Spiritual Symbols – Learn All About Spiritual Meanings

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By David

Spiritual symbols are everywhere around us. It is almost impossible to know the difference between them and the meaning of all. But, we’ve done the homework. We’ve done the dirty work for you. For thousands of years humans used symbols to communicate. They require no words, and the symbols say a lot.

Magic symbols, energy symbols, healing symbols, they are all-powerful ways to communicate and deliver a personal message. They can be quite personal for some individuals. Different individuals find meaning in a different symbol.

The right symbol can help you offer strength in difficult times. Spiritual symbols can also help you seek peace and calm, or reinforce your beliefs.

So, do you have a meaningful symbol? If not, you can find one on the list of most powerful spiritual symbols.

Chakra Snake

Chakra Snake

The chakras are focal points of the body. They contain energy and help you awake certain parts of your body. We use chakras for meditation.

Each of the seven chakras has its own symbol and color. They follow the length of the spine and start at the very base. The chakras end above the head.

The belief is that the life force energy resides dormant at the base of the spine, coiling up like a serpent. When you awake the serpent, it rises up through the body and opens up your chakras.

This experience leads to a state of consciousness and a closer connection to the spirit.

Ankh

Ankh

This ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic character represents eternal life. It is also a symbol of the regeneration of life through water. Some call it the breath of life, or the key of the Nile.

There is a loop at the top, representing circulating holy water. Some ancient cultures have their own version and variation of the Ankh. You can find it in many Egyptian tombs, as it was a key piece of funerals and preparation for the afterlife.

In Egyptian mythology, Gods and Pharaohs carry an Ankh. Some believe that the Ankh was part of sexual practice to harness the regenerating power of orgasms.

Flower of Life

Flower of Life

This is another spiritual symbol with history in geometry. The sacred flower of life contains all the patterns of creation in it. It is one of the most ancient symbols. Sumerians used this symbol, and they were the first civilization in the world.

The Flower of Life composes of seven overlapping and evenly spaced circles. They form a flower-like pattern structured like a hexagon. Even Leonardo da Vinci believed there is something special in the symbol.

OM Mandala

OM Mandala

This is a symbol of the Hindu culture. Using sound vibrations, Mandala is the best way to align with the Universe. The symbol brings together all words and sounds in all human languages.

Mandalas come in different variations. They are all circular designs with intricate details. Mandalas in Buddhism and Hinduism represent the Universe and its continuous nature. No matter how simple or complicated the design is, there are always repeating patterns. The observer decides the symbolism.

Bagua

Bagua

The Chinese symbol translates to eight symbols. We can find it in Daoist cosmology and taiji philosophy. The symbol consists of eight trigrams made of three lines. The lines represent the principles of reality and they can be either broken or unbroken.

We use the symbol to analyze balance in astronomy, geography, anatomy, family, astrology, and more. In Feng Shui, the symbol is a map of health and home. Each trigram compares to a specific area in the home.

Eyes of Buddha

Eyes of Buddha

These eyes remind us to look at the world with deep compassion. Some people call them feminine wisdom. The eyes look at the world as experienced through the divine feminine. The third represents spiritual awakening, while the Sanskrit symbol below the eyes shows the unity of all things.

Yin Yang

Yin Yang

Yin Yang is one of the most common Chinese teachings. The symbol represents the harmony of the universe. Everything should be in balance. There is a duality in everything, and you have to have balance. The balance between the two opposing forces brings the most harmony to individual life.

The symbol comes in a classic black and white circle. Simple, yet powerful. Each side represents a bit of the opposite within it. For example, there is little white in the black section, and vice versa. The detail teaches us that one cannot exist without the other.

Yin is the shadow side, representing negativity, femininity, the moon and the earth, rest, and slowness. Yang is the bright side and represents masculinity, positivity, the sun and heaven, and openness.

Pentagram

Pentagram

Some people call the pentagram a satanic symbol. But it is far from that. If you want to know the powerful symbols and their meanings, you have to understand the pentagram. It is a symbol of the qualities of man.

The top of the pentagram is the spirit, while the other points represent the four elements. Wiccans, members of a Pagan religion, use the symbol in sacred ceremonies. They want to remind the world of the nature of humankind.

Ajna

Ajna

You can find Ajna, the third eye chakra, at the center of the forehead. The eye is in relation to our pineal gland. Ajna represents the cosmic connection to the Universe and our personal connection to all living creatures.

With a balanced Ajna, you have a spiritual connection to all things Divine. Ajna is one of the common spiritual symbols and meaning. We associate it with imagination, abstract thinking, dreams, psychic skills, illusion, and insight.

Some people call it the Ajna the most important, yet elusive chakra. We all want to have the third eye open. But few achieve it.

Dharma Wheel

Dharma Wheel

The Wheel of Dharma is also the Wheel of Law. In Buddhism, this spiritual symbol teaches us the path of Nirvana. Some believe the symbol is older than Buddhism itself.

In Buddhism, there are 8 fold paths to the enlightenment. The wheel represents those paths. Here are the paths: right view, right speech, right livelihood, right intention, right action, right effort, right concentration, and right mindfulness.

Lotus flower

Lotus flower

The lotus flower is one of the common meaningful tattoo symbols. It is one of the most common tattoos. It is a sacred and ancient symbol, representing spiritual development and perseverance.

Lotus flowers flourish and bloom the most beautiful flowers. But they begin their life in muddy river beds. This transformation from dirty and dark to beautiful is the message we all want to deliver. We all have the ability to rise from the mud and bloom out.

Star of David

Star of David

The Star of David is a symbol we have all seen. There are different theories about the symbolism behind it. Some believe it is the shield King David used in battle. Another theory is that the symbol represents the 6 directions in space. Those are up, down, east, west, north, south, and the center, as mankind’s spiritual center.

In Judaism, the symbol is a union of opposites and the connection between God and Man. Some use it as a symbol for the union of male and female.

Christian Fish

Christian Fish

You can find the fish of Christianity in the early days of the religion. It was a secret way to tell others they followed the teachings of Christ. Why fish? Well, some stories go back that Jesus once said: “I will make you fishers of men”.

This symbol originates in the Pagan religion. There, it represents fertility and birth.

Earth Medicine Wheel

Earth Medicine Wheel

This native American symbol represents the harmony and peaceful interaction between all beings. It is also a representation of the four elements of the Earth. We use it to manifest spiritual energy. When you meditate on this symbol you instill deep earth love.

The Tree of Life

The Tree of Life

This classic and powerful symbol has many variations. You can find it in Celtic mythology, but also all around us. The tree stands tall and proud, and its branches reach up high towards heaven. At the same time, the roots extend deep into the soil.

The idea is that the tree is a representation of the connection to Earth, the Universe, and all life. Some mystics combine the tree of life with Yin Yang. The result is an illustration of how the Universe works.