Symbols of self-love can benefit anyone, as we all need to love ourselves. You don’t need to be insecure to surround yourself with self-love symbols.
Showing yourself love in this way can have a positive impact on your mental, emotional, and spiritual state. But with the stigma surrounding self-love, it’s important to understand what it means.
What Is Self-Love?
Self-love is when you appreciate yourself. It means you take care of yourself, your needs, and your happiness.
The term doesn’t mean putting yourself before others in a way that would harm someone. Instead, it’s ensuring that you don’t harm yourself in order to please others.
How To Practice Self-Love
Self-love doesn’t always come naturally. Sometimes, we must condition ourselves to self-love by following daily practices.
Journal
Keeping a gratitude journal is a good way to practice self-love. Write down what you are thankful for and perhaps even a few things you have to offer the world – things that others may be thankful for.
Compliment
Compliment yourself to practice self-love. If you give compliments to others, this may be easier. Compliment things that you see value in, such as compassion, kindness, and achieving goals.
Be Objective
When you talk to yourself, do so as if you’re talking to a friend. This can help you take yourself out as the subject while you learn how to be compassionate and caring toward yourself.
Be Mindful
Being mindful is one of the best ways to practice self-love. Be present at the moment, focus on your breathing, and let go of judgment.
Celebrate
Celebrate life to practice self-love. If you have a small win, then celebrate it as if it’s something big. Avoid comparing yourself to others and appreciate what you can do.
Live in the Real World
Disconnecting from social media is almost always good for your mental health. The majority of our time should be spent in the real world with people that care about us.
Benefits of Self-Love
Self-love is not selfish love. There are many benefits that will keep you in the right frame of mind to love others.
Mental Health Benefits
- Happiness
- Acceptance
- Awareness
- Self-Esteem
- Forgiveness
Physical Health Benefits
- Reduce blood pressure
- Lower heart rate
- Weight management
- Reduce the risk of cancer
Which Color Symbolizes Self-Love?
Pink is the color of self-love. It represents compassion, self-worth, and acceptance. When choosing gems, flowers, or images to help inspire self-love, making it pink can increase the self-love factor of said item.
Flowers That Symbolize Self-Love
- Lilac – the sweet-smelling flowers symbolize growth and our journey of self-love.
- Dahlia – pink dahlias, in particular, represent self-love, kindness, and beauty.
- Amaryllis – a flower of self-acceptance that comes from the Greek word that means “to sparkle.”
- Honeysuckle – a climbing flower that symbolizes our journey of growth and self-love.
Animal Self-Love Symbols
- Dragonfly – represents the changes we go through that we don’t understand and how we can love ourselves through them.
- Hawk – a bird of wisdom and self-love, teaching us to reflect on who we want to be, not who we were.
- Moose – strong and responsible, the animal never wavers yet always manages to be an individual.
- Boar – stands for the resolve it takes to push ourselves through certain situations, loving ourselves even more in the end.
- Butterfly – symbolizes the journey to self-acceptance, knowing that you’ll always be the same person, no matter what happens.
- Giraffe – represents the courage it takes to stand out and love yourself.
- Swan – the ugly duckling once thought it was worthless until it became a swan, learning to love itself.
Plants That Symbolize Self-Love
The maple leaf is a symbol of self-love. It represents the strength and endurance it takes to practice self-love, as well as the balance and peace associated with the term. With Celtic origins, it is also connected to the Tree of Life, another symbol of self-love.
What Crystals Are Symbols of Self-Love
- Rose Quartz – a sweet symbol of self-love that is easy to find and plentiful.
- Rhodochrosite – teaches us how to love unconditionally and forgive ourselves.
- Tourmaline – represents friendship with ourselves and practicing emotional balance.
- Kunzite – helps connect with your heart chakra.
- Emerald – the stone of successful love.
- Sapphire – a deep stone that symbolizes the peace that comes from self-love.
15 Symbols of Self-Love
1. Lamat
Lamat is a Mayal symbol of self-love and prosperity. It symbolizes new beginnings and how letting go of the past can bring you new life.
2. Heart Chakra
The heart chakra is the energy in the center of your body, near your heart. It helps you practice self-love, compassion, and empathy. It can even help you forgive yourself and transform into who you’ve always wanted to be.
3. Self Hug
The self-hug is beneficial for self-love. Even if it feels silly, it can increase the levels of oxycontin and reduce stress.
4. Radha
Radha is a Hindu goddess of love and compassion. She offered her love to many but didn’t neglect herself. She’s a perfect example of how one can be of service to others while practicing self-love.
5. Serch Bythol
Serch Byhtol is a Celtic symbol of self-love. It symbolizes a connection between two people, but also how you can return the love you feel from others and towards others to yourself.
6. Flower Mandala
The Flower Mandala is a pattern of many shapes overlapping. It symbolizes immortality, compassion, and growth. There are so many spiritual meanings that it’s difficult not to feel the power of self-love.
7. Aphrodite
Aphrodite is the Greek goddess of love and beauty. The very popular goddess has taught many how to value themselves and see the grace in their own bodies.
8. Heart & Bow
The simple heart with a bow is a symbol of self-love. It symbolizes the importance of considering love of any kind a gift, including your own.
9. Irish Harp
The Irish harp represents sovereignty and love. You may feel this when you hear it played, not for a crowd, but for one’s own spiritual enjoyment.
10. Dara Knot
Dara Knot is a Celtic symbol of strength and self-acceptance. It means Oak Tree, with the root system being represented by the knot, teaching us how to connect to every aspect of life.
11. Brigid’s Cross
Brigid’s Cross is traditionally oven out of real straw. It wards off evil and negative feelings and thoughts we have toward ourselves and others.
12. Mirror
Spiritual mirrors show us our true selves. It can be difficult to look in the mirror when we’re not happy with who we are. But practicing self-love is a step in the right direction, not a result of something.
13. Philautia
Philautia is what the Greeks would now call self-love. The ancient practice was once a positive way to evaluate how you felt about your own body and mind. It was seen as a foundation that taught us how to love others.
14. Padma Mudra
Padma Mudra is a hand symbol of self-love. It is connected to the heart chakra and helps you open it up, being vulnerable with yourself.
15. Claddagh
The Claddagh is an important Celtic symbol of self-love. You can wear the ring to represent loyalty and love for yourself.