Isabel’s Blog #10: Sacred Geometry 101 (Unity of the Circle)
#10: Sacred Geometry 101 (Unity of the Circle)
For some reason geometric shapes have always really interested me. I took high school geometry like everyone else, but I had a special affinity for the basics like circles, triangles, squares and diamonds. I would see these shapes and patterns in nature, and I’d often think about their deeper meanings. This fascination eventually led me to discover Sacred Geometry.
For those unfamiliar with this practice, it is a discipline that ascribes symbolic and sacred meanings to certain geometrical shapes. It has existed from ancient times all the way through the modern era, influencing architecture and mathematics.
According to Sacred Geometry, patterns found in nature (when viewed from a mathematical perspective) can be seen as evidence of divine planning and creation. Practioners generally believe that everything in the universe is created according to geometrical laws. For me, it is a very interesting mix between traditional science and esoteric science.
One particular article from the Destination Deluxe, a leading wellness and travel platform, explained it very well: :
"Sacred Geometry is considered an ancient science that explores and explains the energy patterns that create and unify all things and reveals the precise way that the energy of creation organizes itself. It is said that every natural pattern of growth or movement comes back to one or more geometric shapes. The molecules of our DNA, the cornea of our eye, snowflakes, flower petals, crystals, a shell, the stars, the galaxy we spiral within, the air we breathe, and all life forms are created out of geometric codes."
This ancient practice even influenced the logo for HEALING ZONE WORLD. The HZW logo is a compass rose that features 4 basic shapes (square, triangle, diamond and circle) plus aspects of numerology. It is a symbol of the company’s ability to help clients navigate the wide world of healing and aesthetics.
We have always called it the "compass logo" - and it actually just expanded on the original logo for the Healing Zone Spa & Wellness Center which I owned and operated from 2002 - 2016.
See both logos below. The older spa logo just became the center of the new design. One of the best lessons I've learned from Sacred Geometry is to be mindful of the building blocks in the universe.
Healing Zone Spa & Wellness Center (2002 - 2016)
Healing Zone World (2020 - Present)
I challenged myself to learn more about the topic, and create a SACRED GEOMETRY 101 series as part of my blog. I plan to cover each of the basic shapes that are highlighted in the HZW logo.
To kick-off this blog series, I chose to start with the CIRCLE.
Back in 300 BC, there was a Greek mathematician named Euclid of Alexandria (see below). He is often referred to as the "founder of geometry”.
Euclid of Alexandria
The actual word circle seems to derive from the Greek words kirkos/kuklos which means "hoop" or "ring" - but Euclid defined a circle as:
"A plane figure bounded by one curved line, and such that all straight lines drawn from a certain point within it to the bounding line, are equal. The bounding line is called its circumference and the point, its centre."
However, it is so much more than a symbol used in mathematics. An online publication entitled Colors of New York provided this deeper explanation:
"In certain cultures, a circle represents the Divine life-force or Spirit that keeps our reality in motion. It is symbolic of vitality, wholeness, completion, and perfection. The circle is a universal symbol with extensive meaning. It represents the notions of totality, wholeness, original perfection, the Self, the infinite, eternity, timelessness, all cyclic movement, the universe.”
The circle is used prominently in many cultures and religions across the world. It represents the cyclical nature of energy, and the planets and moons in our universe. Beyond that, this simple shape is revered much more than one might think.
Let's take a quick look at some famous circles...
CORPORATE CIRCLES
SPIRITUAL CIRCLES
Yin and yang (China)
Ōṁ (India)
Zodiac (Ancient Rome)
Dharmachakra (India)
CULTURAL CIRCLES
Captain America's Shield
Peace Sign
Bitcoin
Olympic Rings
In my opinion, circles are the ultimate symbol of unity.
The Olympic rings (see above) are a great example of this notion. During my research I found out each colored ring actually represents one of the participating continents (Europe, Africa, Americas, Asia & Australia). Baron Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the International Olympic Committee, wanted it to show the 5 continents united by Olympism.
I had to look it up, but Olympism is a "philosophy of life, exalting and combining in a balanced whole the qualities of body, will and mind." It is no surprise that de Coubertin chose equal-sized, interlocking circles to be the symbol of international togetherness.
Sacred Geometry also offers explanations for the energy patterns that create and unify all things. It helps reveal the precise ways that the energy of creation organizes itself. I believe that every natural pattern of growth or movement comes back to one or more geometric shapes.
As I continued to learnd more, I discovered there are even famous circles in Sacred Geometry. Here are 3 of the most well-known:
Seed of Life
The SEED OF LIFE is a geometrical design that consists of 7 overlapping circles - all the same size. There are six circles on the outside, which interconnect with the seventh circle in the middle. The image looks like a set of equally proportioned flowers. The design is not very aesthetic, but it is known to also have a symbolic meaning. And as the name Seed of Life implies, it is the basis for all creation, and the universe as we know it.
The basis of the Seed of Life is the circle, and in sacred geometry circles represent cycles, as well as encompassing things. In this case, the seven circles are often compared to the seven days of creation, with the different circles being ascribed to different points in the universe's making. The overlapping of the circles shows that these events did not happen independently of each other, either, but that each is intimately connected to the next, building atop what came before it.
As a meditation aid and point of focus, the Seed of Life is said to help remake the individual. Planting the seed to create a new, internal cycle which then creates a source of refreshed energy.
Egg of Life
The EGG OF LIFE is a geometrical design that consists of 7 circles cutting into each other, on the path towards creation. The overall shape builds on the “Seed of Life" which makes sense because eggs are a common symbol of fertility.
All humans were born via pregnancy. It is equally similar to the form of embryonic development at the cellular level in humans. The meiosis takes place, dividing into two cells, then subsequently to four cells and later to eight cells.
I also read that this geometric design helped support the whole realm of music. The "Egg of Life” has been presumed as the basic structure for music. The spaces between the circles of the design are similar to the gaps on the musical chromatic scale.
Flower of Life
The FLOWER OF LIFE is a geometrical design that consists of 19 circles of the same size that are interconnected. The image looks like a set of equally proportioned flowers. Building upon the "Seed of Life" design above - it also has a symbolic meaning.
Some practionners believe these types of repeating geometric patterns demonstrate an interconnectedness of life on this planet. They believe that these arrangements are derived from a single source, which is a divine creator. For atheists, the Flower of Life design can symbolize the interconnectedness of life from a scientific perspective.
Even Disney celebrated this notion with Elton John's classic song "Circle of Life" from The Lion King. In Sacred Geometry, symbols like the vesica piscis (a/k/a Venn diagrams) represent the building blocks of life and existence. Many cultures consider them as the blueprints, offering insight into the cycle of creation.
Several historians believe that Leonardo da Vinci’s famous drawing Vitruvian Man was composed partly based on the Flower of Life. The design shows that the proportions of humans are in synch with the building blocks of the universe.
Even though the catchy names of “Seed of Life," "Egg of Life" and “Flower of Life” are more contemporary titles, the geometric designs are ancient.
They were first documented in the ancient Near East, during the second millennium BCE. Regardless of the age, the meanings are still being explored today across the world.
However, to show a more modern take, here's a cool meditation video featuring Sacred Geometry animation and visuals. Check it out!
