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There is, the influential Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung believed, a good reason why ancient symbols have been passed on from generation to generation, transcending both time and cultures. Jung believed that everyone in the world possessed a collective unconscious or memories that are shared by humanity. This collective unconscious responds, often inexplicably, to certain symbols. You might say that the collective unconscious experiences the same psychological effects from the same ancient symbols that have been passed on to another generation and certain shapes that have evolved through the years. Jung on Humanity and Symbols In his book Man and His Symbols, Jung writes "What we call a symbol is a term, a name or even a picture that may be familiar in daily life, yet that possesses specific connotations in additional to its conventional and obvious meaning. It implies something vague, unknown or hidden from us." Jung then goes on to describe how certain shapes or symbols have a deeper effect on a man's subconscious. He says, for instance, that the mind can reach out to grasp for meaning that is "beyond the grasp of reason." A wheel may cause you to picture the divine, or to get a good glimpse of eternity. But because man cannot every fully grasp such abstract things as divinity, symbols are used to represent concepts that cannot be fully understood. This is the reason why ancient and modern religions use symbols, such as the Christian cross, the Greek Eye of Horus or the Bodhi Tree to signify ideals that are beyond the physical realm. Ancient Symbols and the Mind Hinduists and Buddhists have used mandalas for centuries, but Carl Jung successfully translated this ancient symbol for modern use by touching on its psychological effects on the individual. He said that the mandala was a representation of the center of the personality or the central psychic point. And, because everyone wants to fulfill his potential, looking at the mandala as the source of his being could be a very powerful or even an ultimate healing experience. Jung also believed that the mandala could even push you to work towards self-actualization faster. Sacred geometrical figures, such as the dodecahedron or the decagon can likewise elicit powerful psychological effects. Because these shapes are based on the golden mean dodecahedrons and decagons make one feel like he is in the presence of perfection. Some ancient Egyptian symbols, such as those depicted in a set of Cartouche Cards, can even give you heightened awareness and clarity. It can help you become more open to the world and to others. Besides having mystical energies and powers, ancient symbols can likewise create extreme beneficial psychological effects on those who use them. It is, therefore, important that you understand symbols deeply before deciding on which particular symbols to wear or use.
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