Symbolic Glossary

The Fool

The Magician

The High Priestess

The Empress

The Emperor

The Hierophant

The Lovers

The Chariot

Strength

The Hermit

Wheel of Fortune

Justice

The Hanged Man

Death

Temperance

The Devil

The Tower

The Star

The Moon

The Sun

Judgement

The World

Suit of Wands (Fire)

Suit of Cups (Water)

Suit of Swords (Air)

Suit of Pentacles (Earth)

Kether (Crown) — כתר

Chokmah (Wisdom) — חכמה

Binah (Understanding) — בינה

The Abyss (Da'at) — דעת

Chesed (Mercy) — חסד

Gevurah (Severity) — גבורה

Tiphareth (Beauty) — תפארת

Netzach (Victory/Endurance) — נצח

Hod (Splendor) — הוד

Yesod (Foundation) — יסוד

Malkuth (Kingdom) — מלכות

Ain Soph (The Infinite) — אין סוף

Pillar of Mercy (Right)

Pillar of Severity (Left)

The Middle Pillar

Tzimtzum (Contraction)

Tikkun (Repair)

The Lightning Flash

Solve et Coagula

Nigredo (Blackening)

Albedo (Whitening)

Citrinitas (Yellowing)

Rubedo (Reddening)

Gold (☉ Sol)

Silver (☽ Luna)

Mercury (☿ Quicksilver)

Sulfur (🜍 Soul)

Salt (🜔 Body)

Iron (♂ Mars)

Copper (♀ Venus)

Tin (♃ Jupiter)

Lead (♄ Saturn)

The Philosopher's Stone

The Four Elements

The Ouroboros

Conjunction (Coniunctio)

Fehu (ᚠ) — Cattle, Wealth, Abundance

Uruz (ᚢ) — Aurochs, Primal Strength

Thurisaz (ᚦ) — Thorn, Giant, Directed Force

Ansuz (ᚨ) — Odin, Breath, Divine Communication

Raidho (ᚱ) — Journey, Riding, Right Order

Kenaz (ᚲ) — Torch, Knowledge, Controlled Fire

Gebo (ᚷ) — Gift, Sacred Exchange

Wunjo (ᚹ) — Joy, Harmony, Clan-Joy

Hagalaz (ᚺ) — Hail, Destructive Natural Force

Nauthiz (ᚾ) — Need, Constraint, Necessity's Fire

Isa (ᛁ) — Ice, Stillness, Stasis

Jera (ᛃ) — Year, Harvest, Cyclical Reward

Eihwaz (ᛇ) — Yew, Endurance, Death-and-Life

Perthro (ᛈ) — Lot-Cup, Fate, Mystery

Algiz (ᛉ) — Elk-Sedge, Protection, Sacred Boundary

Sowilo (ᛊ) — Sun, Victory, Wholeness

Tiwaz (ᛏ) — Tyr, Justice, Self-Sacrifice

Berkano (ᛒ) — Birch, New Beginning, Nurture

Ehwaz (ᛖ) — Horse, Partnership, Loyal Movement

Mannaz (ᛗ) — Human, Self, Social Bond

Laguz (ᛚ) — Water, Lake, Flow

Ingwaz (ᛜ) — Ing, Fertility, Potential Energy

Dagaz (ᛞ) — Day, Breakthrough, Dawn

Othala (ᛟ) — Homeland, Ancestral Heritage, Sacred Enclosure

Aries (♈) — Cardinal Fire, The Initiator

Taurus (♉) — Fixed Earth, The Sustainer

Gemini (♊) — Mutable Air, The Communicator

Cancer (♋) — Cardinal Water, The Nurturer

Leo (♌) — Fixed Fire, The Sovereign

Virgo (♍) — Mutable Earth, The Discerner

Libra (♎) — Cardinal Air, The Harmonizer

Scorpio (♏) — Fixed Water, The Transformer

Sagittarius (♐) — Mutable Fire, The Seeker

Capricorn (♑) — Cardinal Earth, The Builder

Aquarius (♒) — Fixed Air, The Revolutionary

Pisces (♓) — Mutable Water, The Dreamer

Sun (☉) — Vitality, Will, Essential Self

Moon (☽) — Emotion, Instinct, Inner Life

Mercury (☿) — Communication, Mind, Exchange

Venus (♀) — Love, Beauty, Value

Mars (♂) — Action, Drive, Conflict

Jupiter (♃) — Expansion, Wisdom, Fortune

Saturn (♄) — Structure, Limitation, Time

Ra (𓇳) — The Sun God, Creative Utterance

Isis (𓊨) — Magic, Motherhood, Reassembly

Osiris (𓊩) — Death, Rebirth, the Underworld King

Set (𓃩) — Chaos, Storm, Necessary Disruption

Thoth (𓅝) — Wisdom, Writing, Measurement

Ma'at (𓁦) — Truth, Balance, Cosmic Order

Anubis (𓃢) — Guide of the Dead, Threshold Guardian

Horus (𓅃) — Sky, Kingship, the Rightful Heir

Hathor (𓉡) — Joy, Love, Music, Intoxication

Ptah (𓁰) — Craftsmanship, Speech-Creation, the Maker

The Ankh (𓋹) — Life, the Breath of Life

The Djed (𓊽) — Stability, the Backbone of Osiris

Khepri (𓆣) — The Scarab, Transformation, Self-Creation

The Weighing of the Heart

Hieroglyph → Demotic Evolution

Qián (乾) — The Creative

Kūn (坤) — The Receptive

Zhūn (屯) — Difficulty at the Beginning

Méng (蒙) — Youthful Folly

Xū (需) — Waiting

Sòng (訟) — Conflict

Shī (師) — The Army

Bǐ (比) — Holding Together

Xiǎo Xù (小畜) — Small Taming

Lǚ (履) — Treading

Tài (泰) — Peace

Pǐ (否) — Standstill

Tóng Rén (同人) — Fellowship

Dà Yǒu (大有) — Great Possession

Qiān (謙) — Modesty

Yù (豫) — Enthusiasm

Suí (隨) — Following

Gǔ (蠱) — Work on the Decayed

Lín (臨) — Approach

Guān (觀) — Contemplation

Shì Kè (噬嗑) — Biting Through

Bì (賁) — Grace

Bō (剝) — Splitting Apart

Fù (復) — Return

Wú Wàng (無妄) — Innocence

Dà Chù (大畜) — Great Accumulation

Yí (頤) — Nourishment

Dà Guò (大過) — Great Exceeding

Kǎn (坎) — The Abyss

Lí (離) — Clinging Fire

Xián (咸) — Influence

Héng (恆) — Duration

Dùn (遯) — Retreat

Dà Zhuàng (大壯) — Great Power

Jìn (晉) — Progress

Míng Yí (明夷) — Darkening of the Light

Jiā Rén (家人) — The Family

Kuí (睽) — Opposition

Jiǎn (蹇) — Obstruction

Xiè (解) — Deliverance

Sǔn (損) — Decrease

Yì (益) — Increase

Guài (夬) — Breakthrough

Gòu (姤) — Coming to Meet

Cuì (萃) — Gathering Together

Shēng (升) — Pushing Upward

Kùn (困) — Oppression

Jǐng (井) — The Well

Gé (革) — Revolution

Dǐng (鼎) — The Caldron

Zhèn (震) — The Arousing

Gèn (艮) — Keeping Still

Jiàn (漸) — Development

Guī Mèi (歸妹) — The Marrying Maiden

Fēng (豐) — Abundance

Lǚ (旅) — The Wanderer

Xùn (巽) — The Gentle

Duì (兌) — The Joyous

Huàn (渙) — Dispersion

Jié (節) — Limitation

Zhōng Fú (中孚) — Inner Truth

Xiǎo Guò (小過) — Preponderance of the Small

Jì Jì (既濟) — After Completion

Wèi Jì (未濟) — Before Completion

Heaven (☰) — Creative

Earth (☷) — Receptive

Thunder (☳) — Arousing

Water (☵) — Abysmal

Mountain (☶) — Keeping Still

Wind (☴) — Gentle

Fire (☲) — Clinging

Lake (☱) — Joyous

First Mansion — Self-Knowledge and Humility

Second Mansion — The Practice of Prayer

Third Mansion — Ordered Life and Spiritual Dryness

Fourth Mansion — Prayer of Quiet

Fifth Mansion — Prayer of Union

Sixth Mansion — Spiritual Betrothal and Trials

Seventh Mansion — Spiritual Marriage

Dark Night of the Senses — Purgation of Appetite

Dark Night of the Soul — Purgation of Spirit

Dawn of Union — Living Flame of Love

The Cloud of Unknowing — Knowing God by Unknowing

Ladder of Divine Ascent — Step by Step to God

Theosis — Deification

Via Negativa — The Way of Negation

Hesychasm — Sacred Stillness

Kenosis — Divine Self-Emptying

Apatheia — Holy Indifference

Logismoi — The Eight Deadly Thoughts

Seven Seals — Apocalyptic Unveiling

New Jerusalem — The City Descending

Hildegard's Viriditas — Greening Power

The Incarnation — Word Made Flesh

The Cross — Love That Holds in Abandonment

The Resurrection — Death Had No Hold

Grace — He Didn't Leave Me Like He Found Me

The Prodigal Son — Return Is Always Possible

Agape — Unconditional Love

Gethsemane — Not My Will But Thine

Testimony — Before and After

Prayer — You Call, He Answers

Healer — Jehovah Rapha

Provider — Jehovah Jireh

Defender — A Refuge and Strength

The Beatitudes — Blessed Are the Broken

The Good Shepherd — He Leaves the 99

The Holy Spirit — Comforter, Advocate

Faithful — Rock of My Salvation

Suffering as Formation — Learned Obedience

The Kingdom of Heaven — Already and Not Yet

Tawba (توبة) — Repentance, the First Turning

Zuhd (زهد) — Renunciation, Detachment from the World

Sabr (صبر) — Patience, Steadfast Endurance

Tawakkul (توكل) — Trust in God, Radical Surrender

Rida (رضا) — Contentment, Divine Satisfaction

Fana (فناء) — Annihilation of the Self in God

Baqa (بقاء) — Subsistence After Annihilation

Al-Qadir (القادر) — The All-Powerful, Absolute Capacity

Al-Latif (اللطيف) — The Subtle, The Imperceptibly Kind

Ar-Rahman (الرحمن) — The All-Merciful, Cosmic Compassion

Al-Jabbar (الجبار) — The Compeller, The Irresistible

Al-Batin (الباطن) — The Hidden, The Interior

Barzakh (برزخ) — The Isthmus Between Worlds

Wahdat al-Wujud (وحدة الوجود) — Unity of Being

Alam al-Mithal (عالم المثال) — The Imaginal World

Al-Insan al-Kamil (الإنسان الكامل) — The Perfect Man

The Reed Flute (نی) — Separation and Longing

The Tavern (میخانه) — Sacred Intoxication

The Beloved (معشوق) — Divine Union as Erotic Love

Sama (سماع) — Whirling, Audition, Sacred Listening

Brahma — The Creator, First Emanation

Vishnu — The Preserver, Sustainer of Worlds

Shiva — The Destroyer, Lord of Transformation

Saraswati — Knowledge, Music, Flowing Wisdom

Lakshmi — Abundance, Prosperity, Radiant Fortune

Kali — Time, Death, Liberation Through Destruction

Ganesha — Remover of Obstacles, Lord of Beginnings

Hanuman — Devotion, Service, Selfless Strength

Krishna — Divine Play, the Charioteer

Brahman — The Ultimate Reality, Ground of Being

Atman — The Self, the Witness

Maya — Illusion, the Veil of Appearances

Dharma — Cosmic Order, Right Action

Karma — Action, Consequence, the Moral Web

Sattva — Harmony, Luminosity, Balance

Rajas — Activity, Passion, Restless Motion

Tamas — Inertia, Darkness, Dissolution

Muladhara — Root Chakra, Foundation

Svadhisthana — Sacral Chakra, Creative Waters

Manipura — Solar Plexus Chakra, Fire of Will

Anahata — Heart Chakra, Unstruck Sound

Vishuddha — Throat Chakra, Purified Expression

Ajna — Third Eye Chakra, Command Center

Sahasrara — Crown Chakra, the Thousand-Petaled Lotus

Dana (Generosity) — The First Paramita

Sila (Ethical Discipline) — The Second Paramita

Kshanti (Patience) — The Third Paramita

Virya (Diligence) — The Fourth Paramita

Dhyana (Meditation) — The Fifth Paramita

Prajna (Wisdom) — The Sixth Paramita

Bardo of Dying (Chikhai Bardo) — Dissolution at Death

Bardo of Dharmata (Chonyid Bardo) — Luminosity Between

Bardo of Becoming (Sidpa Bardo) — The Search for Rebirth

Sunyata (Emptiness) — The Heart of Mahayana

Nirvana — Cessation, the Unconditioned

Bodhicitta — The Awakening Mind

Avalokiteshvara — The Bodhisattva of Compassion

Manjushri — The Bodhisattva of Wisdom

Avidya (Ignorance) — The Root of Dependent Origination

Tanha (Craving) — The Origin of Suffering

Dukkha (Suffering) — The First Noble Truth

The Middle Way (Madhyamaka) — Neither Extreme

Anicca (Impermanence) — Nothing Lasts

Vohu Manah — Good Mind, Right Thinking

Asha Vahishta — Best Truth, Righteousness, Cosmic Order

Khshathra Vairya — Desirable Dominion, Righteous Power

Spenta Armaiti — Holy Devotion, Right-Mindedness

Haurvatat — Wholeness, Perfection, Health

Ameretat — Immortality, Deathlessness

Spenta Mainyu — Holy Spirit, Creative Emanation

Ahura Mazda vs Angra Mainyu — The Cosmic Duality

Asha vs Druj — Truth Against the Lie

The Cosmic Battle — Gumezishn and the Mixture

Atar — Sacred Fire, Witness of Truth

The Hearth Fire — Atash-i Dadgah, Domestic Sacred Flame

Frashokereti — Renovation of the World, Final Perfection

Chinvat Bridge — The Bridge of the Separator, Judgment

Saoshyant — The Future Savior, World Renewer

Mithra — Covenant, Light, Guardian of Contracts

Anahita — Waters, Fertility, the Immaculate One

Sraosha — Obedience, Hearkening, the Guardian of Prayer

Wood Phase (Mù 木) — Growth, Expansion, Spring

Fire Phase (Huǒ 火) — Radiance, Awareness, Summer

Earth Phase (Tǔ 土) — Centering, Nourishment, Late Summer

Metal Phase (Jīn 金) — Contraction, Cutting, Autumn

Water Phase (Shuǐ 水) — Depth, Danger, Winter

Dao (道) — The Way, the Unnameable Source

Wu Wei (無為) — Non-Action, Effortless Action

De (德) — Virtue, Power, Inherent Nature

Pu (朴) — The Uncarved Block, Original Simplicity

Ziran (自然) — Naturalness, Self-So-Ness

The Butterfly Dream (Zhuangzi)

Cook Ding — Effortless Skill (Zhuangzi)

The Useless Tree (Zhuangzi)

The Empty Boat (Zhuangzi)

Yin-Yang (陰陽) — Complementary Opposition

Fan (反) — Reversal, Return to the Root

After and Before — The Impossibility of Completion

Inner Alchemy (Neidan): Building the Foundation (Zhù Jī 築基)

Inner Alchemy (Neidan): Refining Jing into Qi (煉精化氣)

Inner Alchemy (Neidan): Refining Qi into Shen (煉氣化神)

Inner Alchemy (Neidan): Returning Shen to the Void (煉神還虛)

Inner Alchemy (Neidan): Merging with the Dao (煉虛合道)

The Lesser Mysteries — Purification at Agrae

The Greater Mysteries — Revelation at Eleusis

Epopteia — Direct Vision of the Sacred

Katabasis — Descent to the Underworld

Phanes — Primordial Light, First-Born

The Cosmic Egg — Potentiality Before Form

Dismemberment of Dionysus — Sparagmos

Orphic Descent — Orpheus in the Underworld

Soma/Sema — The Body as Tomb

The Monad — Pythagorean Unity

The Dyad — Pythagorean Duality

The Tetractys — Sacred Ten

Harmonia Mundi — Harmony of the Spheres

Musica Universalis — Number as Reality

The Form of the Good — Plato's Highest Form

The Allegory of the Cave — Shadow and Illumination

Anamnesis — Recollection of Eternal Knowledge

The Demiurge — Craftsman of the Cosmos

Persephone — Descent, Return, and Transformation

Dionysus — Ecstasy, Dissolution, Renewal

Hermes Psychopompos — Guide Between Worlds

Demeter — Grief, Withholding, Abundance Restored

Hecate — Crossroads, Thresholds, Liminal Knowledge

Ogbe — The Open Mouth, Pure Light

Oyeku — Closure, Darkness, the Womb of Night

Iwori — Inner Vision, the Reversed Eye

Odi — Obstruction, Rebirth Through Difficulty

Irosun — Ancestral Blood, Lineage, the Red Path

Owonrin — Chaos, Transformation, the Trickster's Sign

Obara — Abundance, Generosity, the Overflowing Vessel

Okanran — Conflict, Dangerous Truth, the Single Mark

Osa — Swift Change, the Rushing Wind

Ofun — Completion, the White Cloth, Return to Source

Orunmila — Wisdom, Witness of Destiny, the Prophet

Eshu/Elegba — The Crossroads, Trickster, Divine Messenger

Oshun — Sweet Waters, Love, Abundance, Diplomacy

Shango — Thunder, Justice, Sovereign Power

Obatala — Creation, Purity, the Sculptor of Heads

Yemoja — Ocean, Motherhood, the Great Water

Ashé — Vital Force, the Power to Make Things Happen

Ori — Personal Destiny, the Inner Head

Iwa Pele — Gentle Character, Good Moral Standing

Ebo — Sacrifice, Offering, Ritual Adjustment

Ayanmo — Destiny, the Unalterable and the Negotiable