Symbolic Geometry

Circles and squares and triangles and stars, oh my! No, this is not a post about your sugariffic breakfast cereal but about the symbolic—often esoteric—power of shapes. Before man carved pictographs and told the Gods’ tales in cuneiform, the meanings of shapes denoted meanings and were imbued with mystical power.

The following is a blog-quick look at a few common shapes.

Circle/sphere: 


universal symbol of completeness and perfection


God


the sphere of Heaven


circle of life


movements of the stars and heavens


Hindus and Buddhists associate it with birth, death, and rebirth


Wheel of law in Buddhism


A round table ( early management style first practiced by the legendary King Arthur ) denotes equality—all stakeholders having an equal share in solving a problem


Dante saw Hell as a series of concentric circles


A ring denotes a pledge or promise


a sphere represents the spiritual aspect of Heaven/Universe, which is why domes top many religious buildings


spirals are symbolic of energy


spirals drawn in a woman’s womb indicate fertility


the helix is also a fertility symbol and the double helix has become the visual representation of DNA—guess those ancients were on to something


Triangles—associated with the number 3


beginning, middle, and end


trinities of gods


body, soul, and spirit


man, woman, and child


an upward-pointing equilateral triage represents the male organ


fire


a down-ward pointing triangle is the symbol for a woman or her womanly parts


water


the base of a pyramid represents the earth; the apex, heaven


Square/cube


a pausing or suspension—not necessarily associated with negative aspects


stability


lasting perfection


the four directions


In Islam it represents the heart’s susceptibility to the divine, angelic, human, and diabolic forces


square halos in Christian art indicates the person was alive when painted


a cube is symbolic of the material universe


wisdom, veracity, and moral fortitude


the cloistered courtyard of religious structures indicate endurance and security


Stars


wisdom


spiritual counsel or advice


light of wisdom shining in the dark ( sinful ) world


mythological figures or deities


the dead


the Star of Bethlehem symbolizes Christ’s birth


the 5-pointed pentagram  pointed upward represents a human ( the top point is the head, 2 arms on the side points, 2 legs of the downward facing point )


flip the pentagram around and it’s the sign of the Devil—the two upward pointing points becoming the  Devil’s horns


the 6-pointed hexagram—2 interlocking triangles— is symbolic of: 1) the conjoining of male and female; 2) the four elements; 3) Star of David; and 4) Judaism


the merkabah is an ancient geometry dating back 3 thousand years. Some believe the shape has Egyptian origins. The symbol is shrouded in mystery and attributed with supernatural ( even divine ) power that allows one to enter enlightenment, zen, achieve spiritual and/or physical ascension, or even experience cosmic transport!


the 7-pointed heptagram is: 1) a magic symbol for pagans; 2) symbolic of the 7 days of creation; and 3) the 7 steps of enlightenment for Buddhists


Crosses—I could do another blog about the many different types of crosses—and probably will


Christianity


the shape predates Christianity


sacred shape to Ancient Egyptians  and Aztecs


more to come on crosses


Mandala—not a shape per se but a pattern


search for inner peace or spiritual enlightenment


pathway to the Divine or God


a symbolic trap for malevolent spirits


used as a tool or focal point in meditation


universe

A giant thank you to Sue O’Kieffe for allowing me to post her mandalas. For more of her gorgeous Sacred Circles click HERE.

Have fun shaping up that novel!

 

Related Links:  Rock Your  Writing; Symbolism & more symbols;
Click  Amazon link for novels.