- Original Feng Shui
Symbols and Feng Shui
Symbols and Feng Shui
Symbols are entities that represent something. Usually it is an object representing an abstraction that can impact our subconscious mind, invoking memories from our past and stimulating our present experience. Symbols are a means of extracting our spiritual awareness from a safe haven so it can manifest itself into our own human experience.
The idea of symbolism is an essential part of every culture of the world and it envelops us in every day life. Since our subconscious mind makes up about 90of our mind frame, the influence of symbols on our well being is infinitely powerful. A focus of the esoteric study involving the consideration of symbols is necessary, whether these are symbols of texts, sounds or visual glyphs. From the trigrams of the Chinese I Ching, to the Jewish Kabbalah, to the medieval Tarot cards, or complex emblems of Ceremonial Magic, every area of spiritual awareness has its own symbology. Symbols and concepts like the crucifix or cross are vital to a positive reception and comprehension of Christianity. Thus, a holistic meaning of symbols is even more important for esoteric knowledge.
In examining the conception of symbolism inside the Chinese culture, everything has a deeper meaning and effect. "One Yin One Yang that is the Tao" is the first known reference to yin and yang, the pair of energies whose cyclic fluctuations and interactions cause and control Creation. As one, they embody the language of the supreme ultimate, Tai Chi, the eternal Tao. Yin was the name given to the colder, north-facing slope of a mountain, and Yang to the warmer, southern sun. Yin corresponds to the dark, the receptive, the passive, and the feminine, while Yang relates to the bright, the creative, the active and the masculine. Yin is the moon, water and the earth. Yang is the sun, fire and the heavens.
If we look into the ancient Chinese language up to the eighteenth century, over half the books in the world have been written in Chinese. Each Chinese character is a symbol that illustrates or connects an idea or concept. Often these ideas and concepts cannot be justified through any other language, simply because of the cultural experience required to understand the deeper meaning of these symbols.
Symbols, even if we are not aware of it, can affect our subconscious mind. Information transferred to our conscious mind enhances part of our beliefs in a positive or negative way, depending on our mental and spiritual constitution. Therefore, even inanimate objects such as stones, sculptures etc., all possess different frequencies of Chi or energy.
They are symbols that are created by thought forms or brain frequencies to invoke a deeper significance and meaning to our subconscious and conscious mind. We may not always be aware of it, but this energetic connection may affect our well being. We may be able to understand the importance of symbols around us and how important it is to surround ourselves with images or symbols that may strengthen our mind and spirit with positive energies to promote our mental and spiritual well being.
Symbolism is an integral part of Feng Shui. There is no need to be esoteric or traditionally Oriental as long as the essence of the symbols are there. For example, in the Flying Star school of Feng Shui, we can combine symbols with elements that are used as a cure to obtain a much better connection. It would be an error in judgement to interpret symbols as superstition without a proper understanding of them. Learning to understand the universal connection between symbols and ourselves is one more way to improve our understanding of the universe around us.