Buddha Tattoos - Buddha is the term commonly used to refer to Siddhartha Gautama, the

historical founder of Buddhism.

In Buddhism a Buddha is any being that has become fully enlightened and has permanently
overcome emotional states like anger, greed and ignorance. Having achieved such awareness,
a being has achieved total liberation from suffering, better known as Nirvana.

Nirvana is a state of Being where one is devoid of passions such as lust, anger or craving -and
is thus in a state of great inner peace and contentment. Nirvana is the abiding of a fully
enlightened being in a state of pure awareness. Through enlightenment comes the attainment
of wisdom.

The path to enlightenment comes from the study of The Four Noble Truths, which are
fundamental Buddhist teachings about the nature of suffering. Suffering, as derived from
Sanskrit, encompasses a number of English terms; sorrow, suffering, affliction, pain,
dissatisfaction, discomfort, anguish, stress, misery, and aversion.

Buddha literally means "awakened" or "that which has become aware".

As a tattoo symbol Buddha may be represented by a literal symbol, such as the statues of
Buddha one is familiar with, or by a Lion, a Begging Bowl, a Stupa, an empty Throne, the
Bodhi Tree (the tree under which Buddha achieved enlightenment), Buddha's footprints, or an
Eight-Spoked Wheel and Deer.

Buddha Tattoos, Designs and Stencils

Bull Tattoos - The Bull is a symbol of power, strength, resurrection, masculinity, fertility,
impulsiveness, fathers, kingship, and the Zodiac sign and constellation Taurus. The
widespread presence of the Bull in many different and widespread cultural mythologies and
early religions can be explained by the fact that cattle were among the first animals
domesticated by man, in fact probably not longer after the Asian wolf became the household
dog. Cattle were the first wealth in a shift from a hunter-gather society to an agrarian culture.
This was a profound change in the organization of human social and political units and
domesticated Cattle were a crucial source of reliable and dependable supplies of meat, milk,
blood and all else that the carcass could provide.

The Bull straddles two opposites in the world of mythology and symbolism, in that it is both a
solar and a lunar creature. The Bull's male fertility, fiery temperament, and role as father of
the herd make him the masculine sun-god in many cults. Just as the lion is the king and terror
of the beasts of the forest, the bull is the king of the farm and the personification of brute
strength and power. The lion, the bull, and the sun are popular symbols of life and
resurrection. The bull's crescent shaped horns link him to moon worship and symbolism
although in some areas the sun is a bull while the moon is a cow.

Its association with the sun makes the Bull a symbol of the heavens, resurrection, and fire,
while its association with the moon makes the Bull a symbol of earth, water, night, and death.
This animal's masculinity is not diminished by its feminine lunar connections.

Bulls were sacrificial victims in many nations. Since their blood was believed to fertilize the
earth, the sacrifice of a bull was sometimes associated with the death of winter and the return
of spring. Bull sacrifices and bull fights are an expression of man's dominance over the Bull
but also a recognition of the power and status that the Bull holds within the world of man. We
recognize the Bull as the wild animal that must be tamed and subjugated in order to serve
man.

In Ireland a heroic warrior might be called a "bull in battle" as a compliment upon his valor
and ferocity. Bulls were also emblems of tyranny, death, ferocity, stubbornness, lust, brutality,
and the Devil. In symbolism the lusty bull is the antithesis of the gentle, hardworking ox.

Bull cults abounded in the ancient world and survive today in such festivities as bullfights and
bull-runs. As in Ancient Crete, where dancers leapt over the horns of bulls, these activities are
thought to praise the superiority of humans over animals and pit the intellectual or spiritual
faculties against brute force and instinct. Oddly enough, the bull being led to the arena is
sometimes used to symbolize Christ being led to the cross. There is even a certain movement
of the bullfighter's cape called the "Veronica Pass" which is named for the woman who wiped
the blood and sweat from Christ's face as He carried His cross to Golgotha.

Black bulls were associated with death in many cultures. In Egypt, Osiris' body was
sometimes borne on the back of a black bull. In Indonesia and India it was customary to
cremate the bodies of princes in coffins shaped like bulls.

The roar of the bull, his windy breath, the sound of his hooves, and his wild nature were
likened to thunder, wind, the crash of the ocean, and mighty tempests. Because of these
associations, bulls were sacrificed to sea gods such as Poseidon. Along with the thunderbolt,
bulls are symbols of thunder, sky, and storm gods such as Adad, Thor, and Ishkur. These gods
may also be pictured riding bulls. In Asia and Siberia there are stories of a bull which lives at
the bottom of a lake and warns of approaching storms with its thunderous bellowing. The bull
as a thunder or storm god is a symbol of fertility, creation, and the violence of nature which
cannot be tamed.

In Hinduism, as in many other religions, the bull symbolizes strength and fertility, especially
that fertility which is sparked or strengthened by fire, heat, the sun, and lightning. Its
symbolism is strongly linked with that of the sacred cows of India. The cow represents the
fruitful earth while the bull symbolizes the fertile sky. According to the Rig-Veda, the
heavenly bull Rudra fertilized the earth with his sperm. Agni, the god of fire, was called "the
mighty bull." Indra is another Hindu fertility god associated with heat and the bull. The bull-
god Vrishabha was originally responsible for the spinning of the cosmic wheel. Nandin is a
pure white bull which is ridden by Shiva, the Destroyer. In this case it symbolizes sexual
energy which Shiva transforms into spiritual energy. Shiva's white bull also represents
strength, justice, and the cosmic order.

In some cultures it is thought that a celestial bull carries the world upon its horns.
Unfortunately, this creature occasionally gets rather rowdy and tosses the globe about,
catching it upon its horns. This, of course, causes violent earthquakes. In Islamic, Buddhist,
and Turkish tradition bulls may carry the world upon their backs as well as upon their horns.
According to Buddhist mythology the history of the earth will consist of four distinct ages. As
each age passes the bull which supports the earth lifts up one of his legs. When all four ages
have passed, the bull will raise his last leg and the earth will fall and be destroyed. In other
parts of the world bulls are symbols of the powerful inhabitants of the netherworld.
In Greco-Roman mythology, the bull was sacred to Aphrodite/Venus, Dionysus/Bacchus,
Poseidon/Neptune, and Zeus/Jupiter or Jove. In order to obtain the Golden Fleece, Jason had
to yoke a pair of savage fire-breathing bulls which had been created in Hephaistos' forge and
then plow a huge field with them. Zeus once masqueraded as a white bull in order to seduce
Europa.

The most famous bull story in Greek mythology was that of the Cretan bull and the Minotaur.
According to this myth, King Minos, in order to prove that he had been divinely appointed to
the Cretan throne, bragged that the gods would grant any request he made of them. He,
therefore, prayed for a bull to sacrifice to Poseidon. Immediately, a beautiful white bull came
forth from the sea. However, Minos decided to keep this magnificent creature and sacrificed
an ordinary bull from his herds instead. Enraged by this act of ingratitude, Poseidon caused
the Cretan bull to go on a rampage throughout Crete causing a great deal of destruction.

Two stories are offered to explain Pasiphae's (Minos' wife's) subsequent infatuation with the
Cretan bull. One says that this attraction was a continuation of Poseidon's vengeance. The
other claims that Queen Pasiphae had neglected the worship of Aphrodite for a number of
years. Therefore, the slighted love goddess aroused in her an unnatural desire for the beast.
The queen ordered Daedalus to construct a wooden cow so that she might enter it and have
sexual relations with the bull. The end result was that the queen became pregnant by the bull
and delivered a man-eating monster known as the Minotaur which had the body of a man and
the head of a bull.

Unwilling to kill the queen's offspring, King Minos had Daedalus build the famous Labyrinth
or maze underneath his castle to contain the beast. He then periodically demanded a tribute
from Athens of seven youths and seven maidens (the number varies) to be sent into the
Labyrinth as food for this monster. Eventually, a brave and handsome lad, Theseus,
volunteered to accompany the victims being sent to the Labyrinth in the hopes of killing the
Minotaur and ending the tribute. When Theseus arrived in Crete, Princess Ariadne fell in love
with him and, with the help of Daedalus, came up with a plan to rescue him from the beast.
Using a ball of string to leave a trail into the Labyrinth, Theseus found and killed the creature.
Then, following the string, he left the maze, unchained the young Athenians, fought his way
to the boats, and sailed home.

Bull Tattoos

Celtic Tattoo Designs – Celtic knot designs while at first and foremost decorative on the
surface, are at their roots very culturally significant and deeply symbolic. And so too can be
Celtic tattoo designs.

Celtic tattoo designs are primarily a genre of complex interwoven lines representing knots,
mazes, spirals and other figures. Celtic animal figures are zoomorphic or stylized renderings
of animals that were used for carvings, in jewelry and wood, stonework and manuscript
illustrations. Many images used by tattoo artists today are derived from the famous Irish Book
of Kells.

The Book of Kells is an ornately illustrated manuscript, produced by Irish Monks around AD
800. It is one of the most lavishly illuminated manuscripts to survive the period. The name
"Book of Kells" is derived from the Abbey of Kells in Kells, County Meath in Ireland, where
it was kept for much of the mediaeval period.

There are strong Norse design influences in Celtic knot work, and there is some debate as to
the exact origin. Clearly there were exchanges between cultures through both trade and
conquest. The complexity of Celtic design is thought to mimic or echo the complexity of
nature, the use of Celtic knots in spirals and mazes, the intricate interweaving showing no
beginning and no end, reflective of the cycles of the seasons and of life.

Have a look at all these Celtic Tattoos and Designs

The Infinity Symbol - This tattoo design is best described as a figure eight on its side, it is
used to denote that which is limitless and without boundary or end. The symbol as a tattoo
would stand for the state or quality of being infinite. The concept of infinity first appeared as
a mathematical conceit and was quickly adopted by philosophers.

Historically and culturally, the infinity symbol is similar to mythological creatures such as
Ouroboros, the snake that consumes its tail and is a creature without end. Circles and loops
are reminiscent of the idea of life being conceived as an eternal, often times seasonal cycle,
that endlessly repeats itself. In many eastern religions and belief systems the idea of endless
reincarnation and planes of existence is similar.

Maori / Polynesian Tattoo Designs - Maori tattooing is a distinct school of patterns and
graphic designs within Polynesian tattooing. While much of Polynesian tattooing is derived
from straight-line geometric patterns (and thought to originate with patterns found on ancient
Lapita pottery shards such as have been discovered in Samoa), a design fact which rose in part
because the traditional Polynesian tattoo combs are best suited to linear designs, Maori
tattooing is essentially curvilinear, and the mainstay of Maori designs are based on the spiral.
It should be noted that renowned traditional Hawaiian artist Keone Nunes has demonstrated
that it is possible to reproduce complex curved designs using traditional Polynesian tattooing
implements.

Maori tattooing is distinguished by the use of bold lines and the repetition of specific design
motifs that are prominent both in the tattooing or "moko" of the Maori people of New Zealand
and within other cultural artworks suck as carving and weaving. A traditional Maori tattoo
artist -- the tohunga ta moko -- could produce two different types of pattern: that based on a
pigmented line, and another, the puhoro, based on darkening the background and leaving the
pattern unpigmented; as clear skin. Within Maori facial tattoos it is possible to discern two
spiral patterns very similar to the fern frond, or koru, that is a repeating motif common to
Maori art, including tattooing or "moko", painting and carving, in both wood, bone and
greenstone.

Traditionally Maori tattoo artists followed very specific rules laid out for facial "moko" or
tattoos. It is important to note that because of the tremendous cultural complexity of New
Zealand's many tribes and clans, these rules often had local variations. But the idea that the
tattoos followed a set of prescribed rules was widespread, and tattoos were specific to
individuals, family, clans and tribes. Maori tattoos follow the contours of the face, and are
meant to enhance the natural contours and expressions of an individual's face. A well-
executed tattoo would trace the natural "geography" of an individual's facial features, for
example lines along the brow ridge; the major design motifs are symmetrically placed within
opposed design fields: lines are used in certain areas where spirals are not used; two types of
spiral are used -- the koru, which is not rolled up and has a "clubbed" end, and the rolled
spiral. (Ta Moko: The Art of Maori Tattoo, By [Link])

An excellent example of a modern, Maori-inspired

The Phoenix - the legendary mythological bird of fire, is probably the most popular of all the
rebirth and resurrection symbols. There are stories and fables that touch on the Phoenix myth
in the ancient Middle East, India, China and the Greek and Roman Empires.

In the myth the Phoenix is an extraordinarily long-lived bird of great beauty and luxuriant
plumage (often described as golden or red-hued), living five hundred years or more, a fact
attributed by one early Jewish legend that the Phoenix refused to eat the forbidden fruit of
Paradise. At the end of it's life the Phoenix would build a nest of aromatic twigs, set fire to
itself, and be consumed in the funeral pyre of it's own making. After three days the Phoenix
would arise from the ashes, reborn.

The Phoenix was originally a symbol of the cycle of the rising and setting of the sun but over
time evolved to become a symbol of human resurrection. On Roman coins the phoenix
represented an undying Empire. In the early Christian Church the phoenix was a symbol of
Christ's resurrection and everlasting life. The phoenix represented the victory of life over
death.

As a tattoo symbol, the Phoenix can be found in many tattoo genres, but of the Far East in
particular. It is a symbol of resurrection, rebirth and regeneration. It also represents
purification and transformation through fire and adversity.

Looking for Phoenix Tattoo Design Ideas?

Star Tattoos - Stars are often encountered as symbols, and many cases the meaning of a
particular star symbol may depend upon the number points it has, and sometimes the
orientation of these points as well. As a light shining in the darkness, the star is often
considered a symbol of truth, of the spirit and of hope. The symbol of the star embodies the
concept of the divine spark within each of us. Their nocturnal nature leads stars to represent
the struggle against the forces of darkness and the unknown

Stars with a specific design have taken on an explicit meaning and symbolism on their own.
Among the most well-know of these are the Pentagram (five-pointed star), the Nautical Star
(five-pointed star), the Hexagram or Star of David (six-pointed star), all the way to the
nonagram (nine-pointed star).

The Pentagram - In the case of the Pentagram, the star's symbolism is dramatically altered by
it's orientation, in which case the Pentagram points up or down. A downward facing
Pentagram was thought to mimic a Ram's Head and was thought to be a sign of the Devil. In
Celtic Lore the Pentagram was the sign of story-tellers and magicians, the five points a
powerful symbol of protection and balance, shown here in its elemental form with the fifth
element of Spirit taking its proper place above the four manifest elements. This pentagram
incorporates the oriental yin-yang symbol to emphasize its harmonizing nature.

The Nautical Star - see Nautical Star.

The Hexagram or six-pointed star, is a potent symbol of the interaction of the Divine with the
mortal, of God with Humankind. It has particular significance in Judaism as the Star of David.

The Star of David, or magen David ('Shield of David'), is a strong symbol of Jewish identity,
and as a hexagram it represents the interaction of the Divine with the mortal. It gets its name
from the tradition that David carried a hexagram-shaped shield during his defeat of the giant
Goliath. It has strong links with the Kabbalah, and is sometimes known as the Seal of
Solomon or the Creator's Star.

When the Star of David is called the Creator's Star, the six points each represents a day of the
week and the center corresponds to the Sabbath. It is a strong symbol of Jewish identity, and
remained so even during the days of Nazi persecution when Jews were forced to wear a
yellow hexagram as an identifier. The Star was incorporated into the flag of the State of Israel
(right) in 1948.

The Septagram or seven-pointed star is a symbol of integration and the mystical due to its
links with the number seven. It is associated with the seven planets of classical astrology and
to other seven-fold systems, such as the Hindu chakras.

The Octogram or eight-pointed star is a symbol of fullness and regeneration, and is linked to
eight-fold systems such as trigrams, the pagan wheel of the year and the Ogdoad of ancient
Egypt.

The Nonogram or nine-pointed star is a symbol of achievement and of stability, though this is
a stability that is subject to change. It can also be related to nine-fold systems, such as the nine
Taoist kanji (psychic centers) which are similar to the Hindu chakras.

Tattoo Johnny Tattoo Designs - Nearly 400 different star tattoo designs by some of the best
tattoo artists in the world.

Sun Tattoos & Designs - The Sun as a tattoo design is a reflection of the Sun's profound
symbolic nature in most cultures around the world. The sun was worshipped as a personified,
life-giving deity in Babylonian, Egyptian, Greek, Roman, and almost every other major
civilizations of history. The Sun or Sun figure was almost always the predominant figure
within the pantheon of those spiritual belief systems.

Nearly every culture has a creation myth that explains how the sun came into being, and often
times an accompanying apocalypse myth that details the end of the world, as we know it,
when the sun is destroyed or devoured in some manner. Many cultures have myths that
explain the rising and the setting of the sun, and this repeating cycle of light and dark has
come to symbolize life and death, regeneration and reincarnation.

The most common symbol of the sun is a circle with the sun's rays emanating from the
perimeter. A dot or point in the center of a circle symbolizes the blending of male and female
forces. The sun is usually seen as a masculine symbol and the moon and the earth as feminine
symbols, hence you will often the Sun symbolically paired with the Moon or the Earth. For
many millennia the Sun was believed to be at the center of the Universe, around which all
other heavenly bodies radiated. The Sun was a symbol of both royal and divine powers,
adopted by both secular and religious authorities.

As a tattoo design and symbol, a Sun represents fertility, vitality, passion, courage and
eternally renewed youth, light and knowledge. When looking at some of the popular tattoo
designs, note the following, in various cultures in the history of man, the Sun was represented
by the following; an Eagle, an Eagle with a Serpent, a Winged Serpent (Dragon), a Falcon
(Egyptian God Horus), Phoenix, Swan, Lion, Ram, Cock or Bull. The Sun could be further
represented by the Heart symbol, A Rosette or Rose, the Lotus, the Sunflower and the
Chrysanthemum. An examination of the most popular tattoo designs will show an amazing
correlation with the above mentioned symbols.

Tattoo Johnny Tattoo Designs - More than 400 different sun tattoo designs by some amazingly
talented tattoo artists & flash illustrators.

SYMBOLS and their Meaning

Introduction

Occult symbols are fast replacing Christian symbols in our culture. Therefore, we encourage you
to use this list to warn others, especially Christian children who intentionally wear and display
them because they are popular.

Keep in mind that some of these symbols have double meanings. For example, the pentagram has
been used to transmit occult power in all kinds of rituals for centuries, but to Christians the
same shape may simply represent a star -- a special part of God's creation. The image of a fish
may mean a sign of the zodiac (astrology) to some, but to Christians it has meant following Jesus
and sharing the message of His love. We will continue to delight in the cross, while recognizing
that others use the same image to represent their dark forces.

Please don't pass judgment on those who happen to wear these symbols. Instead, let us seek
God’s will and discernment so that we might all honor Him with our lives. Remember, "each of us
shall give account of himself to God. Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather
resolve this, not to put a stumbling block. . . in our brother's way." (Romans 14:12-13)

ALL-SEEING EYE: A universal symbol representing spiritual sight, inner

vision, higher knowledge, insight into occult mysteries. Look at your $1
bill.
EYE in top Triangle of the PYRAMID: Masonic symbol for the all-
seeing eye of god - an mystical distortion of the omniscient (all-knowing)
Biblical God. You can find it on the $1 bill. See triangle, Eye of Horus and
the Franklin Institute website
ALCHEMY: This simple 17th century "sign" illustrates the blending of
geometric shapes -- circle, triangle, square -- representing the various
"elements" needed for spells and magic. It's interesting to note that some
of the more popular occult computer games also involve "elements"
needed for magic and spell-casting.

AMULET: A magic charm (such as this little Navajo bear earring), worn
to bring good luck and protection against illness, accidents and evil
forces. Don't believe it!

ANARCHY: Popular among school aged children today, this symbol for
anarchy fits the message that pervades the most popular video games,
role-playing games, movies and television. The lines of the "A" often
extend outside the circle. To many satanists and other fast-growing occult
groups it represents their slogan, "do what thou wilt." A former occultist
explained that it represents the ASMODEAS: a demonic force driving
teenagers toward sexual perversion and suicide.

ANKH: An Egyptian cross symbolizing a mythical eternal life, rebirth, and

the life-giving power of the sun.

ANGEL: Symbol of good and evil spirits in religions around the world.
This picture shows a Tibetan guardian angel. For a comparison between
Biblical angels and occult angels read chapter 8 in A Twist of Faith

ARROW: These two pictures shows the astrological sign for the archer
(Sagittarius) -- part of the zodiac. But, through history, the arrow has also
symbolized war, power, swiftness, the rays of the sun, knowledge... as
well as deities such as the Greek god Apollo and goddess Artemis (both
hunters), the Hindu weather god, Rudra; and various gods of sexual
attraction: Eros (Greek), Cupid (Roman), Kama (Hindu).... On ancient
Roman coins, it represented the Zoroastrian god, Mithra. The native
American Cheyenne warriors revered the "sacred medicine arrows" as
symbols of male power. Arrows held by skeletons would point to disease
or death. Today, they usually just point in the preferred direction.
Crystal (Gazing) BALL: Used for divination (fortunetelling, scrying,
clairvoyance...). When the heavy crystal balls were too expensive,
witches often used glass-ball fishing floats, colored glass balls, or magic
mirrors. One website that markets these balls beckons: 'Why not buy one
and try your own free psychic reading." Scroll down to "Magic Mirrors"

BAT: A symbol of good fortune in the East, it represented demons and

spirits in medieval Europe.
BLAIR WITCH: A five-pointed compound symbol with a center triangel
(see below) pointing down. The five lines resemble the microcosmic man
with arms and legs outstretched inside a circle (with a pentagram in the
background)-- a magic symbol or charm among medieval alchemists and
wizards.

BUTTERFLY: Reminds Christians of the amazing transformation that

takes place through Christ's redemption and regeneration. When "born
again," we become "a new creation." (2 Cor. 5:17) To many pagans, its
mythical meaning is linked to the soul (of the deceased) in search of
reincarnation."

CHAOS: A self-made form of occultism taught through role-playing

games such as Warhammer. According to one devotee, "Chaos is the
opposite of order. Since everything changes, there is no right or no wrong
-- only the quest for pleasure. The 8-pointed star represents the many
different directions of chaos and the many ways you can follow it. We
worship deamons and angels, and when we die, Chaos rewards us with
the pleasures we liked in life. Chaos is everywhere, it blows in the wind..."
See Chaos Magic
CIRCLE (sacred hoop, ring): An ancient and universal symbol of unity,
wholeness, infinity, the goddess, and female power. To earth-centered
religions throughout history as well as to many contemporary pagans, it
represents the feminine spirit or force, the cosmos or a spiritualized
Mother Earth, and a sacred space. (See next item) Gnostic traditions
linked the unbroken circle to the "world serpent" forming a circle as it eats
its own tail.

CIRCLE with a DOT (BINDU) in the center: In the complex symbolic

system of Hinduism and Buddhism, the bindu (dot) represents the male
force. Together, the circle and the bindu symbolize the merging of male
and female forces. (See "Sun Sign" below and "Circle" above)

CIRCLE (quartered): The sacred circle filled with a cross, four equal
lines pointing from the center to the spirits of the north, east, south, and
west -- or to the basic element: earth, water, air (or wind), and fire. In
Native American traditions, it forms the basic pattern of the MEDICINE
WHEEL and plays a vital part in major spiritual rituals. Many
contemporary pagans consider it their main symbol for transmitting the
energy of the goddess. (Scroll down to sun wheel) Churches have used
variations of the same popular shape, usually calling it the Celtic
Cross.
COMPASS (Masonic): The Masonic symbol of the compass and the T-
square represents movement toward perfection and a balance between
the spiritual and physical which resembles Egyptian and oriental
mysticism. The compass (used to form circles) represent spirit. The ruler
(part of a square) represent the physical. Some public schools pass out
pencil cases and other gifts decorated with this emblem.

COW: It symbolized the sky goddess Hathor to Egyptians, enlightenment

to Buddhists, one of the highest and holiest stages of transmigration
(reincarnation) to Hindus.
CRESCENT MOON: A symbol of the aging goddess (crone) to
contemporary witches and victory over death to many Muslims. In Islamic
lands, crescent can be seen enclosing a lone pentagram.

CROSS: While anyone--even pagans--now use the cross as decoration

or as an occult symbol, Christians must continue to treasure the cross of
Calvary. But be careful what kind of cross you wear - and what message
you communicate to others. To understand the Christian significance of
the cross and appreciate its excruciating cost to our crucified and
resurrected Christ, read "The Cross".
Inverted cross: Originally represented the apostle Peter's humility in his
martyrdom. He insisted that he be crucified upside-down, because he felt
that he was unworthy to die in the same position as Christ. But today,
especially in the rock music culture, it generally represents the opposite:
satanism and its mockery of Christ. Lucifer continues to twist God's
wonderful truths and works into lies and deceptions.
CROSS (IRON or EISERNAS KREUZ): Also called Mantuan or
Maltese cross. First linked to an ancient goddess temple on Malta, it was
adopted as the Iron Cross in Prussia. During the First World War, it
appeared on German fighter planes and tanks. Later, it became a fascist
symbol in France, Portugal and other nations. Compare it with Swastika 3
below.

Double-headed Eagle: A Masonic seal and initiation symbol. The

number inside the pyramid over the eagle's head is 33. The eagle is a
universal symbol representing the sun, power, authority, victory, the sky
gods and the royal head of a nation.

DRAGON: A mythical monster made up of many animals: serpent, lizard,

bird, lion... It may have many heads and breath fire. To mediaeval
Europe, it was dangerous and evil, but people in Eastern Asia believe it
has power to help them against more hostile spiritual forces. In the Bible
it represents Satan, the devil.

DREAMCATCHER: An American Indian magic spiderweb inside a sacred

circle. After making dreamcatchers in crafts lessons in school, many
children hang them on or near their beds. They have been told that these
occult symbols will block bad dreams but allow good dreams to pass
through the center. Don't believe that myth!

ELEMENTS: The four basic elements to many pagans are earth, water,
air (wind or spirit) and fire. Many consider the first two passive and
feminine - and the last two active and masculine. In Wiccan or Native
American rituals, the "quartered circle" (similar to the the Medicine
Wheel) represents a "sacred space" or the sacred earth. The four lines
may represent the spirits of the four primary directions or the spirits of the
earth, water, wind and fire.

(This set of elements differs from those used in alchemy (above).

EYE OF HORUS: A favorite crafts project in schools, it represents the
eye of Egyptian sun-god Horus who lost an eye battling Set. Pagans use
it as a charm to ward off evil. (See All-Seeing Eye)

Notice that the picture shows a compound symbol - several symbols

joined together to give a more complex meaning. It includes an unbiblical
cross and, at the bottom, part of a face inside the rays of the sun. (See
Sun)

FROG: A symbol of fertility to many cultures. The Romans linked it to

Aphrodite, the Egyptian to the shape-shifting goddess Heket who would
take the form of a frog. To the Chinese, it symbolized the moon -- "the
lunar, yin principle" bringing healing and prosperity.[1] Since frogs need
watery places, their image was often used in occult rain charms.

HEXAGRAM (see "triangles) or SIX-POINTED STAR: When

surrounded by a circle, it represents the "divine mind" (a counterfeit of
God's wisdom) to numerous occult groups through the centuries. Many
still use it in occult rituals. But to Jewish people, it is their Star of David.

ITALIAN HORN (Cornu, Cornicello, Wiggly Horn, Unicorn horn,

Lucifier's horn or Leprechaun staff). The ancient magical charm or amulet
worn in Italy as protection against "evil eye" has also been linked to Celtic
and Druid myths and beliefs. Other superstitions link it to sexual power
and good luck. It is often worn with a cross (for double protection or
luck?). In pre-Christian Europe, animal horns pointed to the moon
goddess and were considered sacred.

LIGHTNING BOLT: In ancient mythologies from many cultures (Norse,

Roman, Greek, Native American, etc.) the lighting bolt would be hurled by
male sky gods to punish, water, or fertilize the earth or its creatures.
Navaho myths linked it to the Thunderbird, the symbol of salvation and
divine gifts. On children's toys, it represents supernatural power. Double
bolts, popular with contemporary skinheads, symbolize Nazi power.

LIZARD: Its "sun-seeking habit symbolizes the soul's search for

awareness." To the Romans, who believed it hibernated, the lizard meant
death and resurrection.

Magic MIRROR: Used for "scrying" (foretelling the future, solve

problems, answer questions....) The preferred spectrum might decorated
with "magic signs" during full moon rituals. Rosemary Ellen Guiley
explains: "The ancient art of clairvoyance achieved by concentrating
upon an object-- usually one with a shiny surface-- until visions
appear....The term scrying comes from the English words descry which
means 'to make out dimly' or 'to reveal." The Encyclopedia of Witches and
Witchcraft, 307.

MANDALA: The Hindu term for "circle". In Hindu and Buddhist

meditations, it is used to raise consciousness. In meditation, the person
fixes his or her mind on the center of the "sacred circle." Geometric
designs are common. The center of some mandalas show a triangle with
a bindu (dot) inside a circle. It represents the merging of male and female
forces.
MASONS (Freemasons): The Masonic symbol of the compass and the
T-square represents movement toward perfection and a balance between
the spiritual and physical which resembles Egyptian and oriental
mysticism. The compass (used to form circles) represent spirit. The ruler
(part of a square) represent the physical. Some public schools pass out
pencil cases and other gifts decorated with this emblem. See All-Seeing
Eye, Eye of Horus, and Dreamcatcher. Read "Masonic Centers are
dream catchers," then "Brotherhood of Darkness" by Dr. Stan Monteith.

MASK: Used by pagans around the world to represent animal powers,

nature spirits, or ancestral spirits. In pagan rituals, the wearer may chant,
dance and enter a trance in order to contact the spirit world and be
possessed by the spirit represented by the mask. The mask pictured
represents the mythical Hindu elephant god, Ganesha.

MEDICINE SHIELD: A round shield decorated with personal symbols

or pictures of the animal spirit(s) contacted on a Spirit Quest or through a
classroom visualization simulating an American Indian ceremony. Its
basic image is often the form of the "medicine wheel" or "quartered
circle."

OM: Sanskrit letters or symbol for the "sacred" Hindu sound om (ohm or
aum) called "the mother of all mantras. Apparently, the four parts
symbolize four stages of consciousness: Awake, sleeping, dreaming, and
a trance or transcendental state.

PEACE SYMBOL or NERO'S CROSS: A broken, upside-down cross. To

Roman emperor Nero, who hated and persecuted the early Christians, it
meant destruction of Christianity. Revived in the sixties by hippies and
others who protested nuclear weapons, Western culture, and Christian
values, it now symbolizes a utopian hope for a new age of global peace
and earth-centered unity. But many of heavy metal rock fans would agree
with Nero and use it to mock Christ and His followers.
PENTACLE or PENTAGRAM (FIVE-POINTED STAR pointing up): A
standard symbol for witches, freemasons, and many other pagan or
occult groups. To witches, it represent the four basic elements (wind,
water, earth and fire) plus a pantheistic spiritual being such as Gaia or
Mother Earth. The pentagram is also "used for protection. to banish
energy, or to bring it to you, depending on how it's drawn," wrote a
Wiccan visitor.

PENTAGRAM (FIVE-POINTED STAR pointing down): Used in occult

rituals to direct forces or energies. Often represents satanism, the horned
god or various expressions of contemporary occultism, especially when a
goat-head is superimposed on the inverted pentagram.

PHILOSOPHERS STONE: The symbol for the Alchemist quest for

transformation and spiritual illumination, it was also the British title of the
first Harry Potter book (the U.S. publisher changed it to Sorcerer's
Stone). The double-headed eagle in the center is a Masonic seal.
PHOENIX: A universal symbol of the sun, rebirth, resurrection and
immortality, this legendary red "fire bird" was believed to die in its self-
made flames periodically (each hundred years, according to some
sources) then rise again out of its own ashes (some say after three days)
-- as in this picture from a 5th century Turkish mosaic. Linked to the
worship of the fiery sun and sun gods such as Mexico's Quetzalcoatl, it
was named "a god of Phoenecia" by the Phoenician. To alchemists, it
symbolized the the destruction and creation of new forms of matter along
the way to the ultimate goal: the philosopher's stone.
SCARAB: Symbol of the rising sun, the Egyptian sun god Chepri (or
Khepera), and protection from evil. To ancient Egyptians, the dung beetle
rolled its dung balls like Chepri rolled the sun across the sky. The
"sacred" symbol adorned popular seals, amulets and magic charms
(worn as protection against evil spirits or to overcome barreness) first in
Egypt, then in Phoenicia, Greece and other Mediterranean lands.
Medieval alchemists used its pattern in their magical diagrams.

SERPENT OR SNAKE: Most earth-centered or pagan cultures

worshipped the serpent. It represents rebirth (because of its molting),
protection against evil, either male of female sexuality, rain and fertility, a
mediator between the physical and spiritual world.... The list is endless,
but in the Bible it usually represents sin, temptation, destruction, and
Satan. (See "dragon") The circular image of the serpent biting its tail links
the mythical significance of the serpent to that of the sacred "circle." See
"uroborus."

SPIDER: Linked to treachery and death in many cultures, it was seen as

a "trickster" in ancient Africa, a "spinner of fate" in ancient goddess
cultures and -- in ancient Greek myths -- the goddess Arachne turned into
a spider by her jealous rival Athena. "Christian" cultures have linked it
both to an evil force that sucked blood from its victims and to "good luck"
because of the cross on the back of some species. The Chinese have
welcomed the spider descending on its thread as a bringer of joys from
heaven.
SPHINX: Ancient Egyptian and Babylonian guardian of sacred places --
an idol with human head and a lion's body. The Greek sphinx would
devour travelers who failed to answer her riddle. According to A New
Encyclopedia of Freemasonry (by Arthur Waite, xii) the masonic sphinx "is the
guardian of the Mysteries and is the Mysteries summarized in a symbol.
Their secret is the answer to her question. The initiate must know it or
lose the life of the Mysteries. If he can and does answer, the Sphinx dies
for him, because in his respect the Mysteries have given up their
meaning." (An occult, counterfeit view of redemption)

SPIRAL: Linked to the "circle". Ancient symbol of the goddess, the

womb, fertility, feminine serpent force, continual change, and the
evolution of the universe. (Illustrated at this website)

SQUARE: In contrast to the circle which often symbolizes the sacred and
spiritual (including the "sacred" earth), the square represents the physical
world. Like the quartered circle, it points pagans to the four compass
directions: north, east, south and west. While the circle and "spiral"
symbolize female sexuality in many earth-centered cultures, the square
represents male qualities.
SUN FACE: The pictured image is part of an 18th century Masonic ritual
painting, but it illustrates a symbol that has been central to most major
spiritual systems of history. Since the sun god usually reigned over a
pantheon of lesser gods. his symbol played a vital part in pagan worship
(and in the rituals of occult secret societies) around the world. In Inca
myths, the sun was worshipped as the divine ancestor of the nation.

SUN & MOON JOINED AS ONE: A universal pagan expression of the

merging of opposites. Like the "Yin Yang" (below), the marriage of the
male sun and the female moon represents unity in diversity, compromise
instead of conflict, and conformity to a new consciousness where all is
one.

SUN and SUN SIGN: The sun was worshipped as a personified, life-
giving deity in Babylonian, Egyptian, Greek, Roman, and other major
civilizations of history. The more common symbol is the familiar face in
the center of the sun's rays. (This will be explained in our report on the
Teletubbies. (See sun symbol below the picture of the "Eye of Horus") A
dot or point in the center of a circle symbolizes the blending of male and
female forces. (See air, which also represents spirit, among the symbols
for Elements) Hindus call the midpoint in a circle the bindu - the spark of
(masculine) life within the cosmic womb.

SUN SIGN 2: Found in Turkey and believed to represent the sun and
the four directions. (See "Swastika" 1 and 2). Compare the curving lines
with the primary lines of Swastika 3, the iron cross. Notice also that
without the horizontal line, the symbol resembles the outline of the "Yin-
Yang."

SUN WHEEL or RING CROSS: A universal symbol found on ancient

slabs in Nordic countries, in pre-Columbian America and in
Mediterranean countries. "Today, it is used as a log by some new fascist
organizations," according to the Dictionary of Symbols.[3] Like the
swastika and other sun symbols, it represents power and supremacy.
See also "Circle (Quartered)". It serves as a logo for the Swedish
national socialist party, Nordiska Rikspartiets (scroll to drawing of
the sun wheel on a banner), and for the French Jeune Nation.

SWASTIKA 1: Ancient occult symbol of the sun and the four directions.
Revived by Hitler, it represents racism and the "white supremacy" of neo-
nazis. Like other occult symbols, it is often placed inside a "circle".

SWASTIKA 2 (Crux Dissimulata): An ancient swastika which

symbolized the four winds or directions and their corresponding spirits. It
was also a "fire and sun symbol occurring initially in Asia and later among
the Germanic tribes," according to The Herder Symbol Dictionary.[4] "The
cross inscribed in a circle mediates between the square and the circle,"
emphasizing the "joining of heaven and earth.... and "the perfected
human being."
SWASTIKA 3: A contemporary variation of the many swastikas with
labyrinth patterns. Like the two swastikas above, its arms point
counterclockwise indicating a mystical, lunar and female orientation.
Compare its two intersecting lines with "Sun Sign 2, its curved arms
(following the shape of the circle) with Swastika 2, and its dark areas with
the "Iron Cross."
THEOSOPHY: A simplified version of the symbol behind the occult
beliefs of UN leader Robert Muller (his World Core Curriculum became a
worldwide pattern for global education) and education leader Shirley
McCune (see Star Wars Joins United Religions at the Presidio.) Notice
the "ankh" in the center. The more elaborate version inserts a variety of
other symbols such as the OM, pentagram, cross, etc. (Because of its
dark occult meaning and similarity to some of the complex magical signs
used in alchemy and masonic rituals, we prefer not to post it.)

TOAD: Linked to witchcraft and other occult practices.

TONGUE (protruding): Linked to flame, fire, fertility, sexual power and

spiritual power. In nations around the world, images of deities or masks
with protruding tongues have indicated active and occupying spiritual
forces -- often a union of masculine and feminine spirits. Such images
were vital to pagan rituals invoking [demonic] spirits. The sexual/spiritual
forces represented by gargoyles with protruding tongues which adorned
Gothic cathedrals were believed to protect the buildings from other
spiritual powers.
TOTEM: Carved, painted representation of power animals or animal-
human ancestors. To American Indians in the Northwest, who believe that
all of nature has spiritual life, the animals in their totems poles represent
the spiritual powers of animal protectors or ancestors.

TRIANGLE (earring pictured): Associated with the number three. Pointing

upwards, it symbolizes fire, male power and counterfeit view of God.
(See "pyramid") To Christians, it often represents the Trinity. Pointing
down, it symbolizes water, female sexuality, goddess religions and
homosexuality.

See a large picture of Kabbalistic triangles and how they are used
together in ritual magic.

UNICORN: To many New Agers, it means power, purification, healing,

wisdom, self-knowledge, renewal and eternal life. Origin: In the 4th
century BC, Greek historian Ctesias told about a wild animal with healing
powers and a spiral horn on its forehead. Medieval myths suggested it
could only be caught with help from a virgin who would befriend it.

UROBORUS: The "circular" (see earlier symbol) serpent biting its own tail
represents eternity and the cycles or "circle of life." Medieval alchemists
linked it to the cyclical processes in nature. The uroborus pictured here
(encircling the UN symbol for humanity seen inside a "triangle" (see
above) was the official symbol on for the 1996 United Nations
Conference on Human Settlements pictured on all its literature.
WHEEL: A universal symbol of or cosmic unity, astrology, "the circle of
life," evolution, etc. The pagan sacred circle plus any number of radiating
spokes or petals form the wheel - a Wheel of Life to Buddhists, a
Medicine Wheel to Native Americans, a Mandala to Hindus. It symbolizes
unity, movement, the sun, the zodiac, reincarnation, and earth's cycles of
renewal. Pagans use it in astrology, magic and many kinds of rituals.
(See "Medicine Wheel" and Circle-Quartered)

Tibetan Prayer WHEELS: "devices for spreading spiritual blessings

and well being. Rolls of thin paper, imprinted with many, many copies of
the mantra (prayer) Om Mani Padme Hum... are wound around an axle in
a protective container, and spun around and around. Tibetan Buddhists
believe that saying this mantra, out loud or silently to oneself, invokes the
powerful benevolent attention and blessings of Chenrezig, the
embodiment of compassion." (From The Prayer Wheel)

WHEEL OF DHARMA: Buddhist wheel of life and reincarnation.

WISHBONE: Civilizations dating back to the 4th Century (Etruscans,

Romans... Britain, America) have held turkey or chicken wishbone
contest. Pulling the dry turkey or chicken bone until it snapped ("lucky
break"), they believing the winner's wish or dream would come true. In
today's increasingly superstitious culture, many believe that this symbol
will "catch" their dreams, bring good luck, and make their wishes come
true. As in contemporary witchcraft or magic, the object becomes a
channel of "good" energy. Astrology and horoscopes link it to Saggitarius.
It might also be confused with the Lambda (looks like a lower case,
upside-down "y"), the Greek letter adopted by the International Gay
Rights Congress in 1974 as the global symbol of homosexual "pride".
WORLD TRIAD: Originally an oriental symbol, it was "adopted by
western Gnostics as an emblem of cosmic creativity, the threefold
nature of reality or fate, and the eternally spiraling cycles of time... In
Japan it was maga-tama or mitsu tomoe, the world soul.... In Bhutan and
Tibet, it is still known as the Cosmic Mandal, a sign of the Trimurti."5 Like
the yin yang (below), it also represents eternity. This is also the symbol
for U.S. Department of Transportation. Another Gnostic symbol is the
"Uroborus" (see symbol above).

YIN YANG: A Chinese Tao picture of universal harmony and the unity
between all opposites: light/dark, male/female, etc. Yin is the dark,
passive, negative female principle. Yang is the light, active, positive
principle. Since it represent monism (all is one) and pantheism (all is
God), it opposes Christianity, which shows us that there is only one God
(monotheism), and only in Christ can we be one. This picture the yin yang
on a ring and earrings illustrates its popularity. It fits the consensus
process, the vision of global unity, and the blending of opposing energies
at the heart of Holistic Health.

COMPOUND SYMBOLS
ASTROLOGICAL CHART: used by medieval alchemists in
divination. Notice the symbol of the intellect and of the planet (and
Roman god) Mercury inside the center "triangle" (see above). This
triangle is surrounded by a hexagram and two smaller triangles
positioned as male and female energy - and seven more concentric
"circles". Compound symbols within magical codes and names inside
 multiple circles have been used by occultists and sorcerers in many parts
of the world. It is still used in African witchcraft.

All-seeing EYE in the PYRAMID: The official symbol for DARPA

Total Information Awareness, a surveillance and information system
established by they U.S. government. [See programs] Notice how the
masonic all-seeing eye of the new world order covers the planet with
its enlightening rays. [Sometime in December 2002, this symbol was
removed from the TIA website. Perhaps too many people [Link]
Federal database spy site fading away]

The GREAT SEAL of the United States of America: The design for
this national emblem was completed in 1782. Some consider its occult
and masonic images an American mission statement. The inscribed
Click on motto, E Pluribus Unum means "Out of many, one." The words "Novus
[Link] Ordo Seclorum" mean "a new order of the ages," according to this
Site Map
A More Perfect Union website: [Link]. The two sides show the symbol of the
eagle (first a phoenix) and the eye in the pyramid. But the more correct
meaning would be NEW WORLD ORDER [novus = new, ordo = order,
seclorum = secular or world]

UNITED RELIGIONS: Its former symbol joined 14 religious

Click on symbols together in a circle around planet Earth. The new symbol(s)
[Link] shows a linear list of 16 religious symbols with a world map in the
background. By clicking on the symbols, you can find each of their
meanings. But each symbol -- even the cross -- will be presented from
an occult or universalist perspective. See Heresy in high places

As our nation slides back toward paganism, God’s people need to understand the increasing
influence, trickery, and cruelty of the evil one – while always thanking and following our God,
whose power is far greater. Therefore, I plead with all of you to exercise great caution when
confronted with any sign of Satan’s work. Please read the section on God's armor, and remember
that we leave the "breastplate of righteousness" behind when we go where He tells us not to go.
For the armor that covers us is the very life of Jesus, our Lord. Walking with Him in His ways,
we are always safe.

Learn more about symbols at:

Halloween Symbols | Teletubby Symbols | Comments on symbols

For more information, see

Popular Occultism | A Twist of Faith |

Helpful Scriptures:
1 Corinthians 10:18-22; 2 Corinthians 6:14; Deuteronomy 4:15-24; Deuteronomy 32:16-19; 2
Thessalonians 2:7-12
Endnotes:
1. Miranda Bruce-Mitford, The Illustrated Book of Signs and Symbols (London: Dorling Kindersley, 1996); page 58.
2. Ibid., page 58.
3. Carl G. Liungman, Dictionary of Symbols (New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 1991), page 282.
4. The Herder Symbol Dictionary (Wilmette IL: Chiron Publications, 1978), page 51. The quote that follows is a general comment about
crosses within a circle and does not refer specifically to this stylized swastika.
5. Barbara Walker, The Woman's Dictionary of Symbols and Sacred Objects (San Francisco: Harper, 1988), page 45.
Introduction

Are dragons and serpents merely fabrications of the boundless human imagination, or do they
represent something of great spiritual significance for all cultures?
Many are the fabulous beasts created in the stories by human kind. For thousands of years, we
have told of fantastic creatures of supernatural powers, some of the forces of good and others
of the forces of evil. But of all these sensational monsters, none has slithered into as many of
man's legends than dragons and serpents.

Dragons and serpents vary in description according to culture, although many striking features
are retained throughout the written, oral and artistic traditions of the world. They are usually
depicted as gigantic snake-like reptiles, with a long, sinuous body armoured in either green,
blue or red scales. The head is typically massive, with a broad mouth full of enormous, sharp
teeth and a long, forked tongue. The snout is long and sometimes horned; the eyes are usually
very large and cold. Often, these creatures possess long ears and a frilled neck, resembling
either a crest of feathers or webbed skin. The body itself is usually decorated with an array of
small, triangular spines extending from the head down the back to the long, barbed tail.
Dragons normally posses four, short limbs with long claws, although some serpents have no
legs at all. In some cultures, dragons are also equipped with enormous, bat-like wings; in
others, they have the ability to breathe fire. They can live in mountains, caves, seas, lakes and
even the heavens.

The Dragon of the Orient

Just as their appearances differ from culture to culture, dragons and serpents represent many
contrasting ideas for different groups of people. Dragons are perhaps most well recognised in
Chinese tradition. The Chinese recognised the dragon as one of the four sacred creatures to
contain all elements of yin and yang - dark and light - in addition to the Phoenix, the Unicorn
and the Turtle. The Chief of all scaly creatures, the dragon symbolised wisdom, strength,
goodness and the element Water. In China, dragons were often drawn with whiskers and
antlers on their heads. When depicted with five claws, it represented the Emperor and was
known as the Imperial Dragon. In some traditions, dragons were attributed to controlling the
weather, and ritual dances were performed to encourage the dragon to send down the rains.

The Japanese had a similar belief in dragons to the Chinese. Their traditional religion, Shinto,
also tells of kingdom of serpent people under the sea, where the Dragon King, Ryu-wo, ruled
in a spectacular palace of crystal and coral. He was said to have a human body, and a serpent
entwined in his crown. Known for his nobility and wisdom, Ryu-wo was a guardian of the
Shinto faith. People who have fallen into the sea are said to have lived on in the kingdom of
Ryu-wo.

Japanese legends also tell of another serpent king, who, unlike Ryu-wo, possessed scales and
a flicking tongue. He was a bringer of destruction and chaos, who would invade villages and
devour innocent children. He was only hindered by the goddess of love, Benten, who was
charmed by his words of love. After making him promise to end his wrath against mankind,
she agreed to marry him. On the Pacific coast of Japan, a great temple was built at Kamakura
to commemorate the occasion.
For Buddhists and Taoists of China and Japan, dragon sculptures were often used to decorate
the exterior of temples. They represented the many obstacles that humans face throughout life
that must first be overcome before true happiness and inner peace, or enlightenment, can be
attained.

The European Dragon

Dragons and serpents are often viewed as guardians of sacred places and objects. The ancient
Greeks and Romans, who revered dragons for their wisdom but feared them for their
tremendous powers, both shared this belief. One of the twelve tasks of the legendary hero
Hercules (or Heracles) had to perform was to pick three golden apples from a sacred tree,
protected by a fearsome dragon or Serpent. A similar story tells of a nymph named Psyche,
who was ordered by the goddess Venus to fetch sacred water from mountain stream guarded
by dragons.
One of the most feared monsters of the Greeks and Romans was the Hydra, a dragon with
multiple heads and poisonous breath. Another task of Hercules was to slay a Hydra which
inhabited a dangerous marsh. However, every time Hercules cut off one of the heads of the
beast, more grew back in place. Only by burning the necks with fire, and crushing the body
with a boulder, was Hercules able to defeat the Hydra.

Serpents and dragons are abound in Mediterranean mythology. Legend speaks of a brave
knight known as de Gozon, who sought to slay a fearsome dragon which roamed the island of
Rhodes in the Mediterranean. This dragon had scales which were as tough as steel, and were
yellow and red in colour. It flew with two great blue wings and breathed poison. However, de
Gozon discovered the creature's one weak spot - its neck, which was not protected with
scales. After a great battle, de Gozon stabbed the dragon in its neck and ended the terror of the
inhabitants of the island.

Throughout Europe, tales of dragons and serpents grew far and wide. Most of these stories
were written in Medieval times, when dragons and serpents were said to live in caves or lakes
where they hoarded huge riches. Occasionally, the monsters would wander into villages, and
cause great destruction and death. This lead to many brave knights attempting to hunt down
and slay dragons, as recounted in many medieval writings. In some cases, the knights were
successful, but in others they were defeated by the dragon's immense power

The most terrifying monster of all in European mythology was not, however, the great fire-
breathing dragon but a tiny black serpent called the basilisk. Only one foot long and crowned
with a white crest, the basilisk, also known as the cockatrice since it hatched from a cockerel's
egg, was so deadly that the poison if its spit could split rocks in two, and it could kill a man
merely by looking at him. The only things which could kill a basilisk were weasels, which
overpowered the monster with their powerful jaws and smell, and crystals. A man could look
at a basilisk through the crystal, and the creature's own deadly power would be reflected back,
killing it instantly.

We do, however, occasionally read of friendly dragons in European myths. The town of
Lucerne in Switzerland was famed for its winged dragons which were said to look like flying
crocodiles. A tale is told there of a man who once fell into an underground cave from which
he could not escape. To his horror, he realised that this was the home of two dragons.
However, the dragons did not see this strange visitor as an intruder or as food; instead, they
were intrigued, and rubbed themselves against his body, like domestic cats. The man lived in
the cave for five months, so the legend says, living on nothing but a trickle of water which
oozed through the rocks. When the spring came, the dragons decided to leave their home, and
took off into the air. The man realised that this was his only chance to escape, and, clasped to
the tail of one of the creatures, let himself be carried out of the cave. Sadly, the legend goes on
to tell us that he had been without food for too long, and he died shortly after returning to his
home village.

The Celtic peoples often showed great reverence for dragons and serpents, depicting them by
the side of their gods. They came to represent wisdom and nobility, in a similar way to the
dragons of the Orient. Even today, the red dragon can still be seen on the national flag of
Wales, one claw raised as a warning of its power and its neck arched in readiness. This respect
clashed with the beliefs of the new religion, Christianity. According to both Christian and
Jewish texts, dragons and serpents were incarnations of evil. The dragon was said to bring
destruction during the end of the world, as read in the Revelations, while the serpent was
blamed for bringing sin to man kind by tempting Eve into eating the forbidden fruit of the
Garden of Eden. The legend of St. George, in which he defeats a dragon, perhaps represents
Christianity overpowering the Celtic religion. The image St. George crushing a struggling
serpent or dragon under his feet was widely used in Christian art, and again may symbolise
Christianity's dominance over paganism.

Sacred Serpents

Stories are told of serpents so unimaginably vast that they encircled the world itself!
Jormungand the Midgard Serpent was one such a monster, said by the Norse cultures such as
the Vikings to live deep under the sea. The West African Fon tribe speak of Aido-Hwedo the
Rainbow Serpent, who lies coiled in the ocean under the land to prevent it from sinking. In
both cultures, the serpent plays an important part at the end of the world.

The most reverential of cultures towards snakes were the Aztecs of pre-Columbia. One of
their principal gods was the Feathered Serpent, Quetzalcoatl. One of the most enigmatic and
fascinating figures in ancient religion and mythology, Quetzalcoatl was most often portrayed
as a green serpent with a feather-crested head, similar in many ways to the Chinese dragon.
He came to represent water, rain, the wind, human sustenance, penitent, self-sacrifice, re-
birth, the morning star of Venus and butterflies. Unlike most other Aztec deities, Quetzalcoatl
was said to oppose all forms of sacrifice apart from self-bleeding. However, his brother
Tezcatlipoca was jealous of the god's purity and goodness, and cast an evil spell to transform
Quetzalcoatl into a pale-skinned, bearded human. Shortly afterward, Quetzalcoatl sacrificed
himself in order to return again, with the bones from the Underworld which would be made
into human beings. Quetzalcoatl taught his creation all he knew, and bestowed gifts of fire and
maize. He could also heal the sick. Once satisfied, Quetzalcoatl was said to have sailed into
the West on a raft of serpents, with the promise that he would one day return.

Myths involving sea serpents are numerous, and are found throughout the oceans of the
world. These creatures, thought to be bigger than any boat, were reported to sink ships sailing
into unknown waters and consume everyone on board. Many historical maps show sea
serpents in areas of the ocean where they were thought to dwell. Even in modern times there
have been a high number of reported sea serpents. This is also true of the serpentine monsters
thought to dwell in many lakes all over the world. The most famous of these is the Loch Ness
Monster, or Nessie, whose immense body is usually seen as three humps above the surface of
the water. Similar lake serpents have been reported in every continent of the world, excluding
Antarctica.

So why have so many different cultures on Earth told stories of these giant, wonderful
reptiles?

A common explanation is that the ancient peoples were so inspired by the deadliness and
beauty of reptiles such as snakes, lizards and crocodiles, they began to imagine them as giant,
magical beings with supernatural powers. Indeed, we have named several species of reptile
with their mythological persona in mind: the Komodo Dragon, the Bearded Dragon, the Water
Dragon and the Flying Dragon are all living lizards who bare dragon-like characteristics. But
all of these creatures are much smaller than the dragons of legend - even the largest lizard, the
Komodo Dragon, only measures a few metres in length. Additionally, these "dragons" have a
very restricted habitat, many only inhabiting remote islands or forests. They cannot be fully
responsible for spawning the vast widespread beliefs in dragons and serpents.

It is widely suggested that Sea Serpents and Lake Serpents are just ordinary aquatic animals,
such as eels, whales, seals or sharks. However, this theory also has a severe short-coming, in
that a large majority of precise descriptions of aquatic serpents do not resemble any of these
creatures in shape, behaviour or movement. It must also be noted that there are far more
reported observations of sea serpents than there are of known existing sea animals, like
beaked whales and giant squid.

Dragons and serpents have come to represent a huge variety of different ideas, but perhaps the
one prevailing symbolism that unites them all is man's fascination and fear of the unknown.
As long as mankind is plagued by mystery, our lakes, skies, seas and even our souls will never
be freed from the clutches of dragons and serpents.

Written by Megan Balanck

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Pentagrams and Pentacles

The pentagram is one of the most widely used religious symbols in the world and has been
used by Wiccans, Pagans, Israelites, Christians, magicians amongst others. But what is its
origin?

A pentagram is a five-pointed star with one point aligned upwards (when surrounded by a
circle, it's known as a 'pentacle') and its name derives from the Greek words "penta", meaning
five and the word "gamma", meaning letter.

The pentagram was originally a symbol of the goddess, Kore, who was worshipped in many
countries as widespread as England and Egypt thousands of years ago, but under many
different names (i.e. Cara, Ceres, Carnak, Core, Car, Karnak, etc). Kore's sacred fruit was the
apple. When cut through its equator, the apple has a near perfect pentagram shape inside, with
each point containing a seed. Many Wiccans, Pagans and Roma (Gypsies) still cut apples in
this way and the Roma refer to apple cores as Stars of Knowledge.

During the time of the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament), the pentacle was the first and most
important of the Seven Seals- an amulet whose seven seals represented the seven secret names
of God. And each point of the pentagram represents the five books of the Pentateuch- the first
books of the Hebrew Scriptures.

The Celts believed the pentacle was the sign of the Goddess of the Underground, Morgan
(a.k.a Morrigan) and the concept of five points is still symbolic in Ireland; "Ireland had five
great roads, five provinces and five paths of the law. The fairy folk count in fives and the
mythological creatures wear five fold cloaks."

The religion of Wicca is loosely based on that of the Celts and, even today, the pentagram and
pentacle are its main symbols. Wiccans use the pentagram symbol to cast and banish their
healing circles, to bless themselves and others by tracing the shape on their bodies and often
wear the pentacle or pentagram on pieces of jewellery. Some Wiccans interpret the five points
as the five elements- earth, air, water, fire and spirit, while others interpret them as the four
directions and the spirit.

The Rosicrucian movement consists of a group of Christian mystics who use a cup, wand and
pentagram during rituals. For them, the pentagram represents earth, matter and stability.

Christians traditionally interpreted the pentagram as the five crucifixion wounds of Christ
(two on the hands, two on the feet and one on the side) and it was used to represent the star
that led the Three Wise Men to baby Jesus. However, in later Christianity, this folk symbol of
security became associated with evil for the first time. Christians believed the pentagram
represented a goat's head or the devil and called it "Witch's foot."

Inverted pentagrams

In later years, Satanists inverted the pentagram and used it as their religious symbol, but it
more frequently appears with a goat's head inside it, which forms the symbol of Baphomet.

The Order of the Eastern Star is a humanitarian organisation made of up Christian women
who are the wives of Masons. They use an inverted pentagram as their symbol.

Written by Victoria Crouch