by Debbie Dawson

Created on: July 04, 2010   Last Updated: July 05, 2010

A Look at Pagan Symbols and Their Meaning

 A symbol is an object used to represent something else.  That something else can be something physical, or an ideal, a concept, a relationship or a state of being.  Your brain loves symbols, you dream in symbols and they are a very useful tool in any spiritual path.

What a symbol means to one, it may not mean to another.  No one group can hold a symbol purely as their own, although many try to, and as such ‘Pagan symbols’ can be difficult to define.  Symbols common within Paganism is probably a better description.

Well known symbols include the Pentacle.  The Pentacle is the five-pointed star (Pentagram) within a circle.  Each point represents an element – Air, Fire, Water, Earth and Spirit, and the circle around it is the Universe containing all within it.  The Pentacle is used in Tarot cards to represent Earth and all things material.  The Pentacle has been used by nearly every Religion at one time or another to represent many different things – the five wounds of Christ, the five books of the Pentateuch; Pythagoras called it the Pentalpha, made of 5 interlocking As.

 The Cup, Chalice or Cauldron is used for Water.  Water in its elemental sense is about emotions, feelings and intuition.  In Tarot you’ll also see water appear in some cards or an amphibious creature like a crab or lobster coming out of the water to represent dreaming and intuition.

The Dagger, Sword or Athame is used for Air.  Elemental Air is about thinking, intelligence and imagination.  There are some groups that believe as they’re weapons, they should be representing Fire, and use them quite successfully in this aspect, but most commonly they remain as Air.

 The Wand is used for Fire.  Fire is about energy, passion and creativity.  In Ceremonial Magick, there are a number of Wands made – one for each element, but in modern Paganism, Witchcraft and Wicca it is usually Fire.  Wands in Tarot are also representative of the Fire aspects.

The elements also have the triangle symbols to represent them, and their properties.

Fire is symbolised by an upward pointing triangle, as it is volatile and dangerous.

Air is also an upward pointing triangle, but with a bar across it, putting a brake on the ascending nature of Fire.

Water is downward pointing as it is a descending element.

Earth is downward pointing, crossed like Air, as Earth halts the fall of Water.

The Star of David, while best known as a Jewish symbol is used to represent everything combined.  The triangle symbols of the elements combined make the Star of David.  It points in all directions – east, west, north, south, up and down.  It can show energy flowing or being directed upwards and downwards.

Then there are all the other little things that can be used as symbols – Incense can be used for Air alone or as a combination of Air and Fire.  Salt is commonly used for Earth, and saltwater as a combination of Earth and Water. A feather or wind-chimes can be used for Air.  A candle or red fabric for Fire.  Anything blue or sea shells can be used for Water.  Soil, a plant, acorns, or leaves can represent Earth.

The Triquetra is another commonly used symbol.  I’ve heard it described as representing Triple Goddess, being a Celtic protection symbol and I saw it as a beautiful brooch on the Secretary of the Catholic Womens League who was being interviewed on TV – I’m guessing that for her it was representative of the Trinity.

The important thing is that the symbol means something to the person using it.

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