A. Venefica’s Weblog: Symbolic Meanings

Many of us are having more and more visions, and I often am asked to shed some light on the symbolism of visions.

Such is the case with one gentleman looking for a reading on the symbolic meanings of his vision.

This is his vision told in his words:

“In my morning meditation, somebody was suddenly right in front of my face. This person seemed to be shouting at me. Slowly, my vision expanded and I realized it was a native warrior, face painted, and a single feather rising from the back of his head. As the vision continued to expand, I could see we were in a forest clearing and it was a circle of warriors chanting and dancing around a fire. I watched them as they made one complete circle of the fire, and suddenly they were gone.

Now I realized that straight ahead of me, through an opening in the trees, something was flying towards me. As it came closer I thought it was a bald eagle. It was quite large, and I could see some white. Now it began descending. Closer and closer, lower and lower, and as I strained my neck to watch it fly directly over me, so close I thought I could almost reach out and touch it, I realized it was a pure white Raven.”

My reponse and impressions on this symbolic vision is as follows:

Dear David,

Thank you for indulging me the span of time it took to get in the groove of your vision.  sometimes impressions come in big, beautiful, fully-formed blocks of information. Other times, some stewing is required. After stewing in your visionary energies for over two weeks, these are the impressions that have come forward….I hope it’s worth the wait :-).

Before I begin, please keep in mind these impressions are coming through my own filter.  Meaning my own life experience will color the interpretations. That’s just the way it is.  I cannot separate my personality from what I am shown…and I tend to think that’s okay.

So that is why I beat the drum of independent study so vehemently. You must invest the time to know yourself, and interpret these visions as they apply to you and your life experience. 

YOU are the visionary, and the energies you deal with communicate special enlightenment for only you. My interpretation will never be the correct answer for you, but it will be an aspect of truth, as we are all connected and each of us presents a slice of the whole pie of knowing.

Enough of my diatribe…now onto the your symbolism of vision:

You prefaced the description of you vision by saying “that I don’t think I really understand it and/or, what I should be getting out of it.”

However, your vision begins with a human face confronting you very directly. Eye-to-eye. Nose-to-nose. Direct challenge, direct confrontation.  This initial face-to-face impression in your vision flies in direct opposition of this statement.  Symbolic stand-off’s such as this indicate you DO know precisely the matter and message of this vision. You may be at a “face off” in which there is something you must face or deal with. There may be a part of you that does not want to face the issue – but you certainly know what it is.

Expanding the vision, we see it is a warrior facing you – complete with war paint.  Our energetic lineage retains rituals of our ancestors. As such, we know the painting of native bodies and faces was/is a ritualistic practice carried out with deep sobriety and somber respect for the intention. Meaning, application of markings and color to the body was done purposefully and with focus. So this intentional ritual of marking the body with intent to battle begs the questions: 

• Who or what are you at war with?
• You have taken steps, made action, gone through modern-day rituals yourself…but to what end?
• What is the motivation of your prime action?
• Where is your focus?

The warrior has one single feather erected from his crown chakra. You can read about my thoughts on the symbolism of feathers (on my symbols website) here, and then more on this subject on my blog here. Briefly, feathers deal with:

• Ascension
• Spirituality
• Clarity of thought

Combined with this feather’s location on the crown chakra the theme of the vision deals with very high ideals:

• matters of enlightenment,
• conscious evolution, and
• energetic advancement.

That there is only one feather calls attention to the symbolism of one:

• One path,
• one direction,
• action,
• beginnings,
• foundations,
• solidarity of thought,
• singleness of purpose,
• activity of focus.

When we combine these concepts with the heady aspects of feathers and the 7th chakra, we begin to ask questions such as:

• Is there one path to freedom?
• Am I aligned with that energetic channel that seeks the highest vibration?

The feather points up  in your vision – does it not? I would encourage you to meditate upon that image – the feather pointing up with its base nestled in your divine crown. It’s a powerful symbol, capable of launching you into intense epiphany.

Moving further into your vision we see a forest clearing. Trees hold symbolism  that goes way beyond  my capacity for words.  The outermost philosophical branches of trees express symbolism of:

• Life,
• strength,
• resource,
• evolution,
• knowledge,
• provision

Trees encompass such massive and diverse energy that pinning single meanings takes some deep (and personal) contemplation.

However, that there is fire within your visionary forest, this indicates you are using resources at hand. By burning of the wood, you are igniting creative fire in a controlled methodical, ritualistic fashion.

Indeed our cosmic energy reveals our ancestors burning wood in order to obtain the secrets pressed within the flesh of sacred trees. Our energetic ancestors recognized trees as esoteric tablets of wisdom – capable of expressing and transferring that wisdom to us when we activated the indwelling passion (igniting the fire).

Furthermore, fire is symbolic of:

• passion
• spirituality
• creativity
• desire
• action
• possession
• energy
• intensity

Within these analogies we may ask questions such as:

• What surrounds you that sparks your passion?
• Is there an equal balance between your cool forests and the burning fire you create?
• Are you “burning out” your resources?
• In your practices, are you extracting the knowledge and experience you seek?

We cannot ask “what is consuming you” because we see order within your imagery of fire. But we may be bold, and ask if you feel conflict or war is required in order to have peace?

This is asked when we see your warriors circling around your flame. Circles are symbolic of:

• connectivity
• infinity
• evolution
• cycles
• repetition
• union
• eternity

Can you see the theme of balance within your vision?  Throughout your vision we see contrast:

• Peace vs. aggression (feathers vs. war paint).
• Spirituality vs. physicality (Sahasrara chakra vs. human form),
• Passive vs. active (trees vs. bonfire).

The Raven in your vision is replete with transformational symbolism, as it is typically black yet your vision indicates the Raven as white in color.  This offers further validation to the balance-seeking theme of the vision.

In other words, we see catharsis, release, and transformation as your deeper self propels the traditional imagery of the Raven, which is black, into a pristine white symbol.

Air animals are archetypes of living our lives in higher realms. Birds are symbols of:

• higher thought,
• higher intelligence and
• higher ideals

This is because birds are (metaphorically and mythologically speaking), situated in proximity to the higher energies of the Universe.

Ravens are no exception to this underlying symbolism of air totems. However, Ravens are special among their airy clan as they are the symbolic containers of:

• mystery,
• magic,
• secrets, and
• even deception.

As I mentioned in an earlier email to you, Ravens do not give up their secrets easily.  They love to watch us marvel over their messages.  Ravens demand our commitment to learning their wisdom, and do not reveal their meanings unless they are convinced we’ve devoted ourselves completely to the path of understanding (both dark and light sides of) energy.

However, your vision demonstrates the most fundamental concept of alchemy which is: Transition and Transformation.

What is dark (traditional black Raven) becomes light as we see in your white Raven. We may interpret this into an alchemical formula: “With balanced mixing of appropriate energies, dark unknowns (black Raven) become known (white Raven).”

In other words, through the consistent unveiling of your inner depths, and the positive/active utilization of these inner impulses the esoteric secrets become exposed to the light of your own consciousness.

Are these interpretations deep? By gosh yes, they are deep. It’s a deep vision you’ve had.

It is no simple mind that summons the Raven. That is why I disagree with your earlier statement that you don’t think you understand the vision. This is poppycock (and I mean that lovingly).

The Raven will never come to a person who is not advanced enough to read the deeper meanings behind its presence. Ravens are cunning, selective creatures – if you did not already know the answers, you would have never had the vision.

David, I’ve laid a lot on your proverbial table here. It’s time for you to further prepare your table and feast on the wealth of knowledge that is before & within you. Seat yourself in the center of your own internal abundance. Know that your life experience is a grand banquet, and celebrate your own absolute knowing that is infused in every fiber of your being.

Thank you for sharing your vision. Moreover, thanks for indulging me this time of philosophical waxing and honoring my perspective (even if somewhat eccentric).

Namaste & brightest blessings to you,
A.

I received another comment on my post about Finding Feathers on Your Path in which the reader intimated a desire to have a dream interpretation, as well as an interpretation of a magnificent phenomenon. 

To re-cap his comment:
“In 1977 I was on a trip in Hagerman, New Mexico. I was on the seventh day of a fast when lots of little birds landed on my body as I lay on the ground resting. I had a dream after that and I could see old model cars and rooftops only. The little birds left feathers all around me.”

The following are some thoughts on interpreting these events:

Dear Eagle Feather,

Fascinating!  Thanks for sharing this experience - absolutely fascinating.

I get completely jazzed when I learn of animals making a connection with us (in your case, literally) – coming so close into the human aura – I imagine for them it may be like visiting another planet….a place with similarities, but so vastly foreign.

You point out the seven’s in your experience  - certainly understandable as this number is ruled by Saturn, and therefore exudes qualities concerning:

• Knowledge
• Consciousness
• Awareness
• Activation of Imagination

These qualities of the number seven are set in an esoteric framework.  The meaning of seven does not normally speak of a day-to-day awareness, but more a cosmic blossoming of presence. 

Saturn (ruler of seven) is a complex energy, to be true – but at its core is a singular pulsing eye of consciousness that is accessible through our activation of it. 

I believe your post-fasting experience is a manifestation of this in which you essentially activated (opened) this eye of the storm – the calm within the cosmic consciousness, causing a chain of events – your bird visitation being one of these events. 

We can find confirmation of numerological phenomenon of seven by peeking at the preliminary number you shared: 1977.  If we reduce the number (which is a common numerology practice; an example of this can be found here) we get the number six (1+9+7+7=24, 2+4=6). 

Sixes are the embodiment of our physical completion.  To illustrate: Myth indicates the world was created in six days.  Further, the human has developed its most primary essentials for functionality within the womb after six months.  There are other clues that indicate the number six is the culmination of physical completion.  Six is symbolic of one totality – but on the precipice – only a starting point.   (note: I’ve written a brief summary on numbers meanings here). 

Effectually,

• Six is the point of wholeness primed for further transformation.
  
• Seven marks the point of a new phase of growth.

And so essentially, on the 7th day, you rested into a new phase of energetic presence.  The manifestation of your descending birds serves as an exclamation point to your experience. The symbolism of the bird indicates a direct energetic match with your state of receptivity at that time. 

Quite fitting as animal totems (birds) are symbolic of:

• Higher mind
• Consciousness
• Imagination
• Dreams
• Intuition
• Thoughts
• Spirit

As you likely know, many Native American  philosophies honor the bird as kin to the gods, as its home is within the heavens.  Further, birds hold special power as they move in two worlds.  Birds are buoyed by the air and ever-connected with divine mind – yet able to touch down to the ground, sit with the Mother (Earth) and become anchored to primitive roots of being.

I think your dream is a reflection of this duality.

Your dream cars seem to be juxtaposed to your whole sequence of events, don’t they?  However, when we see they may serve as a hook back into your earthly matters, they take on a different meaning.  Your cars settle on the ground, and may serve as a message of anchoring too.

But the cars say so much more – as vehicles of transportation they symbolically speak of:

• Motion
• Direction
• Progress
• Direction
• Navigation
• Motivation
• Advancement

Dream cars ask us “how do I get from point A to point B?” Perhaps this question was posed to you in a spiritual/philosophical sense due to the prevalence of birds (symbolic of higher thought and spirituality).

I like that you’ve pointed out these cars are old models.  I believe this is symbolic of :

• an old modality of thought,
• an old way of functioning or
• an older belief system that no longer serves you (in getting you from point A to point B) after experiencing the phenomenal events leading up to your 7 day fast.

Like most dreams, we could spend years delving into the variables, and subtle symbolism’s to gain more insight. 

Dreams are energetic lives played by our more childlike persona’s within an ethereal (often surreal) theatre. 

Part of the fun of dream interpretation is to interconnect the theatrical production with the backstage events (your “awake” life).

I’ll leave these ideas with you, with the hope they will spark clarity in your own pesonal interpretation. Ultimately, you are the ONLY interpreter.

In closing, thanks for indulging me this lengthy response.  I get really inspired by certain things, so I tend to philosophically wax (going on and on - usually getting really “far out”).

I suppose I need to learn there is never an ending (and maybe I should learn to paraphrase better :-).

In love & light,

A.
 

I received an email from a gentleman who wanted to know about interpreting oracles.  Specifically, he wanted to interpret an oracle in finding a deceased black bird on his front porch.  My response:

Dear Ornithological Ovate:

Like you, I also find symbolism in everything so there’s no need to feel akward about sending me your request for more information.  It is the most curious among us who find the brightest gifts of enlightenment.

Interpreting oracles in common (or uncommon) occurances in our lives is easier when we gather all the facts. 

Symoblic interpretation can be like unraveling a mystery - we observe, we look for clues, we contemplate, we experiement, we compare.  The more unorthodox and persistent we are in our research, the more profound our revelations.

In looking for clues we may consider a few of these factors (upon the time we encounter our oracle, in your case the black bird): 

• Specific breed of bird
• Cardinal direction (location)  
• Weather conditions
• Time of day
• Day of the week or year or season
• What was happening at the moment of the discovery?  What were you thinking? 

All of these little details (and more as you find your own) begin to add up to tell you a story.  You can then layer this story on top of your life situation like a template.  This allows you to see patterns in your life happenings against the template of this oracle. 

Ultimately, only you can determine the interpretation of your oracle because it came to you and only you.  I can give you a few ideas:

For example, if you are sure it is a black bird on your front porch, it is symbolic of your ability to find your voice in a crowd of others.  Black birds are song birds, and as such, they are symbolic of creativity, voice, and expression.  Here, the death of the bird may be symbolic of a tendency to stiffle or silence your creativity and/or freedom of creative speech.

If your bird is a crow or a magpie, we are dealing with symbolism of mystery and secrets.  Perhaps you’ve been given heavy information that must remain with you and only you.  Perhaps you’re struggling with that secret (or keeping it).  

If your bird is a raven, which is one of the Native American symbols for mystics or seers, it may be a message that an area of your spiritual realm may be coming to an end and another beginning is on the horizon.  The message here is “get ready” because the shifts in your spiritual perspective may be intense.

 Again, it’s important to take its location in consideration.  That you found it on your front porch may be indicative of:

• Facing forward
• New beginnings
• False pretenses
• External appearances
• Preparation for company (of any ilk)

Assuming your front porch has a door is another major consideration. 

Doors are symbolic of beginnings, but also openings, arrivals, gateways (portals).  Keep this in mind as you apply the various symbolism of this bird’s appearance to your own life situation.

At its simplest, your black bird may be an oracle of a balance between endings (symbolic of its death) and beginnings (the front door).  Or, it could also indicate a need for grounding.  Birds are air animals and deal with higher thought.  Your bird has landed (indefinately in a physical sense) and this may be a sign you may need to ground your thoughts or get a little more practical.

You can see the variables are endless.  This is why only you can crack the oracle code because the details will relate to your own life experience.

I would encourage you to call upon the spirit of the black bird for clarification.  Animal energy is infinite, and incredibly generous when we are willing to learn their language. 

Meditate, be still and calm - your black bird will come to you when you are open to receive her.   Express your gratitude - for both her physical presence as a sign in  your life, and for her spiritual guidance too. 

Some attributes and symbolism of the pheasant include:

• Solar/Sun/Energy
• Refinement
• Sexuality
• Nobility
• Virtue

The pheasant is a native bird of China where it is revered for its beauty, and thought of as a solar animal.  Indeed, the Golden pheasant’s body is a shock of flaming red; its head a ruddy yellow.  So intense are these solar colors that there is some debate as to whether or not the Golden pheasant (image shown right) may be linked to the legendary phoenix.

Whatever the case, the pheasant represents yang energy and so it carries attributes of fire, life, summer, male, and action to name a few.

Also in China the pheasant is a symbol of nobility, and is associated with high-rank in political office and civil service. 

In Japan the pheasant is a divine messenger for Amaterasu, the great sun goddess.  Amaterasu is a focal point of the Shinto pantheon.  She is the ruler of the heavens, so her association with the pheasant made this creature an important symbol of power, abundance and promise.

Native American lore considered the pheasant a symbol of protection and concealment.  Presumably because regardless of their airborne capabilities, they prefer most of their time hunkered down in tall grass, concealed from sight.  Further, unlike most winged creatures, the pheasant nests on the ground rather than trees. 

Pheasants are considered symbols of sexuality because of the amazingly attractive male.  Furthermore, the male’s appearance is quite effective, and often wins him a harem of females. 

Lastly, the pheasant is a cousin of the peacock, and its symbolic attributes are similar to those of the peacock which can be found here.

Pheasants make excellent animal totems for many reasons.  Their energy stimulates sexuality, encourages creativity, and enhances energy.  I’ve gone into more detail about the symbolism of the pheasant  (including the types of people who attract pheasants as an animal air totem) here.

Post Script: Thank you Petra for this magnificent photo!
 

I’ve been asked what the symbolic meaning of crossroads is.  The first thing that popped in my head when I got this question was the Eric Clapton Crossroads song, and I wondered what made him “fall down on his knees and ask the Lord for mercy please.”    

Crossroads (the intersection of four roads to make it simple for this post) were considered significant markers for supernatural or non-local activity.  In other words, reports of seeing ghosts, apparitions, spectres at crossroads count up into the thousands.

Primitive South American cultures such as Aztec, Mayan, and some southern North American Indian tribes used crossroads as a place of sacrifice.  Alters, or totem-like poles would be erected at these locations to indicate hallowed ground.

Early Europeans used to bury criminals and suicide victims at crossroads with the thought that when their spirit rose from the dead, they would be confused and return from whence they came and leave the living undisturbed by their presence.

Crossroads are often situated on top of natural ley lines which are intersections of high energetic vibrations from the earth and its atmosphere.  These high voltage spots are often blamed for car accidents at intersections.

Perhaps these ley lands attracted witches as it is reputed they would secretly meet at crossroads to conduct coven work. Then again, maybe the witch association came from Hekate (Hecate), the Greek goddes of sorcery, who was said to appear at earthly crossroads with baying wolf-hounds at her side. 

Hermes, son of Zeus, was also reputed to hang out at crossroads.  In fact, statues of his likeness called herms were erected at crossroads as Hermes represented one of the gods of travel to the Greeks.

It is fabled that if you simply must make a deal with the devil, do so at the crossroads because you have four times better chance of out running his clutches with a choice of four roads (I guess the devil can’t predict which road you’ll choose).

Dreaming of crossroads may be symbolic of confusion, and not being able to see your way clear of a solution to a problem. It may also be a portent of many opportunities on the horizon for us.

Setting superstitions aside, I have to answer this reader’s question from my own perspective, which is:

Ultimately, the symbolic meaning of crossroads deals with choice, consequence, making a selection about the direction in which we want to go (both physically and philosophically).  For many of us, this requires taking a stand for what we believe, even when we do not know what we will encounter upon the road we have chosen.

If we can’t make that stand it’s sometimes helpful to think of the symbolic meaning of crossroads in terms of the equal-armed cross which I’ve written about here.  I rather like the mental picture of four in-roads leading to our hearts with each protrusion representing four perspective beatitudes of the cross:

• Nature
• Self
• Knowledge
• God

In the combining of these four sacred concepts we meet in the middle - the center - which is both the beginning and ending.  No choice in direction need be made when we seat ourselves in this kind of navigational setting.  We wait for the roads to come to us.

Of course, we will each have our own superstitions and opinions on the symbolic meaning of crossroads.  I always encourage folks to discern their own interpretation - this subject is no different.

Information on familial indicators such as symbols for twins, symbols for mother or sisters are common requests.  I’ve yet to publish a page on symbols for brothers.  Here is a quick-reference on a few common symbols for brothers:

• Double thunderbolt (German)
• Handshake (Western)
• Bears (Native American)
• Crossed broadswords (Celtic)
• Copper (Alchemy)
• Two torches diagonally crossed (Roman)

Symbolic meaning of number thirteen is surrounded with controversy.  Is it lucky?  Unlucky?  Only you can decide for yourself this post and my other more detailed page on thirteen may help you with your decision.

For those of you who want fast, quick references, the following attributes have been associated with the number thirteen:

• Completion
• Magic
• Intuition
• Psyche
• Warning
• Power
• Creativity
• Betrayal

This snapshot of meanings comes from a variety of different sources.

Its primary claim to foreboding fame is the number thirteen’s association with the Last Supper in Christian history.  There were thirteen people present at this gathering, the Christ and his twelve disciples. 

In France the number thirteen referred to as le point de Judas, to mark Judas’s betrayal of Christ.  This term also suggests an omen as Judas was the first to leave the table at the Last Supper, and also the first to die.  Also in France it is still the practice to hire a quartorzieme, or a fourteenth guest to a dinner party if only thirteen were in the original total.  This is said to assure a problem-free event.

The letter “m” is the thirteenth letter of the Hebrew alphabet and was said to bring bad luck because it is the beginning and end of the word mem which means death.

Interestingly, the number thirteen is assigned to the Death card in the Tarot deck.  Here the number takes on a meaning of transition, surrender, and recycling.  More information on this can be found on the number thirteen death card page.

On a more positive note, the number thirteen is sacred and honored in ritualistic practices in many Native American tribes. 

The Aztecs also hold the number thirteen sacred and divided their week into thirteen days.  Each day is ruled by a god.  The thirteenth day is ruled by Tezcatlipoca, who represents: Mystery, Psyche, Illusion and Magic.

Similarly, within ancient European cultures as well as earth-based religions it is well known there are thirteen moons in a year.  Here the thirteen is aligned with all the associations of the moon:  Emotion, Cycles, Intuition, Mystery, Devotion, and Influence.

It is also seen as a sign of good fortune in ancient Greece where it is associated with the Zeus because he is the thirteenth and most powerful of Greek gods.

For more information, visit my full-detail page on the Symbolic Meaning of Number Thirteen.

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 get requests for quick & easy symbols.    After countless attempts to explain the intricacies of symbolism, I finally save my breath and throw a bone or two.  So,  for those of you who would rather not invest much thought to the depth of symbolism, here are two basic symbols for friendship:

Shown left are the Arrows of Friendship.  In Native American cultures (primarily plains tribes), the owner of an arrow would always leave a mark on the shaft, indicating its maker (i.e., the makers mark). 

Hence, two arrows together in such a fashion is symbolic of bringing together two people or two tribes for the common goal of both parties as well as friendship.  

These interlinked hearts shown left are another symbol for friendship.  The hearts side by side symbolize togetherness.  The symbol is for good fortune, and is a good omen for a lasting relationship.

These are nice if you are looking for a fast fix (or worse, a no-brainer tattoo).  If you are willing to dig a little deeper, my post on the Celtic symbols for friendship  as well as my comment on the Celtic dolphin as a symbol for friendship may be interesting for you.   The cardinal bird is also a friendly symbol, and here I have the Chinese symbol writing for friends.

Keep in mind, adopting symbols to represent your own life situations is a very personal endeavor & deserves personal participation!  Research, contemplation and meditation are strongly recommended before dedicating a symbol to represent the aspects of you or your life.

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.