Look For and Use the 5 Universal Symbols

The cross-cultural anthropologist Angeles Arrien studied may traditions throughout the world and discovered that there are five geometric shapes that occur again and again and have common meaning. They are the circle, plus sign, triangle, square and spiral. People ascribe meaning to these shapes and use them in their art to convey ideas. What do they symbolize? Briefly, the circle represents unity, the plus sign is relationships, the triangle is a quest, the square is stability, and the spiral is creativity. To find out more about these symbols, read her book Five Universal Shapes and How to Use Them. In the meantime, look around you and see how often they're used every day. Here's one example to begin with: the wedding ring.