pharoah and of women, Goddess of joy, dance, fertility & motherhood.
The Egyptian term for cat was Mau, an imitation of a cats cry and a mother-syllable.
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Celtic
Knotwork - The intricate weave and flow of Celtic knotwork symbolizes
the endless flow of the life force through the cosmos through birth, death
and rebirth and the interconnectedness of all things. |
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The
Goddess - There are many symbols of the divine feminine archetype but
this ancient Lunar Goddess is one of the most familiar, and beloved. The
Goddess is symbolic of the regenerative, life giving forces of the Cosmos.
She is the keeper of wisdom and magickal power, the spirit of Earth and
the Heavens. The Lunar Goddess represents the light within darkness and
enlightenment from ignorance. She gives us the ability to regenerate ourselves
anew and transform ourselves again and again. |
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The
Moon - The Moon is associated with The Goddess in paganism, and represents
intuition, magick and mystery. As the Moon, She waxes and wanes from Maiden
(left facing crescent) to Mother/Mature Woman of Passion (full circle) to
Crone (right facing crescent). Each year She is reborn again as the Maiden
symbolizing the eternal, endlessly cycling circle of life. |
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Spiral
- The spiral is an ancient symbol reflecting the universal pattern of growth
and evolution. The spiral pattern appears again and again in the natural
world from the milky way galaxy to snail shells. The living spiral does
not begin or end, it is an ongoing process of innocence, discovery, community,
and the essence that connects all things. |
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Pentagram
- The Pentagram is a five-pointed star usually drawn in one continuous line
with no beginning and no end. It represents the four physical elements of
Earth, Air, Fire and Water plus Akasha/Spirit. Each point is equally spaced
from the others because they are all equally important. Often it is said
to represent humanity, since the two lower points are similar to legs, the
top one represents the head, and the remaining two are arms. |
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The
Pentacle is a pentgram within a circle, representing the interconnectedness
of all things. The circle represents the wheel of life, the cycles of the
seasons in endless procession, with no beginning and no end. |
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A
four-pointed star is usually styled to resemble a cross and is used
as the "star of Bethlehem" or "natal star." The cross shape reminds us both
of Jesus' birth and the purpose for which He was born. Season: Christmas |
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Star
(5-Pointed) - The five-pointed star is the star of Bethlehem. Shaped
roughly like a human being, it represents Jesus' incarnation. The Christian
five-pointed star should be distinguished from the pagan pentagram, which
is formed of five lines which intersect. Most often shown upside down, the
pentagram is associated with satanic ritual. Num. 24:17 "I see him, but
not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter
will rise out of Israel. (NIV) Matt. 2:1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem
in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi(n) from the east came to Jerusalem
2 and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw
his star in the east(n) and have come to worship him." (NIV) Season: Advent,
Epiphany |
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Star
(6-Pointed) - The six-pointed star is the Creator's star. Its six points
stand for the six days of creation. The points are also said to represent
the six attributes of God - power, wisdom, majesty, love, mercy and justice.
This star is also known today as the Star of David, and is a symbol
of modern-day Israel. The six-pointed star is of ancient origin and is used
in many religions with a variety of meanings. |
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Star
(7-Pointed) - The seven-pointed star represents the seven gifts of the
Spirit - wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, fear of the Lord,
and delight in the Lord. Isa. 11:2 The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him
- the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of
power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD - 3 and he will
delight in the fear of the LORD. |
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Star
(8-Pointed) - Eight is traditionally the number of regeneration. (It
is for this reason that many baptismal fonts have an octagonal base.) Jesus
was circumcised and given his name when he was eight days old. Baptism is
understood to be the New Testament equivalent of the covenant of circumcision.
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Star
(9-Pointed) - The nine-pointed star symbolizes the nine fruits of the
Spirit listed in the Epistle to the Galatians. This star is sometimes shown
with the Latin initials for each of the fruits (charitas, gaudium, pax,
longanimitas, benignitas, bonitus, fides, mansuetudo and continentia) placed
within the points. Gal. 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control.
Against such things there is no law. |
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Star
(12-Pointed) - A twelve-pointed star may be used to represent the twelve
tribes of Israel or the twelve apostles. It may also be used at Epiphany,
the twelfth day of Christmas, on which the church celebrates the manifestation
of Christ as the Son of God. |
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Stars
with Sun and Moon - Twelve stars surrounding a sun and moon represent
Jacob and his wife and Jacob's 12 sons, who themselves became the fathers
of the 12 tribes of Israel. Together they are an Old Testament type of the
whole company of God's elect. |
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Crescent
Moon of Islam - The crescent
moon and star is an internationally-recognized symbol of the faith of Islam.
The symbol actually pre-dates Islam by several thousand years. Information
on the origins of the symbol are difficult to ascertain, but most sources
agree that these ancient celestial symbols were in use by the peoples of
Central Asia and Siberia in their worship of sun, moon, and sky gods. There
are also reports that the crescent moon and star were used to represent
the Carthaginian goddess Tanit or the Greek goddess Diana. |
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Jewish
Tree of Life - An
arrangement of ten connected spheres (sephiroth), which Represent the central
organizational system of the Jewish Kabbalistic tradition. The Tree of life
is considered to be a map of the universe and the psyche, the order of the
creation of the cosmos, and a path to spiritual illumination. The ten spheres
represent the ten archetypal numbers of the Pythagorian system; they are
connected by paths assigned to the twenty two letter-numbers of the Hebrew
alphabet.
The Kabbalistic tree of life has evolved over time. Its basic design is
based on descriptions given in the Sefer Yetsirah, or Book of Creation,
and expanded upon in the enourmous Kabbalistic text Zohar, the book of Splendour.
The ten sephira, similar to the Norse tree of life, are divided into four
realms:
Atziluth, the realm of the supernal, beyond which is the ain, or no-thing.
Beriah, the creative world.
Yetsirah, the world of formation.
Assiah, manifest creation, the material world. |
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This
tree represents the axis of the
Human chakras |
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Kundalini
Serpent |
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Unicorn
- Part of the origins of the European unicorn, just like the ones of
many other mystical creatures, lies in the Greek mythology. The Greek god
Zeus was nursed by the she-goat Amalthea (which was lateron transformed
into the star "Capella" (Latin: "goat") because of the gratitude of the
god). In one version, the god broke off one of her horns, which spilled
forth an unlimited amount of food. In later times this horn became known
as the "horn of plenty", which you can find on thousands of baroque and
classic paintings and ornaments. |
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The
Unicorn and the Virgin - The unicorn stood for many things: most often
virtues like purity and honesty ... lateron in Christanity virginity as
a symbol of the Christian Virgin Mary. It was said, that the unicorn could
only be captured by a virgin... before it could be killed to get its precious
horn. Unicorns were so proud, that no one was ever able to hold them captive
alive, so weavers "captured" these creatures in huge an expensive carpets
for the rich to hang it on their walls. But the unicorn was a sacred symbol
even before Christianity. As a symbol of the moon it also belonged to the
Greek Artemis, (virgin) goddess of the moon and the hunt (the later Roman
Diana). |
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Mary
and Jesus - Istanbul, Kadirga. Byzantine Period, end of 11th century
Marble. Istanbul Archaeological Museums. As the mother of Christ, the Virgin
Mary was the object of devotion and respect among the Byzantines. This representation
of Mary, compassionately holding the infant Jesus. is of a type known as
"Hodegetria". Mary's name and her epithet Theotokos (Mother of God) are
written in monogram form in circles at either side of her head. |
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Christ
- the good shepherd, carrying a lamb on His shoulders, is of very
frequent occurrence on the lamps, the glass vases, and the fresco paintings.
All exceedingly beautifull instance, taken from an early fresco on one of
the Catacombs, is here engraved; and in Plate xli., No. 26, a similar figure
will be seen represented on a lamp, the border of which is surrounded by
bunches of grapes. Lambs are symbols of the meek and faithful Christians:
a series of twelve represents the Apostles; amongst which a thirteenth,
raised on an eminence and crowned with a nimbus, is our Saviour; this generally
carries a cross, or banner, and is called the Agnus Dei, or "Lamb of God
which taketh away the sins of the world;" it is also tbe emblem of purity.
The illustration in Plate xli. (NO. 23) is from Italian sculpture of the
tenth century: the figure of the cross in each limb of the cross of the
nimbus is worthy of remark. The medallion marked No. 24 is from stained
glass existing in Merton College Chapel, Oxford. It will be observed also
that in this both the cruciform nimbus and the cross are introduced. |
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As
the Greek word for a fish, contained the initials of the names and titles
of Christ, Jesus Christ the Son of God, the Saviour, the figure of a fish
was one of the earliest Christian symbols... The rough outline of a fish,
formed of two curves meeting in a point at their extremities, was also used
to express the same symbolical meaning under the name of vesica piscis (No.
29). This was subsequently used to enclose the figure of our Saviour in
His glorified state, The Father, the Holy Trinity, the Blessed Virgin, or
the Patron Saint, and displayed in the pediments or over the porches of
churches. It eventually became a very common ornament in Gothic work. Fishes
are also emblematic of Christians generally, in allusion to lie call of
the Apostles, (Matt. iv, 19) or to the supposed meaning of the miraculous[number
of fish caught] in John xxi. The there are three examples of the introduction
of the fish given on Plate 25, besides giving the sacred name, IESOUS CHREISTOS,
exhibits an anchor with a fish on either side. No. 27 shows the three fish
so combined as to represent a symbol of the Trinity. Both the above are
from the tombs in the Catacombs. In No. 28 the two fish are placed side
by side on a lamp, on the handle of which occurs the symbolic, pointing
probably to their Christian interpretation." |
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SACRED
HEART - Devotion to the Sacred - Heart of Jesus is a cult peculiar to
the modern Roman Catholic Church. The principal object of this devotion
is the Saviour Himself. The secondary and partial object is that Heart which
was the seat or organ of His love, and which forms the natural symbol thereof.
Heart and love are viewed, not physiologically, but in their moral connection.
The chief liturgical expressions of this cult are the institution of a feast
of the Sabed Heart and public represetitations of it by statues and pictures. |
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The
Eye - symbolizes GOD the FATHER, telling that He sees and knows all
that we do. |
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CANDLES
- The use of lights as an adjunct to worship goes back to the beginning
of the Church, and even farther. Among the Jews and in many pagan rites
the use of lights had long been looked upon as appropriate in connection
with public homage to their God or gods. It is probable that among Christians
they were first employed simply to dispel darkness, when the sacred mysteries
were celebrated before dawn, as was the custom, or in the gloom of the catacombs;
but the beautiful symbolism of their use was soon recognized by the writers
of the early Church. |
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Equal
Armed Cross - The cross is a very ancient symbol that has had special
meaning to societies and spiritual belief systems all over the world for
millenia. Like 3, 4 is a universal magickal number: there are 4 seasons,
4 directions, 4 archangels, 4 winds, & 4 quarters in the traditional magick
circle. To the Celts, the cross was a symbol of the four quarters: the North
representing wisdom and stability, winter and death; the East knowledge,
learning, youth and spring; the South vitality, passion, strength and summer;
the West intuition, emotion, inner knowledge. This symbol is also similar
to the Native American medicine wheel. Many believe the modern Christian
version of the cross to be a combination of this equal-armed cross and the
Egyptian Ankh, representing eternal life. |
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Ancient
Egyptian symbol of life, fertility and the union of male and female. It
appears frequently in Egyptian writings about resurrection and is sometimes
referred to as the Key of the Nile. In the Wiccan/Neopagan traditions, the
Ankh is often used as a symbol of immortality and completion. The Ankh is
one of the symbols used in the design of the Sacred Cat Necklace and the
Egyptian Ankh Earrings |
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The
Cross represents the mode of Our LORD 'S Death. Though long antedating
Christianity it was early adopted as its greatest Sacred Symbol. Of the
many forms of the Cross, the Latin, the Celtic, the Greek and the Maltese
are those most generally seen. The shape of the "True Cross" was probably
the Latin (or perhaps the "T") Cross, having the lower arm longer than the
others. |
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The
Crucifixion is a scene of violence, sadness and yet hope. |
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Labyrinth
- It is an ancient symbol that has been found all over the world, and
has been calculated to be over 3,500 years old in some forms. It comes in
many different shapes and sizes. Some feel it moves the person through a
wave of subtle energy to transform or enlighten, and guides the journey
into three stages of experience which can be described as, releasing, revealing,
and renewing. It seems to draw spiritual, metaphysical and scientific interest
and speculation, but you may be attracted to it simply because you like
the way it looks. This tool may not need to be explained, but for those
who are interested, here are a few pieces of information on two of the most
popular styles. The Chartres style is named after the 13th century Cathedral
in Chartres, France where it is laid out on the floor. (See the French Site
for more pictures of labyrinths in France) |
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Cretan
& Classical Labyrinths - The other most recognizable style is called
the Cretan and often is associated with a story from Greek Mythology.
An adaptation of this style may also be known as Classical or Classic.
Most commonly, a Cretan/Classical style has 7 circuits or paths leading
into its' center. This style has been known to be constructed with many
additional paths and variations, and sometimes incorporates shapes into
it. The term, "Labyrinth Walk" can pertain to walking a full size labyrinth
with your feet, or tracing a smaller pattern with your fingers. Even though
you use your fingers, your eye/hand coordination sends the same message
to the brain and it responds in the same way as if you had walked it with
your feet. It is an unexplainable phenomenon. |
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Mandala
is Sanskrit for whole world or healing circle. It is a representation of
the universe and everything in it. Khyil-khor is the Tibetan word for mandala
and means "center of the Universe in which a fully awakened being abides."
Circles suggest wholeness, unity, the womb, completion and eternity. In
Tibet, the process of creating a mandala is as important as the finished
product. It takes years of preparation and training to gain the skill and
knowledge required to paint. Even when one is able to begin, meditation
for three days must occur before brush can be put to canvas. So much for
instant gratification! There are many types of mandalas in Tibet, such as
"transmutation of demonic forces" and "cosmic fortress" (Arguelles, Mandala).
The first type is recognized by its sinister images of fire, dragons and
warriors. The overall impression is one of dynamic energy. In contrast,
the "cosmic fortress" creates a visual safe place, filled with gods, goddesses,
lotus and angelic beings. They are there to protect and bless us as we tune
into that center within ourselves. |
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Sixteen
Petals - The saktis in this circle are known as the Hidden Ones. The
whole mandala of 16 petals is called 'Fulfiller of Desire'. The presiding
form of the Lalita is Tripureshi. Her vidya is Aim Klim Sauh. She is described
as ornamented with all gems, carrying a book and a rosary. The 16 yoginis
in this mandala are associated with the attainment of desires by the cultivation
or strengthening of power over mind, ego, sound, touch, sight, taste, smell,
intellect, steadiness, memory, name, growth, etheric body, revivification,
and physical body. They are described as the Nitya Kalas. Each holds a noose,
a goad, pot full of nectar, and makes the sign of giving. They are very
red. The gem of the mandala is sapphire. The dhatu of physical alchemy is
chyle, the first product of the disintegration of food by the biological
fires. The time is three hours (2700 breaths). The Mudra is the Wettening
Mudra. The nature of the mandala is sun of fire. |
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The
Mandorla - symbol of the liminal space in which we are called to "remain".
Mandorla on the cobbled path of Chalice Well gardens The Mandorla is an
ancient symbol of two circles coming together, overlapping one another to
form an almond shape in the middle. Mandorla is the Italian word for almond.
The Mandorla is also known as the "Vesica Piscis" (see the Jensen references
below), symbolizing the interactions and interdependence of opposing worlds
and forces. Although the symbol has its origins before the Christian era,
the early Christians used the symbol as a method to describe the coming
together of heaven and earth, between the divine and human. The circles
symbolise interacting but complementary opposites. The space within the
overlap is the place in which we are called to "remain", the "liminal space"
Richard Rohr speaks of.. This is the place where you arrive after you leave
one room and have not yet entered another. In this place, you are living
on the threshold and this requires faith. All transformation takes place
in liminal space. If we deny one of the opposites (eg. our shadow, death,
..), the circles may only touch; they do not intersect. In this situation,
we are polarised, out of balance. Perhaps too when we become wholly integrated,
the overlap is total and there appears to be only one circle (for awhile
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Yin
and Yang - Developed
in the 4th century B.C. this sacred symbol reminds us of dualism and the
balance of opposites. |
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A
Buddha
- a person who has developed all positive qualities and has eliminated all
negative qualities. A Buddha has been an "ordinary" human like you and me
before he/she became enlightened or awakened. Enlightenment is compared
to awakening, as a person suddenly makes a complete transformation in body
and mind. Especially, a Buddha is omniscient or all-knowing. One could say
that a Buddha represents the very peak of evolution. |
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PRAVANA
AUM - denotes Nada, the primal sound or soundless sound from which creation
issues forth. The Pranava Aum is associated with Ganeshsa. The abbreviated
Pranava symbol is always placed at the top of written pages in remembrance
of Him. |
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TRIPUNDRA
- The Tripundara is the most renowned Saivite symbol three stripes of gleaming
vibhuti across the brow. Vibuthi con notes purity, and the three lines signify
the burning away of the triple bondage of anava, karma and maya. The pottu
or dot, placed midway on the lowest stripe or between the eyebrows at the
point of the third eye, stimulates our discrimination and spritual insight.
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SIVA
LINGAM - The most ancient symbols of god Siva, the Siva Lingam, is the
stones pillar of indefinite mold, a formless form the tokening Parasivam
that which cannot be described or portrayed. The Lingam itselt is Siva as
unmanifest reality the yoni or base is his manifest Sakti. |
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ANKUSA
- The Ankusa or Goad, usally held in Ganesha right hand, is used to remove
obstacles from our path when he judge that proper in relation to our karma
and dharma. the goad may be seen as the force of fear, by which all things
are repelled from us. With the Goad Lord Ganesh spurs the dullard onward.
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VEL
OF MURUGAN - The Vel, Lord Muruga lance, is wide, long and sharp, signifying
incisive discrimination and spritual knowledge which must be broad, deep
and penetrating. The Shakti Vel is the deadly foe to the arrogant lower
nature, yet to the awakened soul it offers strenght and refuge in adversity.
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TRISULA
- Trisula, Lord Shiva Trident is the royal sceptre of the Lord Shiva dharma.
Weilded in all three worlds, it signifes desire, action and wisdom - iccha,
kriya and jnana shakti - by which god Siva adminsters His dvine laws of
dharma. |
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SHADKONAM
- The Shadkonam or six pointed star, found in Lord Muruga yantra, is formed
by two inter locking triangle, the upper one stands for Shiva and fire while
the lower one represent Sakti and water. Their union gives birth to the
divine child Muruga whose scared number is six. |
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TRIKONAM
- The Trikonam or triangle is a symbol of God Siva which, like the Siva
Lingam, denotes his absolute being. It resent the elements fire and thus
portrays the process of spiritual ascent and liberation. |
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TRISULA
- Mushika is Lord Ganesh's vahana, the mouse, traditionally associated with
abundance. The mouse carries Lord Ganesh's grace into every nook and cranny
of the mind. Moving silently under cover of darkness, seldom visible yet
always at work, Mushika is likened to the unseen grase which influences
our lives. |
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MAYIL
- The elegant Mayil or pecock is the vahana of Lord Muruga. Mayil, the slayer
of serpents, is swift like Muruga himself whose grase subdues the bonds
of our lower nature. Lord Muruga is a most royal and beautiful god, carrie
on a most regal mount which also symbolizes his conquest over ego, vanity
and pride. |
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NANDI
- Nandi is Lord Shiva vahana, Nandi whose name means "the joyfull"is a huge
white bull with a black tail. Nandi meanings are rich, The ideal devotedd
or liberated soul in constant communication with god Siva the emdiment of
dharma the joy of Saivism the symbol of purity, wisdom and steady devotion
the very image of strength. None but Siva may ride upon his back. |
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TIRUVADI
- Tiruvadi or the Holy Feet are symbolized by the sandalas worn by the Sat
Guru. The Holy Feet are the source of shakti or grace of the Sat Guru. We
prostate before Him, obey him explicity, and worship the Holy Feet for release
from worldliness truly grace resides in Tiruvadi. |
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HOMA
- The Homa fire pit is the symbols of ancient and still vedic rites. It
is through the element of fire that we make our special offerings to the
god, and it is before the homa fire that Saivite marriages are solemnized.
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VATA
- The Vata or Banyan tree is an ancient symbol of Saivism, sanatana dharma,
which branches out in all direction, draws from any roots, spread its cool
shade far and wide, yet stems from a single great trunk. It is associated
with Lord Shiva as Dakshinamurti, the silent sage who sits beneath it to
teach the ancient wisdom. |
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VILVA
- The Vilva or Bael tree fruit, flowers and leaves are all sacred to Siva,
who wears a wreath of bilva flowers in his hair. To plant vilva trees around
our home or a temple is highly meritorious and sanctifying. The Siva Lingam
is traditionally worshipped with vilva leaves and water. |
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KONRAI
- Konrai or Golden Shower tree blossoms are the folering symbol of Siva
honied grace, associated from time immemorial with his temples throughout
tamil nadu and mentioned in many devaram hymns. A konrai garland adorns
Siva chest. |
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KONRAI
- Lord Ganesha can be represented by a Kalasa, a husked coconut on a pot
circle by five mango leaves. Coconut are sacred to Lord Ganesh. The breaking
of a coconut before his shirene represents the shattering of the human ego
the pride, prejuduces & apprehensions that conceal the sweet friut of a
spiritual nature. |
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KONRAI
- Saivites prize Rudraksha seeds as the compassionate tears Lord Shiva shed
for the suffering of mankind and wear the always as a symbols of His love.
All devout Saivites repeat the panchakshara mantram, "Aum Namashivaya" and
wear Tripundra and Rudrakshas. |
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SWASTIKA
- The symbol of sun god. The early Indians looked upon the sun as the source
of energy and life. They created a golden-limbed deity - Surya, the sun
god who rides a golden chariot drawn by seven horses. They raised many exquisitely
sculpted temples to venerate him. A special graphic symbol was visualized
to represent the sun's energy and munificence -the swastika. Hindus draw
the swastika in Vermillion on business documents and bridal clothes for
luck. They paint it on the walls and thresholds of homes to energise the
environment. Naturally linked with the glitter of gold, the swastika is
worn as a locket hung on a gold chain - a talisman to ward off darkness,
despair and danger. The word swastika means 'all-well'. Its short form swasti
is commonly used in all sacraments and ceremonial chants. The shape of this
symbol was created to point out the four cardinal directions in which fire
sticks were placed to begin Vedic sacrificial fires. An ancient symbol,
it was found in civilizations such as the Greek, Egyptian and Chinese. Used
in snake worship, it is supposedly seen on the hoods of cobras. The auspicious
Swastika is always dedicated to the springtime sun. |
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Sri
Yantra - A UNIVERSAL and SACRED SYMBOL TRANSLATED INTO SOUND for MEDITATION,
CHAKRA BALANCING, RELAXATION and WELLNESS. Presented at the Deepak Chopra,
M.D. and David Simon, M.D.'s seminar, " The Seduction of Spirit". The Sri
Yantra - or Yantra of Creation - is the most revered of all Hindu yantras.
There is a mysterious beauty that arises in the way that 9 diverse triangles
can interlink to form a state of perfect balance and harmony - creating
43 smaller triangles that comprise the Sri Yantra. This very ancient symbol
made an interesting appearance in modern times. It happened as a result
of a series of experiments in the field of cymatics (the study of the interrelationship
between energy and matter.) The sacred Hindu symble "OM", when correctly
intoned into the tonoscope (a devise that transforms sounds into their visual
representations on a screen), produces a circle which is then filled in
with concentric squares and triangles, finally producing, as the last traces
of the 'M' disappear from the screen, the Sri Yantra. |
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Alpana
Patterns - Many patterns are used but this paisley pattern has a pretty
story attached to it: The Monkey god Hanuman was hungry and looked up into
the trees for fruit. He ate one which was a wonderful flavour, much better
than all of the others. It was a mango. To make sure that all of his friends
could find the same good fruit he went along and squeezed them all into
this distinctive shape. |
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KOKOPELLI
- A common fertility symbol through the southwest. His image is found
many times in petrography art . He is honoured as a Kachina by most Pueblo
cultures. He is associated with fertility, the male principal, biology and
the significance of guarding seeks. Usually depicted as old, bent under
his heavy load with his flute. He travels to many communities impregnating
young women who are mesmerized by his flute playing. |
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TOTEM
POLES - Totem poles are one of the universally recognized art forms
unique only to the Pacific Northwest coast. Although universally accepted
as representing ALL Native peoples who live on the West Coast, the carving
of poles was really only Indigenous to six Middle and Northern tribes of
British Columbia: Tsimshian, Haida, Bella Coola, Tlingit, Kwakwa,ka,wakw,
Nuu-chah-nulth people. Over time the art form has evolved and been adopted
by many west coast tribes. For example, Coast Salish people in Southern
British Columbia and western Washington also carved large human figures
representing ancestors and spirit helpers on interior house posts and as
grave monuments. Usually carved out of Red Cedar trees, their forms depicted
humans, birds, and other animals lf the sea and forest. Poles were carved
for the above reasons to mark historical events |
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The
Star of David - is made up of two triangles, one upside down and the
other right side up, one placed on top of the other, or sometimes shown
as intertwined lines. The Symbol represents the two major aspects of human
soul development: material mind-consciousness or lower self, and the higher
self or Divine Spiritual Reality. Each of the sides of the lower symbolic
triangle represent the three key aspects of life that develops an individual
personality: action, will and knowledge. As the central motivating aspect
of human evolution, the senses act as a stimulator to resolve the emotions
they stimulate. The soul has learned to use his mind-mental aspect or its
accumulated knowledge and experience to reason a solution; next, the developing
aspects of the will determines the quality of action. for resolution. The
circumstances and emotions derived by that action evolves wisdom. The second
triangle, symbolic of the Higher or Spiritual evolution represents the Great
Triune Divinity: God, Christ and the Higher Self/Holy Spirit. The second
Triangle represents the School for Divination of the human spiritual soul,The
same personality aspects are needed to motivate Divine Evolution as the
lower: Action, Will and Knowledge. The Star of David, being the symbol of
Evolution, the alpha and omega, is an important icon seen in mystical rituals.
There is usually found two Star of David symbols placed side by side. One
represents the completion of involution: the reasoning soul, developed by
the conjoined Higher Self with the Holy Spirit in the transmutation process;
and the second, the transformation of the material body into a Divine Body,
or the immortal, who is now the entitled Son or Daughter of God. The Son
or Daughter of God evolves in the Spiritual Divination Program until completion,
at which time the Son or Daughter achieves the status of Man or Woman of
God. A title attained when the lower and Higher Self fuse into One Being.
In other references for the same occurrence, the soul is said to receive
the Robe of Glory, the Golden Fleece, and the Double Crown. |
