There are many things that represent change. Images of rebirth or renewal, like bees, doves, open gates and doors, spirals, and bathing in clean water, can be seen as signs of change. Change can also be shown by things that go through a complete change, like butterflies, bears, swans, and the changing of the seasons.
Heraclitus is known for saying, “The only thing that stays the same in life is change.” Many people decide to make changes in their thoughts and actions over the course of their lives to make things better for themselves. Let’s look more closely at some strong symbols of growth, change, and transformation.
Signs of Growth and Change
To get to the next level in life, we have to work hard to change and grow beyond what we are now. This can mean a change in attitude, in discipline, or in how the person acts. There are many signs of growth and change that might encourage you to take the first step.
The change from spring to summer to fall to winter is one of the most powerful signs of change. The changing of the seasons is a good example of how everything is always changing. Every three months, there is a new season with different weather and new growth. For example, fall is a time of change when crops are harvested and plans are made for the next harvest before the cold and quiet winter. After a long winter, the spring is a sign of starting over. After the work of the fall, new life starts to show up in the spring. Spring can make us want to start new ideas and projects.
A haircut is another sign, though it may be an unusual one. When people want to change how they look, they often get a new haircut. But sometimes a person gets a haircut to show that they’ve made a big change in their life. Some people see getting a haircut as a way to move on after a hard breakup or when they start a new job. For others, getting a haircut could mean reaching a big weight-loss goal or going through something else that has been hard but rewarding.
Signs of a fresh start
In today’s culture, there are many different signs of a new start that are popular. Flowers like daffodils and tulips that bloom in the spring are often seen as signs of rebirth after a long winter. The lotus flower is a well-known flower that is a sign of rebirth, renewal, and spiritual enlightenment. The lotus flower grows out of mud and blooms into a beautiful, colourful flower that many people like to look at. The same is true for people who are starting over, especially if they have had a hard start or lost something. It shows that even when things are dark, we can always get back up and start over.
The phoenix is another powerful sign of a new start. The phoenix is a mythical bird with a tail that has many different colours. It is always reborn and starting over. The phoenix will live between 500 and 1,000 years. The bird builds a nest around itself at the end of its life, and when it dies, the nest catches fire. It burns until there is nothing left but ashes. But a young phoenix rises from the ashes to live another life. For us, the cycle of the phoenix can mean the end of one way of life and the beginning of another. It can also mean giving up bad habits or people in order to start over in life.
Generally, flying things like bees and birds also mean a fresh start in life. Being able to fly gives animals the freedom to go to new places and try out new things.
Change is shown by certain symbols
Many people look for signs that show how their lives have changed, and some even get art or tattoos to remind them of this. The ancient Greek symbol of the ouroboros is a good example. The word comes from the Greek words “oura,” which means “tail,” and “boros,” which means “to eat,” and means roughly “one who eats its own tail.” Often, the symbol looks like a snake or dragon in a circle that is eating its own tail. But its meaning shows that all living things are always the same. Life doesn’t really lead anywhere. Even if we think we know everything, there will come a time when we have to rethink who we are and what we want and change into people who have those new traits.
The butterfly may be the most well-known symbol of change. The beautiful creature starts out as an egg and then changes into a wriggling caterpillar, a pupa in a cocoon, and finally an adult butterfly. All of these stages are needed for the butterfly to grow up and be ready to fly away to start its new life. Like a butterfly in its cocoon stage, we sometimes need to be alone so we can focus on ourselves and change into the people we want to be.
What kind of animal represents change?
There are also a number of animals that stand for change. Swans are seen as symbols of change because they change from small, clumsy young birds called cygnets to large, beautiful, and graceful adults. The chameleon, which can change its colour whenever it needs to, is another symbol. It does this to stay alive and safe, to attract mates, or sometimes just because it wants to. At the end of the day, that shows a willingness to change. Most of the time, we stick to old habits because that’s what we’ve always done, and that makes us feel safe. But it’s important to be open to change and to try to make changes that will make us better in the long run.
The snake is another animal that stands for change. When their skin gets too small, dirty, or uncomfortable, snakes shed it. They get rid of their old skin quickly so they can show off a new layer of colourful skin. This shedding of old skin is a metaphor for making changes on the inside and outside to get rid of anything that holds us back from becoming who we want to be. We need to get rid of old ways of thinking and doing things that are holding us back so we can make room for new and better things.
