Continuation of the first part: Occult and mystical symbols and their meaning. Geometric symbols, Universal symbols-images and symbols-concepts. Emblems of modern religions. Crosses: the most common forms. Time images. Symbolism of the kingdom of plants and animals. Mythical creatures.

Encyclopedia of symbols

Swastika straight (left-handed)

The swastika as a solar symbol

A straight (left-handed) swastika is a cross with the ends bent to the left. Rotation is considered to be clockwise (opinions sometimes differ in determining the direction of movement).

A straight swastika is a symbol of blessing, good omen, prosperity, good luck and aversion to misfortune, as well as a symbol of fertility, longevity, health and life. It is also a symbol of the masculine principle, spirituality, which inhibits the flow of lower (physical) forces and allows the energies of a higher, divine nature to manifest.

Reverse swastika (right side)

Swastika on a Nazi military medal

The reverse (right-handed) swastika is a cross with the ends bent to the right. Rotation is considered to be counterclockwise.

The reverse swastika is usually associated with the feminine. Sometimes it is associated with the launch of negative (physical) energies that close the passage to the elevated forces of the spirit.

The Sumerian swastika, formed by four women and their hair, symbolizes the female generative power

Pentagram (pentacle): the general meaning of the symbol

pentagram sign

The pentagram, written in one line, is the most ancient of all the symbols that we own. It had different interpretations in different historical times of mankind. It became the Sumerian and Egyptian sign of the stars.

Later symbolism: five senses; masculine and feminine, expressed by five points; harmony, health and mystical powers. The pentagram is also a symbol of the victory of the spiritual over the material, a symbol of security, protection, a safe return home.

Pentagram as a magical symbol

Pentagrams of the White and Black Magicians

A pentacle with one end up and two down is a sign of white magic, known as the "foot of the druid"; with one end down and two up, it represents the so-called "goat's hoof" and the horns of the devil - a sign change characteristic of symbolism from positive to negative when it is turned over.

The pentagram of the White Magician is a symbol of magical influence and the dominance of a disciplined Will over the phenomena of the world. The will of the Black Magician is directed to destruction, to the refusal to perform a spiritual task, therefore the inverted pentagram is considered as a symbol of evil.

Pentagram as a symbol of a perfect person

Pentagram symbolizing the perfect man

The pentagram, a five-pointed star, is a symbol of a perfect man standing on two legs with outstretched arms. We can say that a person is a living pentagram. This is true both physically and spiritually - a person possesses five virtues and manifests them: love, wisdom, truth, justice and kindness.

Truth belongs to the spirit, love to the soul, wisdom to the intellect, kindness to the heart, justice to the will.

double pentagram

Double pentagram (man and the universe)

There is also a correspondence between the human body and the five elements (earth, water, air, fire and ether): will corresponds to earth, heart to water, intellect to air, soul to fire, spirit to ether. Thus, by his will, intellect, heart, soul, spirit, a person is connected with the five elements working in the cosmos, and he can consciously work in harmony with them. This is the meaning of the symbol of the double pentagram, in which the small one is inscribed in the large one: a person (microcosm) lives and acts inside the Universe (macrocosm).

Hexagram

Hexagram image

A hexagram is a figure made up of two polar triangles, a six-pointed star. It is a complex and solid symmetrical shape in which six small individual triangles are grouped around a large central hexagon. The result is a star, although the original triangles retain their individuality. Since the upward facing triangle is a heavenly symbol, and the downward facing triangle is a symbol of the earth, together they are a symbol of a person who unites these two worlds. It is a symbol of a perfect marriage that binds a man and a woman.

Seal of Solomon

Seal of Solomon, or Star of David

This is the famous magical seal of Solomon, or the star of David. The top triangle in her image is white and the bottom triangle is black. It symbolizes, first of all, the absolute law of analogy, expressed by the mystical formula: "What is below is similar to what is above."

The Seal of Solomon is also a symbol of human evolution: one must learn not only to take, but also to give, to absorb and radiate at the same time, to radiate for the Earth, to perceive from Heaven. We receive and are filled only when we give to others. This is the perfect union of spirit and matter in man - the union of the solar plexus and the brain.

five pointed star

five pointed star

star of bethlehem

The five-pointed star is interpreted in different ways, including it symbolizes joy and happiness. It is also the emblem of the Semitic goddess Ishtar in her martial incarnation, and in addition, the Star of Bethlehem. For Freemasons, the five-pointed star symbolizes the mystical center.

The Egyptians attached great importance to the five- and six-pointed stars, as is clear from the text preserved on the wall of the funerary temple of Hatshepsut.

seven-pointed star

Seven pointed star of magicians

In the seven-pointed star, the characteristic features of the five-pointed are repeated. The Gnostic star has seven rays.

Seven- and nine-pointed stars drawn in one line are mystical stars in astrology and magic.

The star of magicians is read in two ways: sequentially along the rays (along the line of the star) and along the circumference. In the course of the rays, there are planets that control the days of the week: Sun - Sunday, Moon - Monday, Mars - Tuesday, Mercury - Wednesday, Jupiter - Thursday, Venus - Friday, Saturn - Saturday.

nine pointed star

Nine-pointed star of magicians

Nine-pointed stars, like seven-pointed ones, if they are drawn in one line, are mystical stars in astrology and magic.

The nine-pointed star, made up of three triangles, symbolizes the Holy Spirit.

Monad

The four constituent parts of a monad

It is a magical symbol called the monad by John Dee (1527–1608), advisor and astrologer to Queen Elizabeth I of England.

Dee presents the nature of magic symbols in terms of geometry and tests the monad in a series of theorems.

Dee explores the monad at such a deep level that he finds links to his theory with Pythagorean harmony, biblical knowledge, and mathematical proportions.

Spiral

Spiral structure of the Milky Way

Spiral shapes are very common in nature, from spiral galaxies to whirlpools and tornadoes, from mollusk shells to human finger prints, and even the DNA molecule has the shape of a double helix.

The spiral is a very complex and ambiguous symbol. But first of all, it is a symbol of the great creative (life) force both at the level of the cosmos and at the level of the microcosm. The spiral is a symbol of time, cyclic rhythms, the change of seasons, birth and death, the phases of "aging" and "growth" of the Moon, as well as the Sun itself.

Tree of Life

Tree of Life in a human being

Tree of Life

The Tree of Life does not belong to any culture - not even to the Egyptians. It is beyond race and religion. This image is an integral part of nature… Man himself is a miniature Tree of Life. He possessed immortality when he was associated with this tree. The Tree of Life can be thought of as the arteries of a large cosmic body. Through these arteries, as through channels, the life-giving forces of the cosmos flow, which nourish all forms of existence, and the cosmic pulse of life beats in them. The Tree of Life is a separate section, part of the scheme of the universal code of life.

Sphere

Armillary sphere (engraving from Tycho Brahe's book)

A symbol of fertility (like a circle), as well as integrity. In ancient Greece, the sign of the sphere was a cross in a circle - the ancient emblem of power. A sphere made up of several metal rings, illustrating the cosmogonic theory of Ptolemy, who believed that the Earth is at the center of the universe, is an ancient emblem of astronomy.

Platonic Solids

Platonic solids inscribed in a sphere

The Platonic solids are five unique shapes. Long before Plato, Pythagoras used them, calling them ideal geometric bodies. Ancient alchemists and such great minds as Pythagoras believed that these bodies are associated with certain elements: cube (A) - earth, tetrahedron (B) - fire, octahedron (C) - air, icosahedron (D) - water, dodecahedron ( E) - ether, and the sphere - emptiness. These six elements are the building blocks of the universe. They create the qualities of the universe.

Planet symbols

Planet symbols

The planets are depicted by a combination of the simplest geometric symbols. This is a circle, a cross, an arc.

Consider, for example, the symbol for Venus. The circle is located above the cross, which personifies a kind of "spiritual attraction" that pulls the cross up into the elevated areas belonging to the circle. The cross, subject to the laws of generation, decay and death, will find its redemption if it is raised within this great circle of spirituality. The symbol as a whole represents the feminine in the world, which is trying to spiritualize and protect the material sphere.

Pyramid

The Great Pyramids of Cheops, Khafre and Menkaure

The pyramid is a symbol of the hierarchy that exists in the universe. In any area, the pyramid symbol can help move from the lower plane of plurality and fragmentation to the higher plane of unity.

It is believed that the initiates chose the form of a pyramid for their shrines because they wanted the lines converging towards the top, rushing towards the Sun, to teach humanity the lesson of unity.

star tetrahedron

star tetrahedron

A star tetrahedron is a figure consisting of two mutually intersecting tetrahedra. This figure can also be perceived as a three-dimensional star of David.

Tetrahedra manifest as two opposite laws: the law of the spirit (radiation, bestowal, selflessness, selflessness) and the law of matter (drawing inward, cooling, freezing, paralysis). Only a person can consciously combine these two laws, since he is the link between the world of spirit and the world of matter.

The star tetrahedron thus represents the two poles of creation in perfect balance.

Universal symbols-images

A thing is not just because God wills it, but God wants it precisely because it is just.

Image symbols are often objects (things) or graphic images that imitate the shape of the creature or object with which they are associated. Their meanings are sometimes unexpected, but more often obvious, as they are based on some quality that these objects or creatures are originally inherent in: a lion - courage, a rock - stamina, etc.

arch, arc

Sacrifice to an astral deity (from a 13th-century Arabian manuscript)

The arch (arc), first of all, is a symbol of the vault of heaven, the god of Heaven. In the rites of initiation, passing through the arch means a new birth after the complete rejection of one's old nature. In ancient Rome, the army passed through the triumphal arch after defeating the enemy.

The arch and arc are common elements in the culture of Islam. Mosques often have arched entrances. It is believed that a person entering the mosque through the arched door will be protected by the symbolic forces of the spiritual (higher) sphere.

Ba-gua

Ba-gua and the Great Monad (charm against evil forces, China)

Ba-gua (in some sources, pa-kua) - eight trigrams and pairs of opposites, usually arranged in a circle, which symbolizes time and space.

Scales

Outweighing scales. The lung gives way. heavy overtights

Libra symbolizes justice, impartiality, judgment, evaluation of the merits and demerits of a person. A symbol of the balance of all opposites and complementary factors. Attribute of Nemesis - the goddess of fate.

Disk

Solar winged disk (Egypt)

The disk is a multifaceted symbol: a symbol of creation, the center of the Void, the Sun, Heaven, deity, spiritual and heavenly perfection. The disk of the rising Sun is a symbol of the renewal of life, life after death, resurrection. The disk of the Sun with the horned Moon or with horns means the union of solar and lunar deities, the unity of two in one.

The winged disk is a solar deity, the fire of Heaven, a combination of the solar disk and the wings of a falcon or eagle, the movement of the celestial sphere around the axis, transformation, immortality, the productive force of nature and its duality (protective and deadly aspects).

Wand, staff, scepter

Staff with hook and flail of Tutankhamun

The wand, staff, and scepter are ancient emblems of supernatural power.

The wand is a symbol of transformation associated with witchcraft and mysterious creatures. The staff is a symbol of male strength and power, often associated with the energy of trees, phallus, snake, hand (pointing finger). It is also an attribute of pilgrims and saints, but it can also mean knowledge, which is the only support of a person. The scepter is more ornate and is associated with higher deities and rulers, with spiritual power and at the same time compassionate wisdom.

Mirror

Divination scene depicted on the back of a bronze mirror (Greece)

It symbolizes truth, self-realization, wisdom, reason, soul, a reflection of the supernatural and divine intellect, reflected in the Sun, Moon and stars, the clearly shining surface of divine truth.

It is believed that the mirror has magical properties and is the entrance to the mirror world. If a mirror is hung with its reflective face down in a temple or over a tomb, it opens the way for the soul to ascend. In magic, mirrors serve to develop the gaze.

Snake Ouroboros (Oroboros, Ouroboros)

snake biting its own tail

The ring-shaped figure depicting a snake biting its own tail is a symbol of eternity, indivisibility, the cyclical nature of time, alchemy. The symbolism of this figure is interpreted in different ways, as it combines the creative symbolism of an egg (the space inside the figure), the earthly symbolism of a snake, and the heavenly symbolism of a circle. In addition, a snake biting its tail is a symbol of the law of karma, the wheels of samsara are the wheels of Incarnation.

Caduceus

Caduceus

Caduceus (Greek - "staff of the messenger") is often called the rod of Hermes (Mercury), the ancient god of wisdom. This is a “magic” wand with small wings, which is wrapped around two snakes, intertwined so that the bodies of the snakes form two circles around the wand, symbolizing the merging of two polarities: good - evil, right - left, light - darkness, etc., which corresponds to nature of the created world.

Caduceus is worn by all messengers as a sign of peace and protection, and it is their main attribute.

Key

Saint Peter with the keys to the gates of paradise (detail of a stone image, Notre Dame, Paris, 12th century)

The key is a very powerful symbol. This is power, the power of choice, breath, freedom of action, knowledge, initiation. The crossed golden and silver keys are the emblem of papal authority, the symbolic "keys to the Kingdom of Heaven" that Christ gave to the Apostle Peter. Although keys can both lock and unlock doors, they are almost always symbols of access, liberation, and (in initiatory rites) initiation, progression from one stage of life to another. In Japan, the keys to the rice vault are a symbol of prosperity.

Wheel

wheel of law

Wheel of existence (samsara)

The wheel is a symbol of solar energy. The sun is the center, the spokes of the wheel are the rays. The wheel is an attribute of all solar gods and earthly rulers. It also symbolizes the life cycle, rebirth and renewal, nobility, variability and changes in the material world (the circle is the limit of the material world, and the center is the “immobile engine”, the cosmic source of light and power).

The spinning wheel is associated with the cycles of manifestations (birth, death and rebirth) and the fate of man.

At the ordinary level, the wheel of Lady Luck (wheel of fortune) is a symbol of ups and downs and the unpredictability of fate.

Chariot

Antique hero on a chariot, symbolizing his readiness for battle

A dynamic symbol of power, power and speed of movement of gods, heroes or allegorical figures. The chariot is also a symbol of human essence: the charioteer (consciousness), using the reins (willpower and mind), controls the horses (vital forces) carrying the cart (body).

The chariot (in Hebrew - Merkaba) is also a symbol of the chain of descent from God through man into the world of phenomena and then the triumphant ascent of the spirit. The word Merkaba also means the body of light of a person.

Cauldron, bowl

Ritual cauldron (China, 800 BC)

Carl Jung sees the cup as a female symbol that takes and gives. On the other hand, the cup can be a symbol of a difficult fate ("bitter cup"). The so-called poisoned bowl promises hope, but brings trouble.

The cauldron is a more powerful symbol and is often associated with ritual and magic, representing transformative power. The cauldron is also a symbol of abundance, an inexhaustible source of life support, revival forces, the reproductive forces of the earth, the revival of warriors for a new battle.

Blood

Detail of the painting by Fey Pomeranes "The Sixth Palace of the Underworld": the last drops of blood, a symbol of life, flow out of a glass resembling an ankh in shape

Ritual symbol of vitality. In many cultures, the blood is believed to contain some of the divine energy, or more generally the spirit of the individual.

Blood is red solar energy. It personifies the principle of life, soul, strength, including rejuvenating. To drink someone's blood means to become related, but you can also absorb the strength of the enemy and thereby secure him after death. The mixing of blood is a symbol of union in folk customs (for example, blood brotherhood) or an agreement between people, as well as between a person and God.

labyrinth

Plan of a medieval labyrinth dance on the marble floor of the cathedral in Chartres (France)

The labyrinth symbolizes the world, the Universe, incomprehensibility, movement, a complex problem, an enchanted place. This is a symbol of mystery, mystery, which has many different interpretations, often contradictory, sometimes frightening.

Images of a labyrinth on houses are considered an amulet for protection from hostile forces and evil spirits.

Burials, burial caves and labyrinth-shaped burial mounds protect the dead and prevent them from returning.

Lotus

Vishnu and Lakshmi watching the creation: Brahma grows from a lotus flower originating from the navel of Vishnu

The amazing veneration of the lotus in various cultures is explained both by the extraordinary beauty of the flower, and by the analogy between it and the idealized form of the vulva as the divine source of life. Therefore, the lotus, first of all, is a symbol of fertility, birth and rebirth. Lotus is the source of cosmic life, a symbol of the gods who created the world, as well as the gods of the sun. The lotus symbolizes the past, present and future, as each plant has buds, flowers and seeds at the same time. This is a symbol of a noble person who has grown out of mud, but not stained with it.

Moon

Above - the growing moon and the full moon; below - the waning moon and the new moon

The moon is the ruler of the feminine. It symbolizes abundance, cyclical renewal, rebirth, immortality, occult power, volatility, intuition and emotions. The ancients measured time by the cycles of the moon; determined the timing of the onset of tides; predicted what the future harvest would be like.

Although the moon is usually symbolized in a positive way, in some cultures it is represented as an evil eye watching what is happening, associated with death and the ominous darkness of the night.

magic circle

Dr. Johann Faust and Mephistopheles (from The Tragic History of Dr. Faust by Christopher Mardlowe, 1631)

The magic circle is the basis of ceremonial magic. It serves as a symbol of the will of the magician and at the same time a protective barrier that protects the magician from the negative influence of the invisible world. In such a circle, all magical operations are performed. Different circles are used for different purposes. The drawing of a circle is a certain magical ritual that must be performed according to all established rules. In addition, it is believed that the inscription of magic circles and inscriptions contributes to the development of self-control and gait.

Mandala

The circle and square of the mandala represent the spherical shape of Heaven and the rectangular shape of the Earth. Together they symbolize the order of things in space and in the human world.

This is a geometric composition, symbolizing the spiritual, cosmic or psychic order. In Sanskrit, "mandala" means "circle". Even when this geometric composition is based on squares or triangles, it still has a concentric structure. The overall meaning of the composition remains unchanged and symbolizes the guiding mind, supernatural structures, the clarity of enlightenment.

Mandorla, or Vesica Piscis (surrounds the entire body of the person)

Mandorla, or Vesica Piscis

Image of an almond-shaped halo (radiance), which was used in medieval Christian art to highlight the figure of Christ ascending into heaven, and sometimes ascending saints.

In mysticism, "almond" (in Italian - mandorla) is a symbol of purity and chastity. The mandorla, due to its oval shape, was in antiquity the symbol of the vulva. It is also a graphic image of a flame, a symbol of spirituality. On the other hand, it symbolizes the dualistic unity of Heaven and Earth, depicted as two intersecting arcs.

Halo

halo buddha

A kind of halo: a luminous circle surrounding a person's head. The golden halo symbolizes the sanctity of the individual or confirms the fact that a person communicates directly with a higher plane.

The image of the halo is borrowed from the magical symbolism of the Egyptians, as evidenced by images from the ancient Egyptian Book of the Dead.

Nimbus

The halos and halos surrounding the heads of the saints symbolize the Light of God emanating from them.

Nimbus - a kind of halo: a luminous ring around the head. It symbolizes spiritual strength, as opposed to secular power, represented by the crown. Sometimes a halo is used as an attribute of the Phoenix bird as a symbol of solar power and immortality.

The halo can be blue, yellow or rainbow colored. In Greek mythology, a blue halo is an attribute of Zeus as the god of Heaven. The Romans have a blue halo - an attribute of Apollo and Jupiter. A triangular nimbus or a nimbus in the form of a rhombus means God the Father.

Sword

Inlaid swords found by Schliemann at Mycenae (Athens, National Museum)

The sword is one of the most complex and most common symbols. On the one hand, the sword is a formidable weapon that brings life or death, on the other hand, it is an ancient and powerful force that arose simultaneously with the Cosmic Balance and was its opposite. The sword is also a powerful magical symbol, the emblem of witchcraft. In addition, the sword is a symbol of power, justice, supreme justice, all-pervading reason, insight, phallic strength, light. The sword of Damocles is a symbol of fate. A broken sword is a defeat.

bird feather

Aztec feather headdress (drawing from the Codex Mendoza)

The bird feather symbolizes truth, lightness, Heaven, height, speed, space, soul, the element of wind and air, opposed to the principle of moisture, dryness, travel beyond the material world. In a broader sense, feathers worn by shamans, priests or rulers symbolized a magical connection with the spirit world or divine power and patronage. Wearing feathers or feathered hairstyles means taking the power of a bird into yourself. Two feathers symbolize light and air, two poles, resurrection. The white feather symbolizes clouds, sea foam and cowardice.

Horns

Depiction of a Persian king from the Sasanian period

The horns symbolize supernatural power, divinity, soul power, or the life principle arising from the head. Horns are both a solar and a lunar symbol. Being sharp and piercing, the horns are a phallic and masculine symbol; being hollow, they signify femininity and receptivity. Horned gods symbolize warriors, fertility for both people and animals. Horns with a long ribbon falling from them signify the god of the storm. In more recent times, horns have become a symbol of shame, contempt, depravity, and a deceived husband.

Hand

"Hand of Fatima" (Muslim carved pendant)

Power (worldly and spiritual), action, strength, domination, protection - this is the main symbolism that reflects the important role of the hand in human life and the belief that it is capable of transmitting spiritual and physical energy.

The hands of kings, religious leaders, and miracle workers are believed to have healing powers; hence the laying on of hands in religious blessing, confirmation and ordination. They bless with the right hand, they curse with the left. In Islam, the open palm of Fatima, the daughter of Muhammad, symbolizes the five pillars: faith, prayer, pilgrimage, fasting, mercy.

Sun

Variants of the image of the disk of the Sun

The sun is one of the twelve symbols of power, the main symbol of creative energy.

As a heat source, the Sun represents vitality, passion, courage, and eternal youth. As a source of light, it symbolizes knowledge, intelligence. In most traditions, the Sun is a symbol of the masculine. The sun is also life, vitality, the embodied character of the personality, the heart and its aspirations. Sun and Moon are gold and silver, king and queen, soul and body, etc.

tetramorphs

Image of Christ with tetramorphs in the corners (from a manuscript of the 12th-13th centuries)

Tetramorphs are considered a synthesis of the forces of the four elements. In some cults, these are four-headed guards of the four cardinal directions. In many traditions, they symbolize the universality of divine protection and protection from the return of primary chaos.

The four biblical tetramorphs have the heads of a man, a lion, an ox, and an eagle. Subsequently, in Christianity, these images began to be identified with the apostles - Saints Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, as well as with the incarnation of Jesus Christ, his resurrection and ascension.

Thyrsus

Thyrsus

Thyrsus is the rod of the Greek god of wine Dionysus (in Roman mythology Bacchus). It is a spear-shaped pole (originally from a hollow stem of dill) topped with a pine cone or bunch of grapes and entwined with vines or ivy. It symbolizes fertilizing, fertile power - both sexual and vegetative.

The bump is present on the thyrsus, probably because fermented pine resin was mixed with the wine that was drunk during bacchanalia - it was believed that this enhances sexual sensations.

Ax (axe)

Great Mother with a double ax in her hands (the ax here is a phallic symbol)

The ax is a symbol of power, thunder, fertility, rain brought by the heavenly gods, and stormy winds, correction of mistakes, sacrifice, support, help. It is also a common symbol of sovereignty associated with the ancient sun gods.

The double ax (double-sided ax) denotes the sacred union of the god of Heaven and the goddess of the Earth, thunder and lightning. Sometimes the blades of a double-sided ax, resembling crescents, symbolize the Moon or the unity of opposites. It is also a symbol of supreme power and strength.

Trident

Vishnu's trident as a symbol of his triune essence: creator, keeper and destroyer (from a painting from Rajasthan, 18th century)

The trident is the most famous symbol of power over the sea and an attribute of the ancient Greek god Poseidon (in Roman mythology - Neptune).

The trident symbolizes thunder and lightning, three flames, triple weapons - the forces of heaven, air and water. This is the weapon and attribute of all heavenly, thunder gods and goddesses of the storm, as well as all water gods, the strength and fertility of the waters. It can symbolize the Heavenly Triad, as well as the past, present and future.

Trigrams

Eight trigrams underlying the "Book of Changes"

Trigrams are a triple combination of continuous (yang) and broken (yin) lines. There are eight of them, and they formed the basis of the great Chinese book of predictions "The Book of Changes" ("I-Ching"). Trigrams symbolize the Taoist doctrine that the cosmos is based on constant flows of complementary forces: male (active, yang) and female (passive, yin).

Trigrams also personify the three essences of a person - his body, soul and spirit; irrational emotions, rational mind and suprarational intellect.

Trikvetra (three-pronged swastika)

Triquetra

The triquetra is largely swastika-inspired. This is also the movement of the Sun: at sunrise, at the zenith and at sunset. There have been suggestions about the connection of this symbol with the lunar phases and the renewal of life. Like the swastika, it is a symbol of good luck. He often appears with solar symbols; it can be seen on ancient coins, on Celtic crosses, where, as they say, this sign symbolizes the triad and is a symbol of the sea god Manannan. It is also present in Teutonic symbolism, where it is associated with Thor.

Triskelion

Triskelion

The symbol of dynamic energy in the form of three legs connected together. It is similar to the swastika, but with three rather than four bent arms, creating a cyclic effect. As a motif in Celtic art and on Greek coins and shields, the triskelion has less to do with the solar and lunar phases (one of the suggested meanings) than with power and physical strength. In addition, the triskelion is a symbol of victory and progress.

Shamrock

Shamrock

Heraldic shamrock

The shamrock-clover symbolizes unification, balance, and also destruction. The sour shamrock, which the Arabs call shamrah, symbolizes the Persian triads. The shamrock is generally a symbol of triads, it is the Mystic Tree, the “solar wheel”. In Christianity, it is a symbol of the Trinity, as well as the emblem of St. Patrick and the coat of arms of Ireland.

To always be profitable, carry a dried shamrock with you.

Trimurti

Trimurti - the Indian Trinity (a sketch of a very ancient image on granite, India House Museum)

Holy Hindu Trinity - Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Symbolizes the three cycles of life: creation, preservation and destruction. Despite similarities to the Christian Trinity, the Trimurti is not a monotheistic concept of a "triune god".

Trimurti is sometimes depicted as a tortoise. She also symbolizes the Great Mother - both in her terrible manifestation (with symbols of flame and skulls), and in her beneficial (as Lotus, Sophia, Tara, as wisdom and sympathy).

Trinity

Symbol of the Trinity - Father, Son and Holy Spirit - as One God

The trinity differs from the triad in that it is unity, the union of three in one and one in three. It is a symbol of unity in diversity.

In Christianity, this is the Father, Son and Holy Spirit or Mary, Joseph and Jesus. The symbols of the Trinity are the hand (symbol of the Father), the lamb (symbol of the Son), and the dove (symbol of the Holy Spirit).

The Trinity is symbolized by the colors yellow, red and green; three qualities - Love, Faith and Hope.

Human

Symbolic representation of man as the Universe: a square in a circle (China)

The crown of all living things. A symbol of what is capable of improvement. Created in the image and likeness of God, it combines the material and the spiritual, the heavenly and the earthly. This is a microcosm, symbolically containing all the elements of the universe (macrocosm). The human body in the Pythagorean tradition is depicted as a pentagram consisting of arms, legs, and a head. In man, three principles are united together, which modern scientists call the body, life and will. Symbolically, this can be represented by three points (beginnings) enclosed in a circle.

Universal symbols-concepts

The knowledge of ideas reveals in temporal phenomena their timelessly eternal meaning.

Andrey Bely

Concept symbols are numbers or geometric shapes that reflect ideas, feelings, or abstract qualities of something directly related to the inner world of a person.

Duality of the world

Solomon's Double Triangle Diagram: God of Light and God of Reflection

The duality of the world - the interaction of the two polarities behind the created universe (light and darkness, good and evil, etc.) - is reflected in many symbols. The most famous of these is the yin-yang symbol. Also of interest are the symbols presented by the famous occultist Eliphas Levi, such as the "Double Triangle of Solomon" diagram.

The main symbol used by people far from the occult to depict duality is the most common number two, although, nevertheless, it also has a magical nature.

Yin-yang (principle)

Yin-yang sign

The Chinese call the symbol "yin-yang" Tai Shi - the circle of existence. The circle is divided into two equal parts by an S-shaped curve: dark, feminine (yin), and light, masculine (yang). The circle seems to rotate, the darkness is replaced by light, and then the light is replaced by darkness. The Chinese claim that even in the purest light there is an element of darkness, and vice versa. Therefore, in the center of each part, a small circle of the opposite color is depicted: black on a white background and white on a black one. This image symbolizes the balanced dynamism of opposing forces and principles in the cosmos.

Rays

Sun with zigzag rays (golden mask of the Incas)

It is a symbol of fertilizing power, holiness, spiritual enlightenment and creative energy, creative power. The rays can depict the hair of the sun god, a manifestation of the divine essence, or a radiance (halo) emanating from the saints. In solar symbolism, the seventh ray is the main path to heaven.

Wisdom

Ancient Greek goddess of wisdom Athena (in Roman mythology Minerva) with a coiled snake at her feet

The main symbols of wisdom are the snake (daytime, solar, but feminine flexible male sign) and the owl (night, lunar, acting imperceptibly, silently, but resolutely and quickly masculine female sign). It is the combination in each of them of the most important properties of the male and female principles that very accurately corresponds to wisdom. Other symbols of wisdom: dragon, griffin, peacock, sphinx, unicorn, bird, bee, rat, lotus, heart, number seven, scepter, scroll, ring, etc.

“Out of many roses, a drop of oil; out of many torments, a drop of wisdom” (Persian saying).

world axis

Tet of Osiris

In the esoteric tradition, the symbols of the axis of the world, the World Tree, are the spear, sword, key and scepter.

The Egyptians as a symbol of the world axis and the North Pole use Tat (or Tet) - the spine of Osiris, which, in addition, personifies stability, strength, immutability, preservation.

Light

Light emanating from the Buddha

Light is the first creation. It is associated with the beginning and the end. Light and darkness are two aspects of the Great Mother: life and love, death and burial, creation and destruction.

The light of the Sun personifies spiritual knowledge, and the reflected light of the Moon represents rational, analytical knowledge.

Light is usually depicted as straight or undulating rays, the disk of the Sun, or a halo. As a rule, a straight line represents light, and a wavy line represents heat. Light and heat symbolically complement each other and are the two poles of the element of Fire.

Death and rebirth

Death and rebirth of human beings. Detail of symbolism on a gravestone in Dieste (Belgium)

This image in Christianity is expressed by ancient complex symbols. The above composition combines two pairs of "circle-cross", each pair personifies death and rebirth. The lower pair is represented by crossbones and a rounded skull (a symbol of death). From the lower circle (skull) grows a cross similar to the one on which Christ died - the cross of resurrection, rebirth. This whole allegory is inscribed in a larger circle - a sign that the death and rebirth of human beings are within the great spiritual sphere of the cosmos.

Consciousness (three aspects)

Symbols representing the three aspects of consciousness

Usually the three aspects of consciousness are depicted as three animals: one of them lives underground, the other on the ground, and the third flies above the ground. The animal that lives underground represents the microcosm; that which flies in the air is the macrocosm; and the animal that walks the earth represents the middle step between the first two - like us, for example. The most common symbols are: in Egypt - a cobra, the right eye of Horus, a hawk; in Peru - rattlesnake, puma and condor; the American Indians have a rattlesnake, a mountain lion and an eagle; in Tibet - a snake, a pig and a rooster.

Dance

Dervish dance (the grace of God descends to the dancer through the raised hand, penetrates through his body and spirit and, leaving him, unites with the earth through the lowered hand)

The main symbolism of the dance: cosmic creative energy, the transformation of space into time, the rhythm of the universe, the imitation of the divine "game" of creation, the maintenance of strength, emotions, and activity.

Circle dances are an imitation of the movement of the Sun in the sky. Dancing in a chain is a symbol of the connection between a man and a woman, Heaven and Earth. When the dance is performed around an object, it is thereby closed, enclosing in a magic circle, protecting and giving strength.

Shadow

Priestly Esotericism: The Sign of Anathema (from Eliphas Levi's Transcendental Magic, 1896)

A symbol of the negative beginning, as opposed to the positive solar. In some primitive tribes, the shadow symbolizes the human soul, the same is in witchcraft and conspiracies. To fall into the shadow of another person is a bad omen.

The above engraving depicts a human hand performing an act of blessing. A strong beam of light casts a shadow from the blessing hand on the wall, and this shadow is the image of the horned head of the Devil. The main idea of ​​the allegory is this: evil and good are intertwined, and darkness and light oppose each other in a kind of moral duel.

Emblems of modern religions

It is difficult to find the Creator and Father of this universe, but even having found Him, it is impossible to express Him in a language understandable to everyone.

In our time, there are three world religions on the globe - Christianity, Islam (Muslim) and Buddhism. Each of them is accepted in many countries. They arose a long time ago: Christianity is 2000 years old, Islam is almost 1400 years old, and Buddhism is about 2500 years old.

There are other religions, which, although not global, are also widespread.

Christianity

Cup and cross

One of the symbols of Christ's love is the combination of the cup and the cross. The cup, or goblet, in this case indicates the great suffering that Jesus endured, calling it "the cup."

The image of the bowl indicates the prayer of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane: “Father! oh, that you would deign to carry this cup past me! however, not my will, but yours be done.”

The cross is depicted as pointed. Its sharp ends, like swords of sorrow and pain, pierce the suffering soul.

Islam

Star and crescent of Islam

The main emblem of the youngest world religion, Islam, founded by the Prophet of Allah, Muhammad (570-632), is a crescent with a star inside. The emblem denotes divine patronage, growth, rebirth, and, together with the star, paradise. The star is a traditional symbol of independence and divinity. The crescent is one of the true forces capable of resisting evil, a powerful talisman.

The crescent in Islamic countries replaces the cross in Red Cross organizations.

Buddhism

Maitreya

In Buddhism, Maitreya is the name of the Buddha of the coming world order. This is the only Bodhisattva ("whose essence has become the mind"), which is recognized by all major branches of Buddhism. The essence of a Bodhisattva is the act of sacrifice: giving up the bliss of nirvana in order to help humanity within the limits allowed by karmic limitations.

Maitreya is depicted sitting on a throne in a "European pose" (with legs down), which indicates a sign of the haste of his arrival; it is golden in color. Next to Maitreya, it is customary to depict the wheel of dharma, a stupa and a vase.

Judaism

Mogendovid, or Shield of David

Judaism is the oldest of the monotheistic world religions (it arose in the 1st millennium BC in Palestine 4000 years ago). The main provisions of Judaism were later incorporated into Christianity and Islam.

The symbol of Judaism is Mogendovid, or the Shield of David. Most commonly associated with the six-pointed Star of David. A less common name is the Star of the Creator; each end of the star symbolizes one of the six days of creation, and the central hexagon symbolizes Shabbat (the holy day of rest).

Zoroastrianism

Ahura Mazda

Zoroastrianism is the oldest spiritual tradition, founded about 2500 years ago by the prophet Zoroaster, and now, unfortunately, forgotten. The supreme god is Ahura Mazda. The sacred canon is the Avesta ("law").

Zoroastrianism proceeds from the doctrine of the justice of the world order and the triumph of justice in the world struggle between good and evil, in which the free choice of a person, his active participation play a decisive role. Zoroastrian morality contains an ethical triad: a good thought, a good word, a good deed.

Hinduism

One of the symbols of the Trimurti

Hinduism combines elements of different creeds, rooted in the mists of time. Sacred books - Vedas (Rigveda, Samaveda, Yajurveda, Atharvaveda). The three main gods make up the Trimurti (triad): Brahma is the creator of the world, Vishnu is the keeper of the world and Shiva is the destroyer. Their images symbolize the fundamental processes of change in nature (prakriti).

The basis of Hinduism is the doctrine of the reincarnation of souls (samsara), which occurs in accordance with the law of retribution (karma) for virtuous or bad behavior.

Confucianism

The symbol of Confucianism is the figure of the “Highest Saint” himself

Confucianism and Taoism are the most famous of the philosophical currents that existed in China even before its unification (221 BC). Gradually intertwined with the traditions of Buddhists and Taoists, the teachings of Confucius acquired a religious connotation. According to Confucius, one must live in such a way that human behavior reflects the laws of the universe, which exists according to a certain order. “The master teaches his students the four disciplines: culture, behavior, loyalty and faith” (Lun Yu, 7.25).

Taoism

Tai Chi (yin-yang circle)

Taoism literally means "School of the Tao". (Tao means “way”). This is an integral part of the philosophical and religious triad (Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism). The Chinese apply all three teachings in practice, depending on the life situation. As part of his personal life, the Chinese profess Taoism, but when it comes to social norms of behavior, he becomes a Confucian, and when faced with troubles and life's hardships, he turns to Mahayana Buddhism.

Graphically, the concept of Taoism is expressed by tai chi (in some sources - Tai Shi) - a symbol of a single limit.

Shinto (Shinto)

Horin-rimbo - the wheel of the law (Japan)

Shinto is the Japanese national religion, its name comes from the Chinese word "shen-dao" ("sacred path" or "path of the gods"). At the heart of Shinto is the cult of the deities of nature and ancestors. The highest deities are Amaterasu (goddess of the Sun) and her descendant Jimmu. Jimmu is the first emperor of Japan, the mythical ancestor of Japanese emperors. Day February 11, when, according to myths, in 660 BC. e. Jimmu ascended the throne, is considered the founding day of the empire and is celebrated as a holiday.

Crosses: the most common forms

The cross is a cosmic symbol that should be studied and treated with the greatest respect.

"The Science of Initiation"

The common symbol of humanity is the cross. It can be found in the most ancient religions, among the most ancient civilizations: in Mesopotamia, Egypt, China, etc. Who invented the cross? Nobody - because it exists in nature. This is an ancient universal symbol and, above all, a symbol of the connection of micro- and macrocosm, spirit and matter in their combination. The cross symbolizes the involvement of the spirit (vertical line) in time (horizontal line).

The forms of the cross are various. They differ in the number of crossbars, and the number of ends of the cross, and proportions.

Greek cross

Greek cross

The cross of the simplest form: square, with ends of equal length, the horizontal crossbar is located in the middle of the vertical one. Cross of Saint George. This sign, also called crux quadrata, has been used since prehistoric times in a variety of meanings - as a symbol of the god of the sun, the god of rain, the elements from which the world is created: air, earth, fire and water. In early Christianity, the Greek cross symbolized Christ. It is also a symbol of secular, earthly power, but received from God. Used in medieval heraldry.

cross hammer

cross hammer

The hammer cross is a variation of the Greek cross. One of the main heraldic crosses, so named from the French potenee - "support", because its shape is similar to the supports used in antiquity.

latin cross

latin cross

Another name for the Latin cross is the long cross. Its horizontal bar is located above the middle of the vertical bar. This is the most common Christian symbol in the Western world. It is believed that it was from such a cross that Christ was taken down, hence his other names: the cross of the Crucifixion, the cross of the West, the cross of Life, the cross of Suffering. This form, so similar to a man with outstretched arms, symbolized God in Greece and China long before the advent of Christianity. For the Egyptians, the cross rising from the heart symbolized kindness.

Cross of Saint Peter

Cross of Saint Peter

The cross of St. Peter is an inverted Latin cross. Since the 4th century, it has been one of the symbols of Saint Peter, who is believed to have been crucified upside down on an inverted cross in 65 CE. e. during the reign of Emperor Nero in Rome.

An inverted Latin cross, that is, the cross of St. Peter, with pointed ends is the emblem of the Knights Templar.

St. Andrew's Cross (oblique cross)

St. Andrew's Cross (oblique cross)

It is also called diagonal or oblique. On such a cross, the apostle Saint Andrew was martyred. The Romans used this symbol to mark the border, the passage beyond which was forbidden. The oblique cross also symbolizes perfection, the number 10. In heraldry, this cross is called the saltire.

St. Andrew is the patron saint of Russia, and when Peter the Great created the Russian navy (in the 1690s), he adopted a blue oblique cross on a white background for the flag of the fleet.

Tau Cross (St. Anthony's Cross)

tau cross

Cross of Saint Anthony

The tau cross is so named because of its resemblance to the Greek letter "T" (tau). It symbolizes life, the key to supreme power, the phallus. In ancient Egypt - a sign of fertility and life. In biblical times - a symbol of protection. The Scandinavians have Thor's hammer. In Christian churches - the cross of St. Anthony (the founder of Christian monasticism, IV century). Since the beginning of the XIII century - the emblem of Francis of Assisi. In heraldry, this is the Almighty Cross. Also known as the "Gallows Cross" due to its resemblance to the gallows, as it was made in antiquity.

Ankh (Egyptian cross)

Ankh - the key to the gates of death

The ankh is the most significant symbol among the ancient Egyptians, also known as the "cross with a handle." This cross combines two symbols: a circle (as a symbol of eternity) and a tau-cross suspended from it (as a symbol of life); together they denote immortality, eternal life. Ankh also personifies "the life that will come", "the time that will come", hidden wisdom, the key to the secrets of life and knowledge, as well as the key that opens the gates of death. Perhaps it symbolizes the Tree of Life, as well as the sun rising above the horizon.

Maltese cross

Maltese cross

The Maltese cross is also called the eight-pointed. It symbolizes the four great gods of Assyria: Ra, Anu, Belus and Hea. Emblem of the Knights of Malta. The white cross of this form on a black background was from the very beginning the emblem of the military and religious order of the Hospitallers (Johnites), who moved their headquarters to Malta (in 1529) - hence the name.

In philately, the Maltese cross is the first postmark used to cancel postal items from 1840 to 1844.

Patriarchal Cross

Patriarchal Cross

The patriarchal cross is used by archbishops and cardinals. It is also called the cardinal's catholic cross and the two-bar cross. The upper crossbar is a titulary (board for writing a name), introduced by order of Pontius Pilate. Under the name of the archbishop's cross, it is often found on the coats of arms of archbishops.

This cross is widespread in Greece and is sometimes called Angevin or Lorraine. It is sometimes erroneously called the Lorraine cross.

papal cross

papal cross

The papal cross with three horizontal bars is also known as the triple cross. Used in processions in which the pope participates. Three cross lines symbolize power and the Tree of Life.

Russian cross

Russian cross (cross of St. Lazarus)

This eight-pointed cross is the cross of the Russian Orthodox Church. It is also called the eastern cross or the cross of St. Lazarus. Symbol of the Orthodox Church in the Eastern Mediterranean, Eastern Europe and Russia.

The upper of the three transverse crossbars is the titulary, where the name was written, as in the patriarchal cross, the lower crossbar is beveled.

Cross of Constantine (sign "Chi-Rho")

Cross of Constantine

Magic seal with the symbol "Chi-Rho" (Agrippa, 1533)

The Cross of Constantine is a monogram known as "Khi-Rho" ("chi" and "ro" are the first two letters of Christ's name in Greek). The legend says that the emperor Constantine saw this cross in the sky on the way to Rome, along with the cross he saw the inscription “Conquer this”. According to another legend, he saw the cross in a dream the night before the battle and heard a voice: “With this sign you will win”). It is said that it was this prediction that converted Constantine to Christianity. And the monogram became the first generally accepted symbol of Christianity - as a sign of victory and salvation.

Rosicrucian cross

Cross with a rose (Rosicrucian)

Another name is the cross of the rose (five-petal). Emblem of the Rosicrucian Order. Symbol of harmony, center, heart. The rose and the cross also symbolize the Resurrection and Atonement of Christ. This sign is understood as the divine light of the Universe (rose) and the earthly world of suffering (cross), as the feminine and masculine, material and spiritual, spiritual and sensual love. The cross with a rose is a symbol of the initiate, who, thanks to the work on himself, has managed to develop in himself love, life-giving and transforming matter.

Masonic cross

Masonic cross (cross in a circle)

The Masonic cross is a cross inscribed in a circle. It means a holy place and a cosmic center. The four dimensions of space in the celestial circle symbolize the totality that includes the Great Spirit. This cross represents the Cosmic Tree extending horizontally over the Earth and touching the Heavens through the vertical central axis. Such a cross was either made in stone or depicted on the walls of Roman Gothic temples, symbolizing their sanctification.

Pacifist Cross

Pacifist cross (peace cross)

This symbol was designed by Gerald Holtom in 1958 for the then emerging movement for nuclear disarmament. To develop the symbol, he used the semaphore alphabet: he made a cross from its symbols - for "N" (nuclear, nuclear) and "D" (disarmament, disarmament) - and placed them in a circle, which symbolized a global agreement. Soon this cross became one of the most common signs of the 60s of the twentieth century, symbolizing both peace and anarchy.

images of time

The wise turn years into months, months into weeks, weeks into days.

Everything is perishable in this world.

The image of inexorable time is the road. The symbol of time is sand flowing through the fingers. Attributes of measured time - a clock, a burning candle; it is a symbol of the elusiveness of the present moment.

In the pantheon of gods of almost all ancient cultures, there is also the god of Time.

Abraxas

Abraxas - a symbol of time (gnostic gem)

Abraxas is the personification of the divine cycles of the solar year. This is the mystical image of the Supreme Being, the highest of the seven. It consists of five emanations (radiations): Nus (Mind), Logos (Word), Phronesis (Reason), Sophia (Wisdom), Dynamis (Power). The human body in the image represents God. The two serpent-supports emerging from it are Nus and Logos (intuition and quick understanding). The head of a rooster means foresight and vigilance (mind). Two hands hold the symbols of Sophia and Dynamis: the armor of wisdom and the whip of power.

Kalachakra

Namchu-vanden - emblem of Kalachakra

Kalachakra - literally "wheel of time", "course of time". Secret Doctrine in Vajrayana Buddhism. An astrological and astronomical system that entered Tibet from India. Kalachakra introduces the concept of the cyclical nature of time with periods of 12 and 60 years (Tibetan calendar). According to legend, the Kalachakra teaching was given by the Buddha Shakyamuni. According to other sources, this teaching was brought to Tibet by Pitop, or the Great Kalachakrapada, who, having miraculously found himself in Shambhala, was initiated there by the king of Kalki into the teachings of Kalachakra.

Kronos

Kronos (Rom. Saturn), XV century

The ancient Greek symbol of time - the titan Kronos - became the ancestor of many words in Russian (the particle “chrono” is part of compound words indicating their relationship to time): chronic, chronology, chronometer, etc.

Kronos (Rom. Saturn) - the god of Time, in the form of a fading autumn or the departing Sun, sometimes, along with his sickle, also has a hood, which symbolizes invisibility, death and retreat. Since the hood covers the head, it also signifies thought and spirit.

Ourobor (serpent that bites its own tail)

Ourobor as an Emblem of Death (from George Wheater's A Collection of Emblems, Ancient and Modern, 1635)

The most obvious meaning of the symbol is associated with the concept of time: the passage of time is accompanied by destruction, since the past seems to be irretrievably lost. This is reflected in the fact that the serpent "devours" its own tail, like time, which apparently consumes itself. It can be said that time has a cyclical nature (day follows night, the seasons repeat themselves, etc.), and this has found its expression in the form of a snake, in the fact that he curled up in a circle. The symbol of the emblem can be expressed by the phrase: "In my beginning lies my end" or "The end is in the beginning."

Tempus

Image of Time - Tempus (Rome)

The Romans depicted time in the form of a male winged figure with goat legs, with a scythe in his hands (“the inexorable scythe of time”) - this is Tempus (from Latin tempus - time).

The figure of Tempus personifies the frailty and transience of all living things, and therefore is associated with the symbol of Death.

"Clock" of our body

The “clock” of our body (the numbers in the inner circle are the time of day)

The Chinese consider it useful to influence the organs of the body in a strictly defined period of the day (stimulate - during activity, and vice versa).

Twelve major organs, according to medical practice, have two hours of activity (see figure). Designations: GB - gallbladder: (from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m.); Liv - liver; Lu - lungs; Li - large intestine; St - stomach; Sp, spleen; H - heart; Si, small intestine; UB, urinary bladder; K, kidneys; P - brain; TW - spinal cord.

Symbolism of the plant kingdom

The beauty of plants is the common property of the world, that is, it is always macrocosmic, not microcosmic.

The symbol of the plant kingdom is the tree. Its branches, representing diversity, depart from a common trunk, which is a symbol of unity. A green, flowering tree is a symbol of life; dead, withered - a symbol of death. An old, gnarled tree can mean wisdom and strength.

The flower is the emblem of the cycle of birth, life, death and rebirth. Flowers represent beauty (especially feminine), innocence, divine blessing, spring, youth, but also the brevity of being. Everything in a flower can carry a certain symbolism: its shape, and the number of petals, and color, and smell ...

Vine

Ornament - vine motif

Grapes are one of the oldest symbols of fertility, abundance and vitality. The vine is one of the symbols of Christ. The importance of wine in many religious rituals is based on the symbolic association of grapes with divine blessings. The vine was the first plant Noah planted after the flood.

Grape juice resembles human blood. In some mysteries, grapes are a symbol of lust and debauchery, greed and drunkenness. The bunch of grapes is sometimes presented as a phallic symbol. But grapes are also seen as a symbol of the solar spirit.

Cherry

Sakura (19th century Japanese print by Utagawa Kunisada)

In Christian iconography, cherry is sometimes depicted instead of an apple as a fruit from the Tree of the Knowledge of good and evil; sometimes Christ is depicted with cherries in his hand. In China, the cherry tree is a symbol of good luck, spring (due to early flowering) and virginity; The vulva is called the "spring cherry". Cherry blossoms (sakura) - a symbol of Japan; it is cultivated as an ornamental tree; its fruits are inedible. The Japanese identify cherry blossoms with the rising sun. Cherry, in addition, is the emblem of the samurai.

Pomegranate

Popping pomegranate

The opening pomegranate (fruit) symbolizes the Easter Resurrection of Christ, gives Christians confidence in forgiveness, faith in the life to come and resurrection. Due to the abundance of seeds, pomegranates are a symbol of fertility. It is also the ancient eastern emblem of the sun god and the emblem of life, a divine symbol called the "forbidden secret."

The remains of a flower (thorn) on the upper part of the fruit serve as an image of a crown in heraldry. The pomegranate is always depicted as golden. And pomegranate seeds are always twelve - a number symbolizing perfection since ancient times.

Oak and acorn

Acorn

Oak is a symbol of power, endurance, longevity and nobility, as well as glory. In ancient Rome, a wreath of oak leaves was the highest award for a victorious commander.

As an emblem of valor and courage, oak (oak leaf, oak branch, oak wreath, oak garland) is used in military insignia in many countries.

Oak with acorns - the emblem of maturity, full of strength. An oak without acorns is the emblem of youthful valor. The acorn is a symbol of fertility, prosperity, spiritual energy growing from the grain of truth.

Kabbalistic Tree

Kabbalistic Tree (drawing from the book by R. Fludd, 1574–1637)

This is an inverted Cosmic Tree. Its crown touches the ground, and its roots are fixed in the spiritual world and feed on the spiritual energy of the sky, spreading it to the outer world and down. This is a favorite image in Kabbalism and other mystical and magical teachings. It testifies that human life is the descent of the spirit into the body and back. It is also a symbol of philosophical growth, growth inwards.

In the Bhagavad Gita, an inverted tree means the origin of everything from a single root, in Islam it is a symbol of happiness and good luck.

Cypress

Seven cypresses and twelve branches - the personification of the universe and its eternal truths (Istanbul, Turkey)

In the West, cypress is a mystical symbol of death and mourning, the personification of sadness and sorrow, as it was used for embalming the body and for making coffins. In Asia, it is a symbol of longevity and immortality. The Arabs call the cypress the Tree of Life. In Greece, the cypress has always had a dual reputation: it was a symbol of the gloomy god of the underworld, Hades, but at the same time, more cheerful gods - Zeus, Apollo, Aphrodite and Hermes. Therefore, it has become a symbol of rebirth and life after death. In China, the smoke of cypress branches is a symbol of light forces, a talisman against misfortune.

Clover

Clover with four petals

The three-leaf clover (shamrock) is a symbol of the Christian Trinity. The rare quatrefoil is a symbol of good luck; there is a belief that Eve took one quatrefoil as a memory of the lost paradise. But a five-leaf clover brings bad luck.

In China, clover is the emblem of spring. The Irish use clover leaves as their national emblem, which probably goes back to the veneration of this plant by the Celts for its active growth in spring.

Roots

Seed and roots

A symbol of connection with the earth, with the family.

"A man with roots" - they say about a man who stands firmly on his feet.

"Look at the root" - pay attention to the most essential, delve into the essence.

The "root of evil" is the source, the core of evil.

"Uproot" - take away life, cut off access to food, radically solve the problem.

laurel

Laurel wreath

Laurel symbolizes immortality, but also triumph, victory and success. He personifies peace, purification, protection, divinity, secret knowledge. According to ancient Greek myth, Apollo, the god of the Sun, dawn and poetry, pursued the nymph Daphne, who, running away from him, turned into a laurel bush (in Greek, "laurel" - "daphne"). In the arms of Apollo was a tree, with the branches of which he decorated his head and lyre. That is why in ancient Greece musicians, poets, dancers, whose patron was Apollo, were awarded with laurel wreaths. The Romans extended this tradition to military victors.

Lily

Fleur-de-lys, coat of arms of the French kings

One of the most versatile and even controversial characters. The triple lily is a symbol of the Trinity and three virtues: Faith, Hope and Mercy. Lily is an attribute of many saints, including the Archangel Gabriel. White lilies can sometimes symbolize death. The lily is also associated with fertility and erotic love because of its arrow-shaped or spear-shaped (phallus-like) pistil and specific strong fragrance. Lily - a sign of prosperity and royal power in Byzantium, later - the emblem of the French kings.

Palm branch

Palm branch

This is the main symbol of victory and triumph ("palm tree").

In ancient Greece, a palm branch was given along with a wreath to the winner of the Olympic Games as a personal wish for health and longevity. In ancient Rome, they were also awarded to victorious soldiers and gladiators. On Palm Sunday celebrations in Jerusalem, priests hand out consecrated palm leaves in the form of a cross. In Russia, they are replaced by willows. The palm branch is a symbol of longevity and one of the emblems of the world, and unlike the dove, it is a secular emblem.

Rose

ten petal rose

The rose has polar symbolism: it is heavenly perfection and earthly passion, time and eternity, life and death, fertility and virginity. It is also a symbol of the heart, the center of the universe, the cosmic wheel, divine, romantic and sensual love. Rose - completeness, the mystery of life, its focus, the unknown, beauty, grace, happiness, but also voluptuousness, passion, and in combination with wine - sensuality and seduction. The rosebud is a symbol of virginity; withered rose - the transience of life, death, sorrow; its thorns are pain, blood and martyrdom.

roses heraldic

Heraldic roses: 1 - Lancaster; 2 - Yorks; 3 - Tudors; 4 - England (badge); 5 - German Rose Rosenov; 6 - Russian stamp

The heraldic medieval rose has five or ten petals, which connects it with the Pythagorean pentad and decade. A rose with red petals and white stamens is the emblem of England, the most famous badge of the English kings. After the "War of the Scarlet and White Roses", named after the breastplates of the families that fought for the English crown, the scarlet rose of Lancaster and the white rose of York were combined in the form of the "Tudor Rose". The bright crimson rose is the unofficial emblem of Bulgaria. The famous tea rose is the emblem of Beijing. Nine white roses are in the coat of arms of Finland.

sprouts

Fern sprouts (four-part scheme)

Sprouts (heart-shaped scheme)

The sprout is a symbol of the awakening of life. The simplest species is a grain “hatching out of its shell”, a sprout resembling a folded fern leaf. These images are accompanied by a rounded or heart-shaped stripe. The heart-shaped scheme (point up) is a stable expression of the agrarian ornament. A four-part composition with fern sprouts (a sacred plant among many peoples) is widely used, the leaves of which are directed in all directions.

Pumpkin

Painted gourd, vessel and talisman (China, 19th century)

The gourd in Chinese culture is a symbol of health, wisdom, and even the entire universe.

In America, a pumpkin is the main attribute of the traditional holiday of evil spirits - Halloween. For this holiday, faces are carved on pumpkins, and candles are inserted inside the pumpkins and they go home with such “lamps”.

In humiliated symbolism, a pumpkin is called a head.

Thistle

Thistle

Emblem of Scotland

Thistle means challenge, asceticism, vindictiveness, misanthropy. Donkey food. It also symbolizes sin, sorrow, the curse of God when expelled from paradise; according to Genesis, Adam was punished with thistles. In Christian art, the thistle is the emblem of martyrdom.

But there is another side to the thistle symbolism. Like some other thorny plants, it is considered a talisman and is endowed with the ability to heal wounds. It is a plant with strong magical properties.

Apple tree, apple

Sovereign apple - one of the symbols of monarchical power

The apple tree is a symbol of fertility, one of the symbols of Mother Earth. Blooming apple tree - eternal youth, and in China - peace and beauty. An apple is a symbol of bliss, especially sexual, a symbol of restoration of potential, integrity, health and vitality. The apple represents love, marriage, spring, youth, longevity or immortality, in Christianity it is associated with temptation, the fall of man and his salvation. A bitten apple is a symbol of sin, anarchy, but also knowledge and hope. In art, an apple in the mouth of a monkey or a snake is a symbol of original sin.

Symbolism of the animal kingdom

The animal kingdom in its different breeds embodies the different impulses of the human psyche.

N. P. Rudnikova

In the human mind, animals (animals, birds, fish, insects, etc.) act as symbols, on the basis of which figurative pictures of certain aspects of being are compiled. The symbolism of animals also extends to the highest foundations of man himself (for example, ideas about the soul are expressed in the form of a bird).

The ancient Egyptians believed that certain animals could embody cosmic and divine energies. The twelve animals of the zodiac are archetypal symbols and represent a closed cycle of energies.

Stork

“He who has gained immortality flies on a stork into the sky” (stork and crane are symbols of immortality)

The stork symbolizes new life, the arrival of spring, good luck, daughter or son affection. In Christianity, the stork personifies purity, chastity, piety, vigilance. In the East, the stork is a symbol of immortality. Among the Slavs, the stork is an ancient totem bird, a symbol of the motherland, family well-being, home comfort, love for one's home. The punishment for destroying a nest or killing a stork is a fire that incinerates the killer's house or himself. There is a belief that a stork brings newborn babies. A stork carrying a baby is a symbol of christening.

Butterfly

Butterfly image

At present, the symbolism of the butterfly is dominated by the meaning of the anemone, a carefree creature, but also pure joy. In ancient times, it was presented as a symbol of transformation and immortality due to its life cycle: life (bright caterpillar) - death (dark chrysalis) - rebirth (free flight of the soul). The butterfly is a symbol of the soul in many regions of the world. In China, it is a symbol of light entertainment and a sign of lovers. In Japan, a butterfly is a symbol of a fickle and windy lover, as well as female fussiness and the craft of a geisha; two butterflies - marital happiness.

Ram (ram)

ram head

One of the most important symbols and one of the most widespread emblems in the world (variants: lamb, golden fleece, ram's head, ram's horns). The ram symbolizes fire, solar energy, passionate passion, courage, impulsiveness, stubbornness. In many cultures since ancient times it means male power and sexual potency. The symbol of the elements - both creative and destructive, requiring sacrifice.

In the modern everyday sense, the word "ram" is often synonymous with stupidity or stupid stubbornness.

Bull

Sacred bull Apis (Egypt)

Symbol of the fertility of the earth. The most common symbol of sexual power, as well as violence and rage. This is the embodiment of power, power, male fertility. A symbol of divinity, royalty, the elemental forces of nature, which changed meanings in different eras and in different cultures. The bull's horns are a sign of the full moon, its huge body is the pillar of the world in the Islamic and Vedic traditions; its abundant seed is nourished by the Moon in Iranian mythology; his bellowing, hoof-stomping, and horn-shaking are universally associated with thunder and earthquakes.

Wolf

She-wolf feeding Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome (bronze figure, 6th–5th century BC)

The symbolism of the wolf is dual.

Negative symbolism: ferocity, deceit, greed, cruelty, evil, gluttony and sexuality. Stories of witches turned into wolves and men turned werewolves epitomize the fear of demonic possession and male violence.

Positive symbolism: courage, victory, concern for the food of the family. The wolf is a common symbol of knowledge through experience, the emblem of warriors.

IN heraldry the wolf is a symbol of anger, gluttony, greed.

Raven, crow

The raven on the shield is a symbol of purification

“Daughters of Jerusalem! I am black, but beautiful ”(alchemical symbol)

Raven and crow have similar symbolism. On the one hand, crows are associated with war, death, desolation, evil and misfortune. Because of their blackness, they are considered symbols of chaos and darkness that preceded the light of creation. On the other hand, the raven is a symbol of wisdom and justice. The raven has a connection with the world of the dead, he can get living and dead water. There is an opinion that the raven is a travel assistant and a fortune teller. There is a belief that when crows begin to leave their nests, this portends famine or other misfortunes.

Pigeon

Dove as a symbol of peace

Peace, purity, love, serenity, hope. Traditional Christian symbol of the Holy Spirit and baptism. There is a legend that the devil and witches can turn into any creature except a dove and a sheep. Pigeon cooing is associated with both sex and the birth of children. A pair of doves is a symbol of sexual harmony; so the dove became the personification of the tender wife. A dove with a laurel branch is a symbol of peace, a dove with a cornucopia is a happy accident. In the East, the dove is one of the many symbols of longevity.

Dolphin

"Boy with a Dolphin" (Andrea del Verrocchio, 1475. Sculpture for a fountain)

The dolphin symbolizes love, the power of the sea, speed, salvation, transformation. This is a friend of man in the sea element and its symbol. The dolphin is also a symbol of boundless joy, playfulness, unpredictability and even spiritual enlightenment. In ancient Greece, the lord of the waters, Poseidon, (the Roman counterpart is Neptune), was often depicted in a cart pulled by dolphins. As a symbol of the sacrifice of Christ, the dolphin is often depicted with a pierced trident or anchor (the secret symbol of the cross). Intertwined with an anchor, the dolphin is a symbol of caution, speed limits: "Hurry slowly."

Toad, frog

Stylized image of a frog

The toad is one of the attributes of witchcraft. According to European superstitions, this is a companion of witches, reminiscent of the death and torment of sinners. At the same time, the toad, which in the Middle Ages personified darkness and evil, greed and lust, is associated with birth and rebirth. A symbol of ugliness, behind which a beautiful soul can lurk. It also symbolizes longevity and wealth: it is believed that the toad, like a snake, carries a gem in its forehead that attracts good luck.

The frog is a widespread symbol of fertility, a harbinger of spring rains and the awakening of nature.

Crane

Dancing Cranes (bracelet from Kyiv)

In China and Japan, the crane symbolizes vigilance, longevity, wisdom, devotion, honor. The image of a crane flying towards the Sun is a symbol of social aspirations, its snow-white body is a symbol of purity, its red head is the fire of life. In India and in some Celtic regions, the crane is a symbol of betrayal, a harbinger of misfortune. In Rus', cranes, along with storks and nightingales, are considered "God's birds", their symbolism is associated with the Sun.

Throughout the world, the crane is a symbol of communication with the gods.

Snake: general symbolism

Python (Greece)

The snake is the most versatile and most complex of all animal symbols, as well as the most common and perhaps the most ancient of them. The snake signifies death and destruction, but also life and resurrection. This is both the solar and the lunar, light and darkness, good and evil, wisdom and blind passion, healing and poison, the keeper and the destroyer. Such a duality of symbolism forces one to balance between fear and worship, the snake appears either as a hero or as a monster.

Snake: positive symbolism

"Snake Power"

An example of the positive symbolism of a snake is the concept of kundalini: a symbol of inner strength, psychic energy, a snake-like ball of vital energy dormant at the base of the spine. The kundalini energy is called the "serpent power". Sometimes she is depicted as a coiled snake with heads at both ends. In India and other regions, snakes are often seen as guardians of shrines, water sources, and treasures. This tradition is associated with the symbolism of fertility inherent in the snake, and with the belief that precious stones are the frozen saliva of snakes.

Snake: negative symbolism

Illustration for the "Poem of Gilgamesh" (seal of the Sumero-Akkadian kingdom)

If we consider the frightening part of the symbolism of the snake, then it is a clear prototype of dragons and sea snakes or snake-like hybrids, symbolizing the many dangers that await a person in life. The snake is one of the worst omens, a symbol of darkness, evil, hatred, sin, temptation, deceit. The snake is blamed for the fact that because of it people lost God's gift of eternal life.

Snakes were an indispensable attribute of sorceresses, witches' potions included some parts of snakes.

Snake: cosmogonic symbolism

Snake and egg (the image of a snake that supports the world)

The snake is primarily a magical symbol of the forces that gave birth to life. A snake biting its own tail is a symbol not only of eternity, but also of divine self-sufficiency. The image of a snake guarding the eggs it lays is associated with a huge snake that wraps around the whole world and supports it or helps the earth's disk to swim in the surrounding Ocean. The snake is in constant contact with the forces of the earth, waters, darkness and the underworld - lonely, cold-blooded, secretive, able to rejuvenate by shedding its skin.

The snake as a symbol of wisdom

A snake wrapped around a wand

Totem symbolism, combined with the belief that snakes know the secrets of the earth and are able to see in the dark, endows snakes with wisdom or the gift of divination. “Be wise as serpents and simple as doves,” Christ said to his disciples (Matthew 10:16). The Greek word "dragon" (which not only refers to a monster, but also means "snake with a piercing gaze") is etymologically related to vision. In the art of the snake - an attribute of the goddess of wisdom Athena (Minerva) and the allegorical figure of Prudence, meaning the gift of foresight.

Snake: Alchemy and Healing

Rod of Mercury (caduceus)

Staff of Asclepius (Aesculapius)

The snake coiled around the wand is the alchemical symbol of the Philosophical Mercury in its primary state.

According to mythology, Hermes (Mercury), the messenger of the gods, received a caduceus - a winged staff with the power to reconcile opponents. When he placed it between two fighting snakes, they peacefully coiled around the staff and calmed down. The snakes wrapped around the caduceus symbolize the interaction of opposing forces. The snake wrapped around a knotty staff is the emblem of the Greek god of healing Asclepius (Aesculapius), who, it is believed, could even resurrect the dead.

Ibis

Ibis (Egyptian papyrus from the 19th Dynasty, 1295-1186 BC)

The ibis is the sacred bird of the Egyptians. Symbol of wisdom. In ancient Egypt, the ibis was considered the incarnation of the lunar deity Thoth, the greatest god of Egypt, the patron of occult knowledge, who gave mankind writing. He is depicted as a man with the head of an Ibis. This bird is also called the guardian of the harvest. Killing an ibis, even by accident, was considered a heinous crime.

It is believed that the ibis can only live in Egypt and, transported to other countries, dies of boredom there.

Goat

Goat

The goat is a symbol of potency, vitality, masculinity, but also cunning, lust and stupidity; he personifies destructive tendencies in a man. In Western tradition, a goat is often referred to as an old, lustful man. In China and India, the goat is a positive male symbol. In Christianity, the goat is the personification of impurity and base lust.

The goat is often used for sacrifice ("scapegoat"). The goat is closely related to Dionysus (Bacchus).

Cow

Holy cow

For many peoples, this animal symbolizes fertility, prosperity, as well as patience and passive endurance. The cow is an ancient symbol of mother's milk and (like the bull) the cosmic forces that created the world. In many cults, from Ancient Egypt to China, the cow personifies Mother Earth. She also symbolizes the moon and the sky, because her horns resemble a crescent moon, her milk is associated with the Milky Way. The heads of the goddesses of the moon in various cultures are decorated with cow horns. The cow enjoys exceptional honor in India.

a lion

The lion is the symbol of the sun

The lion, commonly referred to as the king of beasts, has been one of the most frequently seen symbols of power and majesty for thousands of years. General symbolism: divine, solar energy (symbol of fire and the Sun), royal power, strength, courage, wisdom, justice, patronage, protection, but also cruelty, all-devouring ferocity and death. The lion is the image of all the great and terrifying forces of nature. He is considered both a destroyer and a savior, he is able to represent both evil and the fight against evil. The lion is one of the hypostases of the Sphinx.

Lions heraldic

heraldic lions

In heraldry - the most common and favorite image of an animal. Attributes of a heraldic lion: a bow and arrows, a saber, a sword, an ax, an ax, halberds, etc. The main heraldic form is a lion on its hind legs and in profile. In this case, one eye and one ear are indicated on the head. The bloody tongue sticks out of the mouth. This lion is a symbol of strength, courage, generosity. There are other image options. In state emblems, a crowned lion is an emblem of power over subjects.

Bear

heraldic bear

The bear is a symbol of good nature and rage, heroic strength and clumsiness, laziness and tender maternal feelings, gluttony and asceticism (albeit involuntary: he sleeps all winter without any food, “sucks his paw”). The bear personifies unpredictability, bad temper, evil, rudeness, greed, sinfulness, the devil, as well as cruel primitive force. Badge of warriors in Northern Europe and Asia.

In addition, the bear is a symbol of the moon and resurrection. K. Jung believes that the bear symbolizes the dark side of the subconscious.

Mouse, rat

mouse wedding

In Russia, the mouse is often called the "grey thief". The mouse is also a symbol of timidity, invisibility. The mouse helps to find the loss in the house: "Mouse, mouse, play and give it back." The mouse gives an increase. In China, the mouse is one of the popular deities of wealth.

The general symbolism of the rat is destruction, aggressiveness, greed; the rat is associated with disasters (pestilence) and death, but it is also the embodiment of perseverance, dexterity, cunning and fertility, and also has the gift of foresight (the legendary ability to foresee the death of ships).

Monkey

Hanuman, Monkey God Playing with the Peaches of Immortality (from a Chinese dish)

The symbolism of the monkey is controversial. Most often, the monkey personifies sin, in particular physical. She is also a symbol of cunning, deceit, the pursuit of luxury, spitefulness, laziness (due to her angular movements), drunkenness, sometimes a symbol of learning. The monkey (along with the white elephant and the cow) is the third sacred animal in India. Even now, insulting a monkey by action causes great resentment among religious people. In Japan, the cry of a monkey is a symbol of deep longing. Carvings of three monkeys are considered in the East as a talisman protecting from slander.

Deer

Stag (badge of Richard II, late 14th century)

A universal symbol associated with the East, sunrise, light, purity, renewal, creation and spirituality, but also with loneliness. Characteristic qualities of a deer: swiftness, grace and beauty. Deer are wonderful messengers and guides. They are credited with healing powers, especially the ability to search for medicinal herbs. The deer, in addition, is a symbol of caution and keen hearing. In China, the deer is associated with wealth (abundance) and good luck. The deer is a strong magical intercessor, one of the patron spirits of the Siberian peoples.

Eagle

The eagle as a symbol of the supreme power and solar nature of the lord of heaven and the head of all the gods Zeus (painting on a Greek bowl, 6th century BC)

The eagle is the lord of the air, the embodiment of power, speed. Solar symbol of the sun gods, rulers, warriors. Associated with greatness, power, dominance, courage, inspiration. It personifies the midday Sun, liberation from bonds, victory, pride, contemplation, royal origin, height. It is believed that the eagle is able to fly to the Sun, so it is called the messenger of heaven. Double-headed eagles can mean omniscience and dual power. An eagle with a snake in its claws symbolizes the victory of the spirit. In this fight, the eagle is the personification of the power of good, and the snake is the power of evil.

Eagles heraldic

Double-headed eagle (Russian embroidery)

Eagle - the emblem of the United States

In heraldry, the eagle is a symbol of power, dominance, generosity and insight. On coats of arms, the eagle is most often depicted flying chest forward, with wings raised up or soaring. It happens one- or two-headed. Since the time of the founders of Rome, Romulus and Remus, it has been depicted on the standards as the “bird of Jupiter”. After the Christians conquered Palestine, the double-headed eagle became the coat of arms of the Holy Roman Empire, and later of the Austrian (Austro-Hungarian) and Russian empires. The American bald eagle with outstretched wings has become the emblem of the United States.

Peacock

Peacock (medieval Persian drawing)

This is shining glory, immortality, greatness, incorruptibility. The magnificent tail of a peacock is a symbol of the all-seeing Sun and eternal cosmic cycles, as well as the starry firmament and, as a result, unity and interconnectedness. In ancient Rome, the peacock was considered the emblem of the empress and her daughters, while the eagle was the bird of the emperor. In Islamic decorative art, the unity of opposites (the Sun at its zenith next to the full Moon) is depicted as two peacocks under the World Tree. In Christianity, the peacock, on the one hand, is a symbol of eternal life, and on the other, a symbol of pride, luxury and vanity.

Spider

Spider depicted on an American Indian amulet

feminine beginning. The Great Mother, in her terrible form as weaver of fate, is sometimes depicted as a spider. All moon goddesses are spinners and weavers of fate. The web that the spider weaves is woven from the center in a spiral - a symbol of the creative forces of the Universe, a symbol of the universe. The spider in the center of the web symbolizes the center of the world; Sun surrounded by rays; The moon, personifying the cycles of life and death, spinning the web of time. The spider is often associated with good luck, wealth or rain. Killing a spider is bad luck.

Pelican

Plate of red stone mass depicting a pelican feeding its chicks with its blood (Staffordshire, circa 1660)

Pelican symbolizes self-sacrifice and parental love, as well as mercy. In heraldry, this bird, as a rule, is depicted as looking like an eagle or a crane, standing in a nest and trying to feed the chicks with its blood. Early Christian writers compared the pelican, feeding offspring with its flesh, with Jesus Christ, who donated his blood in the name of the salvation of mankind. The pelican is also a symbol of European occultism (primarily alchemists and Rosicrucians), expressing the feat of self-sacrifice and the eternal rebirth of life.

Rooster

Rooster - a solar bird (image-amulet, China, XX century)

The rooster is vigilance, courage, courage, foresight, reliability. Herald of the dawn, symbol of the Sun and spiritual rebirth. These qualities of his prevail over pride, arrogance, lust, also inherent in him. The Romans mean "the third watch of time": between midnight and dawn. The rooster is a protector from all kinds of evil. It is believed that night ghosts and evil spirits disappear with the first cock crow. The red rooster takes away the fire from the house, and the white one - ghosts. The Eastern Slavs, before moving into a new house, launched a rooster there. If he spent the night safely, then it was possible to move in.

Bee

Young woman collecting bee honey (15th century herbalist)

The bee personifies hard work, diligence, organizational and creative abilities, cleanliness, sociability, modesty, spirituality, courage, wisdom, selflessness, eloquence (“honey speeches”). In the Greek, Middle Eastern, Islamic traditions, the bee is an allegory of the soul. The Chinese associate the bee with the fickleness of "choosy brides." Among the ancient Slavs, the bee was a symbol of love, as it combined "the sweetness of honey and the bitterness of the sting." Queen bee, mother goddess, symbol of supreme power, fertility.

Scorpion

Scorpio (gnostic gem)

Scorpio is a symbol of evil, self-destruction, death, punishment, retribution, revenge, betrayal, but also a deep understanding of the world. Sometimes the scorpion serves as a talisman and an amulet - Paracelsus advised people suffering from diseases of the reproductive system to wear it. In Africa, it was believed that the scorpion itself allocates funds against its poison, so it was a symbol of not only murder, but also healing. The red star Antares on the "back" of the celestial constellation Scorpio was considered in Europe the worst fire in the sky.

Elephant

White elephant

At present, the huge mass and slowness of the elephant have become metaphorical. However, the elephant, first of all, is a symbol of strength: both gentle, loving, and furious, destructive. Elephants are considered vindictive, as they never forget the wrongs and abuse done to them. The thick skin of an elephant symbolizes spiritual invulnerability. The elephant is also a symbol of power, insight, prosperity, happiness, personifies the element of the Earth, memory, wisdom, longevity, fidelity, patience, compassion. The elephant is often depicted on good luck charms.

Dog

Neter Anubis (dog god)

In some countries, a dog is a sacred animal, in others it is considered an unclean, greedy, even vile creature and personifies evil. According to Islamic beliefs, angels will never visit a house where a dog lives. But most often the dog is a symbol of protection and self-sacrifice. As well as hunting (sometimes this symbol carries a negative connotation - persecution).

In ancient Egyptian mythology, dogs, as good guides and guards in the afterlife, were considered companions of Anubis, depicted with the head of a jackal or a dog.

Owl

Wise owl - attribute of Athena (Greece)

The owl is a traditional symbol of wisdom, an allegorical figure of Night and Sleep. In some ancient cultures, especially in China, the owl has an ominous symbolism, signifying darkness, personifying the yang principle with a negative, destructive connotation. Due to the noiselessness of night flight, glowing eyes and eerie screams, the owl is associated with death and occult forces. She is also credited with the gift of prophecy. At present, the owl is mainly a symbol of insight and book erudition. "Scientific owls" are called people of mental labor.

Falcon

Falcon - the image of the rising sun

The falcon, like the eagle, is a solar symbol of victory. The personification of superiority, strong spirit, light, freedom. In ancient Egypt, the falcon was a sacred symbol of the Sun, temples were dedicated to it, killing a falcon was considered a grave sin. In Western tradition, the falcon is a symbol of hunting. A falcon with a cap on its head is a symbol of hope for light and freedom. The falcon as a symbol of aggression is rare. Among the Slavs, this bird is a symbol of strength, courage, a good fellow. The falcon is opposed to the crow (as the embodiment of evil forces): "Where the falcons fly, they don't let the crow in."

Ostrich

Australian coat of arms

In ancient Egypt, the ostrich feather is an attribute of the goddess of truth and justice, Maat. This feather, according to legend, was placed on the scales when weighing the souls of the dead to determine the severity of their sins. Since ostrich feathers are the same length, they were used as a symbol of justice. The belief that an ostrich hides its head in the sand when danger appears (a symbol of avoiding problems) probably came from the threatening posture of the ostrich, when it bends its head to the ground itself.

In the Australian coat of arms, the emu is the shield-holder along with the kangaroo.

Tigers

“The Tiger Spring contains the tiger. Having mastered the contents of the tiger cave, the perfect man who subjugated yin and yang "

The tiger is a symbol of energy, strength, speed and talent. This image is both lunar and solar at the same time. He is both the creator and the destroyer. A tiger fighting a snake is a symbol of solar power. In a battle with a lion or dragon, he becomes a symbol of the moon, cruel and ferocious. In Europe, the tiger is a symbol of power and bloodlust. In the Far East, it is a symbol of nobility and happiness. In the cultures of Asia and India, it can be a symbol of aggression and protection, life and death, evil and good.

Turtle

Turtle wrapped in a snake

The turtle symbolizes strength, patience, endurance, constancy, slowness, fertility, longevity, senile strength, wisdom. In many cultures, the turtle is the most ancient symbol of cosmic order surrounded by special reverence. According to ancient beliefs, a turtle entwined with a snake is a symbol of the creation of the world. In India, the symbolism of stability is expressed in the idea that the Earth rests on four elephants, which stand on a huge turtle, slowly making its way through chaos. The turtle is also a symbol of protection from fire and water.

Lizard

Pumpkin with a lizard

This nimble, fast animal is a symbol of agility, elusiveness, and also rebirth (the latter) is associated with the ability of a lizard to leave its tail to the one who caught it, which then grows back. Lizards, because they hide in the shade during the heat of the day, are considered the guardians of the shadows, as well as the guardians of sleep and dreams. The lizard, in addition, can symbolize the subconscious and the shadows of our inner world.

The lizard was considered a good sign in Egypt and in the ancient world, where it was sometimes associated with wisdom. It has become an attribute of allegorical images of Logic. The symbol of Mercury, the messenger of the gods.

Mythical creatures

Imaginary animals are found throughout the world in myths and folklore ... They enable us to clearly characterize phenomena that would otherwise be difficult to identify.

J. Tresidder

Mythical creatures are, as a rule, a combination of several animals, which allows the human imagination to endow them with unusual abilities, including freedom from the usual principles of our world. Monsters, combining the appearance of several different animals, are a symbol of the initial chaos or the terrifying forces of nature, they also personify the evil forces in the nature of man himself. Fairytale animals are often depicted guarding treasures or hidden, secret knowledge.

Ba (bird)

The bird of the soul Ba, bent over the mummy before flying to another world (Egypt)

The Ba bird is an Egyptian symbol of the soul of a person, which flies away after his death to another world. This bird has the body of a falcon (according to some sources, a hawk) and a human head.

Basilisk (cockatrice)

Rooster head basilisk

Basilisk is one of the deadliest creatures of medieval symbolism. According to some sources, the basilisk looks like a simplicissimus, but with the head and legs of a rooster. In occult and magical symbolism, the basilisk is depicted as a crowned serpent. Since, as is commonly believed, the basilisk destroys everything with its gaze, it has been adopted as a magical symbol of wisdom, devouring a person with it symbolizes the process of initiation. It is believed that the only way to defeat a basilisk is to place a mirror in front of it.

Harpies

Harpy (XVI century)

These are half-woman, half-bird (female head and chest, and claws - a vulture) of a disgusting appearance. Associated with sudden death, whirlpools and storms. The feminine principle in its destructive aspect.

Garuda

Garuda (emblem of Thailand)

Bird of Life, Heaven, Sun, victory. Sometimes identified with the Phoenix. She is also the vehicle of the god Vishnu, the creator and destroyer of everything ("Vishnu's horse"). She emerges from the egg already an adult and nests in the Tree of Life, which fulfills all desires. The head, chest (female), torso, legs to the knees at the garuda are human, beak, wings, tail, hind legs (below the knees) are eagle.

The garuda is often depicted fighting nagas (serpents) who personify evil.

Hydra

Hydra (Greece, 16th century)

In Greek mythology, the Hydra is a dragon-serpent with seven heads. She symbolizes the difficulties in the fight against evil: as soon as one of her heads is cut off, a new one immediately grows. Blind, animal force of life.

Griffin

Griffin-protector (XVI century)

A solar hybrid creature that combines the head, wings and claws of an eagle with the body of a lion - these animals personify power over air and earth (the king of birds and the king of beasts), so the griffin is a symbol of strength and vigilance. In Greece, the griffin was dedicated to Apollo, whose chariot he drove through the sky, for Athena he personified wisdom, for Nemesis - retribution. Legends say that the griffins guarded the gold of India and the Scythians. There is also a legend that griffins living in the Far North guard the gold of Zeus, located in the country of the Hyperboreans.

The Dragon

Chinese dragon Chiao, a symbol of a happy occasion

The dragon - "winged serpent", but only with paws like an eagle - combines a snake and a bird, spirit and matter. This is one of the most versatile and most complex symbols. The dragon can be solar and lunar, good and evil. This is the keeper of treasures and secret knowledge. Longevity symbol. In the East, the dragon, as a rule, is the Power of Heaven, bringing good, in the West - a destructive and evil force. In Russia, the dragon is a sign of Satan, the devil. The victory over the dragon means the victory of light over darkness, over one's own nature.

Unicorn

Heraldic image of a unicorn

A unicorn is a mystical creature, an animal with the body of a horse or deer, which has a long, sharp horn. In the general case, it symbolizes the feminine, lunar principle, purity, purity, chastity. In China, it represents abundance and longevity. According to the legends, it can only be caught by a chaste maiden sitting alone in the forest: sensing her purity, the unicorn can come up to her, lay her head on her lap and fall asleep. On the basis of these legends, he became a symbol of purity, in particular feminine.

Centaur

Centaur, lore hunter

According to Greek myths, a centaur is a creature with the body of a horse and the torso of a man. This is a symbol of the lower nature of man (lust, violence, drunkenness), his bestial nature, connected with a higher nature by human virtues and the ability to judge. It is a symbol of the conflict between the ferocious and good aspects of human nature.

There is also a version about morally impeccable centaurs (among them - Chiron), descended from Kronos. They symbolize the superiority of reason over instinct.

Makara

Makara

In the Western tradition, makara is a fantastic sea monster of enormous size (a fish with the head of a crocodile). Symbol of the power of the seas and oceans, rivers and lakes. In Hinduism, Makara has the appearance of a fish with the head and front legs of an antelope. This is one of the creatures on which Vishnu travels. It is a positive symbol associated with the rainbow and rain, with the lotus rising from the water, the return of the Sun after the winter solstice. Makara in a number of legends is associated with deities acting as guardians of the world - lokapal (Varuna, Soma, Indra, Kubera ...).

Medusa Gorgon

Medusa Gorgon (Greece) - horror

Medusa Gorgon - a female monster with snakes instead of hair, boar teeth, golden wings and bronze legs. This is the most blatant personification of hostile evil, the Great Mother in her terrible aspect of the destroyer, the embodiment of horror. One look at her turned people to stone, so her image later became a protective amulet. After Perseus cut off Medusa Gorgon's head, the giant Chrysaor and the winged horse Pegasus were born from her blood.

Nagas

Buddha sitting on a coiled naga, symbolizing the knowledge hidden in instinct (statue from the temple of Angkor)

In Hinduism, these are demigods depicted with a snake body and one or more human heads (sometimes they are just many-headed snakes). They, according to legend, own the underworld - Patala, where they guard the countless treasures of the earth. According to legend, the nagas washed Gautama Buddha at his birth, and also protected his remains after death. Nagas are the guardians of treasures and esoteric knowledge, serpent kings and queens, the vital forces of the waters, passionate nature. These are the guardians of natural forces that can be controlled.

Pegasus

Pegasus (XVI century)

This is the winged horse of Muses, which emerged from the neck of Medusa when Perseus cut off her head. Pegasus, on which Bellerophon defeated the Chimera, personifies the combination of the lower and higher nature, striving for the higher, and symbolizes the superiority of the spiritual over the material. It is also a symbol of eloquence, poetic inspiration and contemplation. In European heraldry, Pegasus is depicted on the coats of arms of thinkers. Today it is often used as an emblem of air transport.

Mermaid

Mermaid (XV century)

A fish woman capable of living in the human world and the supernatural world. The magical symbol of initiation. The mermaid is a marine version of the Centaur. However, it also has more positive symbolism, according to the sailors. In Slavic mythology, mermaids (bathing, vodonitsy, rags, pitchforks, undines) are harmful creatures, especially dangerous in the mermaid week (following the Trinity). Often mermaids are confused with such creatures of ancient Greek mythology as Nereids, naiads, water nymphs. But these eternally young maidens do not have, unlike mermaids, a fish tail.

Salamander

salamander on fire

Salamander is a mythical creature in the form of an ordinary animal, but with supernatural powers. The salamander is usually depicted as a small lizard or wingless dragon, sometimes with a human or dog-like figure amidst flames. These creatures are considered the most poisonous of creatures, their bite is deadly. The salamander is the element of fire and is able to live in fire because it has a very cold body. It is a symbol of the fight against sensual temptations. Since the salamander is considered a sexless creature, it also symbolizes chastity.

Simplicissimus

Harold's emblem

Simplicissimus is a fictional beast that looks like a dragon, but with two eagle legs and a tail in the shape of a spearhead twisted in a loop. Symbolizes war, envy, stench, disaster, Satan, but also vigilance.

Simplicissimus was the personal emblem of King Harold (on the French carpets from Bayeux, telling about the Battle of Hastings and the death of Harold in 1066, the simplicissimus is depicted twice).

Fo dog

Dog Fo (China)

“Fo” means “great luck” in Chinese. This is a symbol of valor and energy, a talisman for the home. Pho dogs should be purchased in pairs and placed side by side. If you put them (or hang their images) in front of the front door, they meet all incoming people and protect each family member from troubles and failures. Placed in the Wealth Zone (Southeast), Pho dogs contribute to the well-being and prosperity of the home. Located in the central sector, they will bring wealth to the house faster.

Sphinx

Egyptian coin depicting the Sphinx

The Sphinx is a creature with the body of a lion and a human head (male or female) or with the head of a ram. The oldest and largest is the Great Sphinx in Giza (Egypt). This is an ancient image, personifying a mysterious, solar power, a symbol of dignity, royalty, wisdom, power, a symbol of the union of physical power with the highest intellect.

The Egyptian sphinx has nothing to do with the later Greek legend of the "mystery of the Sphinx", which made it a symbol of mystery, a keeper of ancient wisdom, but Jung considered the sphinx a symbol of female greed, as well as the "Terrible Mother".

Scylla and Charybdis

Scylla (Greece) - danger

In Greek mythology, these are two monsters of the Sicilian Sea, who lived on both sides of a narrow strait and killed sailors passing between them. Ruthless manifestations of the forces of the sea. Once upon a time, from beautiful nymphs, they were turned into monsters with six heads, with three rows of teeth in each head, with ugly long necks. These roaring, rumbling monsters swallowed the sea and spat it back out (the image of an opening sea abyss). Being between Scylla and Charybdis means being in danger from different directions at the same time.

Triton

Triton (Greece) - wave calmer

Depicted as an old man or a young man with a fish tail instead of legs. In Greek mythology, it is considered a sea deity - the son of Poseidon and the mistress of the seas, Amphitrids. Triton blows a horn from a shell and rules over the powers of the waters. A marine version of a mermaid, but male.

Phoenix

Phoenix (XVI century)

Phoenix is ​​the most famous of all symbols of resurrection, an ancient symbol of immortality, the Sun. An animal that has a normal appearance, but with supernatural powers. This legendary bird is reborn every 500 years from the ashes in a fire. Phoenix has become an emblem of the rebirth of the human spirit in the eternal struggle with the difficulties of the material world. From Ancient Egypt, this symbol passed into Slavic mythology (Firebird, Finist-Clear Falcon) in full integrity.

Chimera

Chimera (Vatican)

According to Homer's description, this is a monster with the head of a lion, the body of a goat and the tail of a snake. Feeds on fire, was killed by Bellerophon, who rules the winged pegasus.

In heraldry, the chimera is sometimes depicted with the head and chest of a woman and the tail of a dragon.

The Chimera causes winds and storms on land and sea. Symbolizes danger, as well as delusion (may give rise to illusions). In addition, it is a symbol of non-existence.

A symbol of the constant transformation of the human spirit, it was used to strengthen and concentrate all the spiritual inner forces of a person necessary for creative work for the benefit of the descendants of his ancient family or his great people.

The basis of the symbol is salted Kolovrat, the purpose of which is to create something new. Its similar location symbolizes the intensified embodiment of the spirit in man, and his desire from the material to the spiritual. For those who embark on the path of spiritual development, it gradually removes all obstacles that prevent them from receiving help in penetrating to the highest essence of the existence of the worlds and their inhabiting beings.

The Spiritual Power symbol will help those who wish to understand the laws of the Universe and the World of the Spirit, distract them from a complete fall into the world of material pleasures, help awaken the memory of the family, and help them realize their destiny in the Explicit World and in the world of Rule. Amulet Spiritual strength is recommended for those who want to maintain self-control and clarity of thought under any life circumstances.

For a person who respects his culture and his Gods, the Spiritual Power symbol will provide a connection with the world of ancestors, thanks to which it will be possible to use their strength and abilities in our Explicit World. This will help remove obstacles and achieve your goal faster. Maybe, like the ancient Magi, a mystical ability to control not only the course of one's life, but also natural phenomena will manifest itself. All this is possible by revealing internal spiritual reserves, when a person begins to live not at the expense of muscular strength, but at the expense of internal spiritual fire.

Spiritual strength is a narrowly focused sign that acts on the disclosure of internal reserves. This strength helps to overcome any life hardships, to find strength in ourselves in the event of the inevitable departure of our loved ones from our lives, to survive parting and to maintain clarity of thought and self-control during any trials.

It helps restore the harmony of mind and body. Thanks to this, the one who wears this symbol in the form of a talisman is not afraid of any accident. Spiritual power will connect a person with his guardians and with benevolent beings of other worlds.

Spiritual strength is useful for people with a shattered nervous system, those who often break into shouting, accusations, lose self-control, and, as a rule, lose to a calmer opponent. Public people, who often give interviews and speak in public, note the amazing calmness that comes from this symbol.

When wearing this symbol, the analytical abilities of our brain are powerfully manifested, it becomes easier to concentrate on the task at hand. The best solution to a problem often comes from outside and turns out to be optimal.

The symbol of military people and people of dangerous professions shows its qualities very interestingly. A warrior has a significant increase in mental clarity, composure and the ability to control his body.

For people living together, the help of the symbol will also be considerable. After all, he, balancing the mind and emotions, makes the union strong. Random betrayal, as a destroyer of holy feelings, will no longer come to this couple.

Like any swastika, this symbol minimizes the consequences of negative energy and stabilizes the subtle body of a person and his internal state, literally patching up holes formed from black thoughts and actions. This symbol will also reliably protect against psycho-emotional attacks from ill-wishers.

Slavic symbol Spiritual strength is a reliable remedy for fears and depressions, since the help and protection of the Higher powers give positive thoughts and confidence in the future.

But it is worth remembering and not forgetting that there are universal amulets and those that are intended for people who have chosen the spiritual path. Spiritual strength is one of such symbols, mainly intended for people who have chosen a thorny spiritual path of development.

And it is better to use it for those who know their goal, recognize the existence of the spiritual path, but are entangled in the world of desires. Amulet Spiritual power will gradually dispel illusions, establishing a connection with the ancestral memory, the world of Rule and will lead a person to the right spiritual path, breaking the shackles of the material world.

Amulet Spiritual power is a powerful moral weapon!

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Other symbols

The spiritual swastika (Uzhich-Borich) enjoyed the greatest attention among sorcerers, sorcerers, sorcerers. She symbolized the harmony and unity of bodies, soul, spirit and conscience. The Magi used the symbol to control the natural elements.

Spiritual Power amulet , which will become a real helper for those who cannot imagine their life without spirituality. Since ancient times, this amulet symbolized the Transformation of the spirit and helped a person to concentrate his inner forces, without which Creation is impossible. The Slavic amulet Spiritual Power is a Kolovrat directed in the opposite direction. Its main purpose is to create a new by destroying the old.

Each wing of the Kolovrat has additional branches in the form of the Ga rune, symbolizing the maximum embodiment of the spirit in a person and his path from material to spiritual values. Such a runic amplification makes it possible to emphasize the multidimensionality of the existence of a person, who is initially a pure and simple embodiment of divine grace, which was created according to all the strict laws of the universe. The meaning of the amulet Spiritual Power is multidimensional, but most often it is used to strengthen the connection of a person with the gods protecting him.

If a person embarks on the path of spiritual development, then (with God's help) all the difficulties and obstacles that do not allow him to comprehend the essence of the surrounding world and the world of higher powers disappear before him. According to one of the theories of the ancient Slavs, a person can exist both in the material world and in the spiritual, comprehending the secrets of the universe both there and there.

What gives the amulet Spiritual strength and its meaning

Every person who decides to buy a Spiritual Power amulet must understand that with its help one can understand the laws
universe and the underworld. Such a talisman is constantly worn by those for whom the world of material and physical pleasures comes second. The ancient Slavs believed that Spiritual Power awakens the memory of the family and makes it possible to find their place in the worlds of Reveal and Rule. If you need to constantly maintain composure and think clearly in any difficult situation, then this amulet will become a real helper. It is worth remembering that the amulet helps only those who not only lead a righteous life, but are also pure in thoughts and actions.

Connection of the Power of the Spirit and all the worlds

Spiritual Power is a kind of symbol of the relationship of the spirit, soul and body. The presence of such a talisman allows you to control nature. Such a talisman will help those who respect their traditions and the gods worshiped by their ancestors. The strength and abilities of the divine principles make it possible for a person to acquire additional energy, thanks to which it is much easier for a person to deal with problems and obstacles. Amulet Spiritual Power allows you to reveal internal reserves, awaken ancestral memory, live not in the physical world, but through the use of spiritual fire.

The amulet Spiritual Power is universal, therefore it is suitable for both men and women who have chosen the spiritual path - thorny, difficult, but at the same time blessed. The optimal material for the manufacture of such a talisman is silver, since this metal has magical properties that allow the enormous energy that can be obtained from the gods to be concentrated in the minimum size of the amulet.

- an attribute of self-expression for many modern people. Especially young people are eager to quickly draw a picture on their body, as soon as they do not need parental permission for this. The older generation is not entirely positive about such fashion trends, because they give it much more meaning.

Indeed, each tattoo has a certain meaning. Initially, for this they were created to carry a certain message about their owner. And this message was not always positive. It will not be superfluous to familiarize yourself with what this or that symbol means before applying it to your body. It is especially important to know this for people who put a mystical meaning into the pictures applied to the skin.

Consider the most popular symbols and pictures that people tattoo on themselves, and try to understand what meaning they have.

Diamond. Reflection of one's own uniqueness, exclusivity. It used to be thought to protect against disease. Therefore, such a symbol can also act as a talisman.

Butterfly. One of the most popular tattoos for women. A symbol of romance and femininity, as well as inner freedom and lightness.

Zodiac signs. Usually characteristic of people who believe in some mystical things, in the influence of the zodiac sign on their lives. Or they are very impressed with the symbol of their zodiac. For example, the sign of the scales speaks of measuredness, a certain philosophical assessment of things, and the calf symbolizes inner strength and confidence.

Wolf. Among animals, the most common symbol for a tattoo. The wolf means strength, confidence, love of freedom, the search for deep meaning, wandering, proud loneliness. A pair of wolves is a symbol of love and fidelity.

Eye- a symbol of secret spiritual knowledge, intuition. Often acts as a talisman. Sometimes the eye is depicted as a religious symbol.

Dolphin. Denotes friendliness, cheerful disposition, ease of communication. Also, this animal is one of the most mysterious, which can be the owner of such a tattoo.

Tree. A symbol of growth, development and prosperity. Subconsciously, a tree is always associated with our clan and family. The style of the tree (with a wide crown, deep roots or not) reflects the characteristics of the family.

Star of David. A religious symbol that also speaks of a certain exclusivity and secret knowledge.

Snake. A symbol of temptation since the time of Adam and Eve. In addition, the snake means wisdom, cunning, mystery, mystery and sexuality.

Yin Yang. Balance, masculine and feminine. The personification of harmony and balance, tranquility.

Clover. A sign of good luck, it is tattooed for good luck. In addition, it may be a religious sign denoting the trinity of God.

Key. A very fashionable tattoo that incredibly many people depict on themselves. Denotes some mystery, mystery, isolation. Attraction to the discovery of truth.

Compass. Finding your life path, the desire to move forward, to achieve goals.

Ship. The desire to follow the dream, freedom, inner lightness. Life path symbol.

Cat. Symbolizes willfulness, love of freedom. For women, it is often a symbol of grace and femininity. For some, this is a display of the ability to withstand difficult circumstances, because everyone knows the myth that a cat has nine lives.

Martin. Most often acts as a talisman. Its owners associate its flight with freedom, swiftness of life.

a lion. He is depicted in tattoos more often than other animals. In people, it is associated with majesty, nobility and power.

Bat. It is perceived by many as something mystical, associated with dark forces. According to some myths, a bat is the reincarnation of a vampire. Indeed, many use this drawing as a symbol of connection with otherworldly forces. But in itself, this animal is quite unique, because it is the only flying mammal with echolocation.

dream Catcher. Tattoo-amulet. As a dream catcher above the bed protects us from bad dreams, so the owner of such a tattoo hopes to protect himself from negative influences.

Mandala. Associated with spiritual practices, denotes the desire to know oneself, the subtle spiritual nature, the desire for self-development. Mandalas can act as metaphors to describe one's life path or one's personality.

Mask. Symbolizes mystery, intrigue or even illusion. Associated with mystery, isolation and duplicity.

Lightning. One of the most powerful natural phenomena, denoting a huge amount of strength and energy. The owner of the tattoo seeks to acquire such strength or to show that he is internally strong and energetic.

Octopus. An unusual creature, tattooing on yourself, you can focus the attention of others on your flexibility, ability to adapt well, as well as a high level of intelligence.

Spider and web. Designation of creativity, creativity and unusualness. A spider tattoo can also speak of thoroughness, accuracy, and practicality.

Feather. A symbol of sophistication and femininity. It can symbolize a fine mental organization and vulnerability, and it is also a symbol of beauty and grace.

Pyramid. Designation of solar energy. It is a symbol of secret knowledge, an unresolved riddle. Also, the pyramid can mean development, the desire to improve.

Infinity symbol. It can act as a symbol of attitude towards a particular person, a sign of endless and boundless feelings, affection, fidelity. The symbol itself indicates the desire to eliminate any boundaries and restrictions, the desire for freedom.

Scarab. Acts as a talisman that promotes spiritual development. A symbol of cyclicity - sunrise and sunset.

The GERMAN punitive battalion "Black Death" of SS Oberführer Dirlewanger and the police battalion expelled all the inhabitants of Khatyn from their houses and locked them in a barn, and then overlaid it with straw, doused it with gasoline and set it on fire. The wooden building burst into flames quickly. Terrified people in burning clothes, choking on smoke, broke down the doors and rushed to run. But those who escaped from the flames, the Germans and policemen cold-bloodedly shot from machine guns. On that tragic day, 149 people were killed and burned alive in Khatyn, including 75 children under the age of 16. The youngest was only 7 weeks old. Only five children and 56-year-old blacksmith Iosif Kaminsky survived from all of Khatyn.

After the end of the war, at the site of the tragedy, over the mass grave of the inhabitants of Khatyn burned alive, an obelisk was erected, and later - a monument to the “Grieving Mother”. And on July 5, 1969, the grand opening of the Khatyn memorial complex took place, which forever became a symbol of the national tragedy of Belarus.

Today the complex occupies about 50 hectares. In the center of the composition is a six-meter bronze sculpture "The Unbowed Man" with a dead child in her arms, the prototype of which was the only adult resident of Khatyn, Joseph Kaminsky, who survived that fateful day. Nearby are closed granite slabs, symbolizing the roof of a barn in which the villagers were burned. On the mass grave of white marble - the Crown of memory with the order of the dead alive forever to establish peace and tranquility on earth.

The former street of the village is lined with gray reinforced concrete slabs, the color of ash. In place of the houses that once stood, there are 26 symbolic concrete lower crowns of log cabins and the same number of obelisks in the form of chimneys scorched by fire. On each of them are bronze tablets with the names of those who lived there. And every thirty seconds the bells ring sadly.

In 2004, on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Belarus from Nazi invaders, on behalf of the President, the memorial complex was reconstructed with elements of restoration. After its completion, a photo-documentary exposition "Khatyn" was opened for visitors, telling about the atrocities and atrocities of the fascist invaders on the territory of Belarus. And since March of this year, visitors to the complex have the opportunity to get acquainted with the exposition of photographs and documents that tell about the tragedy of the inhabitants of the Czech village of Lidice, which shared the fate of Khatyn.

The memorial complex, according to its employees, has withstood the test of time, and interest in it has not yet disappeared. Over four decades, more than 36 million people have visited it. Last year it was visited by over 180 thousand people as part of excursion groups or official delegations. This is without taking into account those who visited the memorial complex on an individual basis.

To pay tribute to the memory of the innocent victims of fascism, both ordinary citizens of Belarus and various foreign countries, as well as representatives of the diplomatic corps, heads of state come to Khatyn.

Here is the entry of the President of Belarus Alexander LUKASHENKO, made by him ten years ago, on March 22, 2003.

“On the day of the 60th anniversary of the Khatyn tragedy, we bow our heads deeply in memory of the dead inhabitants of this peaceful Belarusian village and all the innocent victims of fascism.

Khatyn is our eternal pain and sorrow. But not only. She is an example of the courage and resilience of the Belarusian people, who did not bow to any atrocities of the invaders. We are indebted to our compatriots who gave their lives in the struggle for the freedom of Belarus.

Our sacred duty to the fallen and the living is to prevent the emergence of new “fiery” villages and cities, suffering and death in the crucible of military conflicts and terrorist acts, and to preserve forever the peaceful sky over Belarus and over the entire planet Earth.”

On July 1, 2004, the head of state, having visited the already restored memorial complex, left one more entry in the book of honored guests.

“Without the past, there is no present and no future. Entering the sixtieth year of peaceful life, Belarus does not forget at the cost of what struggle, suffering and sacrifice happiness was won. The flame of Khatyn burns our hearts, reminding us of the sacred duty - to protect peace and tranquility in our native land, to prevent the horrors of war from repeating.

Here, in Khatyn, the courage and heroism of the Belarusian people are embodied in granite and bronze. The memorial restored to the great date is a visible confirmation of the eternal memory of descendants about the tragedy of the burned villages.

Our gratitude and appreciation to those who defended the freedom and independence of the Motherland at the cost of their lives will never dry out. A symbol of the firmness and inflexibility of the human spirit, Khatyn will always serve the cause of peace and mutual understanding between peoples.

And here are the feelings caused by visiting the memorial complex in the former President of Ukraine Leonid KUCHMA:

“The bell ringing of Khatyn echoes in the heart of each of us with pain and deep sorrow.

Khatyn is an eternal reminder of the millions who gave their lives for freedom and independence.

I bow my head to the memory of the dead. Let their great sacrifice be a call to protect and strengthen peace on the planet.”

The current President of Ukraine, Viktor Yanukovych, who visited Khatyn as prime minister, wrote:

“With an undisguised feeling of excitement, I visited Khatyn - one of the hundreds of Belarusian villages that tragically disappeared in a cruel and bloody war. The memorial complex "Khatyn" is a burning pain for millions of fellow citizens - Belarusians, Ukrainians, representatives of other peoples who gave their lives during the Great Patriotic War for the independence of their land. This is an eternal reminder of the inadmissibility of such catastrophes.

I can't resist quoting the words of the first President of the USSR Mikhail GORBACHEV:

“The Khatyn memorial complex is a monument to all Soviet people who died in a fierce battle with the worst enemy - German fascism. Khatyn is, at the same time, a reminder to all living of the need to do everything possible so that such a tragedy never happens again anywhere, so that peace on earth is preserved.

Here, on this piece of Belarusian land, you feel especially keenly and deeply understand at what cost the victory in the Great Patriotic War was won by the Soviet people.

But the great sacrifices were not in vain, an example of this is the revived Soviet Belarus. Today's Belarusian land, the achievements of the Belarusian people in the family of brother nations are our common pride, the best tribute to the memory of all those who gave the most precious thing - their lives - to the struggle for the freedom and independence of the socialist Motherland.

He is echoed by former Secretary-General of the United Nations, Pérez de CUEllAR:

"Never again! I hope that the suffering of the inhabitants of Khatyn will serve as a lesson in mercy for all the people of the world. We should all think about how inhumane war is and how beneficial peace is. Admiration and respect for the heroic people of Khatyn!”

Former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi called the memorial complex a reminder of the hardships war brings to people:

“Let none of us forget how people used their energy to destroy each other. Let this be a reminder to all those who impede disarmament that the consequences could be even worse. The memorial evokes extremely strong feelings in everyone who visits it. Minsk and Belarus suffered so that the ideals of humanism could live. May the world remember and fight for a better future for humanity.”

Sincere words of gratitude to the Belarusian people, who, thanks to their heroism, made a huge contribution to the liberation of the world from the brown plague of German fascism, were expressed by the former presidents of Finland and the Republic of Moldova Mauno Koivisto and Mircea Snegur, the former general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia Gustav Husak, the second secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba Raul Castro and other high-ranking guests who visited the Khatyn memorial complex. As the chairman of the Caucasian Muslims Department, Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pasha-zade, assured, “the alarm of Khatyn will always sound in our hearts, calling for the unification of the efforts of religious figures of different faiths in the fight against the forces of evil and violence, in the name of saving the sacred gift of life” .

But what records are left after visiting the memorial complex by ordinary citizens. Russian woman Natalia NEOFITOVA from the Kaluga region writes:

“It is impossible to separate the pain and sorrow of the Belarusian people from ours, from mine. Having been in Khatyn, it seems that you are a little involved in history. Here, every stone, every tree is evidence of that old terrible story that will never be erased from memory. Be sure to support and keep in the memory of the younger generation the events of those years. As long as we remember, we must not allow war. May our children and grandchildren live under peaceful skies.”

A soldier of military unit 44540, Private A. NOVIKOV, urges to prevent the repetition of such tragedies.

“This place is full of sorrow for the dead civilians. But along with sorrow, hope and faith are instilled in life, that even in such monstrous conditions it is preserved. We will not allow this to happen again."

“We are very grateful for the opportunity to get closer to those distant, terrible times, which we only read about in books. The tragedy of Khatyn made me think about the value of life, about my relatives and friends, - write cadets of the investigative-expert faculty of the Academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Belarus. - The memorial met us with a sculpture of an unconquered man, which symbolizes the invincibility and resilience of the Belarusian people. Feelings of grief, sadness and compassion filled our souls at the very beginning of the path, the path that became tragic for the inhabitants of this village. How many atrocities the invaders did on our land, how much pain and fear they brought ... And the village of Khatyn is a vivid example of this.

We honor the memory of those who passed away in such a terrible, merciless, cruel way. And we must not allow a repetition of such terrible events.”

And schoolgirl M. Goncharova promises“always remember all the dead, and tell your friends and classmates. So that they, too, remember.

Nikolay CHALEY, BN