From Core to Cosmos - Circles Make Our World Go Round

-article by melaniekaren

Symbolism and Spirituality and the Meaning of Circles 

image credit - photo by melaniekaren of a quartz
sphere in grass -looks like a mini world

Circles are Everywhere

One cannot get very far in this life without being mesmerized or have a connected feeling to a circle. You may simply just walk outside and gaze up at the full moon to experience it. Circles are everywhere, and they hold a lot of dear symbolism.

I am drawn to pictorial symbols all of the time, and I always have been. While squares and cubes, pentagons and tetrahedrons, and triangles and pyramids are connected to symbolism and spirituality, in my opinion circles and spheres take the cake. From the core of all radiating out energies to the whole of the planets and galaxies, all people of all time have experienced the sacred meaning of circles. Today, you can see the circle used for this symbolism. A popular example is the logo for the Olympics, five interconnecting circles showing the unification of countries. You may have not have thought of this, but this is the thinking behind that instantly recognizable logo.

Circles Symbolize Unity and Wholeness 

image credit - photo by melaniekaren -on of my
Celtic crosses -You can see a circle connecting
four arms.

Circles symbolize unity and wholeness. I've already given the example of the unified five circles for the Olympics logo, but there are many other examples. Intersecting circles are often used in info-graphics where the overlapping section shows a whole or a bringing together of two or more ideas or concepts.

The picture I have here is of a Celtic cross. A cross with a circle is a symbol that reaches far back into antiquity. For the ancient Celts, a cross with its four dissected parts marked the four distinct seasons of the year. With an added circle, the four distinct seasons became unified and made the whole of the year. A cross with a circle is the simplified Wheel of the Year. For people who believed that they were directly apart and in-tune with Nature, the Wheel of the Year symbol was sacred. It still is for many today.

Today, in modern times after the introduction of Christianity, the Celtic cross is still held as a sacred symbol. The circle connecting the four arms of the cross is a reminder of God's eternal love for us all. It also represents a halo, which is often shown in images of Christ.

Another example of unity and wholeness dates back to early Jewish mysticism. All of creation can be pictorially drawn using only the circle to symbolize all life. You start with the Seed of Life and work your way up to the Flower of Life by adding circles each step of the way.

We begin with a spinning 3 dimensional octahedron. It's very complex and it's complexity symbolizes the spark of life, a spark of life from a creator - something we cannot define or understand. Then we begin with the Seed of Life, a symbol of one circle. With each day of Creation, a circle is added until we reach the sixth day, The Flower of Life. The Seed of Life to Flower of Life is really a beautiful notion, and it's one of my favorite symbolism subjects. You can see this in the diagram below. What gets really neat about it is that once you become introduced to this pattern, you'll start to see it everywhere in Nature. It's a pattern that repeats itself over and over.

Creation as Depicted in Sacred Geometry Using Circles

click on book image to see
on AMAZON

Flower of Life Further Reading Suggestions

A two-volume collection beautifully written about the Flower of Life and Sacred Geometry combining spirituality and physics by author Drunvalo Melchizedek.

Shown here is the first volume. When you master it, you can get volume two. :)  In volume one you embark on a journey and discovery of the Flower of Life from our ancient spiritual past and watch it connect and unfold to modern day physics.

It is a really cool book set that is highly rated and reviewed.

Circles are Symbols of Protection and Comfort 

image credit - photo by melaniekaren

Circles symbolize protection and comfort. Just think about when you're holding a nice warm cup of coffee or tea. You cup that round mug or teacup into your hands. It's a perfect fit, and it feels nice and comforting from all the warmth radiating out from the center.

Photographed here I have a pentacle. Not only is it a symbol of unifying all of the elements with spirit, but it is considered the strongest amulet of protection one could have in many ancient and modern day pagan traditions and cultures. It's a very positive caring symbol of comfort and protection. Unfortunately, however, it is an often misunderstood symbol of which I'm sure you are already aware. The five pointed star represents the four elements - earth, air, fire, and water. The top point represents mind, soul, or Gaia. A circle unifies all five points.

If you're not directly familiar with a circle of protection, you surely have read about it in books or have seen it on TV or in a movie. Circles are often created with pure intent of casting a circle in ritual practices or are drawn around a person for protection. Drawing a circle with laying salt or red brick dust are two more common examples. Also, don't forget about that warm comforting protective hug you share with your dear ones.

Circles Symbolize Infinity 

You've heard of the Circle of Life? 

With no end and no beginning, a circle is also a symbol of infinity. It reminds us that the cycles of life are without end. The pagan Wheel of Life and the Indian Wheel of Dharma are both examples of circles representing cycles without end.

The Circle of Life is the notion that life continues even through death. In death, there is re-birth. Depending on your religious and/or spiritual beliefs, this concept may be difficult to understand or grasp. However, it is a common concept found in all cultures.

Another example of life rising from death is the phoenix rising from the ashes. What I have pictured here may shock you simply due to its age and rarity to find in a modern day collection. I mean one walks into my living room, and there it is hanging on the wall. I think it's a really interesting artifact to own, and I'm thrilled to have it. I'm happy to share it with you.

image credit - photo by melaniekaren -bronze Celtic
bracelet from 200-500 BC

This is a bracelet from 200 to 500 B.C. Yes, B.C.! It's a genuine authentic Celtic bronze bracelet. Over time, you can see that it has weathered and now the patina is a light mint green. It's the real thing, and it was made specifically for a deceased person to wear in burial. The bracelet would ensure the wearer would have something of value to help them in his or her next life.

I have to say that there is one down side to having this though. I cannot help but think that it was taken from a grave, as, unfortunately, so many ancient antiquities are. It was given to me as a gift, and I appreciate it and respect it greatly.


A Closer Look at My Celtic Bronze Bracelet 

image credit - photo by melaniekaren

Here is another photo of my Celtic bronze bracelet. It is under glass and has a picture underneath of an archaeological dig. If you look closely, you can see one of these bracelets on the wrist of the skeleton.

Side Notes - This article was originally published on two writing sites, Squidoo and then HubPages by Melanie Wilcox, aka melaniekaren.  On Squidoo it won an accolade.  Squidoo members were asked to participate in a quest for fun.  The topic was "circles."  One could write about anything as long as it had to do with a circle (hula hoops, cakes, etc.).  This article was featured and selected to receive an award.  Now, the article rests permanently here.  Below are comments that were received on Squidoo.  People took the time to share.  So, I thought it was appropriate that the comments stayed with the article.

ecogranny from San Francisco -  I don't know if it's because I'm enjoying a hot cup of tea as I read this, or because the circle has such deep meaning for all of us, but reading this page has been as comforting and refreshing as a meditation. I'm especially drawn to the seed-of-life to flower-of-life images as well as to the series in "Creation as Depicted in Sacred Geometry Using Circles," both of which remind me distinctly of molecules, and appropriately so, wouldn't you say? Thank you. I am about to fix a quick, light supper for us, and I know this calm will remain with me as I work. Blessed be.

DebMartin - Your bracelet is beautiful, Melanie. My favorite circles are the ones made by the water droplets off my canoe paddle in the lake on a very calm day.

SteveKaye from Placentia, CA, - I thought our Universe was all a matter of dots. If we assume that dots are round, then here we are, in a world of circles where we can put whatever we want inside the circles. Deny Status:

hmommers - One of the themes in my ceramics is spheres. I love circles and round forms!

Please kindly share your thoughts below.