A. Venefica’s Weblog: Symbolic Meanings

Symbolic meaning of octagon deals with:

• Regeneration
• Totality
• Infinity
• Rebirth
• Transition

The octagon is found in baptisteries as a symbol representing eternal life as - likely because the number eight is symbolic of renewal.

We see further religious architectural connections when we recognize many sacred buildings (churches, temples, etc) were designed with octagonal structures supporting a dome on top. 

This interplay between circle (dome) and square (found in the angular octagon) speaks of the transitional dance between earth and heaven.  The circle is symbolic of the heavens (also eternity/infinity) and the angularity of the square is symbolic of earthly presence. 

This is an amazingly profound concept - one that many ancient orders were aware of (including the ever-symbolic Masons), and so took the time to design their places of worship with no symbolic detail unmissed.

An interesting side-note: The eighth step upon the sacred stairway ascending to the first heavens climbed by Muhammed lead to a sea of illumined angels in deep and focused meditation upon the highest of holies.  There’s a nice post about this topic on this blog here. 

I like looking at the symbolism of the octagon from a navigational standpoint.  Specifically, I like to imagine each point of the octagon as one among the four cardinal directions and the four intermediate points. 

I occasionally use this imagery in meditations in conjunction with the Buddhist concept of the eightfold path:

• Right View
• Right Thought
• Right Word
• Right Action
• Right Livelihood
• Right Effort
• Right Mindfulness
• Right Concentration

Other related posts that may be of interest:

Meaning of Number Eight 

Meaning of Hexagon

Symbolic Meaning of Numbers

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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.

I’ve had a request for upside down trinity knot meaning.  I respond to this question here:

Dear Thrice Topsided:

The first (and least imaginative) upside down trinity knot meaning is that it represents the opposite of all the attributes the right-side-up trinity knot stands for.  In this case we see an aversion to what is natural - the flow of knowledge or divinity tipped and reversed - stifling its expression.

Other perspectives (mostly mine) state that the reversed placement of the knot is a representation of source power.  Meaning, visually the point of balance is at the tip facing down as the foundation.  From this foundational “source-point” stems duality (the other two points).  This is symbolic of source energy (”from the one comes the many“).

As most of us now know (particularly with the advent of movies such as the DaVinci code) the inverted triangle is an esoteric symbol of the divine feminine, or feminine power in general.  The upside down trinity knot meaning would fall nicely in-line with this philosophy as the trinity is an aspect of the feminine energy (mother, maiden, crone).

Although not a trinity knot, we see an inverted triangle as a focal point in the center of the Muladhara, or root chakra.  Here this emblem signifies the tap root of primal power, sexual power.  At this one (inverted) point ignites the spark that surges heat up the rest of the chakra spine.   Outlining inverted triangles are also seen in the solar plexus (Manipura), heart (Anahata), throat (Vishudha) and third eye (Ajna) chakras.

Again, although not technically a trinity knot, we can still turn the alchemists for symbolic meaning. In this sense, an inverted triangle represents the element of water.  Esoterically speaking, water is symbolic of intuition, motion, emotion, psychic perception and transition among other meanings.

Furthermore the upside down trinity knot meaning deals with love symbolism.   Inverted, the trinity or triangle represents a vessel in which love is poured out, contained or carried.  No accident that when you doodle a curvey line on top of that inverted triangle and you get the image of a heart. 

Thrice Topsided, I trust this bit on trinity upside down meanings points you in the right direction on your path.  These are just various perspectives, to get you thinking.  I know you will further contemplate the intricacies your question represents.  Thank you for the question.

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.

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.

Many cultures have a five-fold symbol, and with each culture, there are different rules.

A more robust understanding of this symbol can be obtained by investigating the meaning of number five itself (here). The meaning of numbers give us powerful insight into the nature of symbolism, and the number five is deals with expansion, integration, and synchronistic journeying to higher understanding.

I have an explanation of the five-fold on my Celtic symbols pages - here is a link to Celtic five-fold symbol (sixth symbol from the top).

Another five-fold symbol is found in alchemy - here is a link to this alchemical five-fold symbol meaning: (refer to the “Quincunx” entry).

You might want to read the “Pentacle” entry on this page too - as this is another powerful cultural five-fold symbol. 

When considering the Pentacle, you may also want to consider consider DaVinci’s Vitruvian Man - on which a five-fold star is superimposed. As humans are in much the same shape as the star - the five points symbolize the five senses of humans….the circle around the Pentacle is symbolic of the Divine - the higher energy that encircles us - connects us and protects us.

The ancient Asian cultures were big into tying knots and/or depicting images in a five-fold pattern to represent the following:

The Five Happinesses:
The following are the “five happinesses;” ancient Chinese symbols depicted in their art and culture. They are considered emblems of good luck & joy.  They are:

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

The Five Noble Strengths:
In the Kung-fu tradition, students are required to learn the five noble five animal forms representing nobility, strength, wisdom and responsibility. They are:

• 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 enlightenment.  They are:

• Speech
• Mind
• Body
• Wisdom
• Bliss

Christianity utilized a five-fold pattern called the Five Sacred Wounds (here is a link to an artistic rendition of this symbol).  This symbol dates back to the Middle ages and honors the sacrifice the Christ made through crucifixion at Calvary - depicting the five mortal wounds he endured.

In Islam the five-fold symbol is expressed in the Hand of Fatima which is a symbol of spiritual power, strength, domination, and protection. The Hand of Fatima (Muhammad’s daughter) is worn as a good luck symbol in Islam - each finger representing an attribute :

1. Faith
2. Prayer
3. Pilgrimage
4. Charity
5. Fasting

As you can see the five-fold symbol is found in countless varieties, in countless forms, with countless meanings.  Take the time to relate to this symbol and all its implications.  Devote a personal study to it - your results will be well worth your investment.

A reader of mine purchased a piece of jewelry (shown left) because she was drawn to it.  She did not, however, know the full extent of its symbolism.  She asked for my assistance - to which I respond:

Some may call this the Star of David - or the Magen David (Shield of David), and may recognize it as one of the most common signs of Judaism.  It derives its association with David because he bore this symbol on his shield when he faced Goliath - the symbol has since been affiliated with victory and strength.

However - there is much more to this symbol than that.

This is also an alchemical emblem with some heavy meanings.

Made of two interlocking triangles, this symbol represents the union of opposites.  The top point of the triangle symbolizes fire and the downward triangle symbolizes water.  Alchemists believed that if two opposing forces were joined, in shrowded terminology, transmutation occurs in which ”common metal” is transformed into gold.  This is of course analogous with man’s philosophical allowance of the combination of opposites thus enhancing his path to enlightenment.

This symbol has long been used by alchemists as a protective, magical emblem.

I’d like you to pay close attention to the threes - there is a triangle in the center as well as a triskele revolving around that.  This is symbolic of change, revolution - and incorporates the creative vibration that the power of three’s represent. I’ve written a piece on the power of the triad/triskelle , it’s meanings.

This star symbol is also found in the heart chakra within the Eastern Indian philosophy.  The heart chakra facilitates  Protection, love, harmony, and connection. When we focus on our heart chakra is releases the fear of rejection and augments energies of love and compassion.  For more information on chakras, you can view my chakra page .

Also in this culture (Hindu/Eastern Indian) the upward triangle of this symbol represents Shiva - the supreme reality - and the male force principle.  The downward triangle represents Shakti - the objective universe - and the female principle.

The thorns on your symbol are symbolic of the trials and tribulations that we as humans are apt to suffer as we attempt to find balance in all six prime areas of our life:

• Soul,
• Spirit,
• Intellect,
• Emotion,
• Divinity, and
• Relationship. 

In all six of these areas we will inevitably fell the pricks of the thorns of learning upon our path.  However, with the thorns, we gain strength in each lesson - our being progresses and evolves with each lesson learned.

Note here that even the spiritual meaning of number six holds symbolic importance as it represents tolerance, truth, balance, love, justice, sincerity.

When wearing this symbol, it serves as a reminder that you are a Spiritual being in a physical body and it is your destiny to find balance as such.  This symbol will serve as a protective amulet against wayward thinking, and idle beliefs that tend to lead you off your path of right-mindedness.  This symbol also serves as a reminder that with the thorns comes strength and perseverance as you make your way into this physical world with a spirit of love in your heart.

The trinity knot is found through history and appears in countless cultures as it deals with the power of three combined.

The trinity knot also represents cosmic three sisters - specifically the mythological sisters known as the “Three Fates” other terms for the three sisters are:

• The three Moirae in Greek mythology
• The three Parcae in Roman mythology
• The three Norns in Norse mythology

However, this is just one aspect of the symbolic meaning of trinity knots, and the aspect of three.  Other symbolic representations of triad/trinity knots have been identified and can be applied as such:

• Spirit, Mind, Body
• Father, Son, Holy Ghost
• Mother, Father, Child
• Past, Present, Future
• Power, Intellect, Love
• Creator, Destroyer, Sustainer
• Creation, Preservation, Destruction
• Thought, Feeling, Emotion

The concept of “clarity” is such a one, so finding one single “symbol for clarity” is a tall order.  This request reminds me of my response to the question: “what’s the symbol for visualization?”  Again, this is such an expansive concept, obtaining one universal symbol to represent it is an impossibility.

Further, concepts such as clarity, consciousness, or visualization are very personal, and as such, they morph according to personal perspective.  Ultimately these concepts are infinitely vast and pinning one single symbol for clarity or visualization limits the possibilities of visual expression.

However, we can take a look at some very basic symbols for clarity that give us some visual reference to the concept of the universe…

Since the beginning of man’s own development the universal symbol for clarity - or more aptly - the symbol of man’s “awareness”  of himself within the construct of the universe has been the circle.

Furthermore, the circle has unanimously captured the totality of man’s psyche in relation to it’s dovetailing into the cosmic consciousness.

Another historical symbol for clarity is the triangle (tip upright) as it is a visual emblem of ascending the din of life and reaching life’s peak - leading us to experience the clarity that awaits us there.

To illustrate, the triangle’s two lower (horizontal) points symbolize that humanity is inevitably of 2 minds (black/white, good/evil, less/more, high/low) - duality being a constant of mankind. 

Then, as the lines of the triangle move upward to the peak it symbolizes man obtaining:

• higher thought
• aspiration
• inspiration
• enlightenment 
• one-ness of mind

We see here that man gains acceptance of his own duality, and finally becomes CLEAR and is resolved into one mind - one thought, cosmic consciousness.  Clarity has been achieved.