I’ve gotten a few questions surrounding the symbolic meaning of the penny, specifically the symbolic meaning of finding pennies on our paths.  I respond thusly:

Dear Heads or Tails:

Consider the penny as a symbol of beginnings as it holds the vibration of number One. 

The meaning of One primarily deals with strong will, positivity, pure energy.  The number One reflects new beginnings, and purity. The symbolic meaning of the penny (number One) is further clarified when we understand that One represents both kinds of action, physical and mental.

This combined with the One’s urgency for new beginnings, we intuit number One to mean it is time to exert our natural forces, take action, and start a new venture. Numeral One gives us encouragement that our actions will be rewarded in kind.

Appropriate to the theme of new beginnings, we see Abraham Lincoln depicted on this currency.  This is symbolic of founding fathers concept, and deals with foundational thoughts & constructs.  Pulled more deeply in the meaning, we can say that seeing pennies (particularly heads-up) is a message for us to re-evaluate our founding beliefs.  We may ask ourselves what core beliefs do we have, and are they serving us appropriately?

Copper also holds a symbolic resonance (at least when they were primarily made of copper prior to 1982) with the astrological signs of Sagittarius and Taurus – you can investigate the attributes of these signs for further symbolism here.

Copper is also considered a solar emblem, and corresponds with the radiant features of the sun.  This combined with a myriad of other meanings, the symbolic meaning of the penny deals with bright ideas, fresh perspectives, and incorporating these new thoughts with our existing framework.  By combining the old with the new we find our lives expanded and new directions to our path.

A reader of mine purchased a piece of jewelry (shown left) because she was drawn to it.  She did not, however, know the full extent of its symbolism.  She asked for my assistance – to which I respond:

Some may call this the Star of David – or the Magen David (Shield of David), and may recognize it as one of the most common signs of Judaism.  It derives its association with David because he bore this symbol on his shield when he faced Goliath – the symbol has since been affiliated with victory and strength.

However – there is much more to this symbol than that.

This is also an alchemical emblem with some heavy meanings.

Made of two interlocking triangles, this symbol represents the union of opposites.  The top point of the triangle symbolizes fire and the downward triangle symbolizes water.  Alchemists believed that if two opposing forces were joined, in shrowded terminology, transmutation occurs in which ”common metal” is transformed into gold.  This is of course analogous with man’s philosophical allowance of the combination of opposites thus enhancing his path to enlightenment.

This symbol has long been used by alchemists as a protective, magical emblem.

I’d like you to pay close attention to the threes – there is a triangle in the center as well as a triskele revolving around that.  This is symbolic of change, revolution – and incorporates the creative vibration that the power of three’s represent. I’ve written a piece on the power of the triad/triskelle , it’s meanings.

This star symbol is also found in the heart chakra within the Eastern Indian philosophy.  The heart chakra facilitates  Protection, love, harmony, and connection. When we focus on our heart chakra is releases the fear of rejection and augments energies of love and compassion.  For more information on chakras, you can view my chakra page .

Also in this culture (Hindu/Eastern Indian) the upward triangle of this symbol represents Shiva – the supreme reality – and the male force principle.  The downward triangle represents Shakti - the objective universe – and the female principle.

The thorns on your symbol are symbolic of the trials and tribulations that we as humans are apt to suffer as we attempt to find balance in all six prime areas of our life:

• Soul,
• Spirit,
• Intellect,
• Emotion,
• Divinity, and
• Relationship. 

In all six of these areas we will inevitably fell the pricks of the thorns of learning upon our path.  However, with the thorns, we gain strength in each lesson – our being progresses and evolves with each lesson learned.

Note here that even the spiritual meaning of number six holds symbolic importance as it represents tolerance, truth, balance, love, justice, sincerity.

When wearing this symbol, it serves as a reminder that you are a Spiritual being in a physical body and it is your destiny to find balance as such.  This symbol will serve as a protective amulet against wayward thinking, and idle beliefs that tend to lead you off your path of right-mindedness.  This symbol also serves as a reminder that with the thorns comes strength and perseverance as you make your way into this physical world with a spirit of love in your heart.

A reader of mine asked me about Shinto symbol meanings.  Specifically, had a piece of jewelry upon which a dragon and a shrine were impressed.  Below is my repsonse to his question about these Shinto symbol meanings:

Dear Seeker,

The native religion of Japan, Shinto translated means “the way of the gods.”   It is an ancient & complex religion, and as such, it should be resepected by devoting ample investigation into its complexities. 

Here I am giving you a brief explanation according to my personal understanding of Shintoism.  To really experience the richness of this faith, I would encourage you to examine Shintoism for yourself to provide more meaning within your own personal reality.

That said, at the center of the Shinto belief system are divine beings or forces in nature called “kami.”

According to Shinto belief, the universe is saturated with sacred spirits (called kami) – some of these even serve as Shinto deities.  The world of the kami may also have other inhabitants such as impressive natural objects (rocks, trees, waters), as well as creatures of nature, people and ancestors.

Great festivals are held in honor of various kami and all through Japan one will see countless shrines (structures called “torri” – image shown above) to honor and worship various kami.

Your piece of jewelry shows a Shinto dragon (a kami) on one side  and the symbol on the other side is a shrine (a torri) to honor the dragon kami.

The torri are thought of as gateways.  Torri symbolize a separation between the high-vibrational energy (sanctity) of the kami world and the lower vibration of the mundane world.

Each kami represents different attributes. 

Your dragon kami represents:

• power
• courage
• ferocity
• wisdom
• balance
• good judgment
• protection
• loyalty
• good luck

The torri on the other side of the ring symbolizes the gateway – the entrance into which you are capable of walking through in order to access the attributes of the noble dragon kami.

We enter the torri by first bowing in respect to the universal forces (the kami).  This sets our essence into a framework of honor, wonder and stillness as we begin to step into the realm of infinite possibilities.

The kami and torri are fantastic symbols that we can use to enhance our evolution and even aid us on the path of enlightenment.  The Shinto were very much aware of this, and as such, still incorporate such symbols in art and jewelry today.

 In closing – these are only my personal interpretations.  You must comit yourself to the study of this vastly colorful belief system yourself in order to derive your own more intimate understandings.

The symbolic meaning of Christmas trees originates in pagan culture where the evergreen represents life, rebirth, and stamina needed to endure the winter months.

Scandinavian and Norse traditions honored the winter solstice (December 25) by decorating evergreens.  At this time fir trees were also burned to commemorate the life that stirs even in the most frigid grips of winter.  These traditions also marked the end of the old year and the beginning of a new year.

Pagan lore indicates the time between December 25 until about early-mid January are some of the coldest days of the year.  It was believed evil spirits were at their strongest during these months.  To thwart the nasties, evergreens were brought into the home as symbols of protection.  These evergreens were alight with candles, the idea here was to “light up” the darkest, coldest conditions and thereby shoo away naughty spirits. 

 It wasn’t until about the nineteenth century that we find Christianity absorbing the bright, cheery symbolism of the Christmas tree.  The Christians had long held the fir as a symbol of the Tree of Life.  Early Christians knew their symbolism well, as they added candles and apples to their Christmas firs.  These candles represented the light of Christ.  The apples symbolized knowledge which spawned man’s original sin according to Christian belief.  Here we see the light of Christ absolving the “fall of man” within the immortal symbol of the Christmas tree.