Symbols have been used since ancient times to provide guidance, direction, and understanding. Symbols for healing in particular stand out in nearly every culture around the world. Healing symbols are physical representations of the physical and spiritual healing that we all seek. These depictions have been passed down through generations of tradition and are still used today in many practices including yoga, reiki, and personal ceremony. They come from many cultures and have their place in practices worldwide. Here, we share 18 of the most common healing symbols to help you understand their origin and use:
1. Yin & Yang
This Chinese symbol dates back thousands of years. The symbol shows two identical, yet opposing halves that interlock, forming a perfect circle. The Yin half is black, and is generally associated with feminine energy, passivity, and coolness. The Yang half is white, and is connected to masculine energy, activity, and heat. It serves as a reminder that both types of energy are needed for wholeness, and that together, they create balance.
2. Om
Originating from 5,000-year-old Vedic texts, Om is seen today as a sacred symbol in Hinduism, Buddhism, and yoga. It is considered by many to be the sound of the universe, one that connects all things. It consists of three curves, a semi-circle, and a dot. There are many interpretations as to what these components represent, the most common being the states of consciousness or a relationship to three deities or higher powers. The use of Om is said to help calm, awaken and bring compassion.
3. Lotus
Common in Japanese and Buddhist cultures, this symbol is a representation of the lotus flower, which grows in muddy conditions, yet blooms into a pristine flower. Each morning, the flower opens its petals, and each night, they close again. Many look to it as a symbol of rebirth and the opportunity for something beautiful and whole to arise from trying circumstances.
4. Spiral Sun
The Spiral Sun is seen in various forms in cultures throughout the world. It is often depicted as a Native American healing symbol in artifacts of the Anasazi, and is also called “the First Healer,” as these people believed in the sun’s ability to heal ailments. A similar symbol is seen in Ghana and is known as Owia Kokroko, representing the necessity of light for life, healing, and renewal.
5. Healer’s Hand (also known as the Shaman’s Hand)
The Healer’s Hand depicts a hand with a spiral coming into the palm. The first known depictions were found in Native American hieroglyphics in the United States of America. It is often seen in healing rituals and in reiki practices as a symbol of healing and protection.
6. Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen
This is a Reiki symbol that is generally translated as “no past, no present, no future.” It is intended to provide healing across distance, whether that be physical distance or a distance of time or space. This symbol, along with the four following symbols are 5 traditional symbols used by Reiki practitioners to encourage healing.
7. Sei He Ki
The Reiki symbol Sei He Ki refers to the connecting of two bodies – often God to man, the subconscious to the conscious, or the mental to the emotional. It is used to calm, soothe, and heal through the release of negative emotions, allowing space for positive ones to take root.
8. Cho Ku Rei
Cho Ku Rei is a Reiki symbol depicted by a horizontal line which bends into a vertical line, and then turns into a spiral. It is a symbol believed to invite power and energy, increase and enlarge healing, and help unblock the chakras.
9. Dai Ko Myo
This symbol means “great shining light” and is used in Reiki practices to bring awareness to oneself and help users find their path and journey in healing and in life.
10. Raku
The Raku symbol is generally used at the end of an attunement or healing Reiki session to close and secure energy. It is sometimes referred to as a “fire serpent” or “lightening bolt,” and helps with grounding and preserving the effects of the healing session.
11. Sri Yantra
The Sri Yantra (also written as Shri Yantra) is a sacred symbol arising from Indian tradition thousands of years old. It is made up of 9 interlocking triangles and two rings of lotus flowers. It is said to house all the universe’s energy and users ascribe meaning to each of the triangles and flowers in a way that helps elevate one’s being. Also common is its use to help balance the chakras within the body.
12. Simple Shapes in Sacred Geometry
Many sacred symbols have similarities arising from the use of simple shapes imbued with meaning. Sacred geometry is used in symbols worldwide, with many people recreating the image as a sacred or healing tattoo. The most common shapes include the circle – representing oneness or being whole; the square – encouraging grounding and stability; the triangle – promoting balance; and the spiral – symbolizing growth and the journey through life.
13. Seed of Life
The Seed of Life is an example of sacred geometry, where 6 circles connect and overlap in a central seventh circle, all of which are the same size. It is an ancient symbol used by many religions and cultures to represent creation and energy. It is a popular tattoo for those wishing to bring energy into their life.
14. Star of David
While most commonly viewed as a symbol of Judaism, the Star or Shield of David is also used as a protective and healing symbol. It is made of two triangles, one pointing upward and the other facing down. Some have interpreted this to mean the elevating of one’s consciousness (the upward triangle), while remaining grounded (the downward triangle).
15. Eternal Knot
Another symbol built on sacred geometry is the Eternal Knot. Seen in Buddhist culture as a holy symbol, it is also used in Celtic and Chinese tradition. It holds many meanings, including the interconnectedness of all beings; a path of birth, life, and death; and the idea that making a change in life can affect another part of life down the line.
16. Unalome
The Unalome is a popular sacred symbol and tattoo. It is common among yogis and in the Buddhist and Hindu cultures. It is seen as a path through life, one that is sometimes straight, and other times encircled by challenges or winding roads. It reminds users that life and healing are processes, not just straight lines.
17. Rod of Asclepius
One of the most widely used symbols in healing today is the Rod of Asclepius. It shows a staff or stick with a single snake coiled around it. Its origins are tied to three different people – Asclepius, the Greek god of medicine and healing; Vediovis, the Roman god of healing; and Moses, a biblical prophet. All three are associated with healing in their various cultures, which makes the symbol identifiable in its use by many medical organizations today.
18. Mandala
Mandalas are sacred symbols made up of many small geometric shapes and patterns. They can symbolize the path through life, the chakras, or the universe as a whole. Mandalas are used to help calm and focus the mind, allowing stress and negative emotions to dissipate. They are a common tool used in meditation and spiritual healing.
Each of these sacred symbols hold great significance for those who use them. While they are not tested and proven by modern medicine, they remain a part of cultural, religious, and personal tradition as a means to guide people to healing and help in their life journey.
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