The circle is one of the most basic images. It was probably the first to symbolize the sun. It makes the most sense. It has no extra frills at all. An ancient and universal symbol of unity, wholeness, infinity, the goddess, and female power. To earth-centered religions throughout history as well as to many contemporary pagans, it represents the feminine spirit or force, the cosmos or a spiritualized Mother Earth.
CIRCLE with a DOT (BINDU) in the center: In the complex symbolic system of Hinduism and Buddhism, the bindu (dot) represents the male force. Together, the circle and the bindu symbolize the merging of male and female forces.
CIRCLE (quartered): The sacred circle filled with a cross, four equal lines pointing from the center to the spirits of the north, east, south, and west -- or to the basic element: earth, water, air (or wind), and fire.It is also associated with the four seasons Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. In Native American traditions, it forms the basic pattern of the MEDICINE WHEEL and plays a vital part in major spiritual rituals. Many contemporary pagans consider it their main symbol for transmitting the energy of the goddess. Churches have used variations of the same popular shape, usually calling it the Celtic Cross. If you want to learn about more symbols and their meaning visit http://www.radioliberty.com/Symbolsandtheirmeaning.html
I think it's interesting that the sun represented the goddess since our Greco-Roman centered cultural history places the sun as male and the moon as female. I don't know why I assumed that was universal!
ReplyDeleteI always love visiting your blog!
Liz @ twenty-firstcenturyhousewife.blogspot.com