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1. Birkat Kohanim (Priestly Blessing, Aaronic Blessing)
This gesture accompanies the Birkat Kohanim, or
Priestly Blessing, an ancient Jewish custom. The Blessing is
administered by members of the Kohanim, or priestly class, usually on
holidays. The hands are spread into two “V” shapes, in the form of the
Hebrew letter Shin () and symbolizes the light of the Shekhina, or
Presence of God.
The blessing itself is taken directly from that given in the Book of
Numbers:
“The Lord bless and keep you.
The Lord let His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you.
The Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace.”
The resemblance of the gesture to the “Live long and prosper” salute
of the Star Trek character Spock is not coincidental. Actor Leonard
Nimoy has remarked on several occasions that the gesture was a nod
to his Jewish heritage.
Related Symbols:
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Celtic Animal Symbols: Dragons and Serpents

2. The Celtic dragon and serpent were ancient symbols of
fertility, wisdom, and immortality. A hybrid horned dragon/snake
figure was connected to the torque collar, a symbol of kingship and
status, and to the horned deity Cernunnos. The serpent was related to
the dragon, and was connected with healing pools and springs. The
Romans observed that the Druids especially revered the serpent for
healing, and that they ascribed the same powers to the “serpent’s
egg,” a particular sort of egg-shaped stone. A number of old tales
feature magical treasure-guarding serpents who reside in wells- a
common motif is the horned snake who guards a golden torque, a
reference to divine authority.
The dragon represents the untamed forces of nature, and often dwelt
deep within the earth or sea. A red protector dragon has been a
symbol of Wales for more than a thousand years, and dragons of
various sorts featured heavily in late heroic tales, especially those of
the exploits of Merlin. After the advent of Christianity, the dragon was
more likely to symbolize chaos, and many tales of the saints pit the
holy men against rampaging dragons who cause natural disasters,
stories in which the dragons are not too subtle analogies of the pagan
religions- Christians who came to evangelize the Druids took the
sacred serpents as sure signs that the Druids were devil worshipers.

3. Pictish carving Serpent capital from the Book of Kells
One of the best known tales of St Patrick is the driving of the serpents
from Ireland, a myth that purports to explain Ireland’s lack of snakes,
but also carries overtones of religious conflict. If one views the snakes
as the emblems of the Druids, the tale takes on another level of
meaning, namely, that the serpents are not animals, but the Pagan
way of life. This interpretation is borne out by many other references
to battles with dragons or serpents undertaken by the saints, which
invariably occur on sites formerly sacred to the Druids. This is not to
say such battles necessarily took place at all, but may be poetic license
to deal with the embarrassing reality of many a church sited on former
Pagan holy grounds, which may have mattered much more as the
centuries passed.
More Celtic Symbols
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The Golden Bough: MistletoeHistory and Lore

4. Mistletoe’s (Old English, “Misseltan,”
meaning, “missel twig”) standing as an icon of the winter holiday
stems from very ancient beliefs. How did this rather ugly, poisonous
plant became so popular?
The answer lies in ancient sun worship, particularly of the Celtic
Druids. The mistletoe has several qualities that made it attractive to
these tree revering ancient Celts. The Celtic Druids were skilled in
herbal medicine and magic; mistletoe was by far the most sacred of
their magical plants. It grew amongst the branches of the sacred
trees, seemingly without sustenance. Having no roots, and thus no
connection to the earth, it was considered the sacred plant of the sun.
A tree that hosted a mistletoe plant was a tree marked as particularly
sacred by the gods. With its golden color, and growing high off the
ground without roots, it was naturally associated with the sun. Most
specifically, it was considered to be the sperm of the solar
deity Taranis, the promise of the sun God’s rebirth.
It was believed that mistletoe took on the properties of its host tree
(this has much truth to it, as mistletoe feeds on its host tree),
containing its essence and power. The most powerful mistletoe, of
course, grew on the sacred oak. (The name Druid is believed to be a
compound of two words, Dru and Vid, strength and wisdom- oak and
mistletoe!)

5. Old Norse tales of mistletoe’s origin blame the plant for the death of
the sun-god Baldur, who is felled by a dart made of mistletoe, the only
plant his mother neglected after a prophecy of the god’s death; some
versions of the story tell that the plant became a tree-dweller after the
wrathful goddess flung it there.
Cutting the Mistletoe at the Solstice
When the weather turned cold the leaves dropped from deciduous host
trees, revealing the sacred leaves and waxy white berries- a promise
of the return of the sun. During the period of the Winter Solstice,
branches were harvested with great ceremony and used for a variety
of magical and medical purposes- protection from lightning and fire,
curing of poisoning, etc. Branches would be cut from the trees on a
day sacred to the moon, and sacrifices of livestock offered in return for
the precious gift.Belief in the magical powers of mistletoe has long
outlived the Druids.
In medieval times, the plant was called allheal, and used medicinally
for a variety of ailments, from epilepsy to cancer. Sprigs were hung in
stables to protect livestock from the mischief of fairies, and over
cradles to protect babes from the vexation of witches. In Scandinavia,
its branches were fashioned into dowsing rods to search for treasure.
An old English superstition held that as long as a sprig was retained in
the home, so would love be retained. It became popular in some
households to insure that a fresh sprig was installed in the household

6. every year, and this is probably where the origin of the kissing ritual
can be found.
A priestess with sickle and crown of mistletoe
The uniquely English tradition involved hanging clumps of the plant in
halls and doorways, where it served as a bit of a love charm- and as
an ice breaker between interested couples. As the superstition went,
one who wasn’t kissed would not be married within that year- an
incentive for the romantically inclined to be sure to find themselves
underneath a sprig at a convenient moment. According to this same
tradition, the plant was burned at the end of the season, to prevent
the charm from backfiring and creating enemies rather than friends.As
late as the early twentieth century, a sprig of mistletoe was believed to
bring dreams of a future husband when placed under the pillow of a
hopeful young woman.
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Shamrock (Trefoil, Cloverleaf)
The Shamrock is the ubiquitous symbol of all things
Irish. Although today it is usually regarded as a simple good luck

7. charm or a St. Patrick’s day decoration, it is one of the oldest Celtic
symbols.
The shamrock is a native species of clover in Ireland. A Catholic legend
holds that St. Patrick used it’s three lobes as a device for teaching the
Holy trinity. To the Druids who came before, it symbolized a similar
“three in one” concept- the three dominions of earth, sky, and sea, the
ages of man, and the phases of the moon. In Celtic folklore, the
Shamrock is a charm against evil, a belief that has carried over in the
modern reliance in the four leafed clover as a good luck charm.
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The Symbols of Christmas
The Christmas Tree, Decking the Halls
The so-called Christmas Tree is one of the most purely pagan of the
modern holiday observances. Modern whitewash attributes the custom
of lighted Christmas trees to Protestant reformer Martin Luther, with
with a charming tale wherein he glimpses the starry sky between
evergreen branches. It’s sweet, but hogwash. (Luther, who railed
against excess, doesn’t seem a likely promoter of frivolous decor). The
custom of decorating trees in honor of the gods is in fact so old it is
specifically prohibited in the Old Testament*- which is why our Jewish
friends don’t have Hanukkah trees**)
The Christmas tree, like many Christmas customs, originated in the
ancient Roman new year festival of Saturnalia. Saturnalia was
celebrated much the same as we do Christmas today. Home
decoration was emphasized, and the decorations were the evergreen
trees sacred to the sun- pine, holly, etc.
Gift giving was also another popular part of Saturnalia festivities-
friends and families exchanged gifts of decorated
branches, evergreen wreaths, incense, candles, and religious
figurines. Caroling, Wassailing, and masked processions were other
Saturnalia staples that long outlasted the Roman Empire.
Saturn is still honored at the new year as “father time.” Even the
image of the Christmas angel was borrowed from Roman iconology-

8. there were no female angels in Hebrew of Christian scriptures.
(wrathful creatures with multitudes of eyes with animal bodies and
wings or flaming swords, yes. Kindly feminine angels in flowing
dresses, no.)
Misseltoe
What about the Mistletoe? Mistletoe was held
sacred to the sun to the Norse and the Celts of
Europe, whose beliefs about the magical virtues of
mistletoe survived into the Christian era. It was for
this reason that England’s churches banned its use
within their walls.
Fortunately for hopeful romantics, the prohibition
didn’t stick.
The pagan Norse Solstice celebration, Yule,
gives us both the Yule log and the “Twelve
Days” of Christmas. The burning of a tree, a
log, or a wheel was a widespread custom in
European pagan Solstice ceremonies. The
burning of the Yule log is a symbolic sacrifice of
the sun’s sacred evergreen, and its sacrifice
gave energy to ensure the rebirth of the
weakened sun. The celebration ofTwelfth
Night is also drawn from ancient Yule practices,
although the King Cake custom came later, a
symbolic recreation of the ancient custom of
the sacrificial king- The “Lord of Misrule” who presided over so many
Christmas parties was an echo of the seasonal “king” who long ago

9. was sacrificed at the end of the season to ensure plentiful crops and
the fertility of both man and livestock.
See: The Evolution of the Christmas Tree, Saturnalia- the real “Reason
for the Season”
Santa Claus
Santa Claus is something of a syncretic
figure, a patchwork of legendary
characters. While most accept that Santa
is evolved from fourth century Catholic
Saint Nicholas of Myra (The name Santa
Claus is an Americanization of the Dutch
name for Nicholas, “Sinterklaas”), that’s
really a bit of a gloss. In truth, traditions
of elves, witches, or other supernatural
gift-givers pre-existed in European
tradition.
The Scandinavian gift-giving gnome Tomten (Also known as Julesvenn,
Julnissen, Knecht Ruprecht) contributed the archetypal peaked red hat
and associations with reindeer. Tomten was a little more volatile than
today’s Santa- he could leave gifts or play tricks depending on the
quality of the offerings for him Sometimes, he is portrayed as a demon
who whips bad children; in Germany he’s Krampus, a ragged devil
figure.
After the advent of Christianity in the North, the cantankerous elf
became sidekick to the Saint -Belsnickel, ‘furry Nicholas,’ he being
responsible for the distribution of whippings and coal to the naughty
children. The Christmas imp was eventually absorbed, leaning only his
red cap and sleigh behind. (I suspect he may now be seen working as

10. sidekick to the white witch in the Narnia Books; he is also the close
relation of Riumpelstilzkin) (and speaking of evil elves…)
Somehow stories of the generous St.
Nicholas (well, mostly so- Nicholas was
also reputed to have socked a rival in the
jaw over a dispute about the virgin Mary)
were muddled with the Scandinavian elf.
According to his legend, St. Nicholas was a
political activist who championed the poor,
prisoners, and children. His association with
Christmas giving is almost certainly cover
for less acceptable pagan characters.
Santa Claus as we visualize him today sprang from the imagination of
American political cartoonist Thomas Nast. Santa’s British counterpart,
Father Christmas, is a little bit St. Nick and a little bit Father time.
Italian children don’t know Santa; they await gifts from Befana, a
kindly witch. German children leave shoes out and hope for a small gift
from the Kriskind, an angel representing the Christ child (another
name for Kriskind is ‘Kris Kringle,’ so referring to Santa by that name
creates a sort of Jesus/elf-angel hybrid).
Some Invented Legends
Candy Canes are the subject of an annual pass-around email, but
they were never the special creation of a pious Christian candymaker.
When the Christmas tree became popular in Germany, it was
commonly decorated with sweets and colored paper. Cane-shaped
candy fits over a tree branch. Their popularity with children might

11. have led some to take advantage of their shepherd’s crook shape to
teach some religious lessons.
Connections are often touted between Santa Claus and the Norse
god Odin, usually centered around the coincidence of eight reindeer
and the eight legs of Odin’s magical horse. The problem with that
similarity is, Santa only had onereindeer companion, until a New York
writer upped it to seven, along with inventing the idea of Santa -then
portrayed as a tiny elf- slipping down the chimney.) However, there
is some connection- early Scandinavian pictograms of Odin often
portray him on a reindeer, which is certainly a good way to leave
people scratching their heads around the punchbowl..
*Well, maybe not. After all, the Hanukkah menorah is, in a sense, a
representation of the Tree of Life.
**See Jeremiah 10:3
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Baha’i Symbols
The three best known symbols unofficially used to represent the Baha’i
faith: thenine pointed star, symbolizing spiritual completion:
The ring stone symbol, so called because it is worn on rings by many
believers:

12. The three horizontal lines represent the three basics of Baha’i belief-
the world of God, the World of God’s manifestation, and the world of
man. The vertical bar represents the connection of these worlds, and
the stars flanking the glyph represent the Báb and Bahá’u'lláh, the
founders and prophets of the faith.
The “symbol of the Greatest Name:”
This symbol is a phrase, “Yá Bahá’u'l-Abhá,” or “Glory of Glories,”
rendered in traditional Islamic* calligraphy. “Baha,” or glory, is also
found in the name of Bahá’u'lláh. It is called the “Greatest Name,”
after the expectation in Islam that the most sacred, hundredth name
of god, which is known only in paradise.
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Vergina Sun (Macedonian sun, Argead Star)
A distinct eight, twelve, or sixteen rayed figure, Called the sun of
Vergina. It is so named for a stunning example found on a larnax (coffin) in the tomb of Philip II
of Macedonia, the father of Alexander the Great and a notable member of the Argead

13. Dynasty. The motif itself is ubiquitous in Greek and Macedonian art. It is most likely a solar
symbol, being found in temple art depicting the sun God Helios.
Other notable examples of the motif have been found at Eleusis and at the Temple of Nemesis.
Since the discovery of the Tomb in Vergina, the sun emblem has made its way onto a number of
Greek and Macedonian coins, flags, and other objects as a symbol of cultural identity.
Vergina sun from Eleusis
On an ancient coin from Crete
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Borjgali (Sun Tree, Georgian Swastika, Georgian
eternity symbol)
The borjgali appears on Georgian money and official
documents and is a pervasive symbol of national pride. It consists of
an ancient, seven-winged solar wheel, often shown rising from a
symbolic tree of life.
The solar wheel is similar to wheels found throughout Europe,
especially in Norse and Iberian art. Similar symbols are found in
Armenian stonework.
In modern usage, the tree’s upward-reaching branches purportedly
symbolize hope; the lower branches, the past.

15. Norse sun wheel
Borjgali on Georgian coin
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Nun, Nuun (Arabic letter)

16. The fourteenth letter of the Arabic alphabet, nun
(nuun)equivalent to the Hebrew or Phoenician nun. The letter in all three alphabets is
derived from a pictogram of a fish or serpent.
Of some significance of late because of its use by the militant Jihadist group ISIS
(Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) in Iraq. The nun stands in for “Nasara,” or Nazarene,
and is at the time of this writing being used to mark the homes of Christians in Mosul. In
a mimicry of the relatively tolerant practices* of the Ottoman Caliphate, Christians
whose homes have been marked have been given an ultimatum to convert, pay a steep
‘tax,’ or flee.
The symbol has been taken up by Western Christians in solidarity with their Iraqi
coreligionists.
*While certainly tolerant by 16th century standards, these strictures are clearly in violation of
human rights in modern times.
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Faravahar (Fravashi)

17. The Farohar or faravahar is both an
emblem of the Zoroastrian religion and of Persian identity. Faravahar
means “to choose.” The Faravahar is descended from the Egyptian
winged disk, a symbol of divine kingship. It once represented the
Assyrian sun god Shamash, and may have represented the corona of a
solar eclipse.
In the modern Zoroastrian faith, it represents the human soul.
The faravahar has several parts, which are given particular meaning
by modern Zoroastrians:
 A winged disk- the three layers of feathers represent the three
pillars of the Zoroastrian faith: good words, good thoughts, good
deeds. The ring represents eternity.
 Two streamers, representing the duality of good and evil- left and
right, respectively.
 The head of a man, facing left-representing the prophet
Zoroaster, and the choice to live a morally upright life.
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Hathor (Headdress of Hathor)

18. An Egyptian hieroglyph representing the headdress
of Hathor, a multifaceted goddess of the love, beauty, and
fertility. The headdress consists of a sun disk surrounded by horns,
the emblem of Hathor’s cow-goddess aspect.
Hathor is equivalent to the Roman Venus and the Greek
Aphrodite. She is associated with the Milky Way, and the souls of
Egyptian women judged to be worthy were identified with her.
As with the emblem of Venus, Hathor’s sign was often represented as
or fashioned into a mirror.
Related Symbols:
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Heart in Hand (Shaker Heart in Hand)
The Heart in Hand, an image of a heart in an open palm, is an easily
recognizable symbol in the North Eastern US. This cheerful, welcoming
image originated with the Shakers and is found on crafts, signs, and
even cookies. The symbol is a pictoral reminder of the words of Mother
Ann Lee, the founder of the Shaker sect, who promoted a simple life of
hard work and spirituality, “Put you hands to work, and your hearts to
God.” The image is typical of the Shaker attitude, and implies also a
loving welcome.

19. A heart in hand has also been in use for about a hundred years as a
symbol of the Order of Odd Fellows, an early Fraternal Order. These
commonly display three linked rings representing friendship, love, and
truth. A similar symbol used in Masonry represents charity.
Related Resources:
 Sayings of Mother Ann (Off Site) A collection of wise sayings from the Shaker’s founder.
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Keys of St. Peter
The image at right represents the Keys of St. Peter,
an emblem of the Catholic Church which represents the divine
authority invested in the apostle Peter before the death of Christ. As
such, they are emblems of papal authority in the Catholic church.
A symbol that appears frequently in Christian art and in the arms of
the Popes, the crossed keys were formerly an emblem of the Roman
God Janus and the Mithraic Zurvan, both gods of time and keepers of
doorways, and removers of obstacles.
It is this symbolism that led to the folk legend of Peter as the
bureaucratic keeper of the “pearly gates”of heaven.

20. St. Peter receiving the Keys
Zurvan with the “Keys of Time”

21. The keys as an emblem of Papal authority
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Rece Boga (Hands of God)
A slavic solar cross, fashioned after a design found on and Iron Age
burial urn in Poland. Dubbed rece Boga, or “hands of god,” the symbol has been adopted
as a symbol of Polish national pride and an emblem of Slavic Neopaganism.
The design below is derived from an urn unearthed in 1936 at Lodz; the urn was an artifact of the
Przeworsk culture, used to inter cremated remains. It is similar in many ways to other Iron age
funerary artifacts, and as many of these are also marked with variations of the swastika, and
related to the god Odin and his counterparts. Similar symbols and burial customs, wherein
cremated remains were interred underground in pottery urns, were widespread throughout
Europe.

22. At the time of discovery, the symbol was used in Nazi propaganda, but today is almost
exclusively used to denote allegiance to Slavic Neopagan beliefs.
Przeworsk burial urn, from which the rece boga is derived
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Vegvisir (Signpost, runic compass)
The Vegvisir or runic compass is a Viking rune
stave, a magical device used to aid in sea navigation. According to a
number of legends, this apotropaic (protective) symbol was inscribed
on seagoing vessels to insure their safe return. The most common
depiction of the rune comes from the 17th century Galdrabók, and
Icelandic grimoire.
Today, it is most commonly paired with the aegishjalmer, used as a
symbol of spiritual guidance and an emblem of identification by Asatru
believers. The most well-known example is worn as a tattoo by the
Icelandic pop singer Bjork.

23. Related Symbols:
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Odin’s Horn (Triple horn, Horned triskele)
The Triple Horn of Odin is a stylized
emblem of the Norse God Odin. This symbol consists of three
interlocked drinking horns, and is commonly worn or displayed as a
sign of commitment to the modern Asatru faith. The horns figure in the
mythological stories of Odin and are recalled in traditional Norse
toasting rituals. Most stories involve the God’s quest for the Odhroerir,
a magical mead brewed from the blood of the wise god Kvasir.
The tales vary, but typically, Odin uses his wits and magic to procure
the the brew over three days time; the three horns reflect the three
draughts of the magical mead. Below is an image of the pre-Christian
monument called the Larbro stone.
The symbol above the rider’s head is the triple horn:

24. Related Symbols:
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Also known as: Hrungnir’s heart, heart of the slain, Heart of Vala,
borromean triangles
The emblem at left found on old Norse stone carvings
and funerary stelés, is sometimes called “Hrungnir’s heart,” after the
legendary giant of the Eddas. It is best known as theValknut, or “knot
of the slain,” and it has been found on stone carvings as a funerary
motif, where it probably signified the afterlife. The emblem is often
found in art depicting the God Odin, where it may represent the gods
power over death. The valknut can be drawn unicursally (in one
stroke), making it a popular talisman of protection against spirits.

25. The Valknut’s three interlocking shapes are suggestive of related Celtic
symbols of motherhood and rebirth- it may have been a goddess
symbol at some point in history. The nine points suggest rebirth,
pregnancy, and cycles of reincarnation.The number nine also
suggestive of the Nine Worlds (and the nine fates) of Norse
mythology. Their interwoven shape suggests the belief of the
interrelatedness of the three realms of earth, hel, and the heavens,
and the nine domains they encompass.
The symbol’s nine points have an obvious correlation with childbirth;
the placement of the symbol on funeral monuments mark it as a sign
of rebirth of reincarnation. The Valknut is also an important symbol to
many followers of the Asatru religion, who often wear it as a symbol of
the faith. A variation called an “open” valknut, due to the looser, non-
unicursal design:
Another, less common version of the Valknut, called a triceps,
resembles a cut-away triangle, or a triangle formed of three diamonds
(three ‘othala’ runes interwoven):
Triceps
The triceps was used into the middle ages as a magical sign of
protection. The othala rune signifies the home and one’s ancestors.

26. More valknuts
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Thor’s Hammer (Mjolnir)
This Mjolnir, or Thor’s Hammer, is an ancient
Norse symbol, a stylized representation of the legendary magical
weapon of the Norse God Thor. “Mjolnir” means “lightning,” and
symbolized the God’s power over Thunder and Lightning. The Hammer
Mjolnir was said to always return after it had been thrown.
The Thor’s Hammer amulet was worn frequently by believers as a
symbol of protection- a practice so popular it continued even after
most of the Norse population had converted to Christianity. In modern
times, is often used as an emblem of recognition for members of the
Asatru faith, and as a symbol of Norse heritage.

27. A later form of the Mjolnir is called the Wolf’s Cross, or Dragon’s Cross,
and was associated with early Norse Christianity:
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Monstrance (Ostensoria)
The monstrance is the ceremonial vessel used in
during the Roman Catholic Mass to display the consecrated
communion host. Although the monstrance has taken many shapes
during the period of its use, it typically, takes the shape of a solar
cross, with a clear central area made of glass or crystal. The host is
usually placed in a small crescent shaped holder within the crystal,
called a lunette due to its moon-like shape.
Upon the death of Pope John Paul II, the Vatican televised broadcast
only an empty monstrance while preparing to announce the Pontiff’s
passing.

28. An ornate Monstrance or Ostensorium
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Praying Hands
The clasped hands prayer gesture is
ubiquitous in Christianity. The hands are clasped together and
held before the heart; it is a symbol of submission and
sincerity.
This particular posture became associated with praying around
the ninth century, it probably originated as a secular gesture of
humility and submission, such as one would adopt before a
superior.

29. The identical gesture is known as the anjali mudra (offering
gesture) in Hindu and Buddhist traditions, a sign of greeting,
respect, and veneration. The anjali mudra is used while
praying, and also as a gesture of respect toward others, an
acknowledgement of their inner divinity.
Symbolically, two hands clasped represents the coming
together of opposites, or a commingling of forces. Magically,
the hands are the terminus of the body’s polar energy sources,
and can be used to channel and direct these energies.
Albrecht Durer’s famous sketch Anjali Mudra
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