What is the Flower of Life? Sacred Geometry and Its Deep Spiritual Meaning

Grace Hui for Incentre

Walk into any spiritual shop, and you'll spot it immediately. The Flower of Life adorns jewellery, clothing, tattoos, and meditation tools such as yoga mats. Most people recognise it as a protective symbol or associate it with good fortune. What remains less known are its ancient origins and the deep spiritual meaning it carries.

These ancient Egyptian and Tibetan activations awaken the power of this sacred pattern within our consciousness. We can work with the Flower of Life through study and contemplation because sacred geometry speaks a universal language. It communicates without words, as vibration made visible.

If this symbol resonates with you, the Life Activation session can deepen your connection to the sacred patterns that exist within your cells and consciousness.

What is the Flower of Life and why is it sacred?

Beyond its intricate beauty, the Flower of Life appears across multiple cultures, from Egyptian temples to Buddhist art. The oldest known examples can be found in the Temple of Osiris at Abydos, Egypt, which may date back as long ago as 10,500 B.C. or earlier. Some researchers date these ancient representations to approximately 6,000 years ago.

The symbol's presence in far-flung corners of the world, long before modern travel or communication, points to something deeper than coincidence. Sacred geometry contains the blueprint of all creation in the universe. The Flower of Life and related symbols demonstrate a divine order, an intelligence woven into existence itself.

Each symbol in sacred geometry builds from three fundamental forms: the triangle, square, and circle in two dimensions, which become the pyramid, cube, and sphere in three dimensions. These geometric figures are not random discoveries but rather form a universal language that holds the mysteries of all organic life.

The Flower of Life consists of 19 overlapping circles that intersect to form a flower-like pattern. Each circle connects to the next, and each layer reveals secrets about the cosmos. Within this design lie other powerful symbols, including the Vesica Piscis and the Seed of Life.

Those who study sacred geometry believe the Flower of Life contains explanations for the fundamental forms of space and time itself. At its core, this ancient symbol represents the divine geometric pattern that God created life with, sustains it, and connects all sentient beings.

We exist as individuals, yet we're also threads in a larger tapestry of universal consciousness. When we grasp this interconnectedness, we begin to understand our role in creation. A composer weaves individual notes into a symphony. An artist blends separate brushstrokes into a masterpiece. Similarly, when we recognise ourselves as part of a greater whole, we participate in creating harmony.

The Flower of Life reminds us of the divinity within ourselves and others. When we truly see this in each other, peace becomes possible. This symbol of oneness serves as a constant reminder of harmony's potential in life.

The Flower of Life visual expression also represents the cycle of life, death, and rebirth. It embodies the union of the sacred masculine and sacred feminine, which together form the creative force on earth. Working with this and other sacred patterns can expand human consciousness and lift us beyond ordinary awareness.

The Flower of Life and the Vesica Piscis

The Flower of Life builds upon another fundamental symbol, the Vesica Piscis. This shape forms when two interlocking circles of the same diameter overlap, creating a lens-shaped space between them. The name means "fish bladder" in Latin, a description of its appearance.

Where these two perfect circles unite, the Vesica Piscis holds the intelligence of existence, its divine blueprint and the polarity of life. Hermetic wisdom teaches that polarity governs all things in this universe. Without it, life cannot be sustained on Earth.

The Vesica Piscis appears throughout history in architecture and art. We've seen it countless times without recognising what it represents. The mandala that frames images of Mother Mary is one example. The Celtic Knot, often worn as a symbol of love, is another.

The Flower of Life and the Seed of Life

The Seed of Life forms the foundation from which the Flower of Life grows. Seven circles compose this pattern: six surrounding circles that overlap, with one circle at the centre. The number seven carries profound meaning across mythology, astrology, and numerology, which explains why the Seed of Life is often called the "Genesis Pattern."

Seven appears repeatedly across traditions and nature. The seven chakras map our energy system. The biblical account describes seven days of creation. We see seven colours in the rainbow, seven notes on a diatonic musical scale, and seven days that make up a week. Hinduism speaks of seven higher and lower worlds, and the Kybalion outlines seven Hermetic principles.

The Seed of Life, with its sevenfold symmetry, acts as a basic component of the Flower of Life's design and represents the geometric basis of creation itself.

Understanding Polarity in Sacred Geometry

Polarity stands as one of the seven basic Hermetic principles. It states that everything in the universe has an opposite, and these opposites exist in perfect balance. All things hold opposing truths, and both remain true simultaneously.

Our opinions, feelings, or thoughts don't influence this principle. Polarity simply is, regardless of how we feel about it.

Nature demonstrates this clearly. Night cannot exist without day. Summer requires winter. Hot defines cold. Birth precedes death. The sacred masculine balances the sacred feminine. Silence gives meaning to sound.

Nature shows us these truths more easily than abstract concepts because we can observe them directly, without ego interference. The human mind often struggles with dualities such as right and wrong, but nature operates beyond judgment. Opposites complement each other. Neither can exist alone, and together they form a balanced whole that maintains universal equilibrium.

Conceptual Duality: Two Sides of the Same Coin

Conceptual dualities touch the more complex territory of human emotions. Happiness and sadness exist as two sides of the same coin. We cannot know sadness without having experienced happiness, and the reverse holds true. The challenge lies in the subjective nature of these experiences, which brings ego and opinion into play.

Even within concepts, one polarity requires the presence of its opposite. Love reflects hate. Good mirrors evil. Chaos dances with order. Strife and peace define each other.

Accepting what is, without judgment, opens the door to peace. Everything else comes from ego. When we complain about injustice or rail against particular beliefs, we paradoxically draw more of what troubles us into our experience. The creative energy we pour into fighting "wrongs" often manifests more of what we oppose.

Carl Jung understood this when he observed that what we resist, persists.

Metatron's Cube, the Platonic Solids, and Leonardo da Vinci

The Flower of Life contains the geometric basis for Metatron’s Cube, a symbol that reveals the five Platonic solids. These geometric forms are considered the building blocks of all organic life and the fundamental elements of the universe. Each solid reflects a different aspect of creation and appears repeatedly throughout nature, from molecular structures to crystalline forms.

These mathematical properties have fascinated scholars and artists throughout the ages of human inquiry. Leonardo da Vinci studied the Flower of Life extensively, exploring its geometrical forms and proportions. His work reflects a deep understanding of sacred geometry, particularly its relationship to natural harmony and structure.

Da Vinci’s studies revealed connections between sacred patterns and the golden ratio, a proportion found throughout nature, art, and the human body. This ratio appears within the structure of the Flower of Life itself, reinforcing the belief that this ancient symbol reflects a universal order embedded within creation.

The Egg of Life and Fruit of Life

Other sacred patterns emerge from the Flower of Life design. The Egg of Life consists of seven circles taken from the Flower of Life and resembles the cellular structure of an early multicellular embryo. This connection between sacred geometry and the formation of life itself shows how these patterns exist not just as symbols but as blueprints of existence.

The Fruit of Life symbol is composed of 13 circles taken from the design of the Flower of Life. It serves as another stepping stone in understanding the layers of meaning within this ancient pattern.

The Flower of Life Across Many Cultures

This ancient symbol appears in manuscripts, temples, synagogues, and art throughout cultures around the world. It's found in Egyptian, Hindu, Christian, Buddhist, Muslim, and Judaic artwork. Ancient synagogues in Israel contain examples, as do temples in China and Japan. The Forbidden City in Beijing displays its pattern, showing how various components of this symbol echo through Asian cultures.

The widespread appearance of the Flower of Life across continents and belief systems suggests it taps into something universal. It's believed to contain a type of Akashic Record, holding basic information of all living things.

Working with Sacred Geometry in Daily Life

The Flower of Life and other sacred patterns transcend human emotions, opinions, and feelings. They cut through the density of ego and remind us that universal law operates without judgment. These symbols exist in pure neutrality. How we perceive and work with these neutralities determines what manifests in our physical reality.

In the modern world, some of the true meaning and sacredness of these symbols has been lost or diluted. The Modern Mystery School preserves teachings on how to work with these symbols through an unbroken lineage that stretches back thousands of years. The knowledge passes from teacher to student in a safe, reverent way that maintains the power and integrity of these practices.

Sacred Geometry Classes at INCENTRE

The Sacred Geometry 1 class is a half-day workshop that teaches how to work with the three basic shapes of creation and life itself: the triangle (pyramid), the square (cube), and the circle (sphere). When we use these symbols in a lineage-based way, we can create sacred space wherever we are. This connection to the divine becomes clearer, free from interference or distraction.

The Sacred Geometry 2 class extends into a full day that explores working with the healing power of crystals. Students learn how to create crystal grids to protect spaces and harness the healing properties of crystals for personal use or service to others. This class reveals the profound magic of sacred geometry and opens pathways to deeper connection with the divine.

The Life Activation: Awakening Your Divine Blueprint

The Life Activation offers another powerful way to reconnect with these sacred patterns. This ancient modality uses a crystal wand to activate dormant DNA, which reawakens us to our divine blueprint and the mysteries of life itself. The session rebalances our energy structure and anchors more light into our system. This increased light supports our ability to access the power of sacred geometry and integrate it into daily life.

These modalities predate organised religion and serve to help us live fully, in joy and wonder.

Meditation and Spiritual Enlightenment

The symmetrical design of the Flower of Life serves as a focal point for meditation, similar to how mandalas are used in Hinduism and Buddhism for spiritual enlightenment. The perfect proportions and symmetry act as a visual representation of cosmic order and balance.

Some practitioners place the Flower of Life symbol in their homes as a protective amulet or use it to harmonise their environment. The symbol is associated with the chakra system and is thought to support balance throughout the body's energy centres.

Meditating on the Flower of Life symbol is said to raise vibration and provide protection. The practice inspires mindfulness and supports relaxation, which benefits people at all stages of life.

The Symbol's Timeless Wisdom

The Flower of Life represents a cycle of creation, the interconnectedness of all beings, and the fundamental patterns that structure our universe. Its appearance across ancient cultures, from Egypt to Asia, demonstrates a shared understanding that transcends geography and time.

Whether we encounter it in art, architecture, or personal practice, the Flower of Life continues to speak the language of creation. It reminds us of our place within the web of existence and our potential to live in harmony with all that is.

For those drawn to explore these teachings further, INCENTRE London offers sessions and classes that preserve and transmit this ancient wisdom. Contact us at contact@incentrelondon.com with any questions.