Symbols of Rebirth
Rebirth is an ancient concept that can be found in almost all religions, mythologies,
and belief systems.
Some religions like Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Gnosticism, and Taoism, believe in reincarnation,
where a body disintegrates but the soul continues to live on.
Pagan and tribal religions believe not in rebirth, but in elements within nature, such
as water, trees, the sun, and the moon, that continue to be reborn and regenerated.
For most people, rebirth signifies rising from adversity and challenges that knock you
down.
As you can see, there are many ways to look at rebirth.
In this video, we're going to look at 13 symbols of rebirth and their significance in the modern
world.
Number 1: Phoenix The first symbol on our list is the phoenix,
one of the most famous symbols of rebirth, regeneration, and renewal.
The phoenix is a colorful, mythological bird, known for its interesting life cycle.
At the end of its life, it builds a nest around itself and dies as it bursts into flames.
From the ashes, a new baby phoenix is born.
The image of the phoenix was etched into ancient Roman coins to symbolize eternal wealth.
In Christianity, the bird symbolizes the resurrection of Jesus Christ It s the perfect image to
signify the concept of overcoming all odds to rise victorious again.
Number 2: The New Moon The new moon, also called the crescent moon,
symbolizes new beginnings and rebirth.
It signifies the endless cycle of life, death, and rebirth.
Many consider the start of a new moon to be the best time to start new jobs or projects
and set new goals.
Some cultures believe that the new moon rejuvenates the mind and soul and can help those who want
to make a fresh start in life.
In Hinduism, the new moon is an auspicious day for making offerings to deceased ancestors.
I
Number 3: The Ouroboros The Ouroborus is a circular symbol that features
a snake swallowing its own tail.
With origins in Greek and Egyptian mythology, this symbol is seen as a symbol of both death
and rebirth.
The idea behind the Ouroborus is that the snake dies by eating itself, but is reborn
through self-fertilization.
In the 17th and 18th centuries, the use of the Ouroborus symbol spread widely.
It Was seen on gravestones, signifying the reincarnation of the deceased.
It s also been used as a gnostic and alchemical symbol, representing the concept that nothing
ever disappears, but keeps changing, that whatever is destroyed is recreated.
Number 4: The Starfish Starfish, also called sea stars, have the
ability to regenerate limbs that have been eaten or damaged by predators.
They can also shed their limbs on purpose and grow them back.
This unique characteristic made the starfish an important creature among the Native Americans,
who venerated it for its strength and resilience.
In fact, they named one of their tribes after a certain type of starfish.
In modern times, people have begun to consider the starfish as their spirit animal due to
its regenerative ability.
They regard it as an inspiration to change themselves, casting away their old self and
paving the way for new thoughts and actions.
Number 5: The Lotus Flower The lotus flower is one of the most widely
used symbols of rebirth, regeneration, and enlightenment, especially in Eastern cultures.
The way the flower emerges from muddy waters and blooms during the day then closes up and
retreats into the water every night is what gave it these meanings.
In ancient Egypt, the closing and reopening of lotus petals symbolized the dead entering
the underworld, as well as their reincarnation.
The image of the flower could be seen in the walls of tombs and paintings, as the Egyptians
revered it and thought it to be sacred.
In Buddhism, the lotus is often depicted with the Eightfold Path, a guide to reincarnation
and enlightenment.
For Buddhists, the image of the Buddha meditating over a lotus flower is considered a significant
symbol.
Number 6: The Tree of Life As a symbol, the tree of life goes all the
way back to ancient times.
Although no one knows exactly when and where this symbol originated, an example of it was
found in excavations in Turkey dating it back to about 7000 BC.
It s believed that the use of the symbol spread from there to other parts of the world.
In almost all ancient cultures, the tree of life stood as an emblem of spring, the season
that marked the end of winter and witnessed the rebirth of plants and flowers.
Trees were worshipped during this season and their ability to create new life from their
seeds made them known as the givers of new life.
Number 7: The Scarab Beetle Since time immemorial, scarab beetles, also
called dung beetles have been worshipped in many cultures.
Not bad for a beetle that spends its days rolling huge balls of dung around.
Scarab beetles had special significance in ancient Egyptian mythology as they were considered
holy.
You'll see them depicted on various amulets, sculptures, and tomb walls.
Scarab beetles were associated with Khepri, the God of Sunrise.
Khepri was a powerful God with the body of a man and the head of a - you guessed it - scarab
beetle.
Thanks to him, the scarab beetle became a symbol of rebirth and immortality, just like
the rising sun which sets every evening only to rise again every morning.
Number 8: Water Water has a unique characteristic that has
made it a symbol of rebirth and renewal since ancient times.
It has the ability to naturally cleanse and renew itself becoming sparkling clean once
again.
It s common knowledge that water is the most important substance on earth, required for
the survival of all living things.
However, its also used for various other spiritual reasons.
For example, humans use water not only to clean themselves physically but also for emotional
renewal.
Those who bathe in holy rivers believe that the water washes away their sins so they can
be born again, clean and pure.
Water also plays an important role in rituals and meditation to cleanse the mind, spirit,
and soul.
In countless creation myths, its seen as the source of life itself.
Number 9: Butterflies Butterflies are generally regarded as symbols
of rebirth, transformation, and renewal.
They crack out of their eggs as caterpillars and slowly grow in a cocoon, finally coming
out of it as beautiful, winged creatures.
In Christianity, the transformation of the butterfly is clearly linked to the death and
rebirth of Christ.
Jesus was placed in a tomb for three days, from where he emerged victorious and glorious.
In the same way, a caterpillar emerges victorious from its cocoon.
The symbolism of the butterfly as an image of rebirth is further strengthened because
Christians believe that those who follow Jesus can be reborn and free of sin.
For the Celts, butterflies symbolize the soul, creation, and rebirth.
However, these creatures also had an association with the dead.
The Celts believed that they were the souls of the dead that could cross into other realms.
Number 10: The Easter Egg The Easter egg is a Christian symbol of fertility,
new life, and rebirth.
Red Easter eggs symbolize Jesus blood, and the eggshell represents the sealed tomb he
was laid to rest in.
When the egg is cracked open, it signifies Jesus resurrection from the dead after the
three days.
Number 11: The Snake Over time, snakes accumulate dirt and grime
on their skin, but they possess the unique ability to cleanse themselves by shedding
their skin.
This attribute is what associates the snake with self-renewal and rebirth.
When it sheds its skin, the snake can heal and looks fresh and clean, as though its just
reborn.
The association with rebirth and regeneration has made snakes revered since ancient times.
Asclepius, the Greek god of medicine and healing is featured holding a staff with an entwined
snake.
It s believed that Asclepius used this rod to remove disease from people and restore
their health.
Today, Asclepius Rod is the modern symbol of medicine.
Number 12: The Color Green Found abundantly in nature, the color green
is most commonly associated with life, freshness, hope, and rejuvenation.
The Japanese associate green with spring, the season of rebirth and renewal, while in
China, its linked to the rising sun that diminishes into the darkness, only to be reborn again.
For Hindus, the color is the same as the heart chakra, which is considered the crux of life
itself.
13.
Molting Birds Molting birds are similar to snakes as they
can shed their feathers and regrow newer, stronger ones.
Molting happens periodically, with birds shedding a few or all of their feathers at a time.
As a result, birds are thought to represent continuous and consistent rebirth or renewal.
Did you find your favorite rebirth symbol in this list?
If not, let us know in the comments below!
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