My 7 Life Symbols
I love numbered lists. For example, My 6 Effective Ways to Lead with Your Heart; My 3 Secrets for Effective Communication; My 4 Worst Communication Mistakes; and similar others.
In the Christian tradition, the Bible is full of symbolism around the number 7. The first use of the number 7 in the Bible relates to the creation week in Genesis 1. God spends six days creating the heavens and the earth, and then rests on the seventh day. This is our template for the seven-day week, observed around the world to this day. The seventh day was to be “set apart” for Israel and the world; the Sabbath was a holy day of rest and restoration (Deuteronomy 5:12).
Thus, right at the start of the Bible, the number 7 is identified with something being “finished” or “complete.” From then on, that association continues, as 7 is often found in contexts involving completeness or divine perfection.
Series of seven things crop up often in the Bible. For example, seven stems on the tabernacle’s lampstand (Exodus 25:37); seven qualities of the Messiah in Isaiah 11:2; seven signs in John’s Gospel; seven things the Lord hates in Proverbs 6:16; Seven Pillars of the House of Wisdom (Proverbs 9:1); seven parables in Matthew 13; and seven woes in Matthew 23; and The seven last sayings of Jesus on the cross.
I started wondering what seven symbols would I choose if I wanted to portray what’s important in my life. Here is what I came up with.
Conch shell
The conch shell reminds me of my Cuban origins by the sea and it grounds me to the cycle of life. Whenever I have had to live far from the sea, bring one to my ear reminds me of the sound of the waves and calms me. It also speaks to me of the eve and flow of life and has always been paired with my transitions to other places. Also reminds me of my life cycle and that of my family’s.
2. Owl
Through time, owls have been associated with wisdom and femininity. It’s seen especially as having the wisdom of the soul. Its silence and way of standing still remind me that if I want wisdom, I too need to find points of rest, renewal, and observation if I want to find real wisdom that goes beyond books.
3. Circle
Everything in life is circular and infinite: Life, relationships, businesses, children, education, even fashion and preferences. When I remember this, I don’t have to hang tight to either/or thinking. I can embrace yes/and thinking and be more open-minded. It also reminds me how everything and everyone in life is interconnected and we all need each other. That appeals to my sense of the importance of diversity of thought and experiences.
4. G Clef
This symbol is for my love of playing the piano. It’s also a reminder of the fluidity of love and passion both in thought and in life. Music has been a big part of my life, especially during trying times. It’s also how I express and process feelings. But it also is a symbol of the need for order to be able to collaborate with others and to make sense of things.
5. Stuffed animals
They symbolize for me comfort, coziness, innocence. It challenges me to be more childlike: to keep my curiosity alive, to trust more, and to freely share love and compassion.
6. Hummingbird
This was my mother’s favorite and helps me feel close to her. It also evokes Joy, happiness, positive energy, endurance, and freedom. All qualities that are very dear to my heart.
7. Boxes
Boxes of different shapes, sizes, and origins have always fascinated me. I tend to collect them from places I have visited or lived at. They mean for me mystery, surprise, curiosity about what’s inside (maybe as I’m curious about what goes inside my client’s heads!), what might be valuable (out or/and in), and appreciation for my inward world.
This is so satisfying, I could keep going with more symbols. But I think 7 is good enough! How about you?