INSIDE: Throughout our days, we sometimes need reminders of our intentions, our communities, or our divine beliefs to keep us motivated to move ahead. Spiritual symbols offer important messages to aim us towards our higher purpose and to protect us on life’s journey.
In an increasingly technological world, humans have debated the decline of language as our communication systems incorporate abbreviations, acronyms, and emojis.
Looking a little farther back, say maybe 40,000 years, it becomes evident that images and symbols didn’t cheapen or “dumb down” how humans have communicated. Rather, symbols have helped spread messages and ideas.
Roland Barthes wrote in Rhetoric of the Image:
“General opinion too has a vague conception of the image as an area of resistance to meaning – this in the name of a certain mythical idea of Life: the image is re-presentation, which is to say ultimately resurrection, and, as we know, the intelligible is reputed antipathetic to lived experience.”
In this quote, Barthes suggests a certain level of mysticism in an image – that symbols and signs can have profound and personal meanings to people for which an image resonates.
This is why, despite the skepticism of linguists and grammarians, spiritual symbols have endured since ancient times and morphed through different messages and meanings.
In different cultures and for different people, these symbols carry reminders of divine connection and purpose. While some images depict natural phenomena with seemingly divine qualities, other metaphysical symbols evade earthly forms to give important clues of the spirit world.
Let’s explore some common spiritual symbols and meaning that can echo powerful messages to you as you study and relate to them.
12 Spiritual Symbols & Meanings to Know
Here, we cover 12 of the most powerful spiritual symbols, but throughout history and diverse cultures, there exist thousands, maybe more!
These 12 symbols cross cultures and religions to offer protection and healing to those willing to make spiritual connections with the divine through these signs.
Flower of Life
The Flower of Life holds 7 overlapping symbols – the seed of Life – in a sacred geometric pattern contained within circles. The various patterns embedded within the Flower of Life depict the process of creation.
This sacred geometric shape, with its kaleidoscopic design, serves to remind us that all human life emerges in the same way and creates a unique, interwoven design as we all make connections with diverse beings.
Star of David
The Star of David is a Judaic symbol with representations in other cultures as well. For example, it is also called the Hexagram of Solomon. Composed of two conjoined triangles, each point has a corresponding point in the polar opposite direction, representing the dual influences of nature and humanity and the elements of fire and water.
Though hard to depict on a two-dimensional plane, the Star of David aims in six directions: North, South, East, West, up, and down. This symbolizes the reach of God over humankind. The Star of David is the human access-point to unite with the divine.
This important spiritual symbol for healing can soothe and rebalance the heart chakra.
Lotus
An incredible image taken from nature because of its seemingly magical ability to emerge from the filthiest depths, the spiritual symbols and meanings of the Lotus flower span numerous cultures.
Particularly important in Buddhism, the Lotus represents resurrection, transformation, and enlightenment.
The Lotus grows from the mud, unsoiled by the foul, moldy waters around it. It folds inward to protect itself each night, only to reopen in its beauty again. This symbolizes the ability of the human soul and body to regenerate through troubling times and conflict.
The Lotus is a reminder to find compassion and forgiveness in every situation. This in turn will lead you towards enlightenment.
Om
The sound of the universe – Om – has a visual representation that ties it to the Hindu holy trinity within the divine realms of the heaven, earth, and the underworld.
Although Om is technically a sound evoked in various meditation practices, yoga classes, and other communal gatherings, the spiritual symbol helps direct our attention to open the third eye so that we can manifest good intentions in our lives and aim for enlightened thoughts.
Tree of Life
Another of nature’s spiritual symbols, the Tree of Life shows the union of all living beings on earth. Drawing a connection between all 4 earth elements – earth, wind, air, fire – the Tree of Life depicts creation and growth.
Entangled with roots and branches of different lengths and thickness, the Tree of Life reminds us of the uniqueness of every individual while contributing to the survival of a common origin in the earth.
The Tree of Life symbol, when manifest in real form, often carries small crystals in its branches as the leaves, a powerful…
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