Platonic Solids - Sacred Geometry
| Tetrahedron (four faces) |
Cube or hexahedron (six faces) |
Octahedron (eight faces) |
Dodecahedron (twelve faces) |
Icosahedron (twenty faces) |
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Platonic Solids are shapes which form part of Sacred Geometry. They were first catalogued by the ancient philosopher, Plato (hence their name), although evidence of these most magical of shapes has been found around the world for in excess of 1,000 years prior to Plato's documentation.
They are made up of the 'Five Convex Regular Polyhedra': hexahedron (cube), octahedron (double inverted pyramid), tetrahedron (pyramid), Icosohedron and dodecahedron. The names are derived from the number of sides each shape has: 4, 6, 8, 12, and 20 respectively.
The first four shapes correspond with the elements: earth (hexahedron), air (octahedron), fire (tetrahedron) and water (Icosohedron), with the fifth, dodecahedron, representing Storm, heaven, ether, or the Universe.
The shapes that form the five original Platonic Solids occur naturally in nature, and indeed in the crystal world. Working with them individually is said to help with our connection to nature and the higher realms of the cosmos; to find the common pattern which links us all at a molecular as well as at a spiritual level.
Tetrahedron
The Tetrahedron (also called the Triangular Pyramid). It contains 4 faces, 4 vertices and 6 edges. Each face is triangular.
The Tetrahedron represents the element of Fire and is linked to the Solar Plexus; the center for personal power and acceptance. It creates the natural balance between the physical and spiritual. Each side sits flat, no matter how it is turned, making it the perfect symbol for balance and stability.
Hexahedron
The Hexahedron (also called the Cube) is the second of the five shapes. It has 6 square faces, 8 vertices and 12 edges. Each face is square.
The Hexahedron is associated with the element of Earth and corresponds to the Root Chakra. The Hexahedron sits flat, firmly rooted to its spot. Meditating on this shape will assist in grounding energy, maintaining focus, removing tension and easing physical stresses. It will reconnect your energies to those of the earth and nature.
Octahedron
The Octahedron has 8 faces, 6 vertices and 12 edges. It is made up of 8 triangles, which is formed from placing two square based pyramids base to base.
The Octahedron represents the element of Air and is linked to the Heart Chakra; the center for love and compassion. This chakra is where we access our healing and nurturing aspects, where we find acceptance and forgiveness. The self-reflecting shape of the Octahedron moves into a higher vibration of reflection, compassion and healing. By working with the Octahedron, we attune to the more spiritual nature our self and begin to understand our true nature.
Icosohedron
The Icosohedron has 12 faces, 20 vertices and 30 edges. Each face is in the shape of an equilateral triangle.
The Icosahedron is associated with the element of Water and corresponds to the Sacral Chakra. Water is all about movement, flow, and change. This shape can assist in enhancing the creative thought process. It may assist in removing any emotional blockages that are disrupting creative energies. The Icosahedron is an amazing tool that teaches us to ‘go with the flow’; allowing freedom of expression, creativity and positive change to flow effortlessly through us.
Dodecahedron
The Dodecahedron has 20 faces, 12 vertices and 30 edges. Each face is shaped in the form of a Pentagon.
The Dodecahedron is linked to the Ethers/Storm/Universe and works through the higher Chakras from the 6th Third Eye, 7th Crown, 8th Higher Crown and above. It is a perfect tool to use in meditation as the energy held within this sacred shape can raise your vibration up to facilitate connection to your Higher Self and the Source. The Dodecahedron is an expression of life and consciousness, allowing us to go beyond the vibrations of the physical body and to reconnect with the higher vibration of our true nature.