A. Venefica’s Weblog: Symbolic Meanings

I’ve always marveled at the symbolic meaning of the uroboros (also spelled ourobouros or ouroboros) and have adopted it as a personal symbol - using it in meditations and incorporating its symbolic meaning into daily thought patterns where a shift is necessary.

I’ve written a bit on the uroboros on my symbolic Alchemy Animals page here, but was prompted to write more after seeing this post by Eksith Rodrigo who describes how to make your own Uroboros on this post.  

Using his instructions, I made my own uroboros (shown right).  I added a snaggle tooth & curly horns….I’ve got a thing for horns….but I digress..

The symbolic meaning of the uroboros is replete with concepts such as:

• Cycles
• Eternity
• Rebirth
• Potential
• Perpetuity
• Actualization

The alchemists illustrate this serpent wrapped around the cosmic egg, signifying the life span of the universe.  Furthermore, the center opening shown in typical uroboros illustrations may also symbolize the egg which speaks of :

• Inceptions
• Beginnings
• Openings
• Latent power
• Limitless potential

This opening upon which the serpent is clenched is also symbolic of the number zero and all it implies.

The serpent itself is symbolic of regeneration and the cycle of time as we observe in the shedding of a snake’s skin.

The eating of it’s own tail declares the statement “The end is the beginning”  and reminds us of the eternal nature of energy which cannot be destroyed, only transformed. 

I rather like the implication that only by devouring ourselves can we find our true nature.  To further this point, I think of the constrictive nature of the snakes feeding pattern; its inner muscles press upon prey (in this case, itself).

This makes me think of the birthing  process of diamonds.  It takes a lot of pressure to make a diamond from coal.  Likewise, it takes a lot of constriction for our best selves to be squeezed out of our false identities.

The uroboros makes its appearance in several cultural myths.  Quickie symbolism of the uroboros in cultural myth:

• Egyptian: Symbolic of the sun - it’s rising and setting signifying the cycle of the day
• Gnostic: Oneness of all life, the constant process of re-recreation and the unity behind all duality
• Roman: Eternity, time and associated with Janus the god of the new year
• Greece: Death and rebirth as illustrated in the Orphic creation myth - another reference to the cosmic egg symbolism
• African: Here it is known as the “rainbow serpent” or Aido Hwedo and is an emblem of sustaining life, protection and creation

The overwhelming message the uroboros provides is “all is one” - the concept of connection and the totality of all.  Other thoughts that come to mind with the uroboros include:

• Beginnings, endings, and all that’s in-betwix
• Life, death and what we do with ourselves in between
• Reintegration, disintegration and the phases each of these processes undergoes

No doubt, this symbol is a powerful one - we can easily see how all of its symbolic implications can reap a dramatic effect on our thoughts.  I invite you to settle in with your own personal concepts of the uroboros, and see what kind of transformations come up for you!

This post has moved here.

Quick look at the symbolic meaings of the cat:

• Astute
• Clever
• Secretive
• Mysterious
• Supernatural
• Watchfulness
• Transformation

Click here for full article on the symbolic meanings of the cat.

You may also be interested in symbolic cat prints here.

An interesting request from one of my readers…she wanted a symbol for divine, or divinity symbols to which I respond: 

Dear Symbol Seeker,

The Divine is a broad subject, but below are a few symbols that represent Divine, or Divinity.

In Alchemy - the human body is considered a symbol of the divine

In Native American symbology (specifically plains tribes) a large, equilateral triangle pointing downard represents trust in divine guidance. It is a symbol of our ability to join with the divine and have a divine perspective.  Further in this genre, an equilateral triangle pointing heavenwards represents the divine point, the highest point of knowledge (cosmic awareness or higher spirit if you will).

In most cultures, a crown is a symbol of not only royalty and nobility - but also divinity.  For example deities and Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt wore double crowns to signify their divine stature as well as mark their endowment of divine power.  In some religions, including Christianity, the crown represents divine glory and crowns were placed on the heads of newly deceased as a sign of their union with God upon their passing.  In Eastern religions the crown worn is a sign of spiritual evolution - one step closer to divinity.

In the animal kingdom we find more symbols of the divine…

In Christian traditions, the dove is a symbol of divinity as it is the representation of the Christ.

Further, the starfish is considered a representation of the Virgin Mary in Christian iconography and as such is a symbol of the keeper of divine wisdom.

The dolphin is considered a divine messenger of the sea by some Native American cultures.

In the Orient as well as Celt, Norse and Greco-Roman mythologies the horse is thought of as a divine messenger too - a carrier of high divine insight for the Gods & Goddesses it serves.

In various cultural & mythological realms (Christian, Greco-Roman, Native American, Byzantine) the eagle is considered a divine creature of the air and held firm as a symbol of the divine.

In other areas of nature such as the plant world, we find more symbols of divinity.

The peach has long been symbolic of divinity as well as longevity, good fortune and paradise to the Chinese and Japanese.

The pine cone is a symbol of immortality and the divine in earth-based religions (i.e. paganism) as it is an evergreen.

Another earth-based symbol of the divine long honored by the ancient Celts and Norse is the acorn.  Druids swallowed the acorns whole in order to touch the divine mind.   They were sacred to the god Thor, and in Norse mythology the Tree of Life was an oak (from which the acorn springs forth).

The number ten is symbolic of spiritual achievement and return to unity.  Consequently, many systems of thought treat this numeral as a symbol of the divine. Specifically, the sephirotic Tree of Life of the Kabbalah is made of ten sephira - as such it represents unity, spiritual attainment, and divine accomplishment.

The Tarot holds infinite symbols for divinity.  The Hierophant is a symbol of uniformed or contained divinity where the human may pour out the prescribed nature of divine to the public.  Also in the Tarot, the Moon is a symbol for the divine.

As you can see, symbols of the divine are numerous.  Even in our day-to-day lives we can find symbols that vibrate with the divine.  Even candles -long thought of as carriers of divine light in places of worship and occasion of ritual.

In considering symbols for the divine, I would encourage you to find elements in your life that focus upon your own unique perspective of what is divine for you.  Meditate upon divinity itself, and your own special symbols will come to you from your effort.

I was recently asked about the Tau symbol meaning (image of Tau seen left), to which I respond:

In the strictest definition, this symbol is a representation of the 19th letter of the Greek alphabet with a numerical vibration of 300.

However, taking the single-mindedness out of the task at hand (interpreting only the meaning of the Tau), we see many more symbolic meanings of the symbol itself (as a “T”), and these vary according to era, lore, culture, region.

For example, this symbol was shown to represent the crucifix in many European and Western religious traditions.

It was also thought to symbolize a phallus in ancient Egypt and also believed to be a marker for holy waters.

We find this image in primitive/native man glyphs as a representation of the meeting place between earth and sky (horizon).  Consider the deeper meaning here - that which is above the horizon (or at the table top of the T) is known to our conscious minds.   That which is below the point of contact (the stem of the T) holds the mystery of the unknown. 

Mythology suggests this symbol is associated with the Roman god Mithras & Greek Attis.

The symbology of the Templar/Freemasons/Rosicrucian indicates the Tau represents the One God and It’s three attributes which are: Wisdom, Strength, Harmony.

The Tau is found in center circle of the Rosy Croix (rosy cross) - symbolizing the union of the subjective and objective - mysticism and the alchemical practice of the Great Work.

Kabbalistic references indicate the symbol holds to the mystical references of the number three and holds meanings such as: Creativity, Expansion, Magic, Intuition.

More literal focus on the Tau reveals its correspondence with the 22nd letter of the Hebrew alphabet & corresponds with Saturn. It also resonates with the World Tarot card within the Major Arcana . 

It’s an ancient symbol with lovely connotations.  If you’re really serious about tapping into its symbolism, I suggest you meditate upon the symbol to derive your own interpretations.  I also encourage you to do your own independent research on this symbol as my provisions only touch the surface of this symbol.

Symbolic meaning of pigs varies according to region & culture.

In earlier cultures such as ancient Egyptian the pig (sow, specifically) was considered a Great Mother and were symbols of fertility and abundance.  Here the pig was sacred to Isis, who embodied fertility. 

To the ancient Celts, the (sow) pig was also honored as a mother provider figure.  Celtic lore tells of Manannan, who owned a heard of pigs that never dwindled - they were forever replinishing their numbers. As such, in Celtic symbolism pigs remained icons of abundance.

Also in ancient Celtic beliefs, the pig was associated with Keridwin and Phaea who were both fertility moon goddesses.

The pig was also a symbol of virility, strength, and ferility in ancient Chinese cultures.   The boar is even among the animals in the Chinese zodiac where it is considered a symbol of sincerity, honesty, and determination.

In Hindu symbolism,  the pig is linked to Vajravarahi, the female consort of Vishnu.

The Greeks would sacrifice pigs to deities who pertained to farming and agriculture (Demeter, Ares, Gaia) this was to bring about bumper crops and insure favorable growing seasons.

Native American cultures (plains tribes) associated the pig as a harbinger of rains and as such, the symbolic meaning of pigs here is also linked to abudance, fertility and agriculture.

On the other hand, the pig is a symbol of ignorance in Buddhism.  Indeed, a black pig is illustrated on the Buddhist wheel of existence where it represents one of the three illusions of man in the Buddhist philosophy:

• illusions of thought & desires
• illusions innumerable as particles of dust and sand
• illusions about the true nature of life

All of these are said to prevent man from attaining Nirvana in the Buddhist tradition.

The pig is a symbol of sloth (laziness) and/or greed in ancient Christian symbolism.

Jewish, Moslums and Islamic cultures view the pig as unclean and they are forbidden to eat pork.

In dream symbolism the domestic pig indicates fertility, yet a wild pig is a symbol of lust & overindulgence.  If in your dream you are feeding a pig, this is supposed to be a symbol of good luck.  If you are being attacked by a pig, it may be a message you are being materialistic or greedy about something. 

The Heron or Egret is symbolic in many cultures.

In Egypt the Heron is honored as the creator of light.  A double headed Heron in Egypt is symbolic of prosperity.

As a Chinese symbol the Heron represents strength, purity, patience and long life.

In Africa, the Heron was thought to communicate with the Gods.

Most Native American tribes took note of the heron’s inquisitiveness, curiosity and determination.  As such this set the heron as a symbol of wisdom in that this creature seemed to have good judgement skills.

Specifically, the Iroquois tribe held the blue heron as a very good omen, a very lucky sign.  They recongnized the heron as an expert fisher/hunter.  As such, they believed that sighting a heron before a hunt was a sign that the hunt would be a good one.

As a water creature the heron is also a symbol of going with the flow, and working with the elements of Mother nature rather than struggling against her.

The heron is a beautiful creature, exhibiting grace, and noble stature. It’s no wonder the Native Indians and ancients honored the heron throughout the centuries.

More thoughts on animal symbolism can be found here.

A reader of my websites and blog contacted me wanting to know the symbolism of the Falcon.  She proceeded to tell about her outing in the woods when she encountered not one, but three Falcons upon her path.  She felt as though they were trying to communicate with her, and so she turned to me for the meaning of Falcon sightings upon our path.  My response is below:

Dear Falcon Fan: 

The Peregrine Falcon lives up to its Latin name: Falco Peregrinus which means foreigner or stranger because it is a migratory bird rather than sedentary - it is found throughout the world and tends to travel great distances.

The peregrine is most often used in falconry due to its keen intellect and incredible ability to calculate or judge its prey.

The fact that the Falcon revealed itself to you at work makes me believe that the message may relate to your job, profession, craft, vocation, career, passion for work, etc.

Throughout history, culture and myth, Falcons symbolize superiority, spirit, light, freedom and aspiration.  The Falcon is a solar emblem for success, victory and rising above a situation.

Further evidence of its solar influence, the Falcon was symbolic of the rising sun in Egypt.  It is also the king of all birds where many gods were shown with the head or body of the Falcon (including Ra).

In Western tradition, the Falcon represents the huntsman and is associated with the Germanic sky-gods Wodan as well as Frigg and the trickster Loki. In European culture the Falcon is considered a warlike symbol.

At its core, the Falcon represents visionary power, wisdom, and guardianship.  This powerful bird awakens visionary power, and leads you to your life purpose.  The Falcon carries with it a message of transition and change - perhaps in your vocation, work, career, etc.

The fact that this Peregrine chose to show itself to you is a powerful message in itself.  This is a call for you to pay attention to the your performance, your function, your actions.

Falcons encourage us to calculate and strategize.  If we have a goal, Falcons beckon us to make plans and strategies to obtain these goals. Falcons are all about focus - strong, one-pointed focus.  When they show themselves to us, we are being called to focus on our desires and our goals, and do what is necessary to bring our desires into our reality.

The fact that the Falcon is a solar beast leads me to believe that there is something in your life that you are highly passionate about, and the Falcon is asking you to take action on this passion.  But be smart about it - don’t jump into something without doing research and planning.  Make your passion a reality by persuing it methodically.

Lastly, I would encourage you to invoke the spirit of the Falcon in your meditations, during quite/relaxing times, and just before sleeping.  When you calm yourself and call upon the spirit of the Falcon, the Falcon is then able to come through your consciousness and provide you more details about what you must know.  Animals are always willing to provide us more messages - it is up to us to allow their messages to come through an listen.

I trust this information proves helpful to you on your journey.

Regards & blessings to you,

A. Venefica
www.TarotTeachings.com
www.Whats-Your-Sign.com

 I recently had a client ask me for the Egyptian Symbol for  Mother.  Here is my response:
 
Dear Nefertiti-Sweetie:

Here are two conceptual Egyptian symbols for mother:

1)  The hieroglyph for “vulture” was also the hieroglyph for “mother” for the vulture was seen as a model parent – nurturing and protective of its young, often at its own expense.

2)  Isis is considered by the Egyptians to be the mother of the world as she is the symbolic mother of the god, Horus.

For more information on this topic, go to my: Symbols for Mother page