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What each life symbol means and where it comes from
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Nearly every culture has symbols of life, from the tree of life to the ankh and the ouroboros. Some, like the Buddhist mandala and the Celtic trinity knot, also represent spiritual and religious concepts of life. Keep reading to find out more about the origin and meaning of 40 life symbols found in nature, the animal kingdom, and the celestial realms.

  1. Ankhs are considered the original form of all crosses and appear in ancient imagery alongside Egyptian royals, priests, and gods or goddesses. It can also refer to natural elements like water, air, and sun. Ankhs signify the coming together of opposites like life and death or male and female elements.[2]
    • An ankh is a cross with a rounded loop on the upper quarter section and is also called the key of life and death.[3]
  1. The mandala is a geometric figure that looks like a flower or a circle. It connects the idea of the universe as it transforms suffering into joy. Mandalas are often used as tools during meditation to visualize the ideal self; they signify the interconnectedness of all things.[5]
    • Mandalas are a symbol of a microcosm inside a macrocosm, which can be described as unity and harmony existing in both the biggest and smallest aspects of life.
5

Yin and Yang

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  1. The Chinese yin and yang are depicted in a circle broken into two parts—one is white with a black dot (yin) and the other is black with a white dot (yang). With the two smaller dots, each side contains some part of the opposite to illustrate that light and dark, male and female, and cold and hot are all interchangeable.[6]
    • The yin represents feminine energy, along with dark, cold, and wet elements; the yang represents male energy, as well as light, heat, and dry elements.[7]
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  1. It’s associated with contradictory forces like healing and suffering, protection and vulnerability, change and constancy, and stillness and rage. It often appears as a blue water symbol shaped into a wave. Water is a central element of many spiritual and religious rituals around the world.
    • For instance, Hindus swim in the Ganga river for purification, Muslims purify themselves with water before they practice daily prayers, and Christians draw upon water symbolism in the baptism sacrament.[8]
    • Like water, rain and rainstorms symbolize the fertility and abundance of life. Rain is necessary for crops to grow and for life to thrive. The Mayans worshiped the rain god Chaac to enjoy an abundant bounty.[9]
  1. It also stands for the connection to the cosmos, balance and harmony, sacred geometry, and a spiritual journey within. Whether used by Greeks and Egyptians in the ancient world or by Native American tribes, spirals focus on interconnectedness. It consists of a singular line spiraling into the center to form a circular shape. Spirals are seen as a symbol of the cycle of time that is always moving and never-ending.[12]
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18

Pentacle

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  1. It's also associated with the 5 elements of spirit, earth, air, water, and fire. The pentacle originated in ancient Mesopotamia and looks like a 5-pointed star consisting of 1 line that intersects at 5 different points. It's sometimes linked to dark forces because it's often used as a symbol in sorcery and witchcraft.[20]
    • Some believe that the pentacle differs from a pentagram, which is a star-shaped symbol surrounded by a circle. Both the pentagram and the pentacle can include a circle around a star, so the two symbols are often considered similar images.
19

Star of David

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  1. This rule encompasses 6 directions: north, south, east, west, up, down. It’s an iconic Jewish symbol that has origins in Eastern pagan traditions and Islamic culture. The Star of David appears as a hexagram, or 6-pointed star, that includes 2 interlocking triangles. It’s also known as the “shield of David,” and is associated with the opposites of good and evil, along with the spiritual and the physical worlds.[21]
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  1. They're sometimes associated with death but are also considered symbols of healing partly because they help clean up the environment by eating dead animals, which helps prevent the spread of disease. They’re also connected to the idea of shifting consciousness or being able to draw on your subconscious as needed.[25]
    • Professional writer Melessa Sargent notes that ravens are “connected to spiritual growth and new opportunities. You just need to be able to perceive what's around you” when you see or notice a raven nearby. Take it as a positive sign that a transformation or change is coming your way.[26]
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  1. They represent opposites, from good and evil to day and night. They can be a reminder to look within and find the wisdom you seek there. Owls are also seen as a spiritual messenger watching over those who need inspiration on their path. They're also linked to intuition, transformation, and creativity. In ancient Greece, owls represented Athena, the goddess of wisdom (named Minerva in Roman mythology).[28] v
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  1. They’re also linked to ideas of balance, interconnectedness, and life cycles. Within mythology, spiders often represent feminine energy and are spirit animals that can inspire greater things to manifest in you.[31]
    • In the Native American tradition, spiders are associated with the goddess Neith, called the weaver of fate, and are teachers and protectors. They’re also a sign of good luck and prosperity in Chinese traditions.
  1. The brilliance of the golden sun’s light beams works as a spiritual symbol that represents radiance. Ancient civilizations worshipped sun gods as symbols of life, from Apollo in Greek myth and Ra in Egypt to Surya in Hinduism.[36]
    • The sun also signals gold in alchemy, which is considered the most perfect of all metals.
    • The sunrise in particular is linked to new beginnings and hope in the spiritual teachings of the 3 major religions.
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  1. The circle is associated with wholeness, unity, and the divine. It is without beginning or end, so it comes to symbolize eternity and infinity, as illustrated by the cycles of life, death, and rebirth. The symmetry and balance of a circle also signal divine perfection, along with protection, celestial bodies, and life’s natural rhythms.[40]
    • Circles can also be associated with pursuing personal growth to achieve natural harmony within yourself.
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  1. It’s a symbol of protection and power in Celtic traditions where they’re seen as guardians of the earth and all sacred things. They look like large, serpentine-type creatures with scales, wings, and horns; depending on the type of dragon, they may also breathe fire. Dragon energy covers 4 directions (north, south, east, and west) and the 4 elements of earth, fire, air, and water.[41]
    • Eastern dragons are more often seen as snake-like creatures who signify good fortune or power. In the West, dragons appear more lizard-like and are viewed as bringers of destruction, greed, or evil.
  1. Egyptians considered eggs symbols for the world's creation, and also represent nature, fertility, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ during Easter. Romans once offered them during ancient burial rites as symbols of new life. They’re also associated with rebirth, which is apparent in the phrase, “Which came first—the chicken or the egg?”[43]
    • Painted eggs were given as gifts 5000 years ago in ancient China. In ancient Greece and Rome, people decorated their homes with colorful eggs to celebrate the new beginning of the spring equinox.

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  1. https://www.housebeautiful.com/lifestyle/gardening/a45768436/lotus-flower-real-meaning/
  2. https://www.irelandbeforeyoudie.com/the-triskelion-triskele-meaning-and-history-of-this-celtic-symbol/
  3. https://spiralspiritual.com/
  4. https://www.theirishroadtrip.com/celtic-symbols-and-meanings/
  5. https://bonsecours.us/associates/about-us/history-of-the-fleur-de-lis-symbol/
  6. https://www.wanderarti.com/skulls-around-the-world/
  7. https://www.discovermagazine.com/planet-earth/the-modern-lives-of-ancient-symbols
  8. https://www.theirishroadtrip.com/the-triquetra-celtic-trinity-knot/
  9. https://worldbirds.com/phoenix-symbolism/
  10. https://www.hinduamerican.org/blog/5-things-to-know-about-om
  11. https://mythologian.net/pentacle-symbol-meaning-history-origins-pentacle-vs-pentagram/#Pentacle_vs_Pentagram_A_Comparison_%E2%80%93_What_is_the_Difference
  12. https://aish.com/star-of-david-3/
  13. https://kashgar.com.au/blogs/ritual-objects/the-hamsa-khamsa
  14. https://www.naturalhistorycuriosities.com/insects/scarab-beetles-and-their-meaning-in-the-ancient-egyptian-history/
  15. https://www.uniguide.com/butterfly-meaning-symbolism-spirit-guide
  16. https://creationgirl.com/raven-animal-symbolism-and-fun-facts/
  17. Melessa Sargent. Professional Writer. Expert Interview
  18. https://www.aboutmybrain.com/cards/spirit-animals-oracle-deck/dove
  19. https://parade.com/living/owl-symbolism-meaning
  20. https://worldbirds.com/lion-symbolism/
  21. https://thedruidscauldron.net/2022/11/20/the-swan-symbols-of-love-and-oaths/
  22. https://www.centreofexcellence.com/the-spiritual-meaning-of-spiders/
  23. https://spiritualdirection.com/2017/04/24/why-are-peacocks-considered-symbols-of-the-resurrection
  24. https://dailydish.co.uk/sacred-roses-spiritual-meaning-of-the-rose/
  25. https://wc.edu/news/the-precious-flame-of-knowledge.php
  26. https://aleteia.org/2020/06/18/what-is-the-spiritual-meaning-of-the-heart
  27. https://dreamersia.com/blog/sun-symbolism/
  28. https://udayton.edu/imri/mary/c/crescent-moon-meaning.php
  29. https://cityastronomy.com/symbolism-of-stars/
  30. https://www.suziecheel.com/rainbows-symbol-of-hope-and-new-life/
  31. https://eyeofheaven.medium.com/the-spiritual-meanings-of-the-circle-and-sphere-an-introduction-59905bec471c
  32. https://www.thespiritualcentre.net/dragon.html
  33. https://library.acropolis.org/the-symbolism-of-the-angels/
  34. https://www.alimentarium.org/en/fact-sheet/eggs-symbol-life

About This Article

Adeche Atelier
Reviewed by:
African Mythology and Folklore Experts
This article was reviewed by Adeche Atelier and by wikiHow staff writer, Maryana Lucia Vestic, MFA, M.Phil.. Adeche Atelier, also known as Adwoa Botchey and Solomon Adebiyi, are fine artists, storytellers, and content creators inspired by African mythology, folklore, and spirituality based in London, UK. With over 5 years of experience researching this field, they now share what they've learned in a bite-sized, accessible format on their social media to a community of over 580k followers. Together they also host the Afro Mythos Podcast, releasing longer-form episodes every month that explore the world of African mythology and folklore. They have been commissioned to create paintings by major institutions, including The National Gallery London, BBC Arts, the Fitzwilliam Museum Cambridge, and EA Games in collaboration with Black Girl Gamers. They have produced digital content for The Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool and The Hayward Gallery. In 2023, they had a solo exhibition at OXO Tower titled African Odyssey Exploring Cultures, Myths and Stories. This article has been viewed 20,411 times.
3 votes - 40%
Co-authors: 4
Updated: July 25, 2025
Views: 20,411
Categories: Symbols
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 20,411 times.

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