The circle is a powerful and widely recognized symbol that represents wholeness, unity, and the eternal cyclical nature of life. It signifies the interconnection and interdependence of all things, associated with infinity, harmony, and balance. Circles also hold symbolism of protection, completeness, and the rhythmic patterns of nature. Furthermore, circles represent community, equality, and spirituality in various traditions.
Fordham (1969) observes that children below the age of two often engage in scribbling circles before they develop a sense of self-awareness or present as centered and coherent individuals for the first time. He interprets these circles as symbolic representations of the primary self, reflecting the foundational aspects of the child's emerging identity.
In Jung's view, the circle symbolizes the archetype of wholeness and the totality of the psyche, and relates to the process of individuation. As the foundational form to the mandala, an elaborate and complex geometric shape representing the archetype of the Self, the circle represents the integrated and unified psyche. The circle symbolizes the integration of opposing forces, the transcendence of duality, and the expanding awareness beyond the ego's boundaries. Jung wrote "God is an infinite circle whose center is everywhere and whose circumference is nowhere."(1)
The Ouroboros, a circular symbol of a serpent or dragon devouring its own tail, represents the cyclical nature of life, the union of opposing forces, and the continuity of existence. It signifies transformation, renewal, and the integration of all aspects of the self. The Ouroboros is associated with alchemical pursuits, spiritual transformation, and the concept of timelessness. According to Neumann the circle of the Ouroboros refers to the containment of life. He writes: "The uroboros... then appears as the latest symbol of individual psychic development signifying the roundness of the psyche, life's wholeness and perfection regained... Thus the great round of the Ouroboros arches over man's like encompassing his earliest childhood and receiving him again, in altered form, at the end.” (2)
Written for @jungsouthernafrica
(1) Jung, Collected Works, Vol.9i, par 572; Vol.9ii, par 237 (2) Neumann, The Origins and History of Consciousness, p.37
References: Fordham (1969) "Children as Individuals", London, Hodder & Stoughton,
Image Credit: https://www.deviantart.com/tonelo/art/Alchemy-Scroll-Ouroboros-circle-of-transmutation-593631942
#jung #carljung #jungpsychology #jungianpsychology #depthpsychology #analyticalpsychology #consciousness #unconscious #spirituality #intuition #creativity #soul #soulimage #authenticity #mandalas #archetypeofSelf #transformation #circle #ouroboros #capetown #capetownliving #capetownlife #johnroedel #whattookyousolong