Category: Symbols

It’s just a Circle, Right?: The Wheel of Life

by Administrator, posted in Buddhism, Symbols

By Rebecca

There are many different kinds of wheels, but this month we’re going to be talking about the Wheel of Life, big with the Tibetan Buddhists.  A wheel that itself has many different names: Wheel of Existence, Wheel of Rebirth, Wheel of Samsara, Wheel of Suffering, Wheel of Transformation, and I’m sure there are more.  What is this particular wheel?  What makes it different than, I don’t know, the one on a BMX bike per se?  Well this wheel helps you find enlightenment.  Do you know of any other wheels that do that?

The Wheel of Life is a visual representation of the various states of being.  The Wheel is supposed to remind people that the goal is enlightenment.  To look at it’s imagery one might feel bummed, it’s not called the Wheel of Suffering because it’s all sunshine and daisies, but it’s actually a symbol of affirmation.  It’s a reminder to seekers that enlightenment is out there and available to any who wish to take the journey.

Now at a glance there seems to be a lot going on, and well, there is.  So let’s start in the dead center.  There is a pig, a cock, and a snake in a circle, each biting the tail of the other.  Each of these animals depict a human failing, each is assigned a slightly different attribute depending on whom you ask.  Bear in mind that these animals are used to show human failings, thus revealing the animal beneath our civilized behaviors and these are considered the core problems that keep souls trapped within the Six Realms (their coming up kids!).

Next is the circle that surrounds that nasty core.  Traditionally one side of the circle is light, the other dark.  One side is referred to as the White Path or Path of Bliss, which shows how your soul can rise towards greater spiritual heights.  Where as the dark side, known as the Dark Path, show people that have chosen a dark path and have thusly descended to gloomy depths.

After that, you’ve got the Six Realms, told you we’d get to them.  Each of these depicts a different level of existence.  The Six Realms are The World of the Devas (Gods), The World of Asuras (Demigods, Fighting Demons), The World of Humans (you know, people), The World of Pretas (Hungry Ghosts), and The World of Hell.  These Six Realms show all the possible states of existence in the universe and all beings tend to cycle through all of these states depending on their Karma.

Next, there is the outermost ring, which is divided into twelve parts.  These are particularly handy because they demonstrate behaviors that keep people in the Six Realms that we just talked about.  These are kind of a cause and effect representation.  There is the blind man, which is ignorance.  The potter at his wheel is showing volitional activities.  There is a monkey in a tree, which represents sentience.  There are men in a boat, which is name and form.  The house with empty windows represents the sense organs.  A couple is shown embracing, which is sensuous impressions.  The man with an arrow in his eye represents feeling (like maybe ouch?).  There is a woman offering drink to a man, that shows us craving.  The woman on the tree plucking fruit represents grasping.  There is a couple making love, and they represent bringing into existence.  The woman in labor shows us birth.  Lastly is the coffin, which represents death and decay.

This whole thing is being held by one horrific looking creature, who in most versions is the Lord of Death.  He’s there to remind you that we are held by our fear of death, but in Buddhist thought death is just a crack at a new existence!  There is also something in the upper left and upper right hand corners, generally the moon, a Buddha, or a Bodhisattva.  These represent a chance at achieving Nirvana and links between the mundane and the Transcendental.

Whew!  That’s a whole lot in one wheel!  The Wheel of Life is found in every monastery, usually painted directly on the wall, but sometimes on paper or cloth.  It uses powerful symbols to remind it’s viewer of the Four Noble Truths: the existence of suffering, its origins and causes, its ending, and the ways to achieve this.  That’s not too shabby for a glorified circle.

Obviously this is a very basic breakdown of a very complex symbol.  If you want to learn more you definitely want to check out this groovy site: http://www.buddhanet.net/wheel2.htm

Who Knew Two Triangles Could Do So Much?: The Hexagram

by Administrator, posted in Symbols

By Rebecca

A hexagram, at its most simple, can be described as two interlocked equilateral triangles that form a six-pointed star.  That’s it.  That is all it is.  How the heck do two triangles accomplish so darn much?  By diversifying.





First, we cannot discuss the hexagram without saying the phrase, Star of David.  The hexagram is one of the most recognized symbols of Judaism and is used as a symbol of the modern State of Israel.  It is also referred to as the Magen David, or Shield of David.  It derives this association from the traditional belief that David carried a hexagrammic shield against Goliath.  You know, from the epic feather weight verse heavy weight fight David vs. Goliath.  The fact is that the hexagram, as the Star of David, is so closely associated with the Jewish faith that it is easy to forget that there is so much more that these triangles do!

Let’s talk about the Seal of Solomon.  The symbol is featured prominently in the medieval legends of King Solomon, who bore the symbol on a magical signet ring.  The hexagram, as the Seal of Solomon, is generally surrounded by a circle and can feature 4 gemstones.  It is believed to have protective powers and magical properties by Kabbalists.  However, it’s not just them.  The hexagram has a long history of providing protection from demons and evil spirits.  In some magical practices, it is associated with exorcisms.

Because of all of its balance, the hexagram shows up in alchemy as well.  The hexagram shows the unity of the elements.  The upward triangle signifies fire, while the downward represents water, showing the reconciliation of these two conflicting elements.  It also represents the union of male and female energy, with the upper triangle being man and the lower being woman.  It gets even more mileage from four triangles being derived from it to represent earth, fire, air, and water.  Sometimes the upper triangle is white, while the lower one is black, thus symbolizing the union of opposites.

Thanks to the limitless possibilities of associations, the hexagram can represent even more!  It is sometimes called the Creator’s Star, where each point represents a day of the week and the central hexagram symbolizes the Sabbath (or seventh day for those of you counting).  Is that too ancient for you?  How about this one?  The notorious street gang The Crips even uses this symbol.  You’ll find members with tattoos of it and it’s in their graffiti.  Allegedly, the six points stand for love, unity, money, loyalty, wisdom, and understanding.  Or so I’m told, I am definitely not gangsta!

All of this, and I haven’t mentioned that the hexagram also appears in Mandalas as a meditative image.  It also turns up in cave drawings from primitive South American cultures.

Whew!  That’s a lot of stuff for two triangles!  What should you take away from this?  I guess that basic things are the building blocks of bigger, more complex things.  Two triangles have managed to span time, and merely from interlocking have become a permanent fixture for the ages.

Think this was a lot?  There’s a whole lot more out there to learn about these two feisty triangles.  A good starting point is here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hexagram.  But trust me, that really is just the beginning.

High Performance Symbolism: The Jaguar

by Administrator, posted in Creatures, Magic/Occult, Religion, Symbols

By Rebecca
Known for its power and grace it is no wonder that a manufacturer of luxury cars would chose the jaguar as its emblem. Unfortunately for you motoring enthusiasts this month’s column is not about the cars but about the animal. We’re going to discuss the jaguar as a symbol.Jaguar: Master of Cars
Everyone is familiar with the animal, but we’re not talking about a mere mortal animal, we’re talking about the jaguar as something more than flesh; we’re exploring it as a symbol for larger things. Generally, you will find the jaguar being treated as a symbol amongst the native tribes of Central America since they derive most of their traditions from the ancient Aztec and Mayan cultures. Let me tell you, those Mayans and Aztecs respected the jaguar…and for more reasons than it could eat you!

For the Mayans the jaguar was the master of animals and a creature of the underworld. It was said that their eyes were a passage to the underworld, and more so, if you gazed into the eyes of a jaguar your future would be revealed to you. I’m guessing a one-way ticket to the underworld was a common prediction revealed through this practice! For the Aztecs the jaguar was the guardian of the four pathways of the world. To the Toltecs the jaguar represented the moon. (For those of you with inquiring minds, the eagle represented the sun.) The coming of twilight was attributed to a jaguar devouring the sun. You can imagine the Toltecian irony if somehow they stumbled across a jaguar eating an eagle!

The Popol Vuh, a collection of ancient myths of the Quiche Mayans, references the jaguar often. Most notably when they list the symbols one with authority to rule must possess amongst them is the paw of a jaguar. You know, the guy took out a jaguar, are you going to tell him he doesn’t have the authority to rule?
Jaguar: Master of Animals
For modern Central American shamanistic cultures, the jaguar is the premier guide. (Much the way it is the premier vehicle in the world of cars! Man, I should be getting some cash from Jaguar for this column!) Only the strongest, most powerful shaman can claim that he works with the jaguar. If they are truly worthy, they may even take on the form of the animal!

So, what does this all mean? It means that the jaguar is not only a beautiful animal and a fine automobile but a creature that has come to embody something more. The jaguar represents the moon, the underworld, it is the guardian of the pathways; themes that are echoed in the myths and legends of many cultures. It is just another thread in the tapestry that weaves all of humanity together.

On a non-symbolic note, the jaguar was declared an endangered species for the United States on March 28, 1972.
To learn more about this animal and what you can do to help it visit www.fws.gov