Symbols of harmony are helpful tools to create a more peaceful environment. They often have deep cultural ties and spiritual meanings that represent harmony. But before you wave your symbols of harmony above, it’s important to understand the meaning of harmony.
What is Harmony?
Harmony is an agreement, accord, or pleasing arrangement. However, the word harmony is often used in a spiritual way to describe a positive state of inner peace. This is peace within a nation, within oneself, or with the world.
So while the word harmony can be used similar to the word euphony or consensus, it is more commonly used in place of words like peace and balance.
Which Color Symbolizes Harmony?
Blue is the color of harmony. It represents a type of peace that is calming and effective in making those around it feel comfortable and harmonious.
Harmony is also a term in color theory. It is used to describe aesthetically pleasing color combinations. These combinations are considered harmonious to the eyes, just as musical harmony is pleasing to the ears.
Flowers That Symbolize Harmony
- White Poppy – a pure flower that is worn during Remembrance Day to celebrate harmony
- Trillium – the flower is a type of lily known for its beautiful equilibrium
- Cosmos – Native Americans used this pink flower to keep the body harmonized
- Sunflower – a bright flower that symbolizes looking for the best in people
Tree That Symbolizes Harmony
The bonsai tree is the tree of harmony. They are works of art that require special care to grow to their fullest potential. They are common trees used for spiritual reasons in Japan and China to bring good luck, balance, and tranquility.
Crystals That Symbolize Harmony
- Peridot – symbolizes luck, healing, and harmony
- Moonstone – a light stone with feminine energy that can help during times of war
- Angelite – a pure stone that encourages healing and peace
- Clear Quartz – a crystal that represents clear and pure intentions
Animal Harmony Symbols
- Dove – a bird of peace and harmony
- Boar – this animal is a symbol of prosperity and peace in Nordic culture
- Lion – it was a symbol of Lydia that represented an alliance between them and Greece
- Flamingo – this bird is a symbol of harmony due to the way they balance on their leg so gracefully
- Bull – the other side of the Greek coins, this one represents Greece
Symbols of Harmony in Different Cultures
Christian
Christianity encourages peace and harmony as well as discourages discrimination. This is displayed in Romans 12:16, which says, “Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.”
Native American
Harmony is a core feature for most Native American tribes. They encourage social, spiritual, internal, and natural balance. This encompasses every area of life and is believed to solve many of life’s issues.
Hindu
In Hinduism, harmony is encouraged in nature, human needs, and spirituality. There is also a common concept in Hinduism that strongly encourages harmony between nations as well as religions.
Buddhist
Buddhism is based on harmony. There are harmonies that are meant to be practiced every day in Buddhism – embracing differences, no confrontation, mutual respect, and resistance to war.
Harmony Symbolism in Literature
Harmony is a key feature in literature. It is used to offset war in many accounts or to represent the spiritual side of nature and self. However, a literature-exclusive definition of literature is “an interweaving of different accounts into a single narrative.”
This is seen in books that go back and forth between different characters and how they regard the same event. When this is done well, wee see a harmonious narrative.
20 Symbols of Harmony
1. Cornucopia
Cornucopias are symbols of peace in Roman mythology. The harmonious cornucopia is associated with Pax, the goddess of peace. The cornucopia is used to share the harvest with united nations and tribes.
2. Peace Sign
The peace sign is a harmony symbol from the 1960s. It encourages love, empathy, and peace throughout the nations.
3. Cubic Stone
The cubic stone is a symbol of harmony in Arabian society. It represents the goddess of war and peace, Al-Lat. She used the stone as one of her primary symbols with which she was venerated at her shrines.
4. Three-point Zemi
The three-point Zemi is a symbol of harmony once worshipped along with Yakahu. The god Yakahu was worshipped by the Taino people, who invited peace in their culture.
5. Rain
Rain is a symbol of harmony. It represents the peace that is needed after a disaster and how the absence of violence is a sacred time.
6. Olive Branch
Olive branches are symbols of harmony in Mediterranean areas. They are particularly tied to the story of the olive branch being a peace token offered to enemies in order to find peace and harmony.
7. Rainbow Flag
The rainbow is a symbol of harmony and acceptance. It represents love for all mankind without judgment. It even has Christian ties of a promise never to flood the earth with water again.
8. Kauri Tree
The Kauri tree is a symbol of harmony in Maori culture. It is a slow-growing tree that lives a long time and represents the bond between the heavens and the earth.
9. Mpatapo
Mpatapo is an Adrinka symbol that means peace and harmony. It is represented by a knot with no beginning and end, which represents unconditional love and forgiveness.
10. Orizuru
In Japan, Orizuru is a symbol of luck and harmony. The rest of the world knows these as origami cranes, with many tales of folding them tied to Japanese history.
11. Mistletoe
Mistletoe is a symbol of harmony, making it a great Christmas plant. It was once considered sacred and is still a symbol of the Roman festival called Saturnalia, which may be where the tradition of hanging it in doorways came from.
12. Broken Rifle
The broken rifle is a symbol associated with anti-war associations. It has been around for over a century and continues to be posted throughout Europe as the symbol to fight wars.
13. The V Gesture
The V gesture has long been a symbol of peace. It originally meant victory but has now become a symbol of harmony, peace, and simple life.
14. Peace Bell
The peace bell is a symbol of peace as it was gifted to the United Nations from Japan. It represents the peace and harmony between nations that once seemed impossible.
15. Pax Cultura
Pax Cultura is a symbol of harmony by the Roerich Pact. This is an international treaty that protects heritage.
16. Palm Branch
The palm branch is another symbol of harmony similar to the olive branch. It is used to protect, shade, and offer blessings.
17. Yin and Yang
Yin Yang is a well-known harmony symbol. It represents all things of two opposing forces working together to create something beautiful and balanced. It is the perfect representation of dark and light coming together to create something whole.
18. Bi Nka Bi
Bi Nka Bi is a symbol that means “no one should bite the other.” The Adrinkan symbol is a wonderful symbol of peace and harmony that represents the meaning of the often conceptual word harmony.
19. Broken Arrow
The broken arrow is a symbol of harmony. It represents the resistance of war, similar to the broken rifle, though the broken arrow is a much older symbol.
20. The Number 2
The number 2 represents balance and harmony. The reasons for this are quite straightforward, as the duality in the number 2 symbolizes the balance needed to keep harmony in the world.