Shapes appear in our lives everywhere we look. They literally shape our reality into a three-dimensional space and have a lot more influence over our lives that we even realize. Circles are one of these shapes that can be seen in all parts of life. So what is the deeper symbolism of a circle, and what impact does it have on us spiritually?
A circle represents evolution as a process of transformation from death to birth, ending, and beginning, as a circle has no beginning and no end. In this sense, a circle represents eternity. In many customs and spiritual beliefs, a circle represents the Divine life-force or Spirit that keeps our reality in motion. It is symbolic of vitality, wholeness, completion, and perfection.
There is such a vast canvas for circles to show up in life, and depending on where you are in your cycle of growth, a circle can mean something different for you. The meaning of shapes and symbols meets us where we are ready to listen and learn. However, understanding the foundations of what a circle represents may invite investigation to explore the deeper meaning symbolism of a circle in your life.
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Symbolism and Spiritual Meaning of a Circle Shape
Circles, unlike every other shape in our reality, are not linear. There is no corner, edge, or ending to mark where one line ends and another one begins. This is important when looking at the broader symbolic meaning of a circle, because energetically this holds a lot of meaning regarding the role that a circle plays in shaping our world.
Circles hold and contain energy so that cycles of growth can exist within them. Just like a clock moving through time in a circular motion, we feel a sense that there is a beginning and end to the day; yet, time never begins or ends, it just keeps moving in a circle. And every day we grow, learn, and change with the motions of time moving us along these cycles of the day.
The human mind likes lines and logic to build foundations and structures, so we place “timelines” on something that isn’t linear. We see time as a line in which we move forward, instead of a force of nature that keeps us spiraling into an upward motion in the shape of a circle.
Looking at the cosmos, you can see that everything moves in circles, and is shaped in spheres without beginning or end. No naturally occurring straight lines exist in space. Our entire universe shifts and forms in the shape of a circle.
Spiritually, the circle represents a supernatural motion that keeps things moving continuously. A circle represents the heavens, whereas the earth and human form are seen as the square. One a larger scale, a circle represents the Divine that keeps everything moving through spiritual law and order. On a smaller scale, a circle represents our own individual spiritual force that keeps us evolving.
Symbolically, a circle represents the completion of cycles, transition, potential, and a movement that never ends towards self-realization. A circle protects against chaos and unpredictability, and invites an element of “trusting the universe.” It symbolizes the natural order and progression that inspires us to keep going.
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Dream Symbolism of a Circle
A common way that symbols appear in our lives to give us spiritual or subconscious messages are in the form of dreams. We may not even realize the information that is being given to us by the shapes that appear to us in our dream language. A circle is one of these shapes that shows up frequently in dreams that can contain hidden messages.
A circle in a dream represents a life lesson or challenge you are going through that is contributing towards your inner growth and spiritual evolution. It can be meant to give you encouragement to trust the cycle you are in, and that everything will work out if you don’t give up. It can also be giving you information about your next spiritual steps.
Circles usually appear in dreams where you are learning something, such as dreams where you are in a classroom or on a training field. For example, you may be on a basketball team bouncing a ball. Or you may be worried you are late for class, so you keep checking the round clock or running around in a circle looking for the right classroom.
If a circle appears in a positive dream, it may mean that you are exactly where you need to be, and things are working out exactly as they were planned. It can represent trusting your inner wisdom and using your spiritual gifts.
If a circle appears in a negative dream, it can mean that you have a lack of direction and you keep moving in circles. The symbol may be guiding you to see the higher perspective of a situation and to lean into your intuition to resolve a challenge. You may also be thinking about things too “linearly” or logically, and you need to think in terms of growth and cycles. A finish line doesn’t mean you are done, it means you are stepping into a new cycle.
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The Symbolism of Different Colored Circles
Spiritual and symbolic information usually represents a deeper meaning related to a vibration of the message being communicated. A common way for hidden meanings to show up in spiritual messages is through colors that hold deeper meanings. Depending on the color of the circle you see, you can gain deeper insight into the message.
| Black Circle | A black circle represents the ending of a cycle and preparing for the beginning of a new cycle. It can represent a void or empty space that is ready to be filled up again. In a positive context, a black circle represents a transformation and emergence of a higher self. In a negative context, a black circle represents the pain, grief, and challenges of letting go of emotional or physical attachments. |
| White Circle | A white circle represents the beginning of a new cycle and opportunities for spiritual growth. It represents purity, perfection, and new life. In a positive context, a white circle represents spiritual evolution and beginning a new cycle with a higher perspective. In a negative context, a white circle can represent someone stuck in spiritual growth and expressing abandonment of the physical reality for solely spiritual pursuits. |
| Red Circle | A red circle represents power, manifestation, and creation that Divine flow can bring to a goal or intention. It can bring energy and vitality to cycles of stagnant growth. In a negative context, a red circle can be a warning that too much energy is being given to physical pursuits, and to give more attention to spiritual health. |
| Blue Circle | A blue circle represents inner truth and wisdom that emerges from an evolved perspective. It is symbolic of the process of giving and receiving, in terms of speaking and listening. In a positive context, a blue circle represents strong communication. In a negative context, a blue circle means “beating around the bush” or talking in circles around a problem. |
| Green Circle | A green circle represents the cycles of birth, growth, death, and transformation. It represents education and consuming knowledge in order to create. In a positive context, a green circle can inspire one to find your passion and to help others. In a negative context, a green circle can represent a rigid set of beliefs and a need to be more open-minded. |
| Yellow Circle | A yellow circle represents creativity, imagination, and infinite possibilities. It is a very life-giving symbol, similar to the sun. In a positive context, a yellow circle can invite inspiration to become creative and think outside the box. In a negative context, a yellow circle can represent too much of a busy mind and too many creative ideas but fear of actually creating anything. |
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The Symbolism of Circles in Different Religions
Circles have appeared throughout history in mysterious ways that show them being regarded as highly spiritual shapes. Some examples include Stonehedge in England, Gobekli Tepe in Turkey, the chakra wheel in Hinduism, the ancient Chinese symbol of the yin yang, among many others.
The circle was celebrated as a mystical and spiritual shape by humans earlier than we originally thought, through evidence of Gobekli Tepe, a temple built in Turkey estimated at being built 9000 B.C. This was the earliest discovered religious or sacred building constructed for purely spiritual purposes, and it is structured in the shape of a circle.
Circles, still to this day, show up in some of the most widespread religions and spiritual practices.
Symbolism of a Circle in Zen Buddhism
In Zen Buddhism, the most well-known symbol of a circle is the enso, a circle drawn in one or two brushstrokes that is used to express “a moment when the mind is free to let the body create.” It represents enlightenment, the void, and the cycle of the universe.
In Zen Buddhist teachings, the circle symbolizes the heart sutra, which states that “form is empty, and emptiness is form.” The circle represents that at the root of all things is emptiness, yet, emptiness does not mean nothing. It means releasing attachment to your perceptions and ideas and experiencing reality with an open mind is the key to enlightenment.
In essence, the circle represents seeing reality as it really is, not what you believe or anticipate it to be. When you release your attachments and expectations of life, there are limitless potentials of what life can be, as is the nature of a circle.
Symbolism Of a Circle In Christianity
In Christianity, the circle represents eternity and sacred union. A circle has been referenced many times in the Bible as the shape of heaven, and as the beginning and ending of time.
The circle also appears frequently in Christian text as a crown on the head, a halo over the head of an angel or saint. It represented holiness, perfection, and the Divine chosen ones. It is also used frequently as a symbol of a ring when two people are joined together in a sacred union.
Here are some examples of the circle being used in the Bible to give spiritual meaning to the symbol:
- “He covers the face of the full moon, spreading over it His cloud. He has inscribed a circle on the face of the waters at the boundary between light and darkness.” (Job 26:10)
- “Thick clouds cover Him, so that He cannot see, And He walks above the circle of heaven.” (Job 22:14)
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Circle in Numerology
At the heart of numerology is, of course, numbers, which are very linear by nature. Numbers are used in math, science, and logical thinking. We determine all scientific theories based on if it can be supported by a mathematical equation.
So how does a circle fit into numerology?
In numerology, the circle is best represented by the number 10. The number 10 represents completion, wholeness, and perfection. The number 10 also reduces down to the number 1 (1+0=1), which represents new beginnings and unknown potential. Just like a circle, the number 10 represents both a beginning and an end.
The number 10 represents the circle of necessity, which includes the process of birth, growth, death, and transformation (reincarnation). This is the process of evolution, and the oscillation between 1 and 10 makes this process last forever.
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Circle in Astrology
Circles are the foundation in astrology because everything that exists in the cosmos operates in motions and patterns of circles. If you think about the planets, sun, stars, galaxies, they all are shaped in the form of circles or spirals. When you see how planets orbit and rotate, they all move in a circle.
Circles represent cycles, transition, evolution, and revelation. They keep the planets rotating in a never-ending cycle; yet, the borders of each circular orbit keep the planets contained in a predictable pattern so that they don’t fly off into deep space. These predictable patterns allow astrological placements to be analyzed.
In this way, the circular motions in which all planets move are both limitless and contained.
When looking at astrology symbols, the circle is most commonly associated with the sun, as it represents the center of our solar system and the foundation for all life to exist. The symbol of the sun in astrology is a circle with a dot in the middle.
There are 12 zodiac signs that all form a circle around our solar system, and 12 houses partitioned in sections that complete a circle. The power of these being arranged in a circle is that it allows for never-ending cycles of movement through each sign, with no beginning and no end, similar to how the “heavens” are described in holy texts such as the Bible.
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Circle in Feng Shui
A circle in feng shui is a core shape that is used to invite uplifting and spiritual energy into the home. It represents the heavens and spiritual flow. Circles can make an area feel more open and inviting, bring a quality of freshness, and inspire new ideas and revelations.
A circle is associated with the “void” in Chinese cosmology, representing the space before anything existed. Out of this void emerged the yin and yang, the feminine and masculine, rotating together to begin the formation of our universe.
In Chinese cosmology, yang represents the heavens (circle) and yin represents the earth (square). Because of this, in feng shui, circles are often metal, which is a very yang energy to bring into the home. However, blending yin and yang elements together in a circle is also effective in bringing enlightenment and an evolved perspective into a space.
Circles are most effective if placed in the north, west, and northwest areas of your home.
Some ideas of ways you can incorporate circle energy into your home are:
- Circular pots for plants
- Round tables, such as coffee tables or dining tables
- Polished round crystals decorated around the home
- Round essential oil diffusers
- Round candles
- Round ceramics such as plates, bowls and mugs
- Arranging spiral rock formations in your garden
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Recommended Next Steps
The circle is a very healing shape that invites vitality and strength into your life. It can be beneficial to incorporate the energy of a circle into your spiritual practice whenever you want to build life force energy and increase inspiration and passion in life.
In Qigong, the motion of circles is used to build core strength and increase overall vitality. To feel centered, inspired, and feel a positive flow of energy, here is a great explanation on how to get started.
In addition, using the power of crystals can be a great way to activate the energy of a circle and help cleanse and purify a space, situation, or clear an emotional blockage. Simply place round polished stones of your choice in a circle around you while you meditate. Imagine the energy being pushed in a spiral, so it can move up and out of your space. Ask yourself what can help you evolve past the blockage, and listen to what your inner voice responds to you.
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Summary
Growth is never straight. It is full of ups and downs, with setbacks and victories, that move us along a path that looks more like an expanding spiral rather than a straight line.
Just like our life force energy, if there is a break in the circle, we can see an end. We try to bend it into a straight line so we can logically figure out a solution. However, the solution can’t be solved with logic and science.
Straight lines provide structure and strength momentarily, but there is always an end to that stability. Instead, if we want to move towards long-lasting health and healing, we have to view our vitality as a circle that never ends.
Here are some keywords that represent the lessons of a circle:
- Life Force
- Evolution
- Completion
- Ending/Beginning
- Eternity
- Infinity
- Wholeness
- Perfection
- Focused
- Centered
- Higher Perspective
- Heaven
- Cosmos
While this is one interpretation of the spiritual meaning and symbolism of a circle, everyone has their own spiritual symbolism that conveys a unique message that is right for you at this point in time. Sit still and listen to what a circle means to you and your spiritual journey.
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