Universal Enneagram symbol explains daily living
The universal Enneagram symbol is thought by some urban legends to contain the whole cosmos. And why not? There are other world-encompassing symbols already in existence for centuries, also thought to contain the whole universe. Take for instance the more commonly known and seen Chinese yin and yang symbol of duality, which is more or less a circle divided in half.
The yin and the yang are a system of two; a circle made up of two halves that fold in on themselves in such a way that there is never more of one half, than the other half. The black and white circles that swirl together in yin and yang, represent a delicate balance that is forever maintained….into infinity.
“A beautiful thing about the universal Enneagram symbol:
The Enneagram helps make known, things that exist but are not usually seen or witnessed with clarity and compassion…. through the Enneagram’s insightful and symbolic geometry.”
This is because the yin or black side of the circle holds within itself a small dot of white yang. And vice versa: the yang or the white side of the circle holds within itself a small black dot of the black yin.
Individuated, and yet also collected within the whole
Together, the yin and the yang form a symbolic Yes-AND! And so the two colors swirl, individuated, and yet also collected one within the other, maintaining this infinite balance.
In a similar way, the Enneagram holds much information just by viewing the symbol itself. What is the universal Enneagram symbol? The universal Enneagram symbol is made up of a circle, a triangle and connecting points on a hexagonal figure. Much precise mathematics create the Enneagram and informs the whole image’s symbology. Many articles have been written about the mathematics of the universal Enneagram symbol including the following: one that suggests the Enneagram can be plausibly dissected into musical tones (Gurdjieff and Ouspensky) or into the Platonic Solids and the mysteries of the Tree of Life found in Kabbalah.
With regards to the yin-yang’s universal construct of infinite balance in a system of two, the Enneagram of Personality symbol is very similar, only the Enneagram is based on a system of three, not duality. Thus, the Enneagram of Personality is more likely to be unpacked on a basis of three, that continues to subdivide into nine, and then into 27, and so on, and so on.
Russian nesting dolls of the universal Enneagram symbol
Like a super-complicated and nuanced set of nesting Russian Dolls, full of rich variety, and ever evolving, the Enneagram of Personality unpacks, in sets of three. It takes a while to understand all the nesting aspects of the Enneagram. It takes study, and practice witnessing your type and other types in action for full comprehension. But even the understanding of one revolution of three might change your life for the better, for forever.
This is another beautiful thing about the Enneagram: The Enneagram helps make known, things that exist but are not usually seen or witnessed with clarity and compassion. The Enneagram can bridge what might otherwise appear impossible communication gaps between people through the Enneagram’s insightful and symbolic geometry.
Curious about this mysterious Enneagram symbol?
There is plenty to read or participate in to help you learn more about the Enneagram. The following series of articles will give you a broad base understanding about the Enneagram, its history, the nine basic Enneatypes and the three Centers of Intelligence. If you are interest in more information, contact us directly using our Grounded Relating contact form. Otherwise, please enjoy the following articles:
- Enneagram historical origins remain cloaked
- Universal Enneagram symbol explains life (this article)
- What is an Enneagram of Personality symbol?
- Three Centers of Intelligence mapped by Enneagram
- Core Enneatypes and Enneagram variations
- Enneatypes: nine archetypes of the Enneagram
- Suggested books, websites and other Enneagram resources
