Introduction to Sacred Symbols
Communication between beings in physical bodies is made possible through our physical senses. Our vocal cords send out vibrations, which are picked up by our physical ears. For such communication to work, human beings have developed languages. The words of such languages could be considered 3-dimensional symbols.
On the higher planes, it is not necessary to use words for communication. Instead, beings on the 4th and higher dimensions can communicate via telepathy. Words are not used; instead, the communication comes in the form of symbols. The advantage to using symbols (as opposed to words) is that more precise and accurate information can be communicated.
As a result, symbols are a very important tool for communicating spiritual truths. When used appropriately, symbols can:
- communicate directly with the subconscious mind, which can more easily interpret symbols
- more accurately and efficiently communicate spiritual truths
- gradually awaken the conscious mind to spiritual concepts
Unfortunately, symbols can also be used inappropriately. The abuse of symbols includes perverting the original meanings of a symbol and “symbol worship.” Both of these abuses are detailed below.
Worshipping symbols
One common issue with symbols is that people have a tendency to worship the symbols themselves instead of using them to find truth. As the Buddhist saying goes: “the finger pointing at the moon is not the moon.” In other words: the symbol pointing at the truth is not the truth.
Worshipping symbols leads to the following issues:
- The symbol distracts from the search for truth. In other words, a person will not find the moon if they don’t take their gaze away from the symbol.
- People who become attached to the superficial meanings of symbols will fail to investigate and accept their deeper meanings and hidden truths.
The Perversion of Meanings
The use of symbols has been a primary way for the mystery schools to prevent the abuse of spiritual knowledge and truth. (Note that the abuse of spiritual knowledge led to the destruction of the civilization of Atlantis.) As we approach the New Age, many of the sacred symbols themselves are being perverted by various groups who are all connected with the philosophy of materialism (AKA Satanism). In other words, these symbols are now being used for purposes that are entirely different from their original meanings.
In general, it is not difficult to figure out if a symbol is being inappropriately. One way to discern is by examining the environment in which the symbol is being used. Sacred symbols are used as part of sacred ceremonies and rituals. Perversions of symbols are found in secret society ceremonies, entertainment events (i.e. rock concerts, sports events), and political events (such as political rallies).
Another way to distinguish is by tuning into the vibration of the those who are using the symbol. If people are using the symbols for hate, division, materialism, or fear, then the symbols are being perverted. In contrast, those who are promoting peace, love, and joy are likely using the symbols for sacred purposes, provided the symbols are being respected and used in an appropriate context.
Symbol Meanings and their Abuse
The Whirling Cross
In esoteric astrology, this sacred symbol is known as the “mutable cross.” It represents an object that spins around its center point (like a pinwheel). The message of the symbol is that a person must stay centered to avoid losing their balance. The mutable cross is thus a symbol for the first three initiations of ascension, which relate to gaining a basic mastery over one’s physical, emotional, and mental bodies. (Note: the first three initiations take many lifetimes to complete.)
At a deeper level, the direction of the spinning is also important. A clockwise motion indicates expansion, and a counterclockwise motion indicates contraction/assimilation. This expansion/contraction process mimics breathing, and at the highest level symbolizes the “breath of God” (which is the creation and eventual destruction of the universe). Although the contraction process is destructive in nature, the destruction is not considered bad or evil. Instead, it is simply a natural part of the cycle of creation.
At the microcosmic level, the whirling cross symbolizes the root chakra. This chakra has four “petals” or blades, and spins clockwise or counterclockwise depending on the physical health of the individual. For this reason, the whirling cross is a symbol of vitality and health in many cultures, including the Hindus, Buddhists, and Jains. The name “swastika” is a Sanskrit word that means “good fortune” or “well being.” In the past, this symbol was used by Christians in medieval Europe, and in the early 20th century it was used as a good luck charm in Western popular culture.
Perversion: Because the swastika represents the root chakra, it symbolizes strength and power. The perversion of power is “power by force” or aggression. In the 20th century, the swastika was appropriated by the Nazi party, indicating their intention to destroy the existing political world order and establish a new one. In the West, the swastika is now considered a symbol of hate.
The Fixed Cross
The fixed cross is the sacred symbol of the 4th initiation, which typically involves a life crisis which will motivate the individual to pursue the spiritual path. This life crisis typically consists of one of the following:
- Everything that a person’s holds of value is stripped away, including family, wealth, and career. This is referred to as the “Job Initiation” (in reference to the Book of Job in the Bible).
- An existential crisis, during which time everything in life becomes meaningless.
The crucifixion of Jesus itself is a symbol of the fourth initiation. During the crucifixion, Jesus gave up the physical body (the material world) in pursuit of the eternal life (the spiritual world). It should be noted, however, that the 4th initiation is only the beginning of the spiritual journey. The 5-7th invitations have their own symbol (which resembles the Egyptian Ankh).
The use of the cross originates from at least the time of ancient Egypt. It was used in their mystery school initiations as a symbol of physical incarnation. In short, the concept of the soul being attached to a physical body was symbolized by a person being tied to a cross. The cross was also a symbol of many (sun worshipping) pagan beliefs systems before being incorporated into Christianity.
Symbol worship: the religion of Christianity worships a variant of the fixed cross. The Christian religion in general is fixated on the trials and sufferings of the 4th initiation. In the past, spiritual seekers within Christianity (i.e. Christian mystics) have blindly made their own way through the higher initiations.
The Pyramid and All-Seeing Eye
Spiritual Meanings:
The all-seeing eye with the rays signifies the fully open third eye chakra, which occurs at the moment of “illumination” (aka enlightenment).
The floating capstone represents the idea of a person who is “in the world but not of the world.” In the Bible, Christ is described as being the “chief cornerstone,” which is another term for capstone. In spirituality, “Christ” is another word for “Christ self” or “Higher Self.”
The pyramid itself symbolizes the creation of the “kingdom of God,” but more specifically the “New Earth” (which is a shift to Christ-consciousness). Please note that there are many hidden meanings that can be found in the symbol of the pyramid, but they are outside the scope of this article.
Masonic Meanings:
It was the Masons who adapted this symbol for the Great Seal of America, which later found its way onto the dollar bill. The creation of this version of the symbol coincides with the founding of the United States, and the symbol has special meanings related to this event.
The all-seeing eye represents God watching over and protecting America, and therefore is a symbolic representation of the phrase “God bless America.”
The pyramid represents the “grand experiment” of America, which in this case relates to democracy. On a larger scale, the “grand experiment” relates to the fact that the Earth is (supposedly) the only planet of free will. Thus, the democracy of America represents the planet of free will on a smaller scale.
Perversions:
The Illuminati have appropriated this symbol for their own use. The all-seeing eye has come to mean a concept similar to “Big Brother” (which represents a police state with total surveillance and complete control of the public). Entertainers affiliated with the Illuminati are sometimes seen with this symbol on their clothing or as a tattoo. There is a related hand sign that connects the thumbs and the forefingers together in the shape of a pyramid. This Illuminati sign is a perversion of a yonic symbol and represents sexual debauchery.
Skull and Bones
This symbol is used in Masonic rituals and refers to the temporary nature of all things in the physical world. It is a symbolic representation of Jesus’ message: “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt.”
Perversions: The skull and bones are commonly used as a symbol of fear, or a commitment by military units to “fight to the death.” It was used by pirates (on the Jolly Roger flag), as well as several military units throughout history (including by the Nazi SS). This is also the primary symbol of the Skull and Bones Secret Society (which is a U.S. branch of the Illuminati).
Pan/Baphomet
Meaning: Pan is the God/steward of Nature and is an actual being who exists on the etheric plane. He and his kingdom of “fairy tale creatures” were visible to humans before the “fall of man” when humans were living on the etheric plane.
A version of Pan is found in ancient Roman mythology and Celtic mythology. There are also versions of horned gods in numerous ancient civilizations. The Knights Templar had reverence for this nature God, which they called Baphomet. It has believed that the name “Baphemet” may have been taken from the Kabbalists.
Perversion: In our current society, Satanism has appropriated the image of Baphomet and regard it as a depiction of the devil. From a religious point of view, Satanism is worship of the devil, which is evil. From a spiritual standpoint, Satanism is the focus of material pursuits: wealth, power, and fame. (It should be noted that Satanism- unlike hedonism – usually includes the practice of black magick and blood sacrifices). In this context, to worship Baphomet is to reject the spiritual path and pledge allegiance to the pursuit of physical pleasure and selfish desires.
Comments: Long ago, Buddha cautioned that attachment was the cause of all suffering. Satanism is perhaps the most extreme form of the type of attachment that the Buddha was referring to. Furthermore, Jesus warned against Satanism when he said: “What good it is to gain the world but lose your soul?” It is also worth noting that the karmic consequence of selfish action is a lack of life fulfillment. Therefore, people who practice Satanism will “eat but never be filled.”
The Pentagram
The use of the pentagram is found in many cultures and has many interpretations. In spirituality, the 5-pointed star can represent the 5 basic “elements” of which everything is composed: fire, water, air, earth, and ether. These substances are important to spiritual alchemy, as the alchemical process must include the following: (1) a substance, (2) energy, and (3) a container.
There are always deeper levels to be explored and uncovered in every sacred symbol; the pentagram is no exception. This 5 pointed star also represents the five phases of evolution for every life wave (group soul): mineral, plant, animal, human, and spirit. At still another level, the pentagram represents the five rays of God that an individual will have gained use of by the time of the 5th initiation. The completion of the 5th initiation is important, as it signifies a soul’s release from the cycle of reincarnation.
Another explanation of the pentagram is provided in Manly P. Hall’s book The Secret Teachings of all the Ages: “The pentagram is the figure of the microcosm – the magical formula of man. It is the one rising out of the four – the human soul rising from the bondage of the animal nature.” In Alice Bailey’s book Initiation, Human and Solar, it states “At the [4th and 5th] initiations…the initiate becomes the five-pointed star…”
Comments: Once a person reaches the 4th initiation, there are two choices. The first is walk the “straight and narrow” path to complete the final initiations quickly (potentially within the same lifetime or the next.) The second is to disregard the spiritual path and complete the initiations “organically,” which will involve thousands of additional lifetimes. If a person dies after the 5th initiation but before completing the 7th, the remaining initiations will be completed on the “inner” planes, as opposed to the physical plane.
Uses: The pentagram was reportedly the symbol used by the early followers of Jesus (before the sign of the cross became the symbol of Christianity). The pentagram is now commonly used on a sheriff’s badge; this tradition started due to the fact that the symbol was believed to be a talisman.
Perversion: the pentagram (especially the upside-down version, or a pentagram with uneven proportions) is a symbol for Satanism and is used for black magic.
The New Age
Meaning: in the Bible, Jesus stated that the Christ would return at the Age of the Aquarius. This return of the Christ refers to the evolution of humanity when a significant number of individuals reconnect with their own Christ selves. In doing so, the balance of light on this planet will become greater than the dark, and a new period of peace and prosperity will occur on what will become the New Earth. The New Age marks a transition away from the divisions and fighting caused by multiple governments and religions, and towards an era of unity and peace. The speed at which this transition occurs is dependent upon the human race.
Perversions:
The Illuminati’s perversion of the New Age is the New World Order, a totalitarian government headed by the “anti-Christ” who rules the world.
Christianity’s perversion of the New Age is the “2nd Coming” of Jesus Christ. According to mainstream Christian beliefs, a world war will break out, at which time Jesus will intercede and save all righteous Christians from annihilation. Ironically, this expectation is similar to that of the Jews who were waiting for their Messiah (i.e. savior) at the time of Jesus’ first appearance. What the Jews failed to realize at that time was that Jesus intended to be a spiritual savior of humankind, and not a political savior of the Jews. Similarly, Christians today fail to realize is that being “saved” in the New Age will not be based on religion, but one’s level of spiritual progress.
The Hexagram
The hexagram is a combination of a downward pointed triangle that intersects with an upward pointed triangle. The intersection of the triangles has many interpretations, including the union of the conscious ego with the Higher Self. The hexagram can also be interpreted to symbolize duality, heaven on Earth, and the Hermetic teaching of “As above, so below.” In Hinduism, the hexagram is called the “shaktona” and symbolizes the divine union of the masculine and feminine (or more specifically, the union of the Supreme Being and the Earth Goddess).
On a deeper level, the upward pointing triangle symbolizes the “Tree of Life” and the downward pointing triangle represents the “Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.” The Tree of Life represents the systems in the physical human body that are energetically negative in polarity and regulated by the subconscious. The Tree of Knowledge symbolizes the systems that are positive in polarity and controlled by the conscious mind. By exploring the mysteries hidden within these symbols, a person can uncover the secrets of spiritual alchemy, which lead to illumination.
In Jewish culture, the hexagram is referred to as the “Star of David” as it resembles a symbol found on the shield of King David in the Bible. It is unclear if it has any religious symbolism in Judaism (outside of Kabbalistic mysticism), and has been used throughout history to identify Jewish places of worship. Currently, the Star of David appears on the flag for the nation of Israel, and it is often used for both national identification with Israel, and religious identification with Judaism.
Inappropriate Use
In 1897, the Zionist movement added the Star of David to their flag. Zionism is not a religious organization, but rather a political one (and over the years it has repeatedly been accused of promoting military aggression and terrorist activities). The purpose of this organization is/was to establish a nation state for Jews and protect it. Within this context, the hexagram is a symbol of “heaven on Earth,” with the indication that the state of Israel is the “New Jerusalem” AKA heaven.
By using the hexagram, the Zionists are subtly indicating that God is “on their side.” In general, any suggestion that God chooses sides is a mechanism for allowing oneself a lower set of behavioral standards in comparison with others (in order to justify actions that could otherwise not be justified).
Saturn (Satan)
In esoteric astrology, Saturn is the planet that indicates a person’s karmic patterns. In Vedic tradition, Saturn is the god of karma and hands out consequences for a person’s deeds. From a spiritual perspective, karmic consequences are not punishments, but instead are necessary experiences that lead to the purification of the soul. In spirituality, there is no such thing as “the devil.” Instead, it is understood that all darkness is inside ourselves, and each human being is responsible for their own self-purification.
Perversion: In the early years of Christianity, the concepts of karma and reincarnation were removed, and the concepts of sin, final judgement, and the devil were borrowed from pagan belief systems. For example, the concept of hell comes from the Greek myths by Virgil and Ovid. The fallen angels are based on the Titans of Greek mythology, who were cast down from “heaven” to live in an underworld of suffering.
The story in the Bible about Satan’s temptation of Jesus during his 40 days in the desert is a symbolic story about purification. For example, in the story of Noah’s ark, it rained for 40 days to “purify” the Earth. Later, Moses led the Israelites for 40 years in the wilderness before they were worthy of entering the “promised land.” The 40 days is a reference to the 40 days of purification that an initiate had to take before entering the initiations at the ancient mystery schools of Egypt. In the Jesus story, the personification of Satan is symbolic of temptation.
In short, the perversion of Satan occurs when we fail to take responsibility for our own actions, but instead claim that “the ‘devil’ made me do it.” On a subtle level, this happens all the time when we blame others for our reactions (i.e., “you make me so mad.”) Instead of blaming others, it is vital to realize that our reactions are a result of our own internal issues that need to be healed (i.e. purified).
Lucifer
Historically speaking, Lucifer was the Roman name of the Greek god known as Phosphorus. The name literally means “light bearer” and was associated with the planet Venus. Over the years, certain mystery school authors have hinted that Lucifer’s role may have been much different than what we being told by our religions.
Spiritual author Max Hendel suggests that Lucifer represents a group of “straggler souls” from a life-wave that preceded humanity. The Lucifer Spirits were therefore more advanced than humanity, but not advanced enough to continue with their original life wave. In Heindel’s account, these “Lucifer spirits” had offspring with the human race, which led to the “fall of man.” Based on this account, it could be claimed that the Lucifer spirits were evil.
However, it is necessary to remember that committing an evil deed does not make one an evil being, nor does it mean there is no chance for redemption. On the contrary, the spiritual path includes the necessity to redeem ourselves of our past mistakes. With this in mind, it has been suggested that many of the original Luciferian spirits of the past are now living as lightworkers in the present time period.
Perversion: the Christian religion claims that Lucifer is another name for the devil. This claim is a result of the mistranslation of the Bible into Latin during the 4th century. The phrase “Dawn and his son” needed a translation, and – according to Roman mythology – the god Lucifer was the son of the dawn. The reason that Venus/Lucifer is known as the “son of dawn” (and also the “morning star”) is due to the path which the planet Venus takes across the sky.
While there is nothing wrong with making mistakes and learning from them, it is counterproductive to blame current circumstances on past actions and behavior. In general, any outward judgement of others is simply an indication that we continue to subconsciously blame ourselves for our own mistakes. And until we learn to forgive ourselves and others, it is difficult (if not impossible) to make progress on the spiritual path.
The Caduceus
In mythology, the caduceus is a staff carried by the Greek God Hermes (who was known as Mercury by the Romans). The two snakes and the staff itself represent 3 major energy channels within the human body. The staff represents the central channel and is known in Sanskrit as the “Sushumna.” The Sushumna connects the root chakra to the crown chakra, and is the pathway for kundalini energy.
The two snakes represent the Ida and Pingala energy channels, with Ida being negative in polarity and Pingala positive. These two channels also start at the root chakra, but weave their way through the chakras via curved paths as seen on the caduceus. When these pathways are activated, their movements mimic the motion of snakes. The sphere at the top of the staff represents the human head, and the wings represent illuminated consciousness (enlightenment).
At another level, this symbol represents the path of evolution by humanity. The Ida represents the descent of man via the various worlds into matter, and the Pingala represents the ascent. The middle channel represents the “straight and narrow,” which is a path that humanity can use to avoid the time-consuming route of ascent.
Confusion: The modern medical industry commonly uses the Rod of Asclepius (with one snake), due to the fact that Asclepius was a Greek god associated with healing. Due to the similarity between the the Rod of Asclepius and the caduceus, the caduceus is sometimes used in error. Although these two symbols are related, the caduceus symbolizes enlightenment and is therefore not relevant to the modern medical industry.
The Holy Grail
The truth concerning this symbol can be found in the legend about the knights of the round table and their quest for the Holy Grail. To understand the symbolism, it is important to recognize that the Holy Grail can give eternal life. What the quest for the Holy Grail represents, therefore, is the quest for spiritual illumination. A person who is enlightened breaks the cycle of reincarnation and frees themself from physical death. The Holy Grail itself is the alchemical container in the brain that is necessary for spiritual illumination to occur.
Incomplete Truth: In 2003, Dan Brown published the novel “The Da Vinci Code,” which suggested that Mary Magdalene was in fact the actual holy grail. Although his work was fiction, it was based on “The Holy Blood, and the Holy Grail,” a non-fiction book published in 1982. In general, the idea that Mary Magdalene represents the holy grail is only a half-truth.
While the Christian religion proclaims Jesus to be the Christ, the truth is that each of us have our own internal Christ Self. Similarly, while Mary Magdalene may symbolize the holy grail, each of us have our own holy grail. By claiming that Jesus is the Christ and Mary Magdalene is the Holy Grail, we lose sight of our own inner divinity.
Conclusion
The purpose of this article is not to judge others who use sacred symbols inappropriately. Instead, the purpose is to raise awareness of the actual meaning of these sacred symbols and not be confused by their misuse. Studying the true meanings of the sacred symbols can lead to uncovering inner truths that we have lost as a result of our disconnection from God (via the “fall of man”). By uncovering the hidden meanings, we increasingly discover our inner Divinity and how to reconnect with it.
Updated on November 11, 2022