Continuation of the first part: Occult and mystical symbols and their meaning. Geometric symbols, Universal symbols-images and symbols-concepts. Emblems of modern religions. Crosses: the most common forms. Time images. Symbolism of the kingdom of plants and animals. Mythical creatures.

Encyclopedia of symbols

Swastika straight (left-handed)

The swastika as a solar symbol

A straight (left-handed) swastika is a cross with the ends bent to the left. Rotation is considered to be clockwise (opinions sometimes differ in determining the direction of movement).

A straight swastika is a symbol of blessing, good omen, prosperity, good luck and aversion to misfortune, as well as a symbol of fertility, longevity, health and life. It is also a symbol of the masculine principle, spirituality, which inhibits the flow of lower (physical) forces and allows the energies of a higher, divine nature to manifest.

Reverse swastika (right side)

Swastika on a Nazi military medal

The reverse (right-handed) swastika is a cross with the ends bent to the right. Rotation is considered to be counterclockwise.

The reverse swastika is usually associated with the feminine. Sometimes it is associated with the launch of negative (physical) energies that close the passage to the elevated forces of the spirit.

The Sumerian swastika, formed by four women and their hair, symbolizes the female generative power

Pentagram (pentacle): the general meaning of the symbol

pentagram sign

The pentagram, written in one line, is the most ancient of all the symbols that we own. It had different interpretations in different historical times of mankind. It became the Sumerian and Egyptian sign of the stars.

Later symbolism: five senses; masculine and feminine, expressed by five points; harmony, health and mystical powers. The pentagram is also a symbol of the victory of the spiritual over the material, a symbol of security, protection, a safe return home.

Pentagram as a magical symbol

Pentagrams of the White and Black Magicians

A pentacle with one end up and two down is a sign of white magic, known as the "foot of the druid"; with one end down and two up, it represents the so-called "goat's hoof" and the horns of the devil - a sign change characteristic of symbolism from positive to negative when it is turned over.

The pentagram of the White Magician is a symbol of magical influence and the dominance of a disciplined Will over the phenomena of the world. The will of the Black Magician is directed to destruction, to the refusal to perform a spiritual task, therefore the inverted pentagram is considered as a symbol of evil.

Pentagram as a symbol of a perfect person

Pentagram symbolizing the perfect man

The pentagram, a five-pointed star, is a symbol of a perfect man standing on two legs with outstretched arms. We can say that a person is a living pentagram. This is true both physically and spiritually - a person possesses five virtues and manifests them: love, wisdom, truth, justice and kindness.

Truth belongs to the spirit, love to the soul, wisdom to the intellect, kindness to the heart, justice to the will.

double pentagram

Double pentagram (man and the universe)

There is also a correspondence between the human body and the five elements (earth, water, air, fire and ether): will corresponds to earth, heart to water, intellect to air, soul to fire, spirit to ether. Thus, by his will, intellect, heart, soul, spirit, a person is connected with the five elements working in the cosmos, and he can consciously work in harmony with them. This is the meaning of the symbol of the double pentagram, in which the small one is inscribed in the large one: a person (microcosm) lives and acts inside the Universe (macrocosm).

Hexagram

Hexagram image

Hexagram - a figure made up of two polar triangles, a six-pointed star. It is a complex and solid symmetrical shape in which six small individual triangles are grouped around a large central hexagon. The result is a star, although the original triangles retain their individuality. Since the upward facing triangle is a heavenly symbol, and the downward facing triangle is a symbol of the earth, together they are a symbol of a person who unites these two worlds. It is a symbol of a perfect marriage that binds a man and a woman.

Seal of Solomon

Seal of Solomon, or Star of David

This is the famous magical seal of Solomon, or the star of David. The top triangle in her image is white and the bottom triangle is black. It symbolizes, first of all, the absolute law of analogy, expressed by the mystical formula: "What is below is similar to what is above."

The Seal of Solomon is also a symbol of human evolution: one must learn not only to take, but also to give, to absorb and radiate at the same time, to radiate for the Earth, to perceive from Heaven. We receive and are filled only when we give to others. This is the perfect union of spirit and matter in man - the union of the solar plexus and the brain.

five pointed star

five pointed star

star of bethlehem

The five-pointed star is interpreted in different ways, including it symbolizes joy and happiness. It is also the emblem of the Semitic goddess Ishtar in her martial incarnation, and in addition, the Star of Bethlehem. For Freemasons, the five-pointed star symbolizes the mystical center.

The Egyptians attached great importance to the five- and six-pointed stars, as is clear from the text preserved on the wall of the funerary temple of Hatshepsut.

seven-pointed star

Seven pointed star of magicians

In the seven-pointed star, the characteristic features of the five-pointed are repeated. The Gnostic star has seven rays.

Seven- and nine-pointed stars drawn in one line are mystical stars in astrology and magic.

The star of magicians is read in two ways: sequentially along the rays (along the line of the star) and along the circumference. In the course of the rays, there are planets that control the days of the week: Sun - Sunday, Moon - Monday, Mars - Tuesday, Mercury - Wednesday, Jupiter - Thursday, Venus - Friday, Saturn - Saturday.

nine pointed star

Nine-pointed star of magicians

Nine-pointed stars, like seven-pointed ones, if they are drawn in one line, are mystical stars in astrology and magic.

The nine-pointed star, made up of three triangles, symbolizes the Holy Spirit.

Monad

The four constituent parts of a monad

It is a magical symbol called the monad by John Dee (1527–1608), advisor and astrologer to Queen Elizabeth I of England.

Dee presents the nature of magic symbols in terms of geometry and tests the monad in a series of theorems.

Dee explores the monad at such a deep level that he finds links to his theory with Pythagorean harmony, biblical knowledge, and mathematical proportions.

Spiral

Spiral structure of the Milky Way

Spiral shapes are very common in nature, from spiral galaxies to whirlpools and tornadoes, from mollusk shells to human finger prints, and even the DNA molecule has the shape of a double helix.

The spiral is a very complex and ambiguous symbol. But first of all, it is a symbol of the great creative (life) force both at the level of the cosmos and at the level of the microcosm. The spiral is a symbol of time, cyclic rhythms, the change of seasons, birth and death, the phases of "aging" and "growth" of the Moon, as well as the Sun itself.

Tree of Life

Tree of Life in a human being

Tree of Life

The Tree of Life does not belong to any culture - not even to the Egyptians. It is beyond race and religion. This image is an integral part of nature… Man himself is a miniature Tree of Life. He possessed immortality when he was associated with this tree. The Tree of Life can be thought of as the arteries of a large cosmic body. Through these arteries, as through channels, the life-giving forces of the cosmos flow, which nourish all forms of existence, and the cosmic pulse of life beats in them. The Tree of Life is a separate section, part of the scheme of the universal code of life.

Sphere

Armillary sphere (engraving from Tycho Brahe's book)

A symbol of fertility (like a circle), as well as integrity. In ancient Greece, the sign of the sphere was a cross in a circle - the ancient emblem of power. A sphere made up of several metal rings, illustrating the cosmogonic theory of Ptolemy, who believed that the Earth is at the center of the universe, is an ancient emblem of astronomy.

Platonic Solids

Platonic solids inscribed in a sphere

The Platonic solids are five unique shapes. Long before Plato, Pythagoras used them, calling them ideal geometric bodies. Ancient alchemists and such great minds as Pythagoras believed that these bodies are associated with certain elements: cube (A) - earth, tetrahedron (B) - fire, octahedron (C) - air, icosahedron (D) - water, dodecahedron ( E) - ether, and the sphere - emptiness. These six elements are the building blocks of the universe. They create the qualities of the universe.

Planet symbols

Planet symbols

The planets are depicted by a combination of the simplest geometric symbols. This is a circle, a cross, an arc.

Consider, for example, the symbol for Venus. The circle is located above the cross, which personifies a kind of "spiritual attraction" that pulls the cross up into the elevated areas belonging to the circle. The cross, subject to the laws of generation, decay and death, will find its redemption if it is raised within this great circle of spirituality. The symbol as a whole represents the feminine in the world, which is trying to spiritualize and protect the material sphere.

Pyramid

The Great Pyramids of Cheops, Khafre and Menkaure

The pyramid is a symbol of the hierarchy that exists in the universe. In any area, the pyramid symbol can help move from the lower plane of plurality and fragmentation to the higher plane of unity.

It is believed that the initiates chose the form of a pyramid for their shrines because they wanted the lines converging towards the top, rushing towards the Sun, to teach humanity the lesson of unity.

star tetrahedron

star tetrahedron

A star tetrahedron is a figure consisting of two mutually intersecting tetrahedra. This figure can also be perceived as a three-dimensional star of David.

Tetrahedra manifest as two opposite laws: the law of the spirit (radiation, bestowal, selflessness, selflessness) and the law of matter (drawing inward, cooling, freezing, paralysis). Only a person can consciously combine these two laws, since he is the link between the world of spirit and the world of matter.

The star tetrahedron thus represents the two poles of creation in perfect balance.

Universal symbols-images

A thing is not just because God wills it, but God wants it precisely because it is just.

Image symbols are often objects (things) or graphic images that imitate the shape of the creature or object with which they are associated. Their meanings are sometimes unexpected, but more often obvious, as they are based on some quality that these objects or creatures are originally inherent in: a lion - courage, a rock - stamina, etc.

arch, arc

Sacrifice to an astral deity (from a 13th-century Arabian manuscript)

The arch (arc), first of all, is a symbol of the vault of heaven, the god of Heaven. In the rites of initiation, passing through the arch means a new birth after the complete rejection of one's old nature. In ancient Rome, the army passed through the triumphal arch after defeating the enemy.

The arch and arc are common elements in the culture of Islam. Mosques often have arched entrances. It is believed that a person entering the mosque through the arched door will be protected by the symbolic forces of the spiritual (higher) sphere.

Ba-gua

Ba-gua and the Great Monad (charm against evil forces, China)

Ba-gua (in some sources, pa-kua) - eight trigrams and pairs of opposites, usually arranged in a circle, which symbolizes time and space.

Scales

Outweighing scales. The lung gives way. heavy overtights

Libra symbolizes justice, impartiality, judgment, evaluation of the merits and demerits of a person. A symbol of the balance of all opposites and complementary factors. Attribute of Nemesis - the goddess of fate.

Disk

Solar winged disk (Egypt)

The disk is a multifaceted symbol: a symbol of creation, the center of the Void, the Sun, Heaven, deity, spiritual and heavenly perfection. The disk of the rising Sun is a symbol of the renewal of life, life after death, resurrection. The disk of the Sun with the horned Moon or with horns means the union of solar and lunar deities, the unity of two in one.

The winged disk is a solar deity, the fire of Heaven, a combination of the solar disk and the wings of a falcon or eagle, the movement of the celestial sphere around the axis, transformation, immortality, the productive force of nature and its duality (protective and deadly aspects).

Wand, staff, scepter

Staff with hook and flail of Tutankhamun

The wand, staff, and scepter are ancient emblems of supernatural power.

The wand is a symbol of transformation associated with witchcraft and mysterious creatures. The staff is a symbol of male strength and power, often associated with the energy of trees, phallus, snake, hand (pointing finger). It is also an attribute of pilgrims and saints, but it can also mean knowledge, which is the only support of a person. The scepter is more ornate and is associated with higher deities and rulers, with spiritual power and at the same time compassionate wisdom.

Mirror

Divination scene depicted on the back of a bronze mirror (Greece)

It symbolizes truth, self-realization, wisdom, reason, soul, a reflection of the supernatural and divine intellect, reflected in the Sun, Moon and stars, the clearly shining surface of divine truth.

It is believed that the mirror has magical properties and is the entrance to the mirror world. If a mirror is hung with its reflective face down in a temple or over a tomb, it opens the way for the soul to ascend. In magic, mirrors serve to develop the gaze.

Snake Ouroboros (Oroboros, Ouroboros)

snake biting its own tail

The ring-shaped figure depicting a snake biting its own tail is a symbol of eternity, indivisibility, the cyclical nature of time, alchemy. The symbolism of this figure is interpreted in different ways, as it combines the creative symbolism of an egg (the space inside the figure), the earthly symbolism of a snake, and the heavenly symbolism of a circle. In addition, a snake biting its tail is a symbol of the law of karma, the wheels of samsara are the wheels of Incarnation.

Caduceus

Caduceus

Caduceus (Greek - "staff of the messenger") is often called the rod of Hermes (Mercury), the ancient god of wisdom. This is a “magic” wand with small wings, which is wrapped around by two snakes, intertwined so that the bodies of the snakes form two circles around the wand, symbolizing the merging of two polarities: good - evil, right - left, light - darkness, etc., which corresponds to nature of the created world.

Caduceus is worn by all messengers as a sign of peace and protection, and it is their main attribute.

Key

Saint Peter with the keys to the gates of paradise (detail of a stone image, Notre Dame, Paris, 12th century)

The key is a very powerful symbol. This is power, the power of choice, breath, freedom of action, knowledge, initiation. The crossed golden and silver keys are the emblem of papal authority, the symbolic "keys to the Kingdom of Heaven" that Christ gave to the Apostle Peter. Although keys can both lock and unlock doors, they are almost always symbols of access, liberation, and (in initiatory rites) initiation, progression from one stage of life to another. In Japan, the keys to the rice vault are a symbol of prosperity.

Wheel

wheel of law

Wheel of existence (samsara)

The wheel is a symbol of solar energy. The sun is the center, the spokes of the wheel are the rays. The wheel is an attribute of all solar gods and earthly rulers. It also symbolizes the life cycle, rebirth and renewal, nobility, variability and changes in the material world (the circle is the limit of the material world, and the center is the “immovable engine”, the cosmic source of light and power).

The spinning wheel is associated with the cycles of manifestations (birth, death and rebirth) and the fate of man.

At the ordinary level, the wheel of Lady Luck (wheel of fortune) is a symbol of ups and downs and the unpredictability of fate.

Chariot

Antique hero on a chariot, symbolizing his readiness for battle

A dynamic symbol of power, power and speed of movement of gods, heroes or allegorical figures. The chariot is also a symbol of human essence: the charioteer (consciousness), using the reins (willpower and mind), controls the horses (vital forces) carrying the cart (body).

The chariot (in Hebrew - Merkaba) is also a symbol of the chain of descent from God through man into the world of phenomena and then the triumphant ascent of the spirit. The word Merkaba also means the body of light of a person.

Cauldron, bowl

Ritual cauldron (China, 800 BC)

Carl Jung sees the cup as a female symbol that takes and gives. On the other hand, the cup can be a symbol of a difficult fate ("bitter cup"). The so-called poisoned bowl promises hope, but brings trouble.

The cauldron is a more powerful symbol and is often associated with ritual and magic, representing a transformative power. The cauldron is also a symbol of abundance, an inexhaustible source of life support, revival forces, the reproductive forces of the earth, the revival of warriors for a new battle.

Blood

Detail of the painting by Fey Pomeranes "The Sixth Palace of the Underworld": the last drops of blood, a symbol of life, flow out of a glass resembling an ankh in shape

Ritual symbol of vitality. In many cultures, the blood is believed to contain some of the divine energy, or more generally the spirit of the individual.

Blood is red solar energy. It embodies the principle of life, soul, strength, including rejuvenating. To drink someone's blood means to become related, but you can also absorb the strength of the enemy and thereby secure him after death. The mixing of blood is a symbol of union in folk customs (for example, blood brotherhood) or an agreement between people, as well as between a person and God.

labyrinth

Plan of a medieval labyrinth dance on the marble floor of the cathedral in Chartres (France)

The labyrinth symbolizes the world, the Universe, incomprehensibility, movement, a complex problem, an enchanted place. This is a symbol of mystery, mystery, which has many different interpretations, often contradictory, sometimes frightening.

Images of a labyrinth on houses are considered an amulet for protection from hostile forces and evil spirits.

Burials, burial caves and labyrinth-shaped burial mounds protect the dead and prevent them from returning.

Lotus

Vishnu and Lakshmi watching the creation: Brahma grows from a lotus flower originating from the navel of Vishnu

The amazing veneration of the lotus in various cultures is explained both by the extraordinary beauty of the flower, and by the analogy between it and the idealized form of the vulva as the divine source of life. Therefore, the lotus, first of all, is a symbol of fertility, birth and rebirth. Lotus is the source of cosmic life, a symbol of the gods who created the world, as well as the gods of the sun. The lotus symbolizes the past, present and future, as each plant has buds, flowers and seeds at the same time. This is a symbol of a noble person who has grown out of mud, but not stained with it.

Moon

Above - the growing moon and the full moon; below - the waning moon and the new moon

The moon is the ruler of the feminine. It symbolizes abundance, cyclical renewal, rebirth, immortality, occult power, volatility, intuition and emotions. The ancients measured time by the cycles of the moon; determined the timing of the onset of tides; predicted what the future harvest would be like.

Although the moon is usually symbolized in a positive way, in some cultures it is represented as an evil eye watching what is happening, associated with death and the ominous darkness of the night.

magic circle

Dr. Johann Faust and Mephistopheles (from The Tragic History of Dr. Faust by Christopher Mardlowe, 1631)

The magic circle is the basis of ceremonial magic. It serves as a symbol of the will of the magician and at the same time a protective barrier that protects the magician from the negative influence of the invisible world. In such a circle, all magical operations are performed. Different circles are used for different purposes. The drawing of a circle is a certain magical ritual that must be performed according to all established rules. In addition, it is believed that the inscription of magic circles and inscriptions contributes to the development of self-control and gait.

Mandala

The circle and square of the mandala represent the spherical shape of Heaven and the rectangular shape of the Earth. Together they symbolize the order of things in space and in the human world.

This is a geometric composition, symbolizing the spiritual, cosmic or psychic order. In Sanskrit, "mandala" means "circle". Even when this geometric composition is based on squares or triangles, it still has a concentric structure. The overall meaning of the composition remains unchanged and symbolizes the guiding mind, supernatural structures, the clarity of enlightenment.

Mandorla, or Vesica Piscis (surrounds the entire body of the person)

Mandorla, or Vesica Piscis

Image of an almond-shaped halo (radiance), which was used in medieval Christian art to highlight the figure of Christ ascending into heaven, and sometimes ascending saints.

In mysticism, "almond" (in Italian - mandorla) is a symbol of purity and chastity. The mandorla, due to its oval shape, was in antiquity the symbol of the vulva. It is also a graphic image of a flame, a symbol of spirituality. On the other hand, it symbolizes the dualistic unity of Heaven and Earth, depicted as two intersecting arcs.

Halo

halo buddha

A kind of halo: a luminous circle surrounding a person's head. The golden halo symbolizes the sanctity of the individual or confirms the fact that a person communicates directly with a higher plane.

The image of the halo is borrowed from the magical symbolism of the Egyptians, as evidenced by images from the ancient Egyptian Book of the Dead.

Nimbus

The halos and halos surrounding the heads of the saints symbolize the Light of God emanating from them.

Nimbus - a kind of halo: a luminous ring around the head. It symbolizes spiritual strength, as opposed to secular power, represented by the crown. Sometimes a halo is used as an attribute of the Phoenix bird as a symbol of solar power and immortality.

The halo can be blue, yellow or rainbow colored. In Greek mythology, a blue halo is an attribute of Zeus as the god of Heaven. The Romans have a blue halo - an attribute of Apollo and Jupiter. A triangular nimbus or a nimbus in the form of a rhombus means God the Father.

Sword

Inlaid swords found by Schliemann at Mycenae (Athens, National Museum)

The sword is one of the most complex and most common symbols. On the one hand, the sword is a formidable weapon that brings life or death, on the other hand, it is an ancient and powerful force that arose simultaneously with the Cosmic Balance and was its opposite. The sword is also a powerful magical symbol, the emblem of witchcraft. In addition, the sword is a symbol of power, justice, supreme justice, all-pervading reason, insight, phallic strength, light. The sword of Damocles is a symbol of fate. A broken sword is a defeat.

bird feather

Aztec feather headdress (drawing from the Codex Mendoza)

The bird feather symbolizes truth, lightness, Heaven, height, speed, space, soul, the element of wind and air, opposed to the principle of moisture, dryness, travel beyond the material world. In a broader sense, feathers worn by shamans, priests or rulers symbolized a magical connection with the spirit world or divine power and patronage. Wearing feathers or feathered hairstyles means taking the power of a bird into yourself. Two feathers symbolize light and air, two poles, resurrection. The white feather symbolizes clouds, sea foam and cowardice.

Horns

Depiction of a Persian king from the Sasanian period

The horns symbolize supernatural power, deity, soul power, or the life principle arising from the head. Horns are both a solar and a lunar symbol. Being sharp and piercing, the horns are a phallic and masculine symbol; being hollow, they signify femininity and receptivity. Horned gods symbolize warriors, fertility for both people and animals. Horns with a long ribbon falling from them signify the god of the storm. In more recent times, horns have become a symbol of shame, contempt, depravity, and a deceived husband.

Hand

"Hand of Fatima" (Muslim carved pendant)

Power (worldly and spiritual), action, strength, domination, protection - this is the main symbolism that reflects the important role of the hand in human life and the belief that it is capable of transmitting spiritual and physical energy.

The hands of kings, religious leaders, and miracle workers are believed to have healing powers; hence the laying on of hands in religious blessing, confirmation and ordination. They bless with the right hand, they curse with the left. In Islam, the open palm of Fatima, the daughter of Muhammad, symbolizes the five pillars: faith, prayer, pilgrimage, fasting, mercy.

Sun

Variants of the image of the disk of the Sun

The sun is one of the twelve symbols of power, the main symbol of creative energy.

As a heat source, the Sun represents vitality, passion, courage, and eternal youth. As a source of light, it symbolizes knowledge, intelligence. In most traditions, the Sun is a symbol of the masculine. The sun is also life, vitality, the embodied character of the personality, the heart and its aspirations. Sun and Moon are gold and silver, king and queen, soul and body, etc.

tetramorphs

Image of Christ with tetramorphs in the corners (from a manuscript of the 12th-13th centuries)

Tetramorphs are considered a synthesis of the forces of the four elements. In some cults, these are four-headed guards of the four cardinal directions. In many traditions, they symbolize the universality of divine protection and protection from the return of primary chaos.

The four biblical tetramorphs have the heads of a man, a lion, an ox, and an eagle. Subsequently, in Christianity, these images began to be identified with the apostles - Saints Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, as well as with the incarnation of Jesus Christ, his resurrection and ascension.

Thyrsus

Thyrsus

Thyrsus is the rod of the Greek god of wine Dionysus (in Roman mythology Bacchus). It is a spear-shaped pole (originally from a hollow stem of dill) topped with a pine cone or a bunch of grapes and twined with a vine or ivy. It symbolizes fertilizing, fertile power - both sexual and vegetative.

The bump is present on the thyrsus, probably because fermented pine resin was mixed with the wine that was drunk during bacchanalia - it was believed that this enhances sexual sensations.

Ax (axe)

Great Mother with a double ax in her hands (the ax here is a phallic symbol)

The ax is a symbol of power, thunder, fertility, rain brought by the heavenly gods, and stormy winds, correction of mistakes, sacrifice, support, help. It is also a common symbol of sovereignty associated with the ancient sun gods.

The double ax (double-sided ax) denotes the sacred union of the god of Heaven and the goddess of the Earth, thunder and lightning. Sometimes the blades of a double-sided ax, resembling crescents, symbolize the Moon or the unity of opposites. It is also a symbol of supreme power and strength.

Trident

Vishnu's trident as a symbol of his triune essence: creator, keeper and destroyer (from a painting from Rajasthan, 18th century)

The trident is the most famous symbol of power over the sea and an attribute of the ancient Greek god Poseidon (in Roman mythology - Neptune).

The trident symbolizes thunder and lightning, three flames, triple weapons - the forces of heaven, air and water. This is the weapon and attribute of all heavenly, thunder gods and goddesses of the storm, as well as all water gods, the strength and fertility of the waters. It can symbolize the Heavenly Triad, as well as the past, present and future.

Trigrams

Eight trigrams underlying the "Book of Changes"

Trigrams are a triple combination of continuous (yang) and broken (yin) lines. There are eight of them, and they formed the basis of the great Chinese book of predictions "The Book of Changes" ("I-Ching"). Trigrams symbolize the Taoist doctrine that the cosmos is based on constant flows of complementary forces: male (active, yang) and female (passive, yin).

Trigrams also personify the three essences of a person - his body, soul and spirit; irrational emotions, rational mind and suprarational intellect.

Trikvetra (three-pronged swastika)

Triquetra

The triquetra is largely swastika-inspired. This is also the movement of the Sun: at sunrise, at the zenith and at sunset. There have been suggestions about the connection of this symbol with the lunar phases and the renewal of life. Like the swastika, it is a symbol of good luck. He often appears with solar symbols; it can be seen on ancient coins, on Celtic crosses, where, as they say, this sign symbolizes the triad and is a symbol of the sea god Manannan. It is also present in Teutonic symbolism, where it is associated with Thor.

Triskelion

Triskelion

The symbol of dynamic energy in the form of three legs connected together. It is similar to the swastika, but with three rather than four bent arms, creating a cyclic effect. As a motif in Celtic art and on Greek coins and shields, the triskelion has less to do with the solar and lunar phases (one of the suggested meanings) than with power and physical strength. In addition, the triskelion is a symbol of victory and progress.

Shamrock

Shamrock

Heraldic shamrock

The shamrock-clover symbolizes unification, balance, and also destruction. The sour shamrock, which the Arabs call shamrah, symbolizes the Persian triads. The shamrock is generally a symbol of triads, it is the Mystic Tree, the “solar wheel”. In Christianity, it is a symbol of the Trinity, as well as the emblem of St. Patrick and the coat of arms of Ireland.

To always be profitable, carry a dried shamrock with you.

Trimurti

Trimurti - the Indian Trinity (a sketch of a very ancient image on granite, India House Museum)

Holy Hindu Trinity - Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Symbolizes the three cycles of life: creation, preservation and destruction. Despite similarities to the Christian Trinity, the Trimurti is not a monotheistic concept of a "triune god".

Trimurti is sometimes depicted as a tortoise. She also symbolizes the Great Mother - both in her terrible manifestation (with symbols of flame and skulls), and in her beneficial (as Lotus, Sophia, Tara, as wisdom and sympathy).

Trinity

Symbol of the Trinity - Father, Son and Holy Spirit - as One God

The trinity differs from the triad in that it is unity, the union of three in one and one in three. It is a symbol of unity in diversity.

In Christianity, this is the Father, Son and Holy Spirit or Mary, Joseph and Jesus. The symbols of the Trinity are the hand (symbol of the Father), the lamb (symbol of the Son), and the dove (symbol of the Holy Spirit).

The Trinity is symbolized by the colors yellow, red and green; three qualities - Love, Faith and Hope.

Human

Symbolic representation of man as the Universe: a square in a circle (China)

The crown of all living things. A symbol of what is capable of improvement. Created in the image and likeness of God, it combines the material and the spiritual, the heavenly and the earthly. This is a microcosm, symbolically containing all the elements of the universe (macrocosm). The human body in the Pythagorean tradition is depicted as a pentagram consisting of arms, legs, and a head. In man, three principles are united together, which modern scientists call the body, life and will. Symbolically, this can be represented by three points (beginnings) enclosed in a circle.

Universal symbols-concepts

The knowledge of ideas reveals in temporal phenomena their timelessly eternal meaning.

Andrey Bely

Concept symbols are numbers or geometric shapes that reflect ideas, feelings, or abstract qualities of something directly related to the inner world of a person.

Duality of the world

Solomon's Double Triangle Diagram: God of Light and God of Reflection

The duality of the world - the interaction of the two polarities behind the created universe (light and darkness, good and evil, etc.) - is reflected in many symbols. The most famous of these is the yin-yang symbol. Also of interest are the symbols presented by the famous occultist Eliphas Levi, such as the "Double Triangle of Solomon" diagram.

The main symbol that people far from the occult use to depict duality is the most common number two, although, nevertheless, it also has a magical nature.

Yin-yang (principle)

Yin-yang sign

The Chinese call the symbol "yin-yang" Tai Shi - the circle of existence. The circle is divided into two equal parts by an S-shaped curve: dark, feminine (yin), and light, masculine (yang). The circle seems to rotate, the darkness is replaced by light, and then the light is replaced by darkness. The Chinese claim that even in the purest light there is an element of darkness, and vice versa. Therefore, in the center of each part, a small circle of the opposite color is depicted: black on a white background and white on a black one. This image symbolizes the balanced dynamism of opposing forces and principles in the cosmos.

Rays

Sun with zigzag rays (golden mask of the Incas)

It is a symbol of fertilizing power, holiness, spiritual enlightenment and creative energy, creative power. The rays can depict the hair of the sun god, a manifestation of the divine essence, or a radiance (halo) emanating from the saints. In solar symbolism, the seventh ray is the main path to heaven.

Wisdom

Ancient Greek goddess of wisdom Athena (in Roman mythology Minerva) with a coiled snake at her feet

The main symbols of wisdom are the snake (daytime, solar, but feminine flexible male sign) and the owl (night, lunar, acting imperceptibly, silently, but masculinely resolutely and quickly female sign). It is the combination in each of them of the most important properties of the male and female principles that very accurately corresponds to wisdom. Other symbols of wisdom: dragon, griffin, peacock, sphinx, unicorn, bird, bee, rat, lotus, heart, number seven, scepter, scroll, ring, etc.

“Out of many roses, a drop of oil; out of many torments, a drop of wisdom” (Persian saying).

world axis

Tet of Osiris

In the esoteric tradition, the symbols of the axis of the world, the World Tree, are the spear, sword, key and scepter.

The Egyptians use Tat (or Tet) as a symbol of the world axis and the North Pole - the spine of Osiris, which, in addition, personifies stability, strength, immutability, preservation.

Light

Light emanating from the Buddha

Light is the first creation. It is associated with the beginning and the end. Light and darkness are two aspects of the Great Mother: life and love, death and burial, creation and destruction.

The light of the Sun personifies spiritual knowledge, and the reflected light of the Moon represents rational, analytical knowledge.

Light is usually depicted as straight or undulating rays, the disk of the Sun, or a halo. As a rule, a straight line represents light, and a wavy line represents heat. Light and heat symbolically complement each other and are the two poles of the element of Fire.

Death and rebirth

Death and rebirth of human beings. Detail of symbolism on a gravestone in Dieste (Belgium)

This image in Christianity is expressed by ancient complex symbols. The above composition combines two pairs of "circle-cross", each pair personifies death and rebirth. The lower pair is represented by crossbones and a rounded skull (a symbol of death). From the lower circle (skull) grows a cross similar to the one on which Christ died - the cross of resurrection, rebirth. This whole allegory is inscribed in a larger circle - a sign that the death and rebirth of human beings are within the great spiritual sphere of the cosmos.

Consciousness (three aspects)

Symbols representing the three aspects of consciousness

Usually the three aspects of consciousness are depicted as three animals: one of them lives underground, the other on the ground, and the third flies above the ground. The animal that lives underground represents the microcosm; that which flies in the air is the macrocosm; and the animal that walks the earth represents the middle step between the first two - like us, for example. The most common symbols are: in Egypt - a cobra, the right eye of Horus, a hawk; in Peru - rattlesnake, puma and condor; the American Indians have a rattlesnake, a mountain lion and an eagle; in Tibet - a snake, a pig and a rooster.

Dance

Dervish dance (the grace of God descends to the dancer through the raised hand, penetrates through his body and spirit and, leaving him, unites with the earth through the lowered hand)

The main symbolism of the dance: cosmic creative energy, the transformation of space into time, the rhythm of the universe, the imitation of the divine "game" of creation, the maintenance of strength, emotions, and activity.

Circle dances are an imitation of the movement of the Sun in the sky. Dancing in a chain is a symbol of the connection between a man and a woman, Heaven and Earth. When the dance is performed around an object, it is thereby closed, enclosing in a magic circle, protecting and giving strength.

Shadow

Priestly Esotericism: The Sign of Anathema (from Eliphas Levi's Transcendental Magic, 1896)

A symbol of the negative beginning, as opposed to the positive solar. In some primitive tribes, the shadow symbolizes the human soul, the same is in witchcraft and conspiracies. To fall into the shadow of another person is a bad omen.

The above engraving depicts a human hand performing an act of blessing. A strong beam of light casts a shadow from the blessing hand on the wall, and this shadow is the image of the horned head of the Devil. The main idea of ​​the allegory is this: evil and good are intertwined, and darkness and light oppose each other in a kind of moral duel.

Emblems of modern religions

It is difficult to find the Creator and Father of this universe, but even having found Him, it is impossible to express Him in a language understandable to everyone.

In our time, there are three world religions on the globe - Christianity, Islam (Muslim) and Buddhism. Each of them is accepted in many countries. They arose a long time ago: Christianity is 2000 years old, Islam is almost 1400 years old, and Buddhism is about 2500 years old.

There are other religions, which, although not global, are also widespread.

Christianity

Cup and cross

One of the symbols of Christ's love is the combination of the cup and the cross. The cup, or goblet, in this case indicates the great suffering that Jesus endured, calling it "the cup."

The image of the bowl indicates the prayer of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane: “Father! Oh, that You would be pleased to carry this cup past me! however, not my will, but yours be done.”

The cross is depicted as pointed. Its sharp ends, like swords of sorrow and pain, pierce the suffering soul.

Islam

Star and crescent of Islam

The main emblem of the youngest world religion, Islam, founded by the Prophet of Allah, Muhammad (570-632), is a crescent with a star inside. The emblem denotes divine patronage, growth, rebirth, and, together with the star, paradise. The star is a traditional symbol of independence and divinity. The crescent is one of the true forces capable of resisting evil, a powerful talisman.

The crescent in Islamic countries replaces the cross in Red Cross organizations.

Buddhism

Maitreya

In Buddhism, Maitreya is the name of the Buddha of the coming world order. This is the only Bodhisattva ("whose essence has become the mind"), which is recognized by all major branches of Buddhism. The essence of a Bodhisattva is the act of sacrifice: giving up the bliss of nirvana in order to help humanity within the limits allowed by karmic limitations.

Maitreya is depicted sitting on a throne in a "European pose" (with legs down), which indicates a sign of the haste of his arrival; it is golden in color. Next to Maitreya, it is customary to depict the wheel of dharma, a stupa and a vase.

Judaism

Mogendovid, or Shield of David

Judaism is the oldest of the monotheistic world religions (it arose in the 1st millennium BC in Palestine 4000 years ago). The main provisions of Judaism were later incorporated into Christianity and Islam.

The symbol of Judaism is Mogendovid, or the Shield of David. Most commonly associated with the six-pointed Star of David. A less common name is the Star of the Creator; each end of the star symbolizes one of the six days of creation, and the central hexagon symbolizes Shabbat (the holy day of rest).

Zoroastrianism

Ahura Mazda

Zoroastrianism is an ancient spiritual tradition, founded about 2500 years ago by the prophet Zoroaster, and now, unfortunately, forgotten. The supreme god is Ahura Mazda. The sacred canon is the Avesta ("law").

Zoroastrianism proceeds from the doctrine of the justice of the world order and the triumph of justice in the world struggle between good and evil, in which the free choice of a person, his active participation play a decisive role. Zoroastrian morality contains an ethical triad: a good thought, a good word, a good deed.

Hinduism

One of the symbols of the Trimurti

Hinduism combines elements of different creeds, rooted in the mists of time. Sacred books - Vedas (Rigveda, Samaveda, Yajurveda, Atharvaveda). The three main gods make up the Trimurti (triad): Brahma is the creator of the world, Vishnu is the keeper of the world and Shiva is the destroyer. Their images symbolize the fundamental processes of change in nature (prakriti).

The basis of Hinduism is the doctrine of the reincarnation of souls (samsara), which occurs in accordance with the law of retribution (karma) for virtuous or bad behavior.

Confucianism

The symbol of Confucianism is the figure of the “Highest Saint” himself

Confucianism and Taoism are the most famous of the philosophical currents that existed in China even before its unification (221 BC). Gradually intertwined with the traditions of Buddhists and Taoists, the teachings of Confucius acquired a religious connotation. According to Confucius, one must live in such a way that human behavior reflects the laws of the universe, which exists according to a certain order. “The master teaches his students the four disciplines: culture, behavior, loyalty and faith” (Lun Yu, 7.25).

Taoism

Tai Chi (yin-yang circle)

Taoism literally means "School of the Tao". (Tao means “way”). This is an integral part of the philosophical and religious triad (Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism). The Chinese apply all three teachings in practice, depending on the life situation. As part of his personal life, the Chinese profess Taoism, but when it comes to social norms of behavior, he becomes a Confucian, and when faced with troubles and life's hardships, he turns to Mahayana Buddhism.

Graphically, the concept of Taoism is expressed by tai chi (in some sources - Tai Shi) - a symbol of a single limit.

Shinto (Shinto)

Horin-rimbo - the wheel of the law (Japan)

Shinto is the Japanese national religion, its name comes from the Chinese word "shen-dao" ("sacred path" or "path of the gods"). At the heart of Shinto is the cult of the deities of nature and ancestors. The highest deities are Amaterasu (goddess of the Sun) and her descendant Jimmu. Jimmu is the first emperor of Japan, the mythical ancestor of Japanese emperors. Day February 11, when, according to myths, in 660 BC. e. Jimmu ascended the throne, is considered the founding day of the empire and is celebrated as a holiday.

Crosses: the most common forms

The cross is a cosmic symbol that should be studied and treated with the greatest respect.

"The Science of Initiation"

The common symbol of humanity is the cross. It can be found in the most ancient religions, among the most ancient civilizations: in Mesopotamia, Egypt, China, etc. Who invented the cross? Nobody - because it exists in nature. This is an ancient universal symbol and, above all, a symbol of the connection of micro- and macrocosm, spirit and matter in their combination. The cross symbolizes the involvement of the spirit (vertical line) in time (horizontal line).

The forms of the cross are various. They differ in the number of crossbars, and the number of ends of the cross, and proportions.

Greek cross

Greek cross

The cross of the simplest form: square, with ends of equal length, the horizontal crossbar is located in the middle of the vertical one. Cross of Saint George. This sign, also called crux quadrata, has been used since prehistoric times in a variety of meanings - as a symbol of the sun god, the god of rain, the elements from which the world is created: air, earth, fire and water. In early Christianity, the Greek cross symbolized Christ. It is also a symbol of secular, earthly power, but received from God. Used in medieval heraldry.

cross hammer

cross hammer

The hammer cross is a variation of the Greek cross. One of the main heraldic crosses, it is named after the French potenee - "support", since its shape is similar to the supports used in antiquity.

latin cross

latin cross

Another name for the Latin cross is the long cross. Its horizontal bar is located above the middle of the vertical bar. This is the most common Christian symbol in the Western world. It is believed that it was from such a cross that Christ was taken down, hence his other names: the cross of the Crucifixion, the cross of the West, the cross of Life, the cross of Suffering. This form, so similar to a man with outstretched arms, symbolized God in Greece and China long before the advent of Christianity. For the Egyptians, the cross rising from the heart symbolized kindness.

Cross of Saint Peter

Cross of Saint Peter

The cross of St. Peter is an inverted Latin cross. Since the 4th century, it has been one of the symbols of Saint Peter, who is believed to have been crucified upside down on an inverted cross in 65 CE. e. during the reign of Emperor Nero in Rome.

An inverted Latin cross, that is, the cross of St. Peter, with pointed ends is the emblem of the Knights Templar.

St. Andrew's Cross (oblique cross)

St. Andrew's Cross (oblique cross)

It is also called diagonal or oblique. On such a cross, the apostle Saint Andrew was martyred. The Romans used this symbol to mark the border, the passage beyond which was forbidden. The oblique cross also symbolizes perfection, the number 10. In heraldry, this cross is called the saltire.

St. Andrew is the patron saint of Russia, and when Peter the Great created the Russian navy (in the 1690s), he adopted a blue oblique cross on a white background for the flag of the fleet.

Tau Cross (St. Anthony's Cross)

tau cross

Cross of Saint Anthony

The tau cross is so named because of its resemblance to the Greek letter "T" (tau). It symbolizes life, the key to supreme power, the phallus. In ancient Egypt - a sign of fertility and life. In biblical times - a symbol of protection. The Scandinavians have Thor's hammer. In Christian churches - the cross of St. Anthony (the founder of Christian monasticism, IV century). Since the beginning of the XIII century - the emblem of Francis of Assisi. In heraldry, this is the Almighty Cross. Also known as the "Gallows Cross" due to its resemblance to the gallows, as it was made in antiquity.

Ankh (Egyptian cross)

Ankh - the key to the gates of death

The ankh is the most significant symbol among the ancient Egyptians, also known as the "cross with a handle." This cross combines two symbols: a circle (as a symbol of eternity) and a tau-cross suspended from it (as a symbol of life); together they denote immortality, eternal life. Ankh also personifies "the life that will come", "the time that will come", hidden wisdom, the key to the secrets of life and knowledge, as well as the key that opens the gates of death. Perhaps it symbolizes the Tree of Life, as well as the sun rising above the horizon.

Maltese cross

Maltese cross

The Maltese cross is also called the eight-pointed. It symbolizes the four great gods of Assyria: Ra, Anu, Belus and Hea. Emblem of the Knights of Malta. The white cross of this form on a black background was from the very beginning the emblem of the military and religious order of the Hospitallers (Johnites), who moved their headquarters to Malta (in 1529) - hence the name.

In philately, the Maltese cross is the first postmark used to cancel postal items from 1840 to 1844.

Patriarchal Cross

Patriarchal Cross

The patriarchal cross is used by archbishops and cardinals. It is also called the cardinal's catholic cross and the two-bar cross. The upper crossbar is a titulary (board for writing a name), introduced by order of Pontius Pilate. Under the name of the archbishop's cross, it is often found on the coats of arms of archbishops.

This cross is widespread in Greece and is sometimes called Angevin or Lorraine. It is sometimes erroneously called the Lorraine cross.

papal cross

papal cross

The papal cross with three horizontal bars is also known as the triple cross. Used in processions in which the pope participates. Three cross lines symbolize power and the Tree of Life.

Russian cross

Russian cross (cross of St. Lazarus)

This eight-pointed cross is the cross of the Russian Orthodox Church. It is also called the eastern cross or the cross of St. Lazarus. Symbol of the Orthodox Church in the Eastern Mediterranean, Eastern Europe and Russia.

The upper of the three transverse crossbars is the titulary, where the name was written, as in the patriarchal cross, the lower crossbar is beveled.

Cross of Constantine (sign "Chi-Rho")

Cross of Constantine

Magic seal with the symbol "Chi-Rho" (Agrippa, 1533)

The Cross of Constantine is a monogram known as "Khi-Rho" ("chi" and "ro" are the first two letters of Christ's name in Greek). The legend says that the emperor Constantine saw this cross in the sky on the way to Rome, along with the cross he saw the inscription “Conquer this”. According to another legend, he saw the cross in a dream the night before the battle and heard a voice: “With this sign you will win”). It is said that it was this prediction that converted Constantine to Christianity. And the monogram became the first generally accepted symbol of Christianity - as a sign of victory and salvation.

Rosicrucian cross

Cross with a rose (Rosicrucian)

Another name is the cross of the rose (five-petal). Emblem of the Rosicrucian Order. Symbol of harmony, center, heart. The rose and the cross also symbolize the Resurrection and Atonement of Christ. This sign is understood as the divine light of the Universe (rose) and the earthly world of suffering (cross), as the feminine and masculine, material and spiritual, spiritual and sensual love. The cross with a rose is a symbol of the initiate, who, thanks to work on himself, has managed to develop in himself love, life-giving and transforming matter.

Masonic cross

Masonic cross (cross in a circle)

The Masonic cross is a cross inscribed in a circle. It means a holy place and a cosmic center. The four dimensions of space in the celestial circle symbolize the totality that includes the Great Spirit. This cross represents the Cosmic Tree extending horizontally over the Earth and touching the Heavens through the vertical central axis. Such a cross was either made in stone or depicted on the walls of Roman Gothic temples, symbolizing their sanctification.

Pacifist Cross

Pacifist cross (peace cross)

This symbol was designed by Gerald Holtom in 1958 for the then emerging movement for nuclear disarmament. To develop the symbol, he used the semaphore alphabet: he made a cross from its symbols - for "N" (nuclear, nuclear) and "D" (disarmament, disarmament) - and placed them in a circle, which symbolized a global agreement. Soon this cross became one of the most common signs of the 60s of the twentieth century, symbolizing both peace and anarchy.

images of time

The wise turn years into months, months into weeks, weeks into days.

Everything is perishable in this world.

The image of inexorable time is the road. The symbol of time is sand flowing through the fingers. Attributes of measured time - a clock, a burning candle; it is a symbol of the elusiveness of the present moment.

In the pantheon of gods of almost all ancient cultures, there is also the god of Time.

Abraxas

Abraxas - a symbol of time (gnostic gem)

Abraxas is the personification of the divine cycles of the solar year. This is the mystical image of the Supreme Being, the highest of the seven. It consists of five emanations (radiations): Nus (Mind), Logos (Word), Phronesis (Reason), Sophia (Wisdom), Dynamis (Power). The human body in the image represents God. The two serpent-supports emerging from it are Nus and Logos (intuition and quick understanding). The head of a rooster means foresight and vigilance (mind). Two hands hold the symbols of Sophia and Dynamis: the armor of wisdom and the whip of power.

Kalachakra

Namchu-vanden - emblem of Kalachakra

Kalachakra - literally "wheel of time", "course of time". Secret Doctrine in Vajrayana Buddhism. An astrological and astronomical system that entered Tibet from India. Kalachakra introduces the concept of the cyclical nature of time with periods of 12 and 60 years (Tibetan calendar). According to legend, the Kalachakra teaching was given by the Buddha Shakyamuni. According to other sources, this teaching was brought to Tibet by Pitop, or the Great Kalachakrapada, who, having miraculously found himself in Shambhala, was initiated there by the king of Kalki into the teachings of Kalachakra.

Kronos

Kronos (Rom. Saturn), XV century

The ancient Greek symbol of time - the titan Kronos - became the ancestor of many words in Russian (the particle “chrono” is part of compound words indicating their relationship to time): chronic, chronology, chronometer, etc.

Kronos (Rom. Saturn) - the god of Time, in the form of a fading autumn or the departing Sun, sometimes, along with his sickle, also has a hood, which symbolizes invisibility, death and retreat. Since the hood covers the head, it also signifies thought and spirit.

Ourobor (serpent that bites its own tail)

Ourobor as an Emblem of Death (from George Wheater's A Collection of Emblems, Ancient and Modern, 1635)

The most obvious meaning of the symbol is associated with the concept of time: the passage of time is accompanied by destruction, since the past seems to be irretrievably lost. This is reflected in the fact that the serpent "devours" its own tail, like time, which apparently consumes itself. We can say that time has a cyclical nature (day follows night, the seasons repeat themselves, etc.), and this has found its expression in the form of a snake, in the fact that he curled up in a circle. The symbol of the emblem can be expressed by the phrase: "In my beginning lies my end" or "The end is in the beginning."

Tempus

Image of Time - Tempus (Rome)

The Romans depicted time in the form of a male winged figure with goat legs, with a scythe in his hands (“the inexorable scythe of time”) - this is Tempus (from Latin tempus - time).

The figure of Tempus personifies the frailty and transience of all living things, and therefore is associated with the symbol of Death.

"Clock" of our body

The “clock” of our body (the numbers in the inner circle are the time of day)

The Chinese consider it useful to influence the organs of the body in a strictly defined period of the day (stimulate - during activity, and vice versa).

Twelve major organs, according to medical practice, have two hours of activity (see figure). Designations: GB - gallbladder: (from 23:00 to 1:00); Liv - liver; Lu - lungs; Li - large intestine; St - stomach; Sp, spleen; H - heart; Si, small intestine; UB, urinary bladder; K, kidneys; P - brain; TW - spinal cord.

Symbolism of the plant kingdom

The beauty of plants is the common heritage of the world, that is, it is always macrocosmic, not microcosmic.

The symbol of the plant kingdom is the tree. Its branches, representing diversity, depart from a common trunk, which is a symbol of unity. A green, flowering tree is a symbol of life; dead, withered - a symbol of death. An old, gnarled tree can mean wisdom and strength.

The flower is the emblem of the cycle of birth, life, death and rebirth. Flowers represent beauty (especially feminine), innocence, divine blessing, spring, youth, but also the brevity of being. Everything in a flower can carry a certain symbolism: its shape, and the number of petals, and color, and smell ...

Vine

Ornament - vine motif

Grapes are one of the oldest symbols of fertility, abundance and vitality. The vine is one of the symbols of Christ. The importance of wine in many religious rituals is based on the symbolic association of grapes with divine blessings. The vine was the first plant Noah planted after the flood.

Grape juice resembles human blood. In some mysteries, grapes are a symbol of lust and debauchery, greed and drunkenness. The bunch of grapes is sometimes presented as a phallic symbol. But grapes are also seen as a symbol of the solar spirit.

Cherry

Sakura (19th century Japanese print by Utagawa Kunisada)

In Christian iconography, cherry is sometimes depicted instead of an apple as a fruit from the Tree of the Knowledge of good and evil; sometimes Christ is depicted with cherries in his hand. In China, the cherry tree is a symbol of good luck, spring (due to early flowering) and virginity; The vulva is called the "spring cherry". Cherry blossoms (sakura) - a symbol of Japan; it is cultivated as an ornamental tree; its fruits are inedible. The Japanese identify cherry blossoms with the rising sun. Cherry, in addition, is the emblem of the samurai.

Pomegranate

Popping pomegranate

The opening pomegranate (fruit) symbolizes the Easter Resurrection of Christ, gives Christians confidence in forgiveness, faith in the life to come and resurrection. Due to the abundance of seeds, pomegranates are a symbol of fertility. It is also the ancient eastern emblem of the sun god and the emblem of life, a divine symbol called the "forbidden secret."

The remains of a flower (thorn) on the upper part of the fruit serve as an image of a crown in heraldry. The pomegranate is always depicted as golden. And pomegranate seeds are always twelve - a number symbolizing perfection since ancient times.

Oak and acorn

Acorn

Oak is a symbol of power, endurance, longevity and nobility, as well as glory. In ancient Rome, a wreath of oak leaves was the highest award for a victorious commander.

As an emblem of valor and courage, oak (oak leaf, oak branch, oak wreath, oak garland) is used in military insignia in many countries.

Oak with acorns - the emblem of maturity, full of strength. An oak without acorns is the emblem of youthful valor. The acorn is a symbol of fertility, prosperity, spiritual energy growing from the grain of truth.

Kabbalistic Tree

Kabbalistic Tree (drawing from the book by R. Fludd, 1574–1637)

This is an inverted Cosmic Tree. Its crown touches the ground, and its roots are fixed in the spiritual world and feed on the spiritual energy of the sky, spreading it to the outer world and down. This is a favorite image in Kabbalism and other mystical and magical teachings. It testifies that human life is the descent of the spirit into the body and back. It is also a symbol of philosophical growth, growth inwards.

In the Bhagavad Gita, an inverted tree means the origin of everything from a single root, in Islam it is a symbol of happiness and good luck.

Cypress

Seven cypresses and twelve branches - the personification of the universe and its eternal truths (Istanbul, Turkey)

In the West, cypress is a mystical symbol of death and mourning, the personification of sadness and sorrow, as it was used for embalming the body and for making coffins. In Asia, it is a symbol of longevity and immortality. The Arabs call the cypress the Tree of Life. In Greece, the cypress has always had a dual reputation: it was a symbol of the gloomy god of the underworld, Hades, but at the same time, more cheerful gods - Zeus, Apollo, Aphrodite and Hermes. Therefore, it has become a symbol of rebirth and life after death. In China, the smoke of cypress branches is a symbol of light forces, a talisman against misfortune.

Clover

Clover with four petals

The three-leaf clover (shamrock) is a symbol of the Christian Trinity. The rare quatrefoil is a symbol of good luck; there is a belief that Eve took one quatrefoil as a memory of the lost paradise. But a five-leaf clover brings bad luck.

In China, clover is the emblem of spring. The Irish use clover leaves as their national emblem, which probably goes back to the veneration of this plant by the Celts for its active growth in spring.

Roots

Seed and roots

A symbol of connection with the earth, with the family.

"A man with roots" - they say about a man who stands firmly on his feet.

"Look at the root" - pay attention to the most essential, delve into the essence.

The "root of evil" is the source, the core of evil.

"Uproot" - take away life, cut off access to food, radically solve the problem.

laurel

Laurel wreath

Laurel symbolizes immortality, but also triumph, victory and success. He personifies peace, purification, protection, divinity, secret knowledge. According to ancient Greek myth, the god of the Sun, dawn and poetry, Apollo pursued the nymph Daphne, who, running away from him, turned into a laurel bush (in Greek, "laurel" - "daphne"). In the arms of Apollo was a tree, with the branches of which he decorated his head and lyre. That is why in ancient Greece musicians, poets, dancers, whose patron was Apollo, were awarded with laurel wreaths. The Romans extended this tradition to military victors.

Lily

Fleur-de-lys, coat of arms of the French kings

One of the most versatile and even controversial characters. The triple lily is a symbol of the Trinity and three virtues: Faith, Hope and Mercy. Lily is an attribute of many saints, including the Archangel Gabriel. White lilies can sometimes symbolize death. The lily is also associated with fertility and erotic love due to its arrow-shaped or spear-shaped (phallus-like) pistil and specific strong fragrance. Lily - a sign of prosperity and royal power in Byzantium, later - the emblem of the French kings.

Palm branch

Palm branch

This is the main symbol of victory and triumph ("palm tree").

In ancient Greece, a palm branch was given along with a wreath to the winner of the Olympic Games as a personal wish for health and longevity. In ancient Rome, they were also awarded to victorious soldiers and gladiators. On Palm Sunday celebrations in Jerusalem, priests hand out consecrated palm leaves in the form of a cross. In Russia, they are replaced by willows. The palm branch is a symbol of longevity and one of the emblems of the world, and unlike the dove, it is a secular emblem.

Rose

ten petal rose

The rose has polar symbolism: it is heavenly perfection and earthly passion, time and eternity, life and death, fertility and virginity. It is also a symbol of the heart, the center of the universe, the cosmic wheel, divine, romantic and sensual love. Rose - completeness, the mystery of life, its focus, the unknown, beauty, grace, happiness, but also voluptuousness, passion, and in combination with wine - sensuality and seduction. The rosebud is a symbol of virginity; withered rose - the transience of life, death, sorrow; its thorns are pain, blood and martyrdom.

roses heraldic

Heraldic roses: 1 - Lancaster; 2 - Yorks; 3 - Tudors; 4 - England (badge); 5 - German Rose Rosenov; 6 - Russian stamp

The heraldic medieval rose has five or ten petals, which connects it with the Pythagorean pentad and decade. A rose with red petals and white stamens is the emblem of England, the most famous badge of the English kings. After the "War of the Scarlet and White Roses", named after the breastplates of the names that fought for the English crown, the scarlet rose of Lancaster and the white rose of York were combined in the form of the "Tudor Rose". The bright crimson rose is the unofficial emblem of Bulgaria. The famous tea rose is the emblem of Beijing. Nine white roses are in the coat of arms of Finland.

sprouts

Fern sprouts (four-part scheme)

Sprouts (heart-shaped scheme)

The sprout is a symbol of the awakening of life. The simplest species is a grain “hatching out of its shell”, a sprout resembling a folded fern leaf. These images are accompanied by a rounded or heart-shaped stripe. The heart-shaped scheme (point up) is a stable expression of the agrarian ornament. A four-part composition with fern sprouts (a sacred plant among many peoples) is widely used, the leaves of which are directed in all directions.

Pumpkin

Painted gourd, vessel and talisman (China, 19th century)

The gourd in Chinese culture is a symbol of health, wisdom, and even the entire universe.

In America, a pumpkin is the main attribute of the traditional holiday of evil spirits - Halloween. For this holiday, faces are carved on pumpkins, and candles are inserted inside the pumpkins and they go home with such “lamps”.

In humiliated symbolism, a pumpkin is called a head.

Thistle

Thistle

Emblem of Scotland

Thistle means challenge, asceticism, vindictiveness, misanthropy. Donkey food. It also symbolizes sin, sorrow, the curse of God when expelled from paradise; according to Genesis, Adam was punished with thistles. In Christian art, the thistle is the emblem of martyrdom.

But there is another side to the thistle symbolism. Like some other thorny plants, it is considered a talisman and is endowed with the ability to heal wounds. It is a plant with strong magical properties.

Apple tree, apple

Sovereign apple - one of the symbols of monarchical power

The apple tree is a symbol of fertility, one of the symbols of Mother Earth. Blooming apple tree - eternal youth, and in China - peace and beauty. An apple is a symbol of bliss, especially sexual, a symbol of restoration of potential, integrity, health and vitality. The apple represents love, marriage, spring, youth, longevity or immortality, in Christianity it is associated with temptation, the fall of man and his salvation. A bitten apple is a symbol of sin, anarchy, but also knowledge and hope. In art, an apple in the mouth of a monkey or a snake is a symbol of original sin.

Symbolism of the animal kingdom

The animal kingdom in its different breeds embodies the different impulses of the human psyche.

N. P. Rudnikova

In the human mind, animals (animals, birds, fish, insects, etc.) act as symbols, on the basis of which figurative pictures of certain aspects of being are compiled. The symbolism of animals also extends to the highest foundations of man himself (for example, ideas about the soul are expressed in the form of a bird).

The ancient Egyptians believed that certain animals could embody cosmic and divine energies. The twelve animals of the zodiac are archetypal symbols and represent a closed cycle of energies.

Stork

“He who has gained immortality flies on a stork into the sky” (stork and crane are symbols of immortality)

The stork symbolizes new life, the arrival of spring, good luck, daughter or son affection. In Christianity, the stork personifies purity, chastity, piety, vigilance. In the East, the stork is a symbol of immortality. Among the Slavs, the stork is an ancient totem bird, a symbol of the motherland, family well-being, home comfort, love for one's home. The punishment for destroying a nest or killing a stork is a fire that incinerates the killer's house or himself. There is a belief that a stork brings newborn babies. A stork carrying a baby is a symbol of christening.

Butterfly

Butterfly image

At present, the symbolism of the butterfly is dominated by the meaning of the anemone, a carefree creature, but also pure joy. In ancient times, it was presented as a symbol of transformation and immortality due to its life cycle: life (bright caterpillar) - death (dark chrysalis) - rebirth (free flight of the soul). The butterfly is a symbol of the soul in many regions of the world. In China, it is a symbol of light entertainment and a sign of lovers. In Japan, a butterfly is a symbol of a fickle and windy lover, as well as female fussiness and the craft of a geisha; two butterflies - marital happiness.

Ram (ram)

ram head

One of the most important symbols and one of the most widespread emblems in the world (variants: lamb, golden fleece, ram's head, ram's horns). The ram symbolizes fire, solar energy, passionate passion, courage, impulsiveness, stubbornness. In many cultures since ancient times it means male power and sexual potency. The symbol of the elements - both creative and destructive, requiring sacrifice.

In the modern everyday sense, the word "ram" is often synonymous with stupidity or stupid stubbornness.

Bull

Sacred bull Apis (Egypt)

Symbol of the fertility of the earth. The most common symbol of sexual power, as well as violence and rage. This is the embodiment of power, power, male fertility. A symbol of divinity, royalty, the elemental forces of nature, which changed meanings in different eras and in different cultures. The bull's horns are a sign of the full moon, its huge body is the pillar of the world in the Islamic and Vedic traditions; its abundant seed is nourished by the Moon in Iranian mythology; his bellowing, hoof-stomping, and horn-shaking are universally associated with thunder and earthquakes.

Wolf

She-wolf feeding Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome (bronze figure, 6th–5th century BC)

The symbolism of the wolf is dual.

Negative symbolism: ferocity, deceit, greed, cruelty, evil, gluttony and sexuality. Stories of witches turned into wolves and men turned werewolves epitomize the fear of demonic possession and male violence.

Positive symbolism: courage, victory, concern for the food of the family. The wolf is a common symbol of knowledge through experience, the emblem of warriors.

AT heraldry the wolf is a symbol of anger, gluttony, greed.

Raven, crow

The raven on the shield is a symbol of purification

“Daughters of Jerusalem! I am black, but beautiful ”(alchemical symbol)

Raven and crow have similar symbolism. On the one hand, crows are associated with war, death, desolation, evil and misfortune. Because of their blackness, they are considered symbols of chaos and darkness that preceded the light of creation. On the other hand, the raven is a symbol of wisdom and justice. The raven has a connection with the world of the dead, he can get living and dead water. There is an opinion that the raven is a travel assistant and a fortune teller. There is a belief that when crows begin to leave their nests, this portends famine or other misfortunes.

Pigeon

Dove as a symbol of peace

Peace, purity, love, serenity, hope. Traditional Christian symbol of the Holy Spirit and baptism. There is a legend that the devil and witches can turn into any creature except a dove and a sheep. Pigeon cooing is associated with both sex and the birth of children. A pair of doves is a symbol of sexual harmony; so the dove became the personification of the tender wife. A dove with a laurel branch is a symbol of peace, a dove with a cornucopia is a happy accident. In the East, the dove is one of the many symbols of longevity.

Dolphin

"Boy with a Dolphin" (Andrea del Verrocchio, 1475. Sculpture for a fountain)

The dolphin symbolizes love, the power of the sea, speed, salvation, transformation. This is a friend of man in the sea element and its symbol. The dolphin is also a symbol of boundless joy, playfulness, unpredictability and even spiritual enlightenment. In ancient Greece, the lord of the waters, Poseidon, (the Roman counterpart is Neptune), was often depicted in a cart pulled by dolphins. As a symbol of the sacrifice of Christ, the dolphin is often depicted with a pierced trident or anchor (the secret symbol of the cross). Intertwined with an anchor, the dolphin is a symbol of caution, speed limits: "Hurry slowly."

Toad, frog

Stylized image of a frog

The toad is one of the attributes of witchcraft. According to European superstitions, this is a companion of witches, reminiscent of the death and torment of sinners. At the same time, the toad, which in the Middle Ages personified darkness and evil, greed and lust, is associated with birth and rebirth. A symbol of ugliness, behind which a beautiful soul can lurk. It also symbolizes longevity and wealth: it is believed that the toad, like a snake, carries a gem in its forehead that attracts good luck.

The frog is a widespread symbol of fertility, a harbinger of spring rains and the awakening of nature.

Crane

Dancing Cranes (bracelet from Kyiv)

In China and Japan, the crane symbolizes vigilance, longevity, wisdom, devotion, honor. The image of a crane flying towards the Sun is a symbol of social aspirations, its snow-white body is a symbol of purity, its red head is the fire of life. In India and in some Celtic regions, the crane is a symbol of betrayal, a harbinger of misfortune. In Russia, cranes, along with storks and nightingales, are considered "God's birds", their symbolism is associated with the Sun.

Throughout the world, the crane is a symbol of communication with the gods.

Snake: general symbolism

Python (Greece)

The snake is the most universal and most complex of all animal symbols, and also the most common and perhaps the most ancient of them. The snake signifies death and destruction, but also life and resurrection. This is both the solar and the lunar, light and darkness, good and evil, wisdom and blind passion, healing and poison, the keeper and the destroyer. Such a duality of symbolism forces one to balance between fear and worship, the snake appears either as a hero or as a monster.

Snake: positive symbolism

"Snake Power"

An example of the positive symbolism of a snake is the concept of kundalini: a symbol of inner strength, psychic energy, a snake-like ball of vital energy dormant at the base of the spine. The kundalini energy is called the "serpent power". Sometimes she is depicted as a coiled snake with heads at both ends. In India and other regions, snakes are often seen as guardians of shrines, water sources, and treasures. This tradition is associated with the symbolism of fertility inherent in the snake, and with the belief that precious stones are the frozen saliva of snakes.

Snake: negative symbolism

Illustration for the "Poem of Gilgamesh" (seal of the Sumero-Akkadian kingdom)

If we consider the frightening part of the symbolism of the snake, then it is a clear prototype of dragons and sea snakes or snake-like hybrids, symbolizing the many dangers that await a person in life. The snake is one of the worst omens, a symbol of darkness, evil, hatred, sin, temptation, deceit. The snake is blamed for the fact that because of it people lost God's gift of eternal life.

Snakes were an indispensable attribute of sorceresses, witches' potions included some parts of snakes.

Snake: cosmogonic symbolism

Snake and egg (the image of a snake that supports the world)

The snake is primarily a magical symbol of the forces that gave birth to life. A snake biting its own tail is a symbol not only of eternity, but also of divine self-sufficiency. The image of a snake guarding the eggs it lays is associated with a huge snake that wraps around the whole world and supports it or helps the earth's disk to swim in the surrounding Ocean. The snake is in constant contact with the forces of the earth, waters, darkness and the underworld - lonely, cold-blooded, secretive, able to rejuvenate by shedding its skin.

The snake as a symbol of wisdom

A snake wrapped around a wand

Totem symbolism, combined with the belief that snakes know the secrets of the earth and are able to see in the dark, endows snakes with wisdom or the gift of divination. “Be wise as serpents and simple as doves,” Christ said to his disciples (Matthew 10:16). The Greek word for "dragon" (which not only refers to a monster, but also means "snake with a piercing gaze") is etymologically related to vision. In the art of the snake - an attribute of the goddess of wisdom Athena (Minerva) and the allegorical figure of Prudence, meaning the gift of foresight.

Snake: Alchemy and Healing

Rod of Mercury (caduceus)

Staff of Asclepius (Aesculapius)

The snake coiled around the wand is the alchemical symbol of the Philosophical Mercury in its primary state.

According to mythology, Hermes (Mercury), the messenger of the gods, received a caduceus - a winged staff with the power to reconcile opponents. When he placed it between two fighting snakes, they peacefully coiled around the staff and calmed down. The snakes wrapped around the caduceus symbolize the interaction of opposing forces. A snake wrapped around a knotty staff is the emblem of the Greek god of healing Asclepius (Aesculapius), who, it is believed, could even resurrect the dead.

Ibis

Ibis (Egyptian papyrus from the 19th Dynasty, 1295-1186 BC)

The ibis is the sacred bird of the Egyptians. Symbol of wisdom. In ancient Egypt, the ibis was considered the incarnation of the lunar deity Thoth, the greatest god of Egypt, the patron of occult knowledge, who gave mankind writing. He is depicted as a man with the head of an Ibis. This bird is also called the guardian of the harvest. Killing an ibis, even by accident, was considered a heinous crime.

It is believed that the ibis can only live in Egypt and, transported to other countries, dies of boredom there.

Goat

Goat

The goat is a symbol of potency, vitality, masculinity, but also cunning, lust and stupidity; he personifies destructive tendencies in a man. In Western tradition, a goat is often referred to as an old, lustful man. In China and India, the goat is a positive male symbol. In Christianity, the goat is the personification of impurity and base lust.

The goat is often used for sacrifice ("scapegoat"). The goat is closely related to Dionysus (Bacchus).

Cow

Holy cow

For many peoples, this animal symbolizes fertility, prosperity, as well as patience and passive endurance. The cow is an ancient symbol of mother's milk and (like the bull) the cosmic forces that created the world. In many cults, from Ancient Egypt to China, the cow personifies Mother Earth. She also symbolizes the moon and the sky, because her horns resemble a crescent moon, her milk is associated with the Milky Way. The heads of the goddesses of the moon in various cultures are decorated with cow horns. The cow enjoys exceptional honor in India.

a lion

The lion is the symbol of the sun

The lion, commonly referred to as the king of beasts, has been one of the most frequently seen symbols of power and majesty for thousands of years. General symbolism: divine, solar energy (symbol of fire and the Sun), royal power, strength, courage, wisdom, justice, patronage, protection, but also cruelty, all-devouring ferocity and death. The lion is the image of all the great and terrifying forces of nature. He is considered both a destroyer and a savior, he is able to represent both evil and the fight against evil. The lion is one of the hypostases of the Sphinx.

Lions heraldic

heraldic lions

In heraldry - the most common and favorite image of an animal. Attributes of a heraldic lion: a bow and arrows, a saber, a sword, an ax, an ax, halberds, etc. The main heraldic form is a lion on its hind legs and in profile. In this case, one eye and one ear are indicated on the head. The bloody tongue sticks out of the mouth. This lion is a symbol of strength, courage, generosity. There are other image options. In state emblems, a crowned lion is an emblem of power over subjects.

Bear

heraldic bear

The bear is a symbol of good nature and rage, heroic strength and clumsiness, laziness and tender maternal feelings, gluttony and asceticism (albeit involuntary: it sleeps all winter without any food, “sucks its paw”). The bear personifies unpredictability, bad temper, evil, rudeness, greed, sinfulness, the devil, as well as cruel primitive force. Badge of warriors in Northern Europe and Asia.

In addition, the bear is a symbol of the moon and resurrection. K. Jung believes that the bear symbolizes the dark side of the subconscious.

Mouse, rat

mouse wedding

In Russia, the mouse is often called the "grey thief". The mouse is also a symbol of timidity, invisibility. The mouse helps to find the loss in the house: "Mouse, mouse, play and give it back." The mouse gives an increase. In China, the mouse is one of the popular deities of wealth.

The general symbolism of the rat is destruction, aggressiveness, greed; the rat is associated with disasters (pestilence) and death, but it is also the embodiment of perseverance, dexterity, cunning and fertility, and also has the gift of foresight (the legendary ability to foresee the death of ships).

A monkey

Hanuman, Monkey God Playing with the Peaches of Immortality (from a Chinese dish)

The symbolism of the monkey is controversial. Most often, the monkey personifies sin, in particular physical. She is also a symbol of cunning, deceit, the pursuit of luxury, spitefulness, laziness (because of her angular movements), drunkenness, sometimes a symbol of learning. The monkey (along with the white elephant and the cow) is the third sacred animal in India. Even now, insulting a monkey with action causes great resentment among religious people. In Japan, the cry of a monkey is a symbol of deep longing. Carvings of three monkeys are considered in the East as a talisman protecting from slander.

Deer

Stag (badge of Richard II, late 14th century)

A universal symbol associated with the East, sunrise, light, purity, renewal, creation and spirituality, but also with loneliness. Characteristic qualities of a deer: swiftness, grace and beauty. Deer are wonderful messengers and guides. They are credited with healing powers, especially the ability to search for medicinal herbs. The deer, in addition, is a symbol of caution and keen hearing. In China, the deer is associated with wealth (abundance) and good luck. The deer is a strong magical intercessor, one of the patron spirits of the Siberian peoples.

Eagle

The eagle as a symbol of the supreme power and solar nature of the lord of heaven and the head of all the gods Zeus (painting on a Greek bowl, 6th century BC)

The eagle is the lord of the air, the embodiment of power, speed. Solar symbol of the sun gods, rulers, warriors. Associated with greatness, power, dominance, courage, inspiration. It personifies the midday Sun, liberation from bonds, victory, pride, contemplation, royal origin, height. It is believed that the eagle is able to fly to the Sun, so it is called the messenger of heaven. Double-headed eagles can mean omniscience and dual power. An eagle with a snake in its claws symbolizes the victory of the spirit. In this fight, the eagle is the personification of the power of good, and the snake is the power of evil.

Eagles heraldic

Double-headed eagle (Russian embroidery)

Eagle - the emblem of the United States

In heraldry, the eagle is a symbol of power, dominance, generosity and insight. On coats of arms, the eagle is most often depicted flying chest forward, with wings raised up or soaring. It happens one- or two-headed. Since the time of the founders of Rome, Romulus and Remus, it has been depicted on the standards as the “bird of Jupiter”. After the Christians conquered Palestine, the double-headed eagle became the coat of arms of the Holy Roman Empire, and later of the Austrian (Austro-Hungarian) and Russian empires. The American bald eagle with outstretched wings has become the emblem of the United States.

Peacock

Peacock (medieval Persian drawing)

This is shining glory, immortality, greatness, incorruptibility. The magnificent tail of a peacock is a symbol of the all-seeing Sun and eternal cosmic cycles, as well as the starry firmament and, as a result, unity and interconnectedness. In ancient Rome, the peacock was considered the emblem of the empress and her daughters, while the eagle was the bird of the emperor. In Islamic decorative art, the unity of opposites (the Sun at its zenith next to the full Moon) is depicted as two peacocks under the World Tree. In Christianity, the peacock, on the one hand, is a symbol of eternal life, and on the other, a symbol of pride, luxury and vanity.

Spider

Spider depicted on an American Indian amulet

feminine beginning. The Great Mother, in her terrible form as weaver of fate, is sometimes depicted as a spider. All moon goddesses are spinners and weavers of fate. The web that the spider weaves is woven from the center in a spiral - a symbol of the creative forces of the Universe, a symbol of the universe. The spider in the center of the web symbolizes the center of the world; Sun surrounded by rays; The moon, personifying the cycles of life and death, spinning the web of time. The spider is often associated with good luck, wealth or rain. Killing a spider is bad luck.

Pelican

Plate of red stone mass depicting a pelican feeding its chicks with its blood (Staffordshire, circa 1660)

Pelican symbolizes self-sacrifice and parental love, as well as mercy. In heraldry, this bird, as a rule, is depicted as looking like an eagle or a crane, standing in a nest and trying to feed the chicks with its blood. Early Christian writers compared the pelican, feeding offspring with its flesh, with Jesus Christ, who donated his blood in the name of the salvation of mankind. The pelican is also a symbol of European occultism (primarily alchemists and Rosicrucians), expressing the feat of self-sacrifice and the eternal rebirth of life.

Rooster

Rooster - a solar bird (image-amulet, China, XX century)

The rooster is vigilance, courage, courage, foresight, reliability. Herald of the dawn, symbol of the Sun and spiritual rebirth. These qualities of his prevail over pride, arrogance, lust, also inherent in him. The Romans mean "the third watch of time": between midnight and dawn. The rooster is a protector from all kinds of evil. It is believed that night ghosts and evil spirits disappear with the first cock crow. The red rooster takes away the fire from the house, and the white one - ghosts. The Eastern Slavs, before moving into a new house, launched a rooster there. If he spent the night safely, then it was possible to move in.

Bee

Young woman collecting bee honey (15th century herbalist)

The bee personifies hard work, diligence, organizational and creative abilities, cleanliness, sociability, modesty, spirituality, courage, wisdom, selflessness, eloquence (“honey speeches”). In the Greek, Middle Eastern, Islamic traditions, the bee is an allegory of the soul. The Chinese associate the bee with the fickleness of "choosy brides." Among the ancient Slavs, the bee was a symbol of love, as it combined "the sweetness of honey and the bitterness of the sting." Queen bee, mother goddess, symbol of supreme power, fertility.

Scorpion

Scorpio (gnostic gem)

Scorpio is a symbol of evil, self-destruction, death, punishment, retribution, revenge, betrayal, but also a deep understanding of the world. Sometimes the scorpion serves as a talisman and an amulet - Paracelsus advised people suffering from diseases of the reproductive system to wear it. In Africa, it was believed that the scorpion itself allocates funds against its poison, so it was a symbol of not only murder, but also healing. The red star Antares on the "back" of the celestial constellation Scorpio was considered in Europe the worst fire in the sky.

Elephant

White elephant

At present, the huge mass and slowness of the elephant have become metaphorical. However, the elephant, first of all, is a symbol of strength: both gentle, loving, and furious, destructive. Elephants are considered vindictive, as they never forget the wrongs and abuse done to them. The thick skin of an elephant symbolizes spiritual invulnerability. The elephant is also a symbol of power, insight, prosperity, happiness, personifies the element of the Earth, memory, wisdom, longevity, fidelity, patience, compassion. The elephant is often depicted on good luck charms.

Dog

Neter Anubis (dog god)

In some countries, a dog is a sacred animal, in others it is considered an unclean, greedy, even vile creature and personifies evil. According to Islamic beliefs, angels will never visit a house where a dog lives. But most often the dog is a symbol of protection and self-sacrifice. As well as hunting (sometimes this symbol carries a negative connotation - persecution).

In ancient Egyptian mythology, dogs, as good guides and guards in the afterlife, were considered companions of Anubis, depicted with the head of a jackal or a dog.

Owl

Wise owl - attribute of Athena (Greece)

The owl is a traditional symbol of wisdom, an allegorical figure of Night and Sleep. In some ancient cultures, especially in China, the owl has an ominous symbolism, signifying darkness, personifying the yang principle with a negative, destructive connotation. Due to the noiselessness of night flight, glowing eyes and eerie screams, the owl is associated with death and occult forces. She is also credited with the gift of prophecy. At present, the owl is mainly a symbol of insight and book erudition. "Scientific owls" are called people of mental labor.

Falcon

Falcon - the image of the rising sun

The falcon, like the eagle, is a solar symbol of victory. The personification of superiority, strong spirit, light, freedom. In ancient Egypt, the falcon was a sacred symbol of the Sun, temples were dedicated to it, killing a falcon was considered a grave sin. In Western tradition, the falcon is a symbol of hunting. A falcon with a cap on its head is a symbol of hope for light and freedom. The falcon as a symbol of aggression is rare. Among the Slavs, this bird is a symbol of strength, courage, a good fellow. The falcon is opposed to the crow (as the embodiment of evil forces): "Where the falcons fly, they don't let the crow in."

Ostrich

Australian coat of arms

In ancient Egypt, the ostrich feather is an attribute of the goddess of truth and justice, Maat. This feather, according to legend, was placed on the scales when weighing the souls of the dead to determine the severity of their sins. Since ostrich feathers are the same length, they were used as a symbol of justice. The belief that an ostrich hides its head in the sand when danger appears (a symbol of avoiding problems) probably came from the threatening posture of the ostrich, when it bends its head to the ground itself.

In the Australian coat of arms, the emu is the shield-holder along with the kangaroo.

Tigers

“The tiger spring contains the tiger. Having mastered the contents of the tiger cave, the perfect man who subjugated yin and yang "

The tiger is a symbol of energy, strength, speed and talent. This image is both lunar and solar at the same time. He is both the creator and the destroyer. A tiger fighting a snake is a symbol of solar power. In a battle with a lion or dragon, he becomes a symbol of the moon, cruel and ferocious. In Europe, the tiger is a symbol of power and bloodlust. In the Far East, it is a symbol of nobility and happiness. In the cultures of Asia and India, it can be a symbol of aggression and protection, life and death, evil and good.

Turtle

Turtle wrapped in a snake

The turtle symbolizes strength, patience, endurance, constancy, slowness, fertility, longevity, senile strength, wisdom. In many cultures, the turtle is the most ancient symbol of cosmic order surrounded by special reverence. According to ancient beliefs, a turtle entwined with a snake is a symbol of the creation of the world. In India, the symbolism of stability is expressed in the idea that the Earth rests on four elephants, which stand on a huge turtle, slowly making its way through chaos. The turtle is also a symbol of protection from fire and water.

Lizard

Pumpkin with a lizard

This brisk, fast animal is a symbol of agility, elusiveness, and also rebirth (the latter) is associated with the ability of a lizard to leave its tail to the one who caught it, which then grows back. Lizards, because they hide in the shade during the heat of the day, are considered the guardians of the shadows, as well as the guardians of sleep and dreams. The lizard, in addition, can symbolize the subconscious and the shadows of our inner world.

The lizard was considered a good sign in Egypt and in the ancient world, where it was sometimes associated with wisdom. It has become an attribute of allegorical images of Logic. The symbol of Mercury, the messenger of the gods.

Mythical creatures

Imaginary animals are found throughout the world in myths and folklore ... They enable us to clearly characterize phenomena that would otherwise be difficult to identify.

J. Tresidder

Mythical creatures are, as a rule, a combination of several animals, which allows the human imagination to endow them with unusual abilities, including freedom from the usual principles of our world. Monsters, combining the appearance of several different animals, are a symbol of the initial chaos or the terrifying forces of nature, they also personify the evil forces in the nature of the person himself. Fairytale animals are often depicted guarding treasures or hidden, secret knowledge.

Ba (bird)

The bird of the soul Ba, bent over the mummy before flying to another world (Egypt)

The Ba bird is an Egyptian symbol of the soul of a person, which flies away after his death to another world. This bird has the body of a falcon (according to some sources, a hawk) and a human head.

Basilisk (cockatrice)

Rooster head basilisk

Basilisk is one of the deadliest creatures of medieval symbolism. According to some sources, the basilisk looks like a simplicissimus, but with the head and legs of a rooster. In occult and magical symbolism, the basilisk is depicted as a crowned serpent. Since, as is commonly believed, the basilisk destroys everything with its gaze, it was accepted as a magical symbol of wisdom, devouring a person with it symbolizes the process of initiation. It is believed that the only way to defeat a basilisk is to place a mirror in front of it.

Harpies

Harpy (XVI century)

These are half-woman, half-bird (female head and chest, and claws - a vulture) of a disgusting appearance. Associated with sudden death, whirlpools and storms. The feminine principle in its destructive aspect.

Garuda

Garuda (emblem of Thailand)

Bird of Life, Heaven, Sun, victory. Sometimes identified with the Phoenix. She is also the vehicle of the god Vishnu, the creator and destroyer of everything ("Vishnu's horse"). She emerges from the egg already an adult and nests in the Tree of Life, which fulfills all desires. The head, chest (female), torso, legs to the knees at the garuda are human, beak, wings, tail, hind legs (below the knees) are eagle.

The garuda is often depicted fighting nagas (serpents) who personify evil.

Hydra

Hydra (Greece, 16th century)

In Greek mythology, the Hydra is a dragon-serpent with seven heads. She symbolizes the difficulties in the fight against evil: as soon as one of her heads is cut off, a new one immediately grows. Blind, animal force of life.

Griffin

Griffin-protector (XVI century)

A solar hybrid creature that combines the head, wings and claws of an eagle with the body of a lion - these animals personify power over air and earth (the king of birds and the king of beasts), therefore the griffin is a symbol of strength and vigilance. In Greece, the griffin was dedicated to Apollo, whose chariot he drove through the sky, for Athena he personified wisdom, for Nemesis - retribution. Legends say that the griffins guarded the gold of India and the Scythians. There is also a legend that griffins living in the Far North guard the gold of Zeus, located in the country of the Hyperboreans.

The Dragon

Chinese dragon Chiao, a symbol of a happy occasion

The dragon - "winged serpent", but only with paws like an eagle - combines a snake and a bird, spirit and matter. This is one of the most versatile and most complex symbols. The dragon can be solar and lunar, good and evil. This is the keeper of treasures and secret knowledge. Longevity symbol. In the East, the dragon, as a rule, is the Power of Heaven, bringing good, in the West - a destructive and evil force. In Russia, the dragon is a sign of Satan, the devil. The victory over the dragon means the victory of light over darkness, over one's own nature.

Unicorn

Heraldic image of a unicorn

A unicorn is a mystical creature, an animal with the body of a horse or deer, which has a long, sharp horn. In the general case, it symbolizes the feminine, lunar principle, purity, purity, chastity. In China, it represents abundance and longevity. According to legend, it can only be caught by a chaste maiden sitting alone in the forest: sensing her purity, the unicorn can approach her, lay her head on her lap and fall asleep. On the basis of these legends, he became a symbol of purity, in particular feminine.

Centaur

Centaur, lore hunter

According to Greek myths, a centaur is a creature with the body of a horse and the torso of a man. This is a symbol of the lower nature of man (lust, violence, drunkenness), his bestial nature, connected with a higher nature by human virtues and the ability to judge. It is a symbol of the conflict between the ferocious and good aspects of human nature.

There is also a version about morally impeccable centaurs (among them - Chiron), descended from Kronos. They symbolize the superiority of reason over instinct.

Makara

Makara

In the Western tradition, makara is a fantastic sea monster of enormous size (a fish with the head of a crocodile). Symbol of the power of the seas and oceans, rivers and lakes. In Hinduism, Makara has the appearance of a fish with the head and front legs of an antelope. This is one of the creatures on which Vishnu travels. It is a positive symbol associated with the rainbow and rain, with the lotus rising from the water, the return of the Sun after the winter solstice. Makara in a number of legends is associated with deities acting as guardians of the world - lokapal (Varuna, Soma, Indra, Kubera ...).

Medusa Gorgon

Medusa Gorgon (Greece) - horror

Medusa Gorgon - a female monster with snakes instead of hair, boar teeth, golden wings and bronze legs. This is the most blatant personification of hostile evil, the Great Mother in her terrible aspect of the destroyer, the embodiment of horror. One look at her turned people to stone, so her image later became a protective amulet. After Perseus cut off Medusa Gorgon's head, the giant Chrysaor and the winged horse Pegasus were born from her blood.

Nagas

Buddha sitting on a coiled naga, symbolizing the knowledge hidden in instinct (statue from the temple of Angkor)

In Hinduism, these are demigods depicted with a snake body and one or more human heads (sometimes they are just many-headed snakes). They, according to legend, own the underworld - Patala, where they guard the countless treasures of the earth. According to legend, the nagas washed Gautama Buddha at his birth, and also protected his remains after death. Nagas are the guardians of treasures and esoteric knowledge, serpent kings and queens, the vital forces of the waters, passionate nature. These are the guardians of natural forces that can be controlled.

Pegasus

Pegasus (XVI century)

This is the winged horse of Muses, which emerged from the neck of Medusa when Perseus cut off her head. Pegasus, on which Bellerophon defeated the Chimera, personifies the combination of the lower and higher nature, striving for the higher, and symbolizes the superiority of the spiritual over the material. It is also a symbol of eloquence, poetic inspiration and contemplation. In European heraldry, Pegasus is depicted on the coats of arms of thinkers. Today it is often used as an emblem of air transport.

Mermaid

Mermaid (XV century)

A fish woman capable of living in the human world and the supernatural world. The magical symbol of initiation. The mermaid is a marine version of the Centaur. However, it also has more positive symbolism, according to the sailors. In Slavic mythology, mermaids (bathing, vodonitsy, rags, pitchforks, undines) are harmful creatures, especially dangerous in the mermaid week (following the Trinity). Often mermaids are confused with such creatures of ancient Greek mythology as Nereids, naiads, water nymphs. But these eternally young maidens do not have, unlike mermaids, a fish tail.

Salamander

salamander on fire

Salamander is a mythical creature in the form of an ordinary animal, but with supernatural powers. The salamander is usually depicted as a small lizard or wingless dragon, sometimes with a human or dog-like figure amidst flames. These creatures are considered the most poisonous of creatures, their bite is deadly. The salamander is the element of fire and is able to live in fire because it has a very cold body. It is a symbol of the fight against sensual temptations. Since the salamander is considered a sexless creature, it also symbolizes chastity.

Simplicissimus

Harold's emblem

Simplicissimus is a fictional beast that looks like a dragon, but with two eagle legs and a tail in the shape of a spearhead twisted in a loop. Symbolizes war, envy, stench, disaster, Satan, but also vigilance.

Simplicissimus was the personal emblem of King Harold (on the French carpets from Bayeux, telling about the Battle of Hastings and the death of Harold in 1066, the simplicissimus is depicted twice).

Fo dog

Dog Fo (China)

“Fo” means “great luck” in Chinese. This is a symbol of valor and energy, a talisman for the home. Pho dogs should be purchased in pairs and placed side by side. If you put them (or hang their images) in front of the front door, they meet all incoming people and protect each family member from troubles and failures. Placed in the Wealth Zone (Southeast), Pho dogs contribute to the well-being and prosperity of the home. Located in the central sector, they will bring wealth to the house faster.

Sphinx

Egyptian coin depicting the Sphinx

The Sphinx is a creature with the body of a lion and a human head (male or female) or with the head of a ram. The oldest and largest is the Great Sphinx in Giza (Egypt). This is an ancient image, personifying a mysterious, solar power, a symbol of dignity, royalty, wisdom, power, a symbol of the union of physical power with the highest intellect.

The Egyptian sphinx has nothing to do with the later Greek legend of the "mystery of the Sphinx", which made it a symbol of mystery, a keeper of ancient wisdom, but Jung considered the sphinx a symbol of female greed, as well as the "Terrible Mother".

Scylla and Charybdis

Scylla (Greece) - danger

In Greek mythology, these are two monsters of the Sicilian Sea, who lived on both sides of a narrow strait and killed sailors passing between them. Ruthless manifestations of the forces of the sea. Once upon a time, from beautiful nymphs, they were turned into monsters with six heads, with three rows of teeth in each head, with ugly long necks. These roaring, rumbling monsters swallowed the sea and spat it back out (the image of an opening sea abyss). Being between Scylla and Charybdis means being in danger from different directions at the same time.

Triton

Triton (Greece) - wave calmer

Depicted as an old man or a young man with a fish tail instead of legs. In Greek mythology, it is considered a sea deity - the son of Poseidon and the mistress of the seas, Amphitrids. Triton blows a horn from a shell and rules over the powers of the waters. A marine version of a mermaid, but male.

Phoenix

Phoenix (XVI century)

Phoenix is ​​the most famous of all symbols of resurrection, an ancient symbol of immortality, the Sun. An animal that has a normal appearance, but with supernatural powers. This legendary bird is reborn every 500 years from the ashes in a fire. Phoenix has become an emblem of the rebirth of the human spirit in the eternal struggle with the difficulties of the material world. From Ancient Egypt, this symbol passed into Slavic mythology (Firebird, Finist-Clear Falcon) in full integrity.

Chimera

Chimera (Vatican)

According to Homer's description, this is a monster with the head of a lion, the body of a goat and the tail of a snake. Feeds on fire, was killed by Bellerophon, who rules the winged pegasus.

In heraldry, the chimera is sometimes depicted with the head and chest of a woman and the tail of a dragon.

The Chimera causes winds and storms on land and sea. Symbolizes danger, as well as delusion (may give rise to illusions). In addition, it is a symbol of non-existence.

The sign of Libra is especially interesting, but in a very specific way. The paradox is that there is no visible interest in it, except for the case of disciples approaching the Path. This is a sign of balance, careful weighing of values ​​and achieving the right balance between pairs of opposites. It can be considered a sign in which the first real vision of the Path and the goal appears, towards the achievement of which the student must eventually aspire. This path, narrow as a razor's edge, lies between pairs of opposites, and in order to successfully pass it requires the development of a sense of values ​​and the ability to correctly use the balancing, analytical quality of the mind. It is also a sign of intuitive perception, and on the normal path of the passage of the Zodiac, it follows tends to be a harsh experience in Scorpio. Usually this experience develops the instinct of self-preservation to such an extent that in severe need a person (not yet a student) appeals to the soul and awakens its response. At the same time, the first few glimpses of intuition begin to be felt and are barely realized. Then comes the experience in Libra, where life is spent in quiet deep contemplation or in a state of static unresponsiveness; it can be a life of balancing, weighing, or trying to determine where the scales will tip in order to achieve certain results in the next sign. The life in Virgo that follows Libra can be either personal, materialistic, lived under the influence of the material aspect of the Virgin Mother, or it will manifest a gradually increasing soul vibration, indicating that hidden spiritual life, the guardian of which the Virgin Mother is destined to be. As you cycle through the wheel of life again and again, these experiences intensify and vibratory activity increases—until the wheel turns. After this, Libra leads to Scorpio, where the active life of the soul (active through the personality and not just on its own plane) - perceived and noted in Virgo, balanced and appreciated in Libra - finally leads to trials and struggles between soul and personality. , moreover, the personality fights resolutely and with force for the preservation of the “status quo” of a balanced expression of both principles where the predominance of the influence of the personality is no longer possible.

One can also talk about Libra in terms of the meditative process, which is taught in its own way both in the West and in the East. In this respect, Libra can be seen as "an intermediate stage between two activities," which is the definition of that stage of meditation that we call contemplation. The five stages of meditation (commonly taught) are: concentration, meditation, contemplation, enlightenment, and inspiration. These stages have parallels in the five strictly human signs of the Zodiac:

1.	a lion	Concentration	The life of the soul, focused in form.	Individualization. Self-awareness. The average undeveloped person. Human experience.
2.	Virgo	Meditation	The life of the soul, felt in man, is a period of growth.	The Stage of the Hidden Christ. Thinking person. The person who hides the life of Christ.
3.	Scales	Contemplation	Balanced life of soul and form.	Nothing prevails. Equilibrium. A period of pause, when the soul is going to battle, and the personality is waiting. Test path. Duality is known.
4.	Scorpion	Enlightenment	Triumph of the soul.	Completion of the Taurus experience. Astral obsession dispelled. The light of the soul pours in. Path of Apprenticeship. Student.
5.	Sagittarius	Inspiration	Preparing for the initiation.	The soul inspires the life of the individual. The soul expresses itself through the personality. Dedicated.

Let me remind you that although an initiation is taken in Capricorn, one is already an initiate before taking the initiation. This is the true secret of initiation.

Thus, before you is the activity, thanks to which the personality grows and develops; at the same time, it obscures the hidden "man of the heart," the Christ who dwells within every human form. Therefore, this is the period in which the point of equilibrium between the two principles is reached, and neither of them dominates. "The scales swing" in both directions, or, as it is sometimes said, a person oscillates between pairs of opposites. Hence the importance of this sign in the life expression of man, and hence also its specific difficulties; Libra gives a characteristic experience of instability, causing anxiety, firstly, to a person striving to be completely human, but discovering obstacles in himself on the one hand, and on the other hand, a craving for something higher than the human principle, and, secondly the aspiring disciple, whose focus and goal is the life of the soul, but who discovers something in himself that constantly strives to draw him back to his former life, former habits and former desires.

This sign is sometimes called the "place of judgment" because it is where the decision is made and the lot is cast separating the "sheep and the goats" or constellations ruled by Aries (the Ram or Lamb) and those ruled by Capricorn, that is, the Goat. In essence, he notes the differences between the ordinary wheel of life and the reversed wheel. When the sign of Leo-Virgo was not yet divided into two, Libra was exactly at the middle point. Then the situation looked like this:

Such a zodiacal cycle describes the entire history of the human race; we have mental origins in Aries(will to manifest) and the beginning of outpouring life; in Corpuscle we see directed desire producing manifestation; then there is dual consciousness, or body-soul awareness in Gemini; in Cancer there are processes of physical incarnation, followed by the dual development of the soul-body, or the subjective and objective consciousness of the God-man in Leo-Virgo. Then Scales in which the point of balance between the spiritual man and the personal man is finally reached and the foundations are laid for the final fivefold process, which is, in essence, the subjective correspondence of the external externalization carried out on the Path of Exit to the external plane; this fivefold process is carried out on the Path of Entry into the inner planes, or on the Path of Return. Then the wheel turns and the time comes for reorientation and discipleship into scorpio, managed and controlled life of the student in Sagittarius, dedications to Capricorn followed by service in Aquarius, the work of the world's savior Pisces and final release.

In the present world period, the sign of the Sphinx is divided into two signs (Leo and Virgo, souls and forms) because the state of human evolution and conscious realization has now become a state of recognizable duality. Only during what is called the “Last Judgment” will another merger take place, and the Virgo-Libra form one sign, for then the human feeling of antagonistic duality will end, and the scales will finally tip in favor of what the Virgin Mother hid from manifestation. for eons.

For the present planetary cycle, the last judgment will take place in the next great world cycle; by that time, two-thirds of humanity will have revealed the Christ principle in one way or another and will be in one of the last stages of evolution; they will become either probationers or accepted disciples on the Path of Initiation. In the end, in some mysterious way, only ten signs of the Zodiac will again remain; Aries and Pisces form one sign, for "the end is the beginning." In some ancient books, this dual mixed sign is called "the sign of the Fish with the head of the Ram." Then we will have:

• 1. Aries-Pisces
• 2. Taurus
• 3. Gemini
• 4. Cancer
• 5. Leo
• 6. Virgo-Libra
• 7. Scorpio
• 8. Sagittarius
• 9. Capricorn
• 10 Aquarius

Fire and water will merge, hiding the past, which now obscures our future. Then earth and air will merge, and thus the ancient prophecy (repeated in the Bible) that "the sea will be no more" will be fulfilled. The air (sky) "will descend to the Earth", and the merger will take place.

Then, in a cosmic, and not in an individual sense, the revelation of the cosmic Christ, for whom "all creation awaits," will be manifested. Thus, due to devotional aspiration, the completion of the divine desire will take place. Then and only then will the “Hope of all peoples” come true and the One whom all people are waiting for will come.

The history of desire is recorded in four signs: Taurus, Libra, Scorpio and Pisces.

Thus, in Libra, the experience of a balanced life is lived, during which an experiment is carried out and the scales alternately fluctuate in one direction or another, until desire or spiritual aspiration (one of the two) outweighs enough to indicate which way at a given moment man must go. In Libra, humanity as a whole has an experience in which the same experiments and the same adjustments are made as in the case of the individual; the whole of humanity is already involved, and not just the individual. This group experience will be possible on the mental plane only if all people are mentally polarized; then the Judgment Day, which was mentioned above, will come. Its forerunners are the "point of crisis" in Libra, the current world situation and its attendant settlements; however, the balance is now taking place on the astral plane, and the predominant decision-making factor is desires people, while in the next big cycle the human mind will be the decision-making factor. Today, the leading men of the era—disciples, aspirants, and intellectuals—are being tested by Scorpio while the masses are in Libra; the weight of the mass desire will turn them either upward, towards a spiritual solution, or downward, towards material and egoistic goals.

It is precisely because of the balancing quality of Libra that this constellation can be more specifically associated than others with the problem sex. The average student of astrology usually associates the signs of Taurus and Scorpio with sex. Perhaps this is due to the fact that the Bull is often seen as a symbol of the insane impulses of the uncontrolled sexual principle, and that the main tests are passed in Scorpio. For most aspirants in the early stages, sex is indeed a fundamental problem. However, esoterically, it is in Libra that the problem arises in full measure and more and more requires an answer; it is in this sign that the balance of the pairs of opposites must be achieved and the solution found, and also - thanks to the activity of the rational mind - the point of balance between the male and female principles is established. This, in turn, is (as part of the periodically recurring symbolism) the problem of the relationship between "Sheep and Goats", between the negative and the positive, and between those who blindly follow instinct or custom and those who freely climb where they are. chosen, being independent in behavior and choice of position. Such independence can lead them in any direction on the wheel of life, following either selfish desire or spiritual aspiration. However, it must be borne in mind that, while reasoning, forming an intention, thinking and weighing different ways, they act as they want and consider it right and desirable. This in itself is fundamentally useful, and so they learn, for every action produces a result, and the rational mind weighs cause and effect more adequately than any other.

It is not my intention now to point out the solution to the problem of sex. Humanity will inevitably work it out eventually, when the herd instinct gives way to the deliberate conscious attitude of aspirants and intelligentsia. I want to remind you, however, that the herd instinct for sex is based either on a normal and natural instinctual animal need or on an emotional relationship; of the two, the last category is much worse and carries the seeds of much more serious troubles. Hence the whole range of distortions from free love and promiscuity to the orthodox, narrow and sanctimonious Christian position in the sense in which it is usually understood, but not in the way Christ saw life. The narrow-minded point of view and the usual Anglo-Saxon position (the result of medieval teaching) considers sex as something extremely sinful, undesirable, which must be overcome and overcome, kept in the back of the Christian consciousness as a shameful secret. This again is a consequence of the influence of the apostle Paul, but by no means of the teachings of Christ.

These two extremes have given rise to a violent reaction, which has reached its peak today, which, in turn, is undesirable and dangerous, like all violent reactions, since both extreme positions are equally untrue; true perspective and right action can only be seen from the center point of Libra or from the hub of the wheel of life. When at last the fundamental "sexual" relationship is established, in which soul and body (positive and negative) are permanently linked in the lives of world aspirants, then we will witness the correct application of the world-wide teaching on physical sex. This teaching will appear as a result of the fusion and synthesis of the best points of view of all spiritually thinking mentors of both hemispheres, who have embodied the experience of East and West, as well as mystical and scientific approaches to the mystery of relationships, which is both physical (and therefore requiring scientific understanding) and mystical (requiring spiritual interpretation) character. It will take the help and advice of medicine to offer the necessary and sound instructions in regard to the physical nature, and to draw on the culture and knowledge of the Indian Yogis in regard to the energy flowing through the centers, in this case the sacral center. The search for a balanced position will come to an end thanks to the intellectual activity of the people of the world working in the field of lawmaking. From numerous modern experiments in the field of sex, the future generation will come to an equilibrium position and fix the scales in the required position. This is beyond doubt and is only a matter of time to be established astrologically. Through legislative thinking and adequate legislation, sex will be seen as a natural and divine function; this state of affairs will be maintained by the right upbringing and education of young and ignorant people, and also by the right actions of the new - very intelligent - generation, which is today's babies and children.

Education in bad sex habits, widespread prostitution (I use this word for both men and women), the growth of homosexuality ( not its rare physiological forms and predispositions, but the consequences of the perverted mentality and unhealthy imagination that now underlie so many of its manifestations), the prejudiced Christian heritage of the "guilt complex" in relation to sex, as well as unhealthy physical bodies with excessive or repressed sexuality - all this has led the human race to the current chaotic and unreasonable attitude towards this important problem. Its solution cannot be found in religious precepts based on obsolete theories; the physiological suppression or legalization of promiscuity will not give it either; Nor will legislation inspired by the various schools of thought in any nation or country help. It will be the result of the combined activity of a spiritually oriented consciousness, a sober attitude, intellectual perception and the urgency of the evolutionary process. Nothing can prevent the inevitable solution of this problem and the emergence of the necessary relations and conditions in which sex will find its right expression.

As you know, Libra governs jurisprudence and maintains a balance between the so-called truth and untruth, between positive and negative, as well as between East and West. The last comparison may seem like a meaningless phrase to you, but the true and correct relationship between East and West (which does not yet exist) will be achieved through the activity of Libra and the work of lawmaking.

Libra has always been the "guarantor of the law." Until now, legislation has been concerned with the imposition of prohibitions and intimidations, which have come down to us in the form of the laws of Moses and are enforced through punishment and violence. This was probably a necessary stage for the infant races and was maintained as a "nurturing regime". However, now humanity is approaching maturity, and now a new legislative interpretation of the goals and objectives of Libra is needed. The law must become the guardian of positive virtue, justice, and not just an instrument of violence. We seek to remove the use of force from the sphere of national relations, since it is now clear that the use of harsh punishments incapable to prevent crime or to keep people from expressing selfishness in the form of violence (which is what any crime is). A public position (as opposed to the anti-social position of all lawbreakers) is considered desirable and taught in school. Therefore, in public opinion, the realization begins to dawn that the establishment of right relationships, the strengthening of self-control and the growth of selflessness (namely, these achievements are the subjective and often unconscious goal of any legal procedure) are the basis of the required approach to young people.

The influence of Libra should be laid down through spiritual channels in childhood. Crime will disappear when the living conditions of children are improved, when in the early period of life the balance of the endocrine system will be given the same attention as the condition of teeth and ears, vision, correct posture and healthy nutrition; when the younger generation will be taught a more correct distribution of time; when esoteric psychology and astrology will contribute to the education of the youth. Old methods must give way to new and constructive ones. The imposition of conservative attitudes must be replaced by religious, mental and physical training and experiment, spiritually motivated and scientifically carried out. By religiosity, I mean not theological dogmas, but the cultivation of such attitudes and states that awaken the real in a person, pushing the inner spiritual person to the forefront of consciousness and thereby causing the recognition of the Immanent God.

I have covered these topics quite a lot, talking quite a lot about sex and lawmaking, since both of these areas are controlled and conditioned by Libra, and over time, the control of this sign will increase. This subject is too vast and significant, and here I can only indicate a general approach to it. A superficial approach to this topic is useless. In our transitional period that the world is now experiencing, between the activity of the outgoing Piscean Age and the coming Aquarian Age, Libra dominance will eventually prevail, and at the end of the twentieth century we will see how the influence of Libra gradually establishes a pronounced control and occupies in the planetary horoscope a powerful position. Therefore, there is no cause for concern.

A certain ratio, or configuration, of the stars, one of which is Regulus in the constellation Leo, will create a situation where there will be a reorientation of attitudes in jurisprudence; its functions and responsibilities will be centralized and focused on the good of the world, with the adoption of legislation concerning children becoming a very important motivating factor. This legislative step will be initially proposed by Russia and implemented by the United States of America. By 2035, this legislation will be universal in terms of sphere of influence and control.

All this will happen because Libra rules the current transitional period and can be considered "the owner of no man's land," as one of the Masters of Wisdom recently put it.

The study of the Bhagavad Gita and the problem of Arjuna in despair between two opposing armies will prove extremely enlightening in connection with the sign of Libra. The great battle referred to in this ancient Indian source took place in the middle of the age of Atlantis under the sign of Libra. The main conflict of our Aryan period is being played out on a new round of the spiral under the influence of Scorpio. The first conflict prepared the world disciple on trial (that is, humanity) for the path of true discipleship. Contemporary conflict prepares the world disciple to take initiation. During the intervening period—from the decisive event in Atlantis to the present—there has been a great reorientation on the wheel of life; Since then, several million people have moved (symbolically) from Scorpio to Libra, where they were "weighed", after which, changing the focus of their lives from desire to spiritual aspiration, they strengthened their determination to go forward and therefore returned to Scorpio on a reversed wheel. Think about it, for this is the real problem of the mass of thinking people of our time.

As you know, Libra is one of the four directions of the Cardinal Cross. This adds to the difficulty of understanding the true nature of this constellation's influence. The meaning of the energies manifesting in our solar system through the four directions of this Cross, or through the four constellations: Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn, can be summarized in the following four words: Creation, Manifestation, Legislation and Initiation. It will be very difficult for you to comprehend the scope and meaning of these words.

In the cosmic sense, they signify the activity of the Deity, when spirit and matter are brought into a certain ratio and produce, in accordance with the divine purpose or plan, such a fusion of living energies, which acquires in space and time a force sufficient to bring this plan to its due completion. This is Creation, or Aries in action. These words also signify the objective manifestation of the thought-form that God created and in which His desire, His will, His purpose and His plan are embodied. This is Manifestation, or Cancer in action. These words signify also the carrying out of a plan according to spiritual and natural law, which evolves in its manifestation; such is the purpose of evolution and its expression, steadily revealing the nature of God, for the laws which govern our solar system are the expression of the quality and nature of God. This is Legislation, or Libra in action. Finally, these words mean the processes of initiation, in which the creative plan is realized step by step and stage by stage, naturally and with the help of the experience accumulated in the manifestation. Thus is the unfolding of the plan through a successive series of undertakings, manifestations, and attainments, each relative in essence, but leading to an absolute attainment. This is Initiation, or Capricorn in action. All this is happening on a vast and incomprehensible scale for human understanding.

However, eventually, in the final stages of the evolutionary process, it will be necessary to achieve consciousness and understanding of the larger purpose behind the relatively exoteric intention of unfolding consciousness in this solar system, on the planet, and in man. When this understanding is revealed, a person becomes initiated, leaves his place on the Fixed Cross and begins the rather slow path of ascent to the Cardinal Cross. Then he becomes a collaborator in the great creative process and in the attainment of the goal. He starts create his own body of expression on the Cardinal Cross, and in it the impulse of Aries manifests, which he does not yet understand. He deliberately shows in the world what he intends to implement, and then Cancer reveals his secret to him. He becomes for himself legislator, wisely controlling his behavior and intellectually controlling his impulses, and then Libra makes him able to balance the material and spiritual laws. Having done all this, he finds that he is able to start new and deeper experiments (should we call them gaining experience?), and as participating in the divine plan and cooperating with the divine purpose, he becomes his own initiator and therefore ready to accept initiation. Such are the paradoxes of the spiritual life. However, the secret of the Cardinal Cross is revealed only to those who have ascended the Fixed Cross and passed through its fourfold experience. I can't say more.

Libra is an air sign. There are three air signs in the Zodiac; their interrelation is a very interesting object for careful study on the part of the student, as are all the basic triplicities. Each such sign is located on one of the three Crosses:

• 1. Gemini...... Mutable Cross.................. Duality
• 2. Libra.............. Cardinal Cross.............. Balance
• 3. Aquarius......... Fixed Cross................. Initiation

Thus, these three signs mean duality - perceived, overcome and synthesized by the great Savior of the World, identified with the Heavenly Man and making his contribution - won in the process of gaining experience on the wheel of life from the totality of energies - for the service of the Whole. Don't forget that initiation is just another name for synthesis and fusion.

On the other hand, we have:

• 1. Gemini...... Mind.................................... Reason for Duality
• 2. Libra............. Higher Mind....................... Reason for synthesis
• 3. Aquarius.........Universal Mind............Soul

These three signs are predominantly signs of the Mind of God as it expresses itself through man. The lower mind dominates first, causing the recognition of "I" and "Not-I", or the essential duality underlying all manifestation. The higher mind then gradually builds up its power and control, bringing about the balancing of the pairs of opposites through the enlightenment it brings to the lower mind. Finally, the soul, the eternal Son of Mind, becomes the ultimate synthesis that focuses and links the universal mind to the two lower aspects of the Mind of God.

These hints should show you one of the great relationships between the three Crosses; we will deal with them in detail in another part of this section on esoteric astrology.

Interestingly, in Table V, Libra and Gemini are not associated with any other signs. This is not an omission, but a very important fact that requires awareness. This pass is based on two circumstances. First, as you have heard, there was a time when there were only ten signs, and in those ancient times, as now, there was a difference of opinion among astrologers; it concerned which particular signs should be taken into account; among the many schools of thought that held conflicting opinions, two deserve the most attention. One group combined Virgo and Leo in the sign of the Sphinx, while another omitted the signs of Gemini and Libra altogether. This group was of later origin than the first, which actually recognized the horoscope of eleven signs. This fact is very important to you now. Another noteworthy and relatively significant point is that Gemini and Libra are two strictly human signs; these are signs of the common man. On the Mutable Cross, Gemini expresses the human qualities of a person, while on the Cardinal Cross, Libra governs his subjective spiritual life. The remaining signs in their highest manifestation take a person beyond the limits of ordinary human qualities and give rise to the following states of consciousness:

• 1. Aries and Virgo. — Cosmic Christ. Universal and individual.
• 2. Taurus and Pisces. – World Saviors, for example, Buddha and Christ.
• 3. Leo and Aquarius. – World Servers, for example, Hercules.
• 4. Sagittarius and Capricorn. – World Initiates, in particular, Teachers.
• 5. Cancer and Scorpio. - Triumphant Disciples.

Emphasis on Gemini and Libra, in connection with humanity, concerns human accomplishment and reaching a point of equilibrium before other accomplishments are possible.

The study of the rulers of the Libra sign is also very informative. From the point of view of orthodox astrology, Venus rules Libra, while Uranus is the esoteric ruler. In this sign, Saturn is the ruler of an extremely important Creative Hierarchy, composed of one of the three main groups of Builders, which form part of the third aspect of divinity. Their purpose is to provide forms for the Sons of Mind and thereby enable Them to serve and sacrifice. The study of the connection of this Hierarchy with the Hierarchy of human Egos, with the Fourth Creative Hierarchy, will be most enlightening; this topic is partly touched upon in my earlier work " Treatise on Cosmic Fire". Such a study will clarify to a great extent the nature and purpose of the three rulers.

Therefore, this sign is very closely related to the third aspect of Deity and is therefore the governing sign and the main conditioning factor in connection with Law, Sex and Money. Reflect on this. All three divine aspects are triune in themselves and manifest in three ways, that is, through three lesser aspects. The third aspect is no exception to this rule, which underlies all triplicities that determine the process of evolution and manifestation. It is the study of Libra that will shed light on the essence of the third aspect. The first aspect, Will or Power, expresses itself in this sign as Law, legislation, legitimacy, justice. The second aspect appears as a relationship between pairs of opposites (symbolized by the scales) and on the physical plane as Sex. The third aspect manifests itself as a concretized energy, which we call Money. In the literal sense, it is gold, a manifested symbol of what is created by the combination of spirit and matter on the physical plane. As you know, the third aspect is creative, it is the energy that produces the external, sensually perceived plane of manifestation, the formal side of life.

Thus, if one carefully examines the manifestation of law, sex and money in the world today and what expression they may have in the future, one can get an idea of ​​​​the present physical achievement of mankind and its future spiritual expression, which will be very instructive and highly healthy. This whole process is due to the three rulers of Libra: Venus, Uranus and Saturn.

Venus rules in Taurus, Libra and Capricorn, being the source of the intellectual mind, acting through desire (in the early stages) or love (in the later stages). Venus in Taurus is the mind expressing itself through intellectual or intelligent desire, which is the goal of knowing the ordinary person. In Libra, a point of balance is reached between material personal desire and intellectual spiritual love, as in Libra the two aspects of cosmic desire are brought to the fore in consciousness and balanced with each other. In Capricorn, Venus symbolizes spiritual love, expressing itself perfectly when the work is completed in Taurus and Libra. Thus one can trace the golden thread of evolutionary progress along the entire zodiacal path from sign to sign, thus one can see the history of mankind and its purpose. In the future, this same golden thread can be traced in connection with other kingdoms in nature, but the time has not yet come, so discussion of this topic will be useless and shallow. However, when the consciousness of a person opens up to such an extent that he can catch what is happening in the three lower kingdoms of nature, then this issue can be illuminated more widely and more information can be transmitted. This will take place at a time in human history when Libra will dominate, and then the three divine aspects of the third Person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, the Creator—law, sex, and money—will provide the key to the three lower realms. Law, natural law (the externalization or outward manifestation of subjective spiritual law) will give the key to the animal kingdom; sex, or awareness of affinity, will reveal the secret of the vegetable kingdom; money will reveal the secret of the mineral kingdom, and all this will happen due to the activity of Venus, provided a deep understanding of its activity in Taurus, Libra and Capricorn. I will explain this later when we get into the Science of Triangles. Suffice it to say now that each of these three signs is associated with one of the three aspects of the divine life:

• 1. Taurus - animal kingdom - law - natural (natural) law;
• 2. Libra - vegetable kingdom - sex - natural (natural) affinity, or attraction;
• 3. Capricorn - mineral kingdom - money - concrete expression of the Law of Supply,

and all these three signs form a triangle in which Libra is the dominant peak.

Uranus is the esoteric ruler of great importance in this sign, as the seventh ray operates through this planet, embodying the principle of precipitation and materialization of that which needs objective manifestation through the union of spirit and matter. This is the whole secret of money, its creation and production. I want to emphasize that the creative process is connected with the third aspect of the deity and only with it. Money is created through the connection between the three aspects of the third divine manifestation: law, affinity and concretized energy.

It is on this point that many mystics and world servers fail. They operate from too high a level, from a position of spiritual prompting. Usually they - and this is natural for them (for this is what their consciousness is focused on) - work from the position of the second aspect, while it is necessary to invoke the third aspect (which is equally divine and equally important) and respond to it. Consider these words. it is not connection of spirit and matter in the occult sense, but the ratio of physical demand and physical supply and the connection of these two material realities by the power of creative imagination. It is for this reason that so many schools of thought succeed in materializing what they need, while other schools fail completely. The plan they are working from is too high so they are unable to bring things to a close. I have given you hints that will be fruitful if properly interpreted and acted upon from the right motives in a group work setting and with a selfless purpose.

Through Uranus, Libra is also associated with Aries and Aquarius. It is through Uranus that the great pair of opposites, Aries and Libra, are brought into contact with each other in a very deep sense. Due to the activity of Uranus, there is an intense interaction between them, working to achieve in Libra the balance that was initiated in Aries. Aries, Libra and Aquarius form another triangle of power, which will need to be considered later. As I have already hinted, these triangles will dominate the new astrology in a very interesting way and determine the horoscopes under study.

Thus, Libra is associated with the five signs of the Zodiac: Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Capricorn and Aquarius.

This relationship is established by three rulers: Venus, Uranus and Saturn. These five signs, with Libra at the point of balance, form one of the six-pointed stars of evolution, and also associate with them three planets that are especially oriented towards the expression in the world of the Christ consciousness. All these three planets (thanks to the Rays of which they mediate) are on the first main line of force, on the line of will or power, as well as intention and discernible purpose.

It is for this fundamental reason, based on the aforementioned tripartite relationship, that Libra is the "balance point" of the Zodiac. In most other constellations, at a certain stage, a “point of crisis” occurs, at which the impact of the energy pouring on a person through this sign reaches its highest efficiency. This eventually causes the crisis necessary to free the individual from the planetary influences that condition his personality and bring him more definitely under the influence of this zodiac sign with greater awareness of this influence. However, there is no such point of crisis in Libra, just as there is none in Aries. There is only an "interlude" of balance and a "prelude" to a more efficient and receptive passage of the path. The same is the case in Aries. The esoteric dictum says: "Before creation, there is silence and stillness of a focused point." This applies to both Aries and Libra: in the one case in the cosmic creative sense, and in the other in the sense of individual evolutionary progress.

The following planets and their Rays govern the Cardinal Cross, of which Libra is one of the points:

Here we have six planets, five Rays of energy and the expression of two lines of spiritual energy: Love-Wisdom is manifested in two Rays and planets, and three Rays and planets are on the first main stream of energy, the stream of Will and Power. Note how three of these Rays - the First Ray (functioning through the Third and Fifth), the Fifth Ray and the Third Ray - predispose the Libra man to concrete understanding, intellectual will and knowledge. Hence the effectiveness of Libra on the physical plane and the ability of the evolved Libra man to project the inner spiritual purpose and directed will into physical expression. An example of a person equipped for such action is H. P. Blavatsky.

In this sign, Saturn is exalted, because at the point of balance there is an opportunity and a situation arises in which choice and decision are inevitable. This choice must be made on the physical plane deliberately, with the awakened consciousness of the brain. In our time, the purposeful work of Saturn for humanity can fully reach the level of group benefit, since only now humanity has reached such a level of intelligence that allows you to turn a choice into a conscious act with the assumption of responsibility for the consequences. Until now, only a few pioneering disciples and a handful of thinking people could be considered as having the ability to freely choose at the "balance point" in which direction they intend to "tip the scales." Today there are countless of them - hence the increased activity of Saturn as we enter the first decanate of Aquarius. Humanity itself is embarking on the path of testing, which is controlled and ruled by Libra. This path of choice, of conscious purifying measures at the turning point before Scorpio, who governs the path of discipleship, can properly play its part.

In Libra, the strength of Mars is weakened; this is a sign of a pause, and Mars is temporarily quiet in order to gather strength for a new jerk in Scorpio or to "accelerate" the spiritual life in Virgo, in accordance with the direction of the wheel for this person.

In this sign the Sun is "in the fall" because neither the personality nor the soul predominates in the man, who is the pure type of Libra; a balance has been reached, and so they esoterically "turn each other off." Neither the voice of the personality nor the voice of the soul stands out, and, as stated in “ Ancient Comments”, “soft vibration prevails. No sharp notes are heard; life is not painted with bright colors (I don’t know how else to translate the phrases of the original), and nothing overturns the chariot of the soul.” If you carefully study the functions of the planets, the meaning of their position in this sign will clearly appear in your mind, and a clear formulation will arise in your mind. meaning Libra. It is not easy to define and understand the characteristics of this sign, since in fact they are a synthesis of all past qualities and achievements, which makes it difficult to clearly represent the pairs of opposites. With regard to a person who is on the path of testing or entering it, we can say that in this sign his characteristics and qualities are as follows:

Sometimes the balancing act between pairs of opposites makes a person born under the sign of Libra difficult to understand; he seems to hesitate, but always briefly and often imperceptibly, because in the end there always comes a balance of his inherent qualities.

Different astrological schools offer different rulers of the deaneries of this sign. Sepharial gives the Moon, Saturn and Jupiter, while Alan Leo gives Venus, Saturn and Mercury as the controlling planets. In this case, as in a number of others, the truth lies in the middle or in a combination of both statements. The true rulers of the decanates in Libra are Jupiter, Saturn and Mercury. There is no need to elaborate on their influence. It can only be noted that the result of the influence of Jupiter is the "opening of the womb" of the Virgin. We will consider this planet, studying the sign of Virgo, which will be the next subject of our study.

The words of the key notes of this sign are so simple and clear that any explanation on my part will only confuse the question. They are directed directly to the heart. For the average person with an undeveloped spiritual consciousness, this note is repeatedly struck over the course of aeons:

• "And the Word was spoken: Let the choice be made."

Eventually, as a result of the evolutionary process, comes the answer of the soul:

• "I choose the path that leads between the two great lines of power."

Symbolic hieroglyphs, like talismans and amulets, can influence the atmosphere of the house. Let us dwell in more detail on the description of their meanings and methods of application.

The arrangement of symbols in Feng Shui is based on the Ba Gua stencil.

Ba-gua- a magical feng shui octagon containing life aspects: wealth (southeast), fame (south), love and marriage (southwest), family (east), health (center), children and creativity (west), wisdom and knowledge (northeast), helpers and travel (northwest). This symbol takes its meaning from the eight trigrams located on its sides.

Yin Yang(Chinese "Taiji") - a symbol of harmony and unity of male and female principles. A symbol of life that creates energy balance, a symbol of the Great Limit in Chinese philosophy. This is one of the oldest philosophical symbols. Continuous existence and harmony with the entire Universe, existing due to the balancing of the two opposite elements of Yin and Yang. Yang - white - male sign, dominant, active, day, symbol of the sky, the power of creation. Yin - black - a female sign, contemplative, night, the emergence of life, a mystery. On the reverse side of the amulet - tai chi surrounded by eight trigrams - a magical amulet against evil spirits.

Spiral- a symbol of wisdom. Depicted in red, black or white, she repels the entities of the shadow world.

Wavy line symbolizes water, the oceans, as well as the beginning of life, changeability and adaptability. An inverted vertically wavy line means improvement, the path to the top.

Infinity symbol - figure eight lying on its side. This symbol, which came from outer space, has a very strong energy.

Cross- the oldest talisman in the world. It symbolizes eternal life, resurrection and divine protection from the devil.

Square- a symbol of the four elements: air, water, fire and earth. It symbolizes

stability and strength, and the four seasons. If the triangle is activity and dynamics, then the square is the material world, prosperity, abundance and prosperity.

Triangle- this is the embodiment of the power of the pyramids, it symbolizes the connection with the forces of the body, mind and spirit, as well as the unity of mother, father and child, past, present and future. This is a symbol of the Holy Trinity. The triangle has protective properties.

Double luck symbol - very effective for activating romantic luck. It can be placed in the southwestern sector of the house or placed under the bed. You can draw it yourself and put it in the southwestern sector, in your personal romantic sector, in the bedroom, under the mattress and in your purse.

double luck knot - the most powerful talisman for attracting all kinds of good luck. Denotes an endless cycle of luck. His image can also be used to activate the love zone. If you put it under the mattress, you can attract positive energy to yourself while you sleep.

A circle- one of the most ancient and powerful symbols. It represents eternity, completeness, unity, perfection and great magic.

Ohm- an ancient Indian and Tibetan sign, common in different religions and faiths, originating from Buddhism and Hinduism. It is a visual form of a magical sound (mantra) that opens the state of enlightenment, purification of the mind and detachment from earthly affairs so as to be worthy of knowledge and comprehension of higher truths, to achieve unity with the highest Spirituality (in Buddhism - the achievement of Liberation and Enlightenment). This symbolic sign will have the greatest influence located in the zone of wisdom.

Sun- a symbol of higher cosmic power, omnipotence, gives warmth and creates comfort.

Hieroglyph "Wealth and Money" - a symbol that contributes to the achievement of financial success. The hieroglyph "Wealth" creates good feng shui indoors and brings wealth and success.

Hieroglyph "Money" creates a favorable environment for increasing cash flow. Place this symbol in the wealth zone according to the ba-gua.

Hieroglyph "Harmony and Peace" - a symbol that creates a favorable harmonious atmosphere in the room. It is good to place it behind your back in the workplace.

Hieroglyph "Longevity" - a symbol that has a beneficial effect on the sphere of Health. It will fit in the bedroom.

Hieroglyph "Luck" - a symbol that creates a good atmosphere in the room and brings good luck. A good place for this symbol is in the Career zone.

Hieroglyph "Strength" - a symbol that creates a favorable atmosphere and strengthens spiritual and physical strength. It will be appropriate in the zone of love and marriage, as well as in the family zone.

Hieroglyph "Prosperity" - a symbol that creates a favorable atmosphere in the room. It can be located in any zone of the ba-gua.

Hieroglyph "Love" - a symbol that brings happiness and harmony to personal relationships. Designed for areas in which these relationships are created - love and marriage, as well as family.

Hieroglyph "Beauty" - a symbol that creates a favorable harmonious atmosphere in the room. Suitable for creative area.

When choosing symbols to improve aspects of life, do not forget about intuition - it will tell you where it is better to place this or that hieroglyph. Don't overload your home or office with too many symbols, remember moderation is also a feng shui tool.

Symbols of happiness (talismans-amulets) [photo] Oleinikov Anton

6. Symbol of life, giving energy balance

YIN-YANG (Chinese "Taiji") is an ancient symbol of the Great Ultimate in Chinese philosophy. Continuous existence and harmony with the entire universe, existing through the balance of Yin and Yang.

Yang is a light, dominant, active male sign. This is a day, a symbol of the sky, the power of creation.

Yin is a dark, feminine sign - contemplation, mystery, night, the emergence of life. On the reverse side of the amulet - tai chi surrounded by eight trigrams, a magical amulet against evil spirits.

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A circle. A symbol of balance, a symbol of the Self and completeness, integrity, balance of the vital forces of man. Symbol of the world, Sun, Sky. And many more meanings. Each person can add something of their own, personal, find their own associations with this symbol. What did I see in the circle?
Symbol of the beginning of everything. Complete peace, the absence of beginning and end, top and bottom, all directions - all points are equidistant from the center, nothing can disturb the idyll of unmanifested infinity. But Life cannot desire nothing and think of nothing – frozen peace, lack of movement is impossible in nature. And obeying the Law of Life, a Thought appears in the circle as an invisible, extremely small germ of movement and difference. And it rushes to the edge as a sparkling star, piercing the darkness and giving birth to the Sound and Music of the triumph of Life. Obeying the melody of the Cosmos, desires are born, turning into actions, strivings to know oneself. And Love is born as the quintessence of Life, as a force that unites every atom in the Universe.
One Thought gives rise to another, thoughts give rise to desires, desires require their realization and actions - and the stars light up, spinning into Galaxies, the planets thicken and time begins its run.

A person opens his eyes, realizing himself in the material world.
The circle turned into a tomoe. A symbol of the unity of the three forces of the universe - Heaven, Earth and Man, a symbol of world harmony. "One gives birth to two, two gives birth to three, three gives birth to everything else." Tomoe is also called the sign of the world soul. It was adopted by the Western Gnostics as an emblem of cosmic creation, the threefold nature of reality or destiny, and the ever-repeating cycles of time.
Later in Japan, tomoe became a symbol of water, a whirlpool. It was used as an amulet of protection from fire, as a protective sign of warriors.
We see it on the flag of the Ryukyu Kingdom (existed on the islands of Okinawa and Ryukyu in the 15th-19th centuries e.v.).

Flag of the Ryukyu Kingdom

This sign was the original Vedic symbol, uniting the three gunas, the three qualities of nature - rajas, tamas and sattva. The word "guna" is translated as "rope". Just as things woven from threads (like a rope) do not crumble, making up a single whole, so the three gunas bind and unite all material objects and beings of the Universe into one single whole, holding them together.
Sattva is the form that seeks to manifest, the conscious energy. “Sattva-guna, being purer than other gunas, enlightens the living being and frees him from all the consequences of sins. Those under the influence of this guna become attached to knowledge and the feeling of happiness ”(Bhagavad-gita, chapter 14).
Rajas is the force that overcomes the obstacle and makes the form manifest. It is energy and strength. Gives people the ability to transform various perceived impressions, transforming them into concepts, thoughts, ideas, dreams and dreams. This guna gives rise to passion, the desire to act, but also restlessness and imbalance, violence and vanity. Rajas is always aimed at overcoming various conflicts and the possession of objects of desire.
Tamas is an obstacle to manifestation, a force of inertia. Due to this guna, there is a steady process of holding together the various components of matter in a single whole. By itself, this guna is not able to show any activity, because it lacks any energy of movement.
Most people believe that they control all their actions and make all decisions according to their will. However, in the Bhagavad-gita it is stated that this is not so, a person is only a puppet in the power of the three modes of material nature: “Everyone is forced to act in accordance with the qualities given to him by the modes of material nature; therefore no one can refrain from activity even for a moment.”
Depending on the predominance of a particular guna, people are divided into three classes, three estates. The structure of the Indo-European society, according to the French mythologist and philologist J. Dumézil, consists of three estates: priests, warriors and farmers. Each caste had a special deity. Among the priests, it was a formidable but fair judge-god (Zeus, Jupiter, Odin), among the warriors - the god of war (Thor, Mars, Indra), among the farmers - the god of fertility (Freyr, Veles). In Indian society, these classes correspond to three higher varnas: brahmins (priests), kshatriyas (military nobility), vaishyas (landowners). According to the nature of their activity, these classes are easily classified according to the gunas: brahmins-sattva, kshatriyas - rajas and vaishyas - tamas.
Sattva is the man of the spirit. He knows how to communicate with the gods, see things and work miracles. Sattva is self-sufficient, therefore he does not seek someone else's praise, glory. He seems humble, because he does everything according to his will and only for himself. He is always looking for something new, he is not afraid of the unknown, he does not seek approval from others for his actions. Sattva is pure in soul and seeks purity in everything. Sattva people like food that is fresh and full - vegetables, fruits, grains, legumes, nuts and dairy products. Food should not be very spicy and very sweet, it should be easy to digest, bringing a joyful perception of the world around.
Rajas is a man of order. He was created to fight, defending order and justice. Rajas seeks fame and wants everyone to see his courage. His desires are often impulsive and unconscious. Rajas people are drawn to spicy and salty food, which arouses feelings and anger. These are fish, meat, spicy spices, alcoholic beverages. Such food stimulates imbalance, aggressiveness, hatred, lust in a person, causing an unbalanced state and overexcitation of the entire nervous system.
Tamas is a man of peaceful labor, a peasant and a merchant. Tamas is afraid of the unknown and is always happy when others look for something new and take risks instead of him. He is happy to push another into a dangerous place, and the higher castes strive forward themselves. Tamas people prefer spoiled, contaminated and smoked foods, as well as rotten fruits and vegetables, garlic, onions and fermented alcoholic beverages. When using such writing, ignorance, stupidity, laziness, inertia are manifested in a person.
Of course, the gunas are intertwined in consciousness like a rope, and one can only speak of the predominance of some guna in consciousness and behavior. Bound by the gunas of the material world, tormented by desires and conflicting aspirations, a person gives the circle of his existence an impulse of movement. By straightening the interweaving of the gunas with his will, a person acquires spiritual powers. And the circle becomes a wheel. A symbol of the Sun and movement, in the psychological aspect - a symbol of power and divine power.
We see the influence of the gunas and the symbol of the wheel in the development of civilization. At first, the power belonged to the sattva priests, and the gods of the sky and the sun were the supreme gods. Then the power passed to the Rajas warriors, and there was a change in religious preferences. The gods of the Sun were replaced by the gods of thunder and thunder, the warrior gods.
This event was reflected in the Rigveda (the plot of the battle between the thunderer Indra and the solar Surya. Indra wins and, having won, steals the wheel of his chariot from Surya). The same motif is repeated by the later Mahabharata, describing the victory of Arjuna (son of Indra) over the more powerful Karna (son of Surya).
The eternal law, fair both in mythology and in life: the new ruler takes over the attributes of power and, in part, the functions of the vanquished. So, if in Greek mythology at least a general idea is still preserved that it is Helios who rides in a chariot across the sky, then among the Germans of Roman times this function passes to Thor, among the Balto-Slavs - to Perun / Perkunas, etc. In the Slavic world, this process of transferring functions to the deity of the victorious cult continued: after the planting of Christianity, Elijah the prophet already rides in a chariot across the sky and generates thunder and lightning, having adopted this function from Perun.
Gods change, eons and civilizations change, but the symbol of the wheel as a sign of divine power as a whole is eternal.
The symbolism of the wheel was widespread in ancient religions. The whole universe looked like a huge wheel, whose rotation can be seen in the cycles of celestial bodies and in the change of seasons. Small wheels, like models of the cosmos, accompanied the dead to their graves. They were used as protective magical symbols on helmets, shields, weapons and houses. The Celtic gods were depicted with wheels in their hands or on either side of them. Altars and tombstones were decorated with wheels. The Hittites swear by the wheel; among the Iranians, the Heavenly Wheel is the weapon of the gods. One of the Celtic names of the Goddess - Arianrod - also denoted the goddess of the silver wheel (stars). In India, the goddess Kali constantly rules the wheel of time, the Kalachakra, to which every living breath in the world is fixed "just as the spokes in the wheel hold on to the bushing."
The Etruscans called the goddess of the wheel Vortumna, "the one who turns the year", and the Romans changed this name to Fortuna, the goddess who constantly turns the celestial wheel, changing the seasons and the fate of people. Sometimes she was depicted as a trinity of fortunes or veils - destinies, which the Greeks called nemesis or moira.
Carl Gustav Jung in his work "Spiritual Phenomenon in Art and Science" writes: "In the extremely early rock art of the Stone Age there is an abstract sign, namely an eight-pointed cross inscribed in a circle ... This is the so-called sun wheel ... Especially often this symbol is found in Europe, including Western Europe, where it is called the "Celtic wheel". Interestingly, the eight-spoked wheel is ubiquitous in Aryan culture. In Hinduism and Buddhism, this is the wheel of Dharma, a symbol of spiritual aspiration.

Wheel of Dharma in the Buddhist monastery of the Heavenly Heart (China).

In the Slavic tradition, the sun wheel is the Kolovrat, a symbol of the movement of the Sun. Kolovrat in the form of an eight-beam swastika was the strongest amulet. It was used on clothes, utensils, weapons.

Kolovrat

The word "swastika" traditionally means an equilateral cross with ends bent to one side. The name itself comes from a combination of the Sanskrit words "su" (good) and "asti" (to be). The Russian "light" goes back to the same root. The swastika is one of the most ancient symbols found all over the Earth. And so it has many meanings. In the most general interpretation, the swastika denotes the cycle of being, the annual cycle, the movement of the Sun across the sky. In Hinduism, the swastika symbol is the embodiment of the cycle of samsara, the eternal change of life and rebirth. Buddhists consider the swastika to be the personification of the Buddha Law, which unites all things. In some esoteric schools of the Western tradition, the swastika signified movement from the microcosm to the macrocosm.
Buddhists call the swastika "manji", Christians - "gammadion", among the ancient Greeks the four-beam swastika was called "tetraskele", and with rays in the form of spirals - "meander". The Chinese call the left swastika "wan", and the right - "wan-tzu".

Two-headed bird with a swastika. Mongolia.

As a rule, the swastika "rolling" clockwise meant a bright beginning, while the swastika counterclockwise, which became the emblem of fascism, meant the dark side.
In the book of Ferdinand Ossendovsky (1878-1945), a Russian-Polish traveler "And animals, and people, and gods", it is described that Genghis Khan wore a ring with a swastika on his right hand, into which a ruby ​​was set - a sun stone.
The swastika is also a symbol of esoteric Buddhism. In this aspect, it is called the "Seal of the Heart" and, according to legend, the swastika was imprinted on the heart of the Buddha. The swastika is found wherever there are traces of Buddhist culture - on rocks, in temples, stupas and on Buddha statues.
The swastika was not alien to the Russian imperial house. Under Peter I, the walls of his country residence were decorated with swastikas. The ceiling of the throne room in the Hermitage is also covered with this sacred symbol. Her appearance in St. Petersburg at the beginning of the century is associated with the name of Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, who was deeply interested in the Lamaism of Tibet. She never missed an opportunity to protect her family or her friends with her favorite occult symbol, the swastika, which appeared on many of her manuscripts and gifted books.

Portrait of Peter the Great framed by a spiral swastika

The three-beam swastika, the triskelion, is also interesting.
Triskelion (also triskel, triskel, triskele, from the Greek τρισκελης - three-legged) is an ancient symbolic sign representing three running legs coming out of one point. The symbol is found among the Greeks, Crete-Macedonians, Etruscans, Celts, as well as among the Caucasian peoples. In particular, it was the coat of arms of the noble and powerful Athenian house of the Alkmeonids. The symbol personified the "running of time", the course of history and the rotation of the stars.

Coin of Syracuse 336 BC

Most often, the triskel can be found among the Celts, who used it during the creation of pagan spells. In this case, the triskel symbolizes the interweaving of three elements: Fire, Water and Air, going to infinity. Also, the triskel sign in the form of an amulet meant balance with the forces of nature.
Triskelion can be found in the form of jewelry - amulets, as well as on the family emblems and flags of. Maine and Sicily.

The flag of Maine

Flag of Sicily

Man, his mind and will, his entire inner world do not tolerate restrictions, they want to expand the scope, go beyond any boundaries, to know what is beyond the circle. “Exceed! Always strive for more!” says the Book of the Law.
Freedom is the basis of human nature. Freedom from any prohibitions, freedom of knowledge, freedom of striving for God, for infinite light that knows no limits.
The endless circle symbolizes God, the Universe and the infinity of space. Nuit and Hadit. “In the sphere, I am the center that is everywhere, it is the circle that is nowhere.” The Book of the Law is echoed by Blaise Pascal: "God is a circle whose center is everywhere and whose circumference is nowhere."

But the conditional narrow circle of human consciousness is limited by a person's knowledge of the world, and is full of contradictions.
If the tensions of conflicting forces inside the circle exceed a certain critical value, the circle and the wheel are torn apart, turning into a spiral - a symbol of eternal continuous movement.
Everything in the Universe moves in a spiral - and time, and historical processes, and galaxies with suns and planets. The basis of life - DNA - also has the form of a double helix.
The symbol of the spiral contains a duality of meanings - both Life and Death in perpetual motion. Dynamics of being and rhythms of the Universe. On the one hand, the image of the unfolding of the vital force, the outward movement as a symbol of Life, evolution; on the other hand, a sequence of concentric circles, immersion into oneself, a symbol of Death, involution. Thus, in the Greek tradition, there is a distinction between a creative spiral rising in a clockwise direction, which is an attribute of Pallas Athena, and a destructive spiral, like a tornado that rotates to the left, which is an attribute of Poseidon.
Both life and death are merged into one in a spiral, and there is no end to the movement of cosmic rhythms.
Most images of the spiral in Neolithic Europe are located at the entrance to the tombs, as if marking the border between the world of the dead and the world of the living. One of the oldest examples of the triple helix was found in the New Grange mound in Ireland.

Spiral pattern on the entrance stone at New Grange, Bru na Boine complex, Ireland. The age of the images dates back to 3000 - 3100 BC. v.

The triple helix in Hinduism symbolizes the triad of gods: Vishnu - the Cosmos, the highest harmony of two opposites in evolution, Brahma - the highest creator, and Shiva - the destroyer of worn out forms, who absorbs everything.
In the Egyptian system of hieroglyphs, the spiral signifies cosmic forms in motion. God Thoth was depicted with a large spiral on his head. Since the Middle Kingdom, scarabs, instead of the name of the king, often carry a spiral in the cartouche as a line of life.
When moving towards the center, the spiral becomes a labyrinth.
The labyrinth symbolizes the world, the Universe, incomprehensibility, movement, a complex problem, an enchanted place. This is a symbol of mystery, mystery, which has many different interpretations, often contradictory, sometimes frightening.
Drawings of labyrinths are found all over the Earth. As O.E. Kodola, a full member of the Geographical Society of Russia, writes, “the most ancient symbols, which all researchers undoubtedly attribute to deep archaic, are various images of a circle, spirals and labyrinths identified on all continents except Antarctica. The purpose is still unclear of these symbols, the dates are controversial, which (in some cases) even refer to the Upper Paleolithic era.Nevertheless, no one will deny the obvious commonality of the origin of these signs, which lies in the depths of the history of human development, their sacred meaning and, as a result, the use of these symbols in ancient rites and rituals.
The largest known labyrinth in history was Amenemhat III. (Amenemhet III (Greek Lahares) - the pharaoh of Ancient Egypt, who ruled approximately in 1853 - 1806 BC, from the XII dynasty (Middle Kingdom). The son of Senusret III. His throne name was Ni-Maat-Ra ("In the Truth of Ra" Amenemhet finished erecting a huge mound (43.5 km long) in order to drain the Faiyum oasis and create the Faiyum reservoir. In the mound, locks were made to divert water, in Egyptian Lahunt, and the city of Crocodiopol (“City of Crocodiles” was built) A sanctuary in the form of a labyrinth was built near this city, unfortunately not preserved to our time. Herodotus describes the Egyptian labyrinth as follows: Cities of the Crocodiles: I have seen this labyrinth: it is beyond description, for if one were to collect all the walls and great structures erected by the Hellenes, then, in general, it would turn out that less labor and money were expended on them than on this labyrinth alone. And at the corner at the end of the labyrinth, a pyramid 40 orgies high (approximately 70 m - approx.) was erected with huge figures carved on it. An underground passage leads to the pyramid ”(Herodotus,“ History ”, book 2, Euterpe).
According to some scientists, the name "Labyrinth" given by the Greeks comes from a distorted Egyptian word "Lapero-hunt" - "sanctuary at the canal locks."
On the other hand, one can notice the similarity of the words "labyrinth" with "labr", "lavra", "ravlyk" (the Ukrainian name for the snail). The Aryan root "labr", "laurel", "ravl" most likely originally meant a passage in the mountains, a path in stone (those who know, correct me if I'm wrong). The Greek word "lavra" - "passage", later - "street", is related to the word "labyrinth".
J. Savard in his book "Labyrinths" writes: "The earliest specimen with a well-established date of origin was found in southern Greece. This labyrinth is engraved on the back of a clay tablet from the Mycenaean palace at Pylos, which is traditionally associated with the legendary King Nestor. As you know, Nestor, together with Menelaus, raised a fleet of large ships to participate in the siege and subsequent capture of Troy. The tablet was found in 1957 during excavations at the site of the warehouses of the palace, along with many hundreds of similar specimens that had survived the impact of the fire that destroyed the palace in 1200 BC. e."

Also interesting is the fact that the labyrinth in both Egypt and Crete was closely associated with bulls. In Egypt, the sacred bull Apis was sacrificed. The essence of Apis is evidenced by the ancient hieroglyphic texts found in the Saqqara Serapeum, covering some of its architectural elements. According to these texts, Apis represents the very "life of the sky-god Osiris". During the Eighteenth Dynasty and during the rise of the New Empire, priests from Memphis gradually created a unified deity called Apis-Osiris. Later, the Hellenistic cult of Serapis is known, which existed until the 4th-5th centuries. e. v. The etymology of the word "Serapis" most likely reflects the dual essence of Osiris - "Ser" as the Hellenistic form of "Asar - Osiris" and "Apis". Osiris in Egypt was considered the ruler of the Underworld, and the Apis bull was his earthly incarnation. In ancient times, the bull was considered a symbol of strength, power. Many gods took the form of a bull (Indra, Zeus). It is also possible that in ancient times, sacrifices to the deity were carried out by those animals and objects that served as the embodiment of the deity himself. The miraculous abilities or energy acquired through sacrifice are proportional to the significance of the lost or transferred.

Reverse side of a silver coin, from the city of Knossos in Crete (2nd century BC). The coin depicts the labyrinth of this island.

In the rooms of the Minoan labyrinth, hundreds of labrys were found - ritual double-sided axes. Some researchers believe that the "labyrinth" came from the "labrys", but here it is rather a feedback.

Ornamented gold Minoan labryses.

The American archaeologist Maria Gimbutas saw in the Greek labrys an echo of the pre-Indo-European matriarchal cult of the Great Goddess. From the point of view of Gimbutas and her followers, the Cretan labrys, repeating the shape of a butterfly, symbolizes the maternal principle. This explains the popularity of the labrys in Wiccan ceremonies. Since the 1970s, the labrys has been adopted as a female symbol by many lesbian and feminist organizations.
Labyrinths called "Babylons" are found throughout the North of Europe. More than 500 northern labyrinths are known, of which there are about 300 in Sweden, about 140 in Finland, about 50 in Russia, 20 in Norway, 10 in Estonia, and separate labyrinths in England and Spain.

Labyrinth-Babylon on the Solovetsky Islands

Why do northern labyrinths have such a strange name? According to the most common version, the name "Babylon" is a distorted "Avalon", a city or island of the blessed, a fabulous place of magic, a habitat for fairies and magical creatures. In the legends of the Britons, Avalon, “the island of fruits, which is also called happy”, which does not know sorrows and suffering, serves as the place of residence of immortal heroes and wizards. Miraculous apples growing on the island grant immortality. Perhaps that is why the original Celtic name - "Emain Ablach" - is consonant with "abla" - "apple". In principle, the labyrinth resembles an apple in a section. According to legend, Morgan the Fairy carried King Arthur, who was mortally wounded in the Battle of Camlan, to the Isle of Avalon. As a classic element of the Arthurian cycle, Avalon first appears in Geoffrey of Monmouth's Acts of the Kings of Britain. According to Galfrid's chronicle, Arthur's sword was forged on this island, and then the king himself was taken there for healing after his last battle.
The key to building the maze is the cross:

The key to building a "classic" maze

With the spread of Christianity, the ancient pagan symbol of the labyrinth gradually changed and began to be perceived as an allegorical image of the thorny path of man to God or the way of the cross of Christ. The labyrinth in Christian philosophy and architecture becomes a metaphor for the material world, passing through which a person must fight the Minotaur - Satan. In the labyrinth of temptations and sins, a person, like Theseus, can only rely on his own steadfastness and the saving thread of Ariadne - Faith.
One of the most famous is the labyrinth laid out on the stone floor of the main cathedral in Chartres.

Labyrinth at Chartres

Labyrinths in the esoteric sense served as a place of initiation, self-comprehension.
From the book Antiquities Explained and Presented in Drawings by Bernard Montfaucon: “Labyrinths were a favorite place of initiation in many ancient cults. The remains of these mystical labyrinths have been preserved among the American Indians, Hindus, Persians, Egyptians and Greeks. Some labyrinths were simply intricacies of paths lined with stones; other labyrinths were literally miles of gloomy caves under temples or under mountains. The famous Cretan labyrinth, in which the bull-headed Minotaur lived, was, without any doubt, the place of initiation into the Cretan Mysteries.
Michael Erton, who proposed his model of the Cretan labyrinth, writes:
"The life of every person is a labyrinth, in the center of which is death, and, perhaps, even after death, before finally ceasing to exist, a person goes through the last labyrinth."