LDSSymbols.com is a new site that I just launched today to help anyone become more literate in the alphabet of LDS symbology. While not exhaustive, it provides a starting place to begin to identify potential meanings in some of the symbols we encounter throughout LDS architecture, scripture and in nature and throughout the universe.
Everything is connected; and when you begin to understand some basic archetypal meanings behind some of the shapes and numbers God uses in His works, you’ll find hidden treasures that have been right in front of your nose your entire life.
LDSSymbols is a work in progress, so further meanings, photos and quotes will be added as time goes on. If you feel that you have anything to contribute to the project, feel free to contact me via the contact page on this site.
Enjoy!
2 Comments
I have always wanted to understand LDS symbolism. Unfortunately there are people in the world who think symbols are evil; symbols can be bad when used wrong and for evil. A good example is the swastika which is an ancient, good symbol that Hitler turned to represent evil. My university, New Mexico State Univ., uses the swastika as it’s symbol because the Native Americans used it (has several meanings: good, well being, higher self, etc.) There is much symbolism in the Bible and other scriptures.
Good luck with this endeavor and I look forward to learning.
A few good books for understanding LDS symbology would be “A Beginner’s Guide to Constructing the Universe” (which ironically, isn’t an LDS book) and Val Brinkerhoff’s two volume “The Day Star: Reading Sacred Architecture”. The first book took me about a week to read, the next two took me three months so start off with ‘Constructing the Universe’, that book alone will immediately change the way you understand symbols, I couldn’t recommend it higher. There are many, many, many other good books out there too but this one just focuses on the core archetypal meanings of the numbers 1-10 and shows how they are interconnected in math, biology, art, religion, astronomy, music, and so much more. It is critical to understand these core archetypes and then Val Brinkerhoff’s books carry those numbers into more complex archetypes used specifically in sacred architecture and how one might “read” the doctrines taught through them.