Triangles are one of the basic shapes that are seen all throughout our reality, especially in the realm of spirituality, religion, and symbolic imagery. It is seen so often that it is frequently asked what the triangle represents on a symbolic and spiritual level. Is there a deeper symbolic meaning to the triangle, and what does it represent spiritually?
A triangle represents manifestation, enlightenment, revelation, and a higher perspective. It is often used to mark the cycles of growth that lead to a higher state of being. Spiritually, it represents a path towards enlightenment or connection to an omnipresent being. Energetically, triangles direct energy and power in the direction which they point.
Triangles have been used as a symbol to communicate hidden messages for thousands of years. Symbols hold many different meanings depending on the context in which they are used to communicate. Depending on where you look, and the messages you need in order to move through life lessons, a triangle can have a different meaning for you.
Take a look at the many different meanings of a triangle, and decide for yourself which meaning best resonates with you and where you are at on your own journey.
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Triangle Meaning and Symbolism
When I look at my music album covers, book covers, or artistic decor, I am always curious why the symbol of a triangle shows up so often. The symbolism behind a triangle must be significant to appear so often in artistic expression. But in reality, the symbol of a triangle dates back to artistic expression since the beginning of human civilization.
Artistically, the triangle represents the creative output that is fueled by the harmony of opposites. For example, a child is created from feminine and masculine opposites. A challenge is resolved when positive forces are met with negative forces. Evolution can only exist when opposing forces lead us in a new direction.
Symbolically, the triangle has often represented the power that can be attained through achieving balance after a difficult decision. In another interpretation, the base of a triangle can be seen as a strong foundation that allows you to launch into a higher reality.
In everyday life, triangles play a significant role in communicating important messages, such as:
- Recycle symbol to help you decide what can be reused instead of thrown away
- A yield sign to ask you to flow with oncoming traffic
- A play button to signify that you can start a form of media
- The USDA food pyramid to show the significance of a balanced diet
- Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs pyramid to show the significance of survival needs
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Spiritual Meaning of a Triangle
Behind the symbol of a triangle is a metaphysical force that the many ancient traditions and beliefs incorporated into their spiritual practices. The shape of a triangle can be seen in ancient architecture, such as the pyramids of Egypt, which was believed to hold deep power in the spiritual realm.
The triangle carries spiritual information regarding ascension to another realm after death, such as eternity or reincarnation. It also represented the three elements of our being that need to be balanced in order to reach enlightenment, such as
- Mind, body and spirit
- Heaven, hell, and earth
- Father, son, and Holy Spirit
- Past, present, and future
- Mother, father, and child
- Mental, physical, and emotional
- Birth, growth, and death
Spiritually, the triangle can be interpreted as the “flow” state that we get into when we are tapped into our true spiritual essence and passion. This is when time seems to disappear, and we feel spiritually activated by the activity we are doing. In a flow state, the mind, body, and spirit converge into one, and we are able to accomplish great tasks.
If triangles appear in your life frequently, such as seeing triangles everywhere, this is a sign that you are being called to live your highest purpose. If you feel conflicted about your life path and feel as if there is something more for you out there, the symbol of a triangle lets you know that you have a powerful spiritual gift waiting to be unlocked.
The “third eye” which sits between your eyebrows is called the Anja chakra in Hinduism and is shaped like a triangle. This chakra is known as the all-seeing-eye or eye of consciousness and is seen as the gateway that leads to inner realms and spaces of higher consciousness.
If you are seeing a triangle everywhere, or get spiritually activated when seeing a triangle, this may be that your third eye psychic center is being stimulated. This is a great time to tap into your intuitive energies and pay attention to synchronicities happening around you.
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Triangle Symbolism in Dreams
One way that triangles can show up to you a spiritual sign is if you have dreams with triangles in them. Signs and symbols are a way that spirit communicates deeper messages from your subconscious or intuitive energies.
Triangles in dreams represent hidden mysteries, wisdom, and finding balance and harmony within conflicting aspects of yourself. It can also be related to transformation and change during a challenging time.
In a negative context, triangles can represent conflict in relationships, such as a “love triangle” or being the third wheel. These dreams ask you to listen to your intuition about your relationships, as there may be dishonesty or betrayal. The triangle is telling you to trust your feelings.
Dreaming of a pyramid, such as the pyramids of Egypt, represents mystery and the unknown. This is a sign that some big changes are about to happen in your life, and these shifts will cause a great transformation of your physical, emotional, and mental realities. Trust the universe, and all will work out in the end.
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Triangles in Religion and Cultures
Triangles have appeared throughout history in various ancient cultures, civilizations and religions in the form of symbolic and spiritual communication. Triangles have appeared in well known art, architecture, language, institutions and religious texts or symbology.
Some common triangles in that appear in various cultures and spiritual practices include:
- Holy Trinity in Christianity
- The Eye of Providence
- Yantras in eastern religion
- Occult symbol of the Eye of Horus in a triangle
- Four elements in alchemy
- Native American symbol for “home”
Triangle Symbolism in Buddhism
In Buddhism, the symbol of a triangle appears as the three bodies of Buddhahood (Trikaya) which includes the Body of Essence, the Body of Enjoyment, and the Body of Transformation. These can be better understood as the body of knowledge, the body of heaven, and the body of earth.
These three bodies together form the wholeness of a Buddha, and must be balanced in order for true enlightenment to be attained.
The triangle also appears in Buddhism as Abhijñā which is access to direct knowledge through virtuous living and intensive meditation and concentration. Access to this appears as the Eye of Providence, which is an eye enclosed in a triangle that symbolizes Divine Vision.
As you can see, in Buddhism the triangle is a symbol for enlightenment and access to higher knowledge through focused concentration and a lifestyle of living in equanimity.
Triangle Symbolism in Christianity
Perhaps the most common symbol of a triangle in a religious context is in Christianity, as it represents the Holy Trinity. The Holy Trinity is a triadic understanding of God which includes God as the Father, God as the Son (Jesus), and God as the Holy Spirit. This is also interpreted as the essence of God living in our image as: the body, the soul, and the spirit.
Related to the Trinity is the Eye of Providence” which is seen as the all-seeing eye. It is a symbol depicting an eye within a triangle, surrounded by rays of light. It was and is used by churches, institutions and countries to symbolize an omnipresent and Divine God looking over, protecting and blessing a providence.
From these symbols, in Christianity the triangle represents a triune being and Divine essence, as well as being a symbol of protection and security over a region blessed by God.
Triangle Symbolism in Hinduism
In Hinduism, the most common appearance of a triangle appears as Yantras, or a variety of mystical diagrams that are a pattern of triangles arranged as sacred geometry assigned to different chakras. At its foundation, a yantra is a triangle, but a specific combination of triangles can give power to certain energy centers.
For example, here are some yantras that are used for different purposes:
- Lakshmi Yantra to attract wealth and prosperity, either materially or spiritually
- Kali Yantra for strength and courage during transitions
- Saraswati Yantra for creative inspiration
- Ganesha Yantra to banish obstacles
The most powerful and adored yantra is the Sri Yantra, which consists of nine triangles combined around two circles of the lotus petals. This pattern is said to contain the path to enlightenment, and it represents the source of all creation. [Source]
So, in Hinduism, the triangle or the yantra is used as a tool to direct or invite certain energies for the purposes of enlightenment or spiritual progression. Depending on the patterns of the triangles and where they are positioned on the body, the triangle can have many different purposes.
Pyramid Triangles in Egypt Symbolism
Another very commonly known triangle in popular symbology appears in ancient Egypt as the pyramids. These pyramids were used not for religious purposes to worship a deity, but instead were used as tombs that directed their spirit in the afterlife.
It is believed that the pyramid had a spiritual purpose to direct energy towards the sun after death, joining Ra, the deity of the Sun, known as the King of the Gods and creator of the world.
The pyramids were built with exact measurements, and the way in which they were constructed is still unknown. There are conspiracies that surround this involving aliens, ascended masters, and metaphysical or Divine knowledge.
While the pyramids are shaped like a 3-dimensional triangle, the pyramids have four faces: three pointing to the heavens and one pointing down to the earth. This represented the death of the physical body leading to a new life in the spiritual realm.
In this sense, a triangle in ancient Egypt represented life after death and directing energies in the afterlife.
For more information on the Ancient Egyptian numerology of the pyramid, you can check out a great article about it here.
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Triangles in Alchemy
Triangles are often associated with alchemy because triangles are a heavily used symbol in differentiating various elements. In alchemy, the triangle represents the three realms of our existence that we encounter in our human experience. These are the body, the mind and the spirit/soul.
Within these realms are elements that relate to these three realms:
- Fire – 🜂
- Water – 🜄
- Air – 🜁
- Earth – 🜃
These elements were based on Greek philosophy by Empedocles and Aristostle, who claimed that the universe was formed out of these four elements alone. They are considered the foundation for everything to exist [Source].
In this sense, triangles in alchemy represent the foundations of life, and the core essence of our existence here in our human experience.
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Triangles in Numerology
It goes without saying that triangles represent the number 3, because there are three sides and three corners.
In numerology, the number three is related to the symbolism of a triangle which is a number full of creativity and imagination. It is about expression of self and positive thinking. The number three has a forward motion to life, and will enter any situation and leave it better than it was before.
In mystic beliefs and teaching, the number three is the birth of higher wisdom, as one represents force, two represents opportunity, and three represents knowing. It is believed to be the product of the union of 1 and 2.
The triangle has also been connected to the numbers 3, 6, and 9 as described by Nikola Tesla when explaining the “key to the universe.”
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Triangles in Feng Shui
Triangles are not ideal shapes to have in the house, as they bring in a lot of upwards motion instead of grounding stabilizing energy. In your home, you want it to be a place where you can wind down and relax, not get overly stimulated.
In Feng Shui, triangles represent the element of fire and contain the energy of manifestation and forward motion.
If you do want this energy in parts of your house, such as a home office or exercise room, you can bring in the element of a triangle to bring up the level of energy. However, in general, it is advised to limit the amount of triangles in the house a place where you can feel your roots grounding to the earth.
Some triangles that you can incorporate into your house include:
- Triangles in art
- Copper pyramid to charge your crystals
- Triangle shelves
- Crystal pyramids (such as Shungite)
Triangles in the area where you want to increase your finances, such as your financial corner, may bring in manifesting energy around that area. And why not blend practices?
What about placing this wood Lakshmi Yantra in the southeast corner of your home or office to increase abundance?
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Summary
A triangle is a powerful symbol that can be seen all around us a primary shape that forms our reality. It can be seen as symbolic or as a deeper spiritual message or energetic tool. Here is a list of keywords that are associated with the triangle:
- Manifestation
- Transformation
- Evolution
- Enlightenment
- Reincarnation
- Protection
- Balance
- Harmony
- Creativity
- Divine proportion
- Illumination
- Trinity
It is important to recognize that symbols and spiritual messages can have different meanings depending on the context and who is receiving the message. If you feel that a triangle is appearing to you as a spiritual message, sit still and listen to what the meaning of a triangle is to you on your journey.
Like everything on this site and on the internet, use your own intuition when deciding what symbolism works for you.
In summary, I’ll leave you with these parting notes on a triangle:
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One Response
This post was a joy to read. Your enthusiasm for the subject is infectious and makes learning about it fun.