The Unalome: A Symbol of the Human Experience (2024)

THE UNALOME: A SYMBOL OF THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE

The Unalome: A Symbol of the Human Experience (2)

Have you ever heard of an unalome? It’s a beautiful and elegant shape that, if you don’t know what it is, you may not believe that its message and meaning are deeply spiritual.

The unalome is a Buddhist symbol signifying the human experience with regards to the journey to enlightenment, or the journey of our existence in one lifetime. Each section of the unalome holds significance to each phase of the path we choose to walk.

The beginning of the unalome starts with a circular winding at the bottom. This signifies our birth into this world or a time of awakening. The circular pattern denotes confusion, fears, and uncertainties in our journey. As we begin to gain clarity, we exit the cycle of suffering and enter into the next phase. Some people can get caught up in this section, choosing to live within societal norms or culture, rather than living an authentic life.

This next phase shows the twists and turns that are part of our existence. Life isn’t a straight line and the curves of this phase symbolize the continual climb, difficulties, hard decisions, and challenges one experiences in the path of the Self. Sometimes we can even go backward in this section when a lesson needs to be revisited or re-learned.

As clarity continues and wisdom is gained, the twists become tighter, denoting even deeper wisdom, maturity, and evolution as a human, but also in our connection and awareness of oneness.

Finally, the unalome straightens out and this line signifies our alignment with our authentic self and our purpose, or dharma, in this life. This is when your thoughts and actions align with your inner truth. This is a space of deep wisdom.

You’ll notice the 3 dots at the top of the straight line. These dots are the symbol of enlightenment finally being attained. There are three dots, symbolizing the sacred syllable om.

Through our confusion and fears, we choose to meet our challenges head-on to seek deeper wisdom, which hopefully leads us to reach our goals and walk our true path in this lifetime. This is when we have a full awareness of our purpose and who doesn’t want to know that?

You may also see an unalome with a lotus flower perched on top of the three dots. Lotus flowers grow in muddy, murky water, sometimes with little sunlight, yet they find the strength to persevere, break through the muck of their environment, fight the odds, and grow into beautiful flowers. This symbolizes our own perseverance and pushing through to find our own strength and beauty.

The Unalome: A Symbol of the Human Experience (3)

So, what can you do now that you know this lovely symbol’s meaning? You can incorporate it into your life any way you choose. Whatever you choose to do, remember that this is a revered symbol within an ancient and respected philosophy. Make sure, no matter how it’s represented in your life, that respect for its affiliation and history is adhered to.

Lastly, if you were drawn to this post there’s likely a good reason. You may have noticed a new sense of curiosity about the deeper meaning of your life right now. If you’re feeling restless, unsettled, yet a little excited, welcome to the club. Our global existence is currently undergoing an up-leveling in our consciousness and you’re being tapped right now to step into that journey (yep — you). If you’ve had a yearning to learn more and have been seeking like-minded people, you’re in the right place. Now is the time to become part of and help build a community immersed in this same quest. I encourage you to follow the link and join my retreat partner, Marta, and me at our first of many all-inclusive Transformational Wellness Retreats, starting this September. If you’re looking for a real purpose in your life, this workshop is for you.

To learn more and to reserve your spot follow the link (only 2 spots left). See you there!

If you’re interested in learning more about energy healing, reach out and schedule your Reiki session with me today.

The Unalome: A Symbol of the Human Experience (2024)

FAQs

The Unalome: A Symbol of the Human Experience? ›

Also, the Unalome is a symbol in Buddhism that represents a person's spiritual journey and growth throughout their life. The center of the spiral stands for birth and being inexperienced, while the twists and turns represent life's successes and failures.

What does the Unalome symbolize? ›

The unalome is a sacred Buddhist symbol that represents enlightenment, or a person's spiritual path. The spiral and loops of the unalome represent life obstacles, and the straight line and dots symbolize enlightenment.

Is it okay to get an unalome tattoo? ›

On the other hand, if you understand and respect the symbol's esoteric meaning, then choosing this design is acceptable. Likewise, if you practice Theravada Buddhism, meditate upon Om, or have brought spiritual elements into your yoga practice, your choice of an unalome or Om tattoo is a valid one.

What do the three dots in Unalome mean? ›

These dots are the symbol of enlightenment finally being attained. There are three dots, symbolizing the sacred syllable om. Through our confusion and fears, we choose to meet our challenges head-on to seek deeper wisdom, which hopefully leads us to reach our goals and walk our true path in this lifetime.

What do the three dots on the lotus flower mean? ›

The spiral and loop starting at the bottom is life's beginning; Birth. It's followed by mistakes and lessons made throughout life to reach Nirvana. The stem is Nirvana, which is the release from the cycle of rebirth. 3 dots which represents enlightenment.

What is the Unalome symbol for a woman? ›

In the Buddhist religion, where the spiral is found at the bottom of the Unalome symbol, if the spiral is facing to the right, it is traditionally for men. If the spiral faces inwards, towards the left, it is for women.

What are the benefits of Unalome? ›

is a Buddhist symbol which represents life's path towards enlightenment. The bends signify life's ups and downs, our own insecurities, our fears and our struggles. As the path unfolds, the mind finds clarity, represented by the straight line leading to the blossoming lotus.

Where should an unalome tattoo be? ›

The minimal yet ornate shape of Unalomes makes them ideal for placing on narrow stretches of the body. Unalome tattoos are commonly placed on the sternum which is the center of breath, or on highly visible parts of the body like the hands, fingers, throat, and face.

What is the Buddhist symbol of love? ›

The red lotus is the symbol of love and compassion.

What religion is Unalome? ›

The Unalome is both a Buddhist and a Hindu symbol. It represents the path to freedom. Or slightly more down-to-earth, your life's path. The sign consists of three parts: the spiral, the swirl, and the dots at the end.

How do you use Unalome? ›

Unalome in Tattoo Culture

It represents the journey of life and the path each person takes. The symbol starts as a spiral in the middle to show birth and finding yourself. Then it has curves to show times of change and getting stronger. After the curves is a straight line to show reaching wisdom and success.

What does the Unalome butterfly mean? ›

One of the most famous tattoo designs for Buddhist symbols lovers, the unalome or unaalome looks simple but carries a much deeper meaning. A plain explanation is that the unalome symbolises the path to enlightenment that every soul has to fulfil.

What does the lotus flower mean in Christianity? ›

For Christianity, the white blossoms of the lotus represent purity and creation, specifically God's creation of the universe. Similar to how the lotus rises from the murky depths of mud, this religion states that God brought creation, light and beauty out of the dark and empty space.

What does the Unalome symbol with lotus mean? ›

Thus Lotus Unalome together nurtures spiritual growth, self-realization, enlightenment, and harmony in your life. So, getting a Lotus Unalome tattoo is not just having a pretty and attractive design imprinted on you, but rather a holy tradition and meaning also attached to you.

What does the upside down lotus flower mean? ›

A: An upside down lotus tattoo typically symbolizes a rebirth or transformation, as it represents the growth of the lotus flower from the muddy bottom of a pond to its beautiful blooming state. Some people may also interpret the upside down lotus as a sign of overcoming obstacles or hardships.

Where should a Unalome tattoo be? ›

The minimal yet ornate shape of Unalomes makes them ideal for placing on narrow stretches of the body. Unalome tattoos are commonly placed on the sternum which is the center of breath, or on highly visible parts of the body like the hands, fingers, throat, and face.

What is the story of the Unalome? ›

Its roots can be traced back to ancient Hindu and Buddhist cultures, where it was integrated into various aspects of spirituality and meditation. The word “Unalome” itself is a compound of two terms: “Una” and “Lome,” where “Una” refers to the beginning or starting point, and “Lome” signifies the end or enlightenment.

What does the Unalome tree tattoo mean? ›

The Unalome tattoo is a spiritual symbol of enlightenment and has been embraced by many different cultures, from Buddhism to Hinduism.

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