Symbolism: The Power and Importance of Symbols and Why You Must Study Them
Like an onion, there are many layers to our world, more than what meets the eye.
If you go back to the earliest civilizations ever documented in history, you will see symbols.
Where there is documented culture, there are signs and symbols.
Symbolism is as old as human existence.
To understand the importance of symbolism and its role in our lives we must first understand what they are and how they work with the collective mind.
Carl Jung is the perfect person to help us understand symbols as they relate to the human psyche.
Carl Jung on Symbols
Carl Jung was a highly favored Swiss Psychiatrist who spent his life studying the human psyche, dreams, the subconscious, conscious, unconscious mind, archetypes, and yes, symbols.
One of Jungs most influential books of Jung is, “Man and his symbols”
(I suggest everyone reads this.)
Jung believed symbols were created by us and an inherent part of the collective unconscious and subconscious mind.
These symbols, Jung said, stemmed from our deep-rooted primal nature- our shadow self.
He thought the very nature of symbols stemmed from hidden or deep inherited aspects of us that showed themselves through dreams, imagination, the shadow, myths, symbols, and other mental or creative processes.
Symbolism and Archetypes
The word Archetypes, (coined by Carl Jung) is a particular set of symbols.
Archetypes are embodied human traits found throughout all ages and within all cultures.
Archetypes are living symbols that represent human nature.
These archetypes were noticed by Jung as he started seeing a correlation between his patients, their dreams, and ancient myths from around the world.
These were people, who presumably had no connection with the myths and stories from other cultures and different periods, and yet their dreams would resemble the characters and deeper meanings of the mythological stories.
Through his work, he realized we are all connected within the realms of our deep minds and the symbols thereof.
He concluded (and many great spiritual leaders throughout history agreed) that all human intentions, thoughts, and pursuits could be narrowed down to certain archetypal energies, or primal forces within nature that manifest themselves through symbolic traits (archetypes.)
How Symbols work
Symbols are one of the only things that are quite literally woven throughout the whole human experience.
We live our lives through symbols.
Take a cup for an example:
On a very basic level, a cup is an image we’ve come to know it as.
As you go through higher planes of existence, however, you will see that there is a lot more to that cup than what originally meets the eye.
Before that cup comes through your line of sight as it is, it is a molecular structure of atoms coming together, taking shape and form.
On another level, the cup can be seen as energy, moving at various wavelengths and speeds, and vibrating at a certain frequency.
Still, there is another level of reality that we are unable to know, where the symbol we call a cup has a much different correspondence unimaginable to the human mind.
There is a level of reality beyond the symbols, where things are in their purest form- a reality we cannot fathom in this lifetime.
Our physical realm is based on symbols.
We perceive reality through symbols because our realm of reality is in itself a symbol of a higher plane that comes before it.
Our plane is only an essence of “the real thing.”
and what is the real thing?
We cannot perceive it in this reality as of yet.
We do know everything in our Universe has what the Kabbalist would say, a spiritual or energetic correspondence on higher planes of existence.
Why Symbols are so Powerful.
Besides our world being a symbol itself, symbolism is used in more practical and subtle ways every day. Here are some ways we use symbols (or they are used on us) daily.
- To influence choices
- To influence emotions
- To Advertise
- To convince
- To persuade
- To convey hidden messages to the subconscious mind
- To influence thoughts
- To influence beliefs
- To conceal certain intentions
- To Deceive
- To Heal
- To change your inner physiology
- To keep things hidden
- To help you learn
And much more….
Do you notice a pattern with the majority of the ways symbolism is used daily?
MASS CONTROL!!
Symbolism makes a powerful tool for controlling the mass for two reasons:
- Symbols speak directly to the subconscious mind.
- The intent or meaning of a symbol could be hidden while still in effect.
You do not need to have a subconscious awareness of the symbol for it to be effective.
On the flip side, if the intent or meaning of a symbol is something positive or empowering, this could work to your benefit and healing.
Thus, symbols are so powerful because they can be used to build us up or tear us down depending on the intent and hidden message of the symbols being presented.
Examples of powerful symbols/Symbolism
In Religion/ Spirituality
- The Cross
- Baphomet
- The Ankh
- Crescent Moon
- A Dove
- Pentagram
- The eye of Horus
- Apple of Eve
- Eve herself
- Adam
- Garden of Eden
In Mythology
- Lucifer
- Kali
- Lilith
- Cupid
- Easter Bunny
- Budha
- Jesus
- Isis
- Horus
In Science/ Metaphysical
- Mathematics
- Alchemical symbols
- Language/Letters
- Sacred Geometry
- Light Language
- Nature
- Yin/Yang
In Advertisement/ National Symbols
- Mcdonalds
- Apple Symbol
- Google symbol
- Timberland
- Yin/Yang symbol
- Peace symbol.
- Hearts
- playboy bunny
Mass symbolism
- Movies
- News
- Tell-Lie-Vision
- Reality Tv
- Music
- Live performances
- Religion/ Dogma/Doctrine
- Cartoons
- Books
If you are an average human being living in the 21st Century then you most definitely have been exposed to several symbols/ that have changed your subconscious wiring to some extent.
The key now is to become consciously aware of the symbolism and their hidden meanings and intents.
Using Symbols for empowerment, healing, and advancement
We know that symbols are inherently a part of our makeup.
The greatest symbols of mankind are the Universal symbols of nature, found within our psyche that Jung called the archetypes.
Because symbols and symbolism are woven into our very foundation, they can communicate directly to the subconscious and unconscious mind and change us.
By simply looking at a symbol, reading through the mythologies, meditating on its meaning, and even uttering the words of the symbol you are programming your subconscious mind with the power and intent of the symbol.
You can also:
- Use your body as a symbol through yoga, chanting, hand mudras, and mantras.
- Use Mindfulness and the coloring or creating of sacred geometric symbols like mandalas.
- Creating Sigils and charging them (my favorite.)
- Repeating your favorite song that has a powerful message.
- Studying the mythologies and learning about a God or Goddess (Archetypal energy) you wish to embody.
- Meditate on the archetypal energy you wish to embody.
- Listen to healing frequencies that correspond to the kind of healing you are pursuing.
- Visualization (Remains one of the most powerful ways to harness the energy of symbols.)
- Drawing the symbols
*Bonus:
To empower the impression of a symbol on the subconscious mind: Print, draw or pull up an image of a symbol you want to work with, and spend five minutes concentrating on it.
Next, get into a meditative state (Alpha brainwave state of trance via meditation, sound frequencies, or any other technique of your choosing.
Once in that state, recall the image back to your mind, concentrating on it as clearly and vividly as possible.
(You can even repeat a mantra or affirmation with or in place of the image.)
Do this first thing in the morning and the last thing before bed to reprogram your subconscious mind with the energetic power of the symbol of your choosing.
Conclusion: Study YOUR SYMBOLS!!
Symbols and symbolism remain how we communicate the unexplainable and the hidden aspects of life.
Like an onion, symbols have multiple layers of depth and meaning that go straight to the subconscious mind.
Human beings themselves are symbols of unseen, primal forces of nature, not yet fully understood but experienced by all.
To empower yourself or to prevent corrupted programming regardless of the reason, symbols remain one of the most important aspects of the human experience.
Symbols have always affected you and will always affect you as long as you are here on earth.
By studying symbols and symbolism of the world you protect yourself from falling victim to brainwashing and indoctrination.
By studying the symbols and symbolism you will also learn how to empower, heal, and transform yourself in ways you never knew were possible…
Study the archetypes. Study the mythologies …Study the symbols…Study the hidden secrets of man.
Infernal blessings to you all.