Symbols for Divine, Divinity Symbols

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.