When we start a spiritual and self-knowledge journey, we are first introduced to a world of concepts, representations, and other meanings, so that we can become familiar with this new universe. And spiritual symbols are some of the elements that we need to get to know better.

In this article we will talk about these symbols and the power each one exerts in our lives, and we will also give some tips on how to use them in order to extract the best possible energy from them. Ready for this magnificent new journey? Then come with us!

Om

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Very well known and widespread, this symbol originates from Hinduism, and is also found in Buddhism. In fact, OM - also known as AUM or OHM - is a sacred sound, the sound of the universe, and its vibrations have the power to unify everything and energize our body.

This is Hinduism's most sacred mantra, representing the sound of the instant when all things in the universe were created. Each of its visual elements represents a different state of consciousness.

OM is configured as a syllable that should be chanted in low vibration, in practices such as meditation and Yoga. It helps increase concentration and energizes the chakras, as well as calms the mind and central nervous system.

Besides being invoked in meditation and yogic practices, as we mentioned above, this symbol can be used in clothing prints (which must be of good quality, so as not to fade), jewelry (as a pendant, for example), or in decorating environments, especially those made for prayer or meditation.

Lotus flower

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The lotus flower is another Hindu symbol and represents "the womb of the universe, from which all things were born". It is a very old symbol, being associated with purity, since, even being born in mud, it remains intact. In Buddhism, for which it has a very strong meaning, it is a symbol of divine purity and enlightenment. For Hindus, it is related to well-being.

It is also associated with the cycle of life, since its bloom is perennial and changes to adapt to the conditions of each season - for example, even though it dries up in the fall, it does not fall. This also evokes the idea of resilience. There are a number of other symbologies of this flower, such as wisdom, enlightenment, rebirth, and spiritual awakening.

Among other applications, we can use the energy of this flower in the lotus position, one of the best known in Yoga. Besides this traditional use, its seeds have medicinal properties, being widely used in traditional Chinese medicine for relief of diarrhea, coughs and inflammation, control of blood sugar and cholesterol, and reduction of inflammation, among others.

We can also find this symbol on clothing prints, logos (especially of brands associated with Yoga, holistic therapies, and psychology), jewelry, and home decoration. It is also a flower used in Feng Shui, symbolizing peace and harmony.

Hamsá

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Also known as the hand of Fatima, the Hamsá is a very ancient symbol - believed to date back 800 years before Christ. It is used in various religions and doctrines. In Islam, it represents the five pillars of faith; in Buddhism, it is called the Abhaya Mudra, which means "no fear"; in Hinduism, it represents the supreme spirit or ultimate reality.

It is believed that this element establishes a connection with the divine. In addition, it presents variations, each one with a function. For example, it can be composed of dove, fish, Star of David, Greek eye, or sayings in the Hebrew language - and may represent peace, fertility, success, union of body and spirit, welcoming, among others.

Nowadays, the Hamsá is used as a protection amulet, warding off negative vibrations, keeping the evil eye and envy away, and balancing energies, which is why it is very common to use it in jewelry (as pendants), accessories (key chains, doorknob pendants, etc.), or in home decoration.

Buddha

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The term "Buddha" originates from Sanskrit - its meaning is "one who has become enlightened" - and refers to the young prince Siddartha, who one day left the palace where he lived, surrounded by luxury and well-being, to find a way to end human suffering.

His enlightenment came at the age of 35, when he became the Buddha and started spreading his teachings around the world. Buddhism is very much based on balance and finding a path that frees us from suffering. That is why his image is very much revered.

And bringing the image of Buddha as a concrete object, we can use it in jewelry, prints, and statues for decorating environments, especially those for spiritual rituals, Yoga, and meditation.

According to Feng Shui, the ideal is to use the Buddha statue in front of the entrance door of the house, because it is a place that favors the interaction of his vibrations with the chi energy that enters our home.

Mandalas

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Mandalas are circular designs very present in Hindu and Buddhist rituals. They are also often seen in Astrology and esoteric cults. The term "mandala" comes from Sanskrit and means "circle". It is said that this element represents different aspects of the Universe, having the power to transmute suffering into happiness.

Among Buddhist monks, mandalas - which are made of sand - symbolize impermanence and the need to seek beyond what is material. They also represent our individual spiritual journey. In their composition, there may be elements such as a lotus flower, a wheel with eight spokes, a bell, and a sun, among others, each with a meaning.

These objects have become very popular, and can be used in decoration, brand logos (associated with psychology, psychoanalysis, Yoga, and other therapies), and even in education - both for teaching geometric shapes and for stress relief, with those famous coloring books, even for adults.

Healing mandalas are used for meditation purposes, to evoke tranquility, harmony, peace, and contemplation, channeling our focus and concentration.

Greek eye

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The Greek eye dates back a long time, having been widely used in rituals in Islam. This talisman, also known as the Turkish eye, the eye of God, and Nazar, has been found in archaeological explorations in various places, such as Egypt, about 1,500 years before Christ. But there are finds from 3,300 years before Christ.

This circular object, in the colors blue, black, and white, has the power to drive away negative energies, such as the evil eye, and attract good vibrations.

The Greek eye can be used on necklaces, rings, bracelets, and also in home decoration, especially hanging from doors and windows (preferably at the main entrance). It can also be used as car rearview mirror pendants, key chains, on the work table, and wherever else spiritual protection is needed.

Chakras

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Chakras are mostly associated with Hinduism and Buddhism. They are energy centers distributed throughout our body, and their function is to absorb vital energy, redistribute it, and then release it outward.

The term "chakra" comes from Sanskrit and means "wheel" or "vortex". There are 7 main chakras: basic, sacral, solar plexus, cardiac, laryngeal, frontal, and coronary, each one located in a specific point of the body, responding to organs of the lymphatic system.

The chakras are activated through rituals and must be aligned in order for the mental, bodily, and spiritual balance to be established, and this can be achieved by practicing meditation, applying Reiki, using crystal and color therapy, and chanting mantras for each point.

Namaste

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Namaste is a well-known greeting in the West, thanks to the popularization of Yoga and the lifestyle that this practice has brought us. This term comes from Sanskrit and, among the many translations, all associated with reverence, it can mean: "I bow before you".

A symbol of humility, respect, and connection, it is used as a greeting when arriving or saying goodbye, and can also have a broader meaning: "The God who dwells in my heart greets the God who dwells in your heart.

Generally, this greeting is done together with a hand gesture - with the palms pressed together in prayer form and at the level of the heart chakra. It can also be pronounced with the hands positioned in front of the forehead or completely over the head. Its daily practice stimulates us to live with more humility, respect, joy, and gratitude.

Yin Yang

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Yin and yang are two shapes that come together in a circle, representing two opposite energies that complement each other in a continuous movement, according to Taoism. yin is the black element, on the left side of the circle, representing the passive, the feminine, the cold, the night, while yang, in white, on the right side, is the light, the active, the masculine, the energy.

This concept is also presented in other philosophies, such as the principle of polarity, which preaches that everything is double, everything has its opposite, everything has its two sides, and one cannot live without the other, being, therefore, two extremes of the same thing.

This symbol can be used in jewelry, clothes, home decoration, and tattoos. Not only its physical image, but also the symbol itself, balancing light and dark, cold and warm colors; curved and straight shapes; brightness and opacity; cold and warm? and so on. This technique is widely used by Feng Shui to bring harmony to the home.

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• Learn Ways to Keep a Nourished Soul
• See what is the origin of the shaman's power

Did you notice that even though they have different origins, several of the symbols mentioned here are connected to each other? They can be used together to bring even more good energies into your life. Try combining some of them - or all of them - with wisdom and balance, and bring more positivity into your days!

Take the opportunity to get to know these elements in more depth, with our specially prepared content!