A. Venefica’s Weblog: Symbolic Meanings

I received the following question via email:

“I am getting a chakra tattoo.  Is it ok to get the third eye chakra tattoo’ed on my wrist? I ask because the wrist is not where the actual third eye chakra is located in the body.  Am I going to mess something up if I get the tattoo there?  I really love the symbolism of this chakra and want it someplace I can see it all the time.”

I respond to this question about getting a chakra tattoo thusly:

Dear Indelible Ajna:

Have you ever seen the image “Oversoul” by Alex Grey?

Go to http://www.alexgrey.com/ (under “Paintings” then “Progress of the Soul” on the right menu to find “Oversoul”) or Google images for this magnificent painting by Alex Grey.

You will note in this painting the predominance & repitition of the eye theme.

There are philosophies that maintain every cell in our body is infused with the watchfulness that the Anja (Third Eye) chakra represents. 

This is a kind of observation that is powerful, spiritual, and outside of our form-based concept of reality.

You’re not the first to ask me about the protocol of getting a chakra tattoo  elsewhere on the body (not associated with that chakra).

My answer is always - it’s your decision.

Symbols…their meanings to us, what they represent, and what we do with them is all a very personal matter.

Furthermore, symbols (including chakra symbols) are languages to help us learn the truth about who we are. 

If a Third Eye chakra tattooed on your wrist brings you closer to the truth of who you are - then by all means, happy tattooing.

Light & love,

A.

This post has moved here.

The symbolic meaning of labyrinth is also associated with the various symbolic meanings of the spiral in that we can trace our footsteps (both metaphorical and literal) back to and from the Source (center or core).

Labyrinths have been used for ages.  Native Americans used the labyrinth as a symbol that represents birth, rebirth and/or transition from one world to the next.  Specifically, as a Hopi symbol,  labyrinths are depicted with a cross near the center which represents the four cardinal directions and their attributes.  The spirals encircling this compass are symbolic of the waves or cycles of creation all of life experiences.

 On a philosophical level, the symbolic meaning of labyrinth is as complex as the symbol itself.  With many twists and turns, the labyrinth does not share its secrets easily. 

On the surface the symbolic meaning of the labyrinth deals with:

• passage of time
• spiritual growth
• enlightenment
• connection to source
• rebirth
• resurrection
• emergence
• evolution
• progress
• spiritual path
• initiation

The labyrinth can be a powerful tool for inner enhancement and development.  It is designed specifically for this purpose.  When walking the labyrinth, we find our perspective constantly changing.  Our vision and physical bodies are never facing the same direction for long.  This is a technique to coax our inner knowing out from within.  

Further, the spiraling inward motion is a physical replication of our spiritual tendency to seek within the highest truths in order to find eternal freedom.  When we are moving outward from the source, it is an action that we have made the divine connection and now we are expressing our completeness outwardly - essentially sharing our highest good with all around us.

It is important to note that walking the labyrinth (mentally or physically) is not intended to be overly challenging.  There are no dead-ends with the labyrinth, only meandering waves of smooth lines designed to gently nudge us back to our destination.  This is where labyrinths are often confused with mazes.  Big difference.  Mazes are designed to challenge intellect and strategic skills.  Whereas the labyrinth is an exercise in soul development.

Animals associated with the labyrinth are:

• Octopus
• Spider
• Snail
• Ram
• Snake

Interested in walking a labyrinth?  Check out this thoughtfully written “how to” guide to walking a labyrinth on EHow.com.

One of my readers asked me about the deeper meaning of the four directions (north, south, east, west).  Specifically, she was given a powerful mandala, and wanted to know in which direction would be most auspicious to hang the mandala.  My response follows:

Dear Coordinated Coordinates: 

This is an excellent observation you’ve made.

We can honor and enhance the attributes of something (such as your mandala gift) by placing it in an area that is aligned with appropriate energy.

Different cultures have assigned different meanings of cardinal directions.  Here are a few brief samples of directional energies and what they represent to various cultures:

In Chinese Feng Shui, each direction correlates to the Chinese zodiac animals:

• North =  Rat, enchances areas of: Adaptability, charm, creativity, sociability, wit.
• East = Rabbit, enchances areas of: Trust, sincerity, love, compassion.
• South = Horse, enchances areas of: Physical strength, health, adventure, loyalty.
• West = Rooster, enhances areas of: Confidence, business, energy, persistence.

In ancient Celtic symbolism and tradition, the cardinal directions were acknowledged in several ceremonies and festivals.  Handfasting ceremonies and other earth-based belief systems (pagan) still honor the directions today.  Here is a brief outline of these directional representations:

• East = air, communication, new beginnings, new growth
• South = fire, energy, passion, creativity
• West = water, emotion, psyche, movement
• North = earth, home, security, fertility

In certain divinatory practices the directions represent time phases:

• North = Infinite Possibility (no-time)
• South = Present - Now
• West = Past
• East = Future

Native Americans have their own meanings of cardinal directions.  The Lakota, for example hold to the following guideline:

• North = wisdom/thought
• East = salvation/spirit
• South = beginnings/purity
• West = conclusions/fullness

I’ve written a feature post on Navajo and their meaning of the four directions here:
http://avenefica.wordpress.com/2007/10/02/navajo-medicine-wheel-a-powerful-native-american-symbol/

The astrological zodiac provides yet another aspect of the four directions and their symbolism:

• East = Earth corresponding with Taurus
• South = Fire corresponding with Leo
• West = Water corresponding with Scorpio
• North = Air corresponding with Aquarius

In conclusion, I would encourage you to meditate upon your purpose with the placement of your special gift.  Ask yourself “what are my intentions?”  Invest the time to determine what you truly wish to accomplish.

I’ve only given you a brief background on multiple resources.  Ultimately only you can decide what is meaningful you in the symbolism of the compass and only you can determine your own personal meaning of the four directions.  Trust in your own knowledge & you will know where to put your mandala in order to achieve the results you are wanting.

I trust this information helps you on your path.

My highest regards & blessings to you,

A.Venefica

www.Whats-Your-Sign.com
A Guide to Symbols and Signs

www.TarotTeachings.com
A Guide to the Tarot

“You are your own finest design and made more brilliant by engaging in the art of self-expression.”  ~Me.

“There is only one guaranteed, no-risk, high-yield investment and that is SELF-investment.” ~Me.

Asian culture is stuffed with symbolism geared to bolster the human condition. 

Ancient Chinese symbols and their meanings are a product of a very savvy people who understood the human need to progress in conjuction with their propensity to link positive change with visual/allegorical concepts. 

In other words,  the Asians keenly understood that the human mind easily grasps commands & concepts through the use of symbols and/or symbolic, “story” concepts.  

Chinese symbols, if kept foremost in our conscious awareness, can serve as powerful tools for enhancing our behaviour, our situations, our perception, and ultimately they can serve to change our lives. 

As with all symbols,  the following Asian/Chinese symbols and their meanings have the potential to positively impact our lives if we choose to consistently hold them in our awareness for a length of time so that these attributes become part of the fabric of our existence. 

The Five Happinesses:
These Chinese symbols are found in most ancient Chinese art and are considered to foretell good luck.
They are:

• Shou (longevity symbol)
• Ch’i Lin (chimera)
• Lung (dragon)
• Fen Huang (phoenix)
• Ju-I (scepter)

The Five Noble Strengths:
In many Asian martial art forms, students are required to learn the five noble animal forms representing nobility, strength, wisdom and responsibility.
They are (respectively):

• Crane
• Tiger
• Leopard
• Dragon
• Snake

Five Human Powers:
Also in the Asian tradition, the Buddhists refer to the five human powers.
They are:

• Effort
• Memory
• Faith
• Concentration
• Wisdom

Five Aspects of Enlightenment:
Also in the Buddhist tradition - mandalas are often incorporated in meditations. Within many of these mandalas are representations of the five states of enlightement. 
They are:

• Speech
• Mind
• Body
• Wisdom
• Bliss

A reader asked me to provide her with a symbol that represented “visualization” to which I respond …

 Dear Vigorous Visionary:

Thank you for visiting my website.

The beauty of symbols is that their meanings are all subjected to the interpretation of the beholder.

You are wanting to know “the” symbol for visualization.  However, this is such a broad concept that no one symbol could possibly capture its entire meaning to all people.

If you are wanting a symbol for visualization in order to assist in keeping your mental focus, or spiritual sight intact, might I suggest researching mandalas?  Here is a good intro to mandalas which facilitate visualization on my website: Mandala Symbol Meanings

Other people resonate with the eyes of Buddha as a symbol of visualization. I have attached an picture of this symbol in this email (image seen left).

Yantras are another tool of visualization - here is a link to yantra information: Yantra Mandala Meanings.

Bullseye’s are also good symbols for visualization.  I’ve written a bit on the bulls eye symbol here: Hit your bullseye by using mandalas

I would recommend getting in touch with your own thoughts and feelings about what you want to accomplish here.  Ultimately the best symbol for you is what YOU determine.

For example…my idea of visualization deals with creative determination and focus….when I think of these things, I think of water…specifically, a river.  So…to me, a symbol of visualization would be a river.

You will certainly have other ideas. Ask yourself:

• What does visualization mean to you?
• What are you trying to accomplish by visualizing?
• When you think of “visualization” what images come to your mind?

If this is very important to you, I know you will invest the time and effort in searching your own heart to obtain a meaningful symbol that is perfect for your purpose.

I trust this information helps you on your path.

My highest regard & blessings to you,

A.Venefica

www.Whats-Your-Sign.com
A Guide to Symbols and Signs

www.TarotTeachings.com
A Guide to the Tarot

I recently had a discussion with a friend of mine who is practicing mandala therapy with her speech impared partner. 

The idea behind mandala therapy is that the process of creating a mandala is meant to engage the mind and soul in such a fashion so as to release intensely expressive creativity and communication..the likes of expression that is much more rich than typical artistic expressions due to the mandala’s circular & seemingly endless nature. 

She notice her partner’s mandala art looked very much like bullseyes and asked me if this might symbolize anything.  To which I respond:

Bull’s eye-type emblems are symbolic of focus or concentration.

Native Americans have been drawing these type symbols for eons.  For the Native American, these circles within circles represent various forces within the universe converging with The One…the one spirit, the one energy that animates all that is (God, if you will).

Other cultures have drawn concentric circles to illustrate the same thing. The inner circle may represent the self, consciousness, the soul, or the mind…with the external circles representing the waves of influence our center has over everything else.

The very nature of this symbol commands our vision to focus.  As we look at it our eyes tend to immediately concentrate to the center…that’s the beauty of this symbol (and primarily why it’s been used by sharp shooters of all kinds in competitions).  As such, this symbol stands for focus upon the center - focusing on the one thing.

The fact that your partner is gravitating to this type of design may be a signal that he is reaching out to obtain more conentration or focus in his life.

Other pages of interest:

Definition of Mandalas & Related Terms

Yantra Mandala Meanings & Examples