Square Symbol Meaning

Square Meaning and Symbolism

A few keywords on square symbol meaning include: Grounding, Stabilizing, Structure, Foundation, Basics, Community, Elemental, Balance, Pragmatic, Direction, Dependability, Integrity.

According to Rowena and Rupert Shepherd in their book,1000 Symbols: What Shapes Mean in Art and Myththe square is a symbol of the heart in Islam. Each side of the heart-square symbolizes an aspect or opening for awareness and inspiration:

• Angelic
• Diabolic
• Human
• Divine

I like this very much. It underscores the potential duality in everything and encourages balance. We can even see oppositional balancing here.

Remember the Atari game Pong? That little ball you could bounce between two parallel lines (presumably representing a ping-pong paddle). Our awareness can be that point bouncing between the aspects of duality housed within each side of our experience (dark, light, up, down, physical, spiritual, etc).

These kind of attributes cause the square symbol to be an anchor to the Hindu way of thought. Here we see squares representing the natural (structured) order of the universe.

We can branch off from there by observing the four-sided structures that surround us in our environment. Like:

• The four cardinal directions (north, south, east, west).
• The four major season (winter, spring, summer, autumn).
• The four cosmic elements (suns, moons, planets, stars).
• The four common phases of human life (birth, child, adult, death).
• The four prime elements (fire, earth, air, water).

In the Chinese way of thought, the square is a symbol for earth with the circle representing the shape of the heavens. This lends further weight to the earthy, grounded nature of the square symbol meaning.

So unlike the circle, or the spiral symbol meaning - the square is comprised of straight lines. This can be a real validation of meaning. Those fixed lines invite a feeling of stasis, fixation and immutability, don't they.

In fact, when I see squares in my readings/interpretations, I always think of foundations (like homes, buildings or even plots of earth squared off for gardening). Squares are symbolic cues for me, and they speak to me about hearths, homes, matter and materialistic concepts.

Indeed, our ancestors transitioned from nomadic life by exchanging tents and teepees (circular) for solid square-based structures. I find this, and its implications fascinating.

All of these aspects combined (perhaps as a meditative tool, contemplating the square) invite us to do precisely what the square implies:

• Implement a plan,
• Build on that plan and
• Manifest ideas into our reality.

Thanks for indulging these thoughts on the square symbol meaning. I encourage you to incorporate this symbol into your ruminations and gain your own personal understanding of its potential.

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