Adrenal Glands Spiritual Meaning

The adrenals help to regulate the level of energy in the body. They are responsible for the “fight or flight” mechanism when a situation appears to be dangerous or life-threatening. The adrenal glands are small glands found on top of the kidneys. On a spiritual level, these glands relate to joy and excitement about life. Lack of strength in the adrenal glands may be a sensse that the world is not safe.

Hormones Produced by the Adrenal Glands
The adrenals produce epinephrine and small amounts or norepinephrine. These hormones break down glycogen from the liver to quickly increase heart rate and breathing. Blood flow is increased to the muscles to prepare for possible physical exertion. If the adrenals are overused, exhaustion and defeatism can result.

Arms Spiritual Meaning

Arms are related to reaching and holding. A broken arm is related to deep unease about what you are doing. Broken arms can also symbolize not being able to reach out for what you need. You may be doing too much or giving too much.

Back Spiritual Meaning

Lower Back Spiritual Meaning
The lower back is often connected to finances. Economic difficulties can result in tension and pain in the lower back. This can either be a fear of money or a lack of financial support. Feeling overwhelmed or under too much pressure can also cause lower back issues.

Finances and Energy Exchange
By and large, finances are a process of exchange. This may be services or products. Constant worry about paying bills will affect the lower back. Shifting your focus to how you can contribute to others and support yourself can help to reestablish the energy flow in the lower back.

Bladder Spiritual Meaning

The bladder is an amazing, flexible storage tank. The bladder wall contains three layers of smooth muscle. This pear-shaped organ can extend and shrink as needed. Clearly, the bladder is holding that which the body no longer needs. This is a perfect metaphor for the discernment needed to choose what to retain and what to release in life.

Emotions and the Bladder
When we are angry, we may say that we are “pissed off.” This is literally a reference to the fact that we have a situation where communication is needed! That may be an internal process or an external exchange. Holding onto situations, possessions or people that are no longer serving a positive purpose in your life can appear in the physical body as holding onto excess water or urine.

Brain Spiritual Meaning

The brain has long been viewed as the seat of learning and intelligence as well as the seat of enlightenment. Studies now show that the brain retains elasticity far better than previously thought. Lifelong learning and exercise help to keep the brain functioning at an optimal level into the final decades of life. The brain is like a central control system similar to a switchboard or computer. 

Spiritual Power of the Brain and Crown Chakra
The energy of the crown chakra is usually represented as yellow or white. This is indicated in the halos around the heads of saints in Western iconography. In the east, the lotus is a revered symbol for the gentle opening of consciousness, petal by petal.

Brain and Skull Injuries
A cracked or broken skull is related to the need to expand and grow from within or the need to be free from restrictive, external circumstances. An injury to the skull can also show a desire for deeper insight and enlightenment.

Cheek Spiritual Meaning

Cheek meaning is revealed clearly in the language that we use to describe our bodies. A single part of the body can be heavily laden with many different meanings. And sometimes the meanings are highly amusing as well. This is particularly true of the cheek: the fleshy part of the face on either side of the nose between the eyes and ears. Learn about cheek idioms and read full article on Cheek Meaning.

Chin Spiritual Meaning

To “take it on the chin” is to stand up to something adverse or unfair. The chin can take the full brunt of criticism or adversity. This alludes to a blow on the chin in boxing or fighting. Taking it on the chin can also mean not to complain when bad things happen. A trembling chin shows emotions that are being held in check, especially grief or sadness. 

Ears Spiritual Meaning

The ears not only allow us to access the world of sound around us, but also serve a crucial role in balance and equilibrium. The middle ear is air-filled and contains tiny bones that transfer vibrations to the fluid-filled inner ear. The ability to hear external noises is closely linked to the ability to hear one’s own inner voice. Turmoil or conflict around you can result in ear infections or other disturbances in the ability to hear.

Eyes Symbolic Meaning

Our eyes literally represent our vision of the past, present and future. The eyes are the most mystical and emotion-laden organ in the body. The ability to see clearly is our most cherished sense. Accordingly, the eyes are deeply affected by our emotional and psychological world. On that level, problems with the eyes reflect the inability or fear of seeing what is in our world.

Spiritual Meaning of Vision Problems
Near-sightedness indicates comfortability with the future. Near-sightedness can be related to fear of a parent by a child. Far-sightedness may be an attempt to not see what is happening now and to escape into the future. Releasing the trauma locked in the eye muscles can restore healthy vision.

Mantra for the Face: Om Am Namah Muhke
Meaning: I give reverence to the face.

Additional Resources: Other mantras for the eyes, an eye healing mantra video and more information can be found in the article Eye Healing Mantra.

Face Spiritual Meaning

Clearly, the face is the identity that we show to the world. The idioms related to the face are numerous: “Put on a good face. Face the music. Face your problems. Do an about face.” To break or injure facial bones indicates a conflict between your outer appearance and inner self. Injury to the face breaks the mask that you show to the world.

Mantra for the Face: Om Am Namah Muhke
Meaning: I give reverence to the face.

Feet Spiritual Meaning

The feet represent the willingness to be on earth and engaged in life as in “putting your best foot forward.” In contrast with this, someone who is afraid to rock the boat may be “walking on eggshells.” The feet are our foundation and grounding in life. To have your feet firmly on the ground is to be willing to be on earth and walk your own path.

Symbolism of the Feet
Feet represent our “understanding” of life. Your feet are literally “standing under” your body. To put yourself under the tutelage of another is to be at their feet. For example, many religions refer to sitting at the feet of a spiritual master or deity. Broken or injured legs and ankles can also indicate a conflict concerning the direction you are going.

Fingers Spiritual Meaning

Fingers are related symbolically to handling the details in life. Broken or injured fingers are connected to conflicts in smaller issues. You may be extending too far or reaching out inappropriately. 

Gall Bladder Spiritual Meaning

The gall bladder is a small organ associated with the liver. The gall bladder releases bile and aids in the digestion of fats. In Oriental medicine, the gall bladder is associated with the wood element. On an emotional level, the gall bladder is connected to the ability to make decisions, movement and flexibility.

Emotions Connections to the Gall Bladder
Problems with the gall bladder can indicate a fear of inappropriate expression, bitterness, hard thoughts, and concern about minor details of the future. Deficiency in the functioning of the gall bladder can result in indecision, timidity, and easily becoming discouraged.

Positive Affirmations for the Gall Bladder
On the positive side, a healthy gall bladder supports courage, initiative and the ability to make changes, decision and decisive actions. Affirmations for the gall bladder include: I release the past joyously. Life is sweet. 

Hair Spiritual Meaning

Many cultures around the world, from Native Americans to Sikhs, believe that hair has a special significance. Cultural beliefs about our hair and how it can affect us go back as far as recorded history. Some ancient cultures believed there is power in uncut hair. Long hair on a man was attached to a cultural as well as a ceremonial significance.

Meaning of Hair in Ancient Cultures
For many cultures, long hair was a sign of courage and nobility. Cutting hair in some cultures meant cowardice, or mourning. Other cultures simply valued the way a man looked with a handsome complexion and long, dark hair. In Ancient Greece, long male hair was a symbol of wealth and power, while a shaven head was appropriate for a slave.

Hands Spiritual Meaning

A broken hand can be symbolic of a deep conflict over touching or being touched. Hands also represent how you are handling life or being handled. You may be resentful at giving someone else a hand (assistance) without receiving anything yourself. You may be letting things slip through your hands. On the other hand (no pun intended), you may be grasping life too tightly.

Hand and Wrist Injuries
A broken hand can be suppressing a desire to punch someone. A broken wrist can be a desire to limit or avoid certain activities. You may have a deep conflict over what you are doing or what is being done to you.

Heart Spiritual Meaning

In the spiritual dimension, many traditions believe that the spark of life resides is an inner chamber associated with the heart. In the Western religious tradition, this inner chamber is called the inner castle or secret chamber of the heart. In the Eastern tradition, this inner heart is referred to as Brahma’s Cave. The ability to retreat into the inner chamber of the heart may be a critical skill in the fast-paced modern world.

Emotional Significance of the Heart
Traditions around the world place great importance on the significance of the heart. Many believe the heart has emotional significance as well as spiritual meaning. Some researchers believe that the heart has sensory functions as well as the mechanical function of pumping blood. Studies have shown that the heart reacts even more quickly than the brain to strong visual stimuli such as highly positive or negative visual images. The heart may be telling the brain to react rather than the other way around.

Hips Spiritual Meaning

The hips move us forward in life: finding one’s place and making the contribution to life that the soul desires. Problems with the hips or a broken hip can be caused by a loss of support or the desire to lean on someone else awhile. You may be resisting forward movement in life.

Celebrating Forward Movement
Interestingly, “Hip, hip, hooray!” is a common way to cheer for those who are successful moving forward in sports, life and business endeavors. Problems with the right hip are related to the masculine side of life or your relationships with men. Difficulty with the left hip is often connected to challenges in your relationships with women or feeling blocked by a feminine presence in your life.

Hypothalamus Spiritual Meaning

The hypothalamus controls many functions related to homeostasis in the body. The hypothalamus works closely with the secretions from the pituitary gland. The hypothalamus receives sensory input from the body’s internal organs and controls the autonomic nervous system.

Mantras and the Hypothalamus
The hypothalamus plays a key role as the intermediary between the nervous system and the endocrine system. Like other organs located in the head or brain, the hypothalamus is affected by the vibrations of singing and sacred toning. The energy of mantras resonates through the skull, accelerating spiritual sensitivity through activating glands in the brain.

Intestines Spiritual Meaning

The intestines serve many critical functions: assimilation,  absorption, and elimination. On the symbolic level, these functions relate to both positive and negative thoughts such as the ability to follow ideas through to completion; thinking that you can’t do anything right; or wanting to run away and hide from the world.

Idioms Related to the Intestines
Some of the ways we talk about our intestines that reveal our feelings about this organ include: A gut feeling (intuition); gut check; gut instinct; gut-wrenching; blood and guts (the core of the matter); bust a gut (work hard to an unhealthy level); gut factor (deciding element); gut it out; spill your guts; kick in the gut; no guts, no glory; get your bowels in an uproar;  deep in your bowels; intestinal fortitude.

Thoughts Related to the Intestines
Some thoughts that may be related to conditions that need healing in the intestines include the following: Feeling that you are different and alone and that no one understands you. Adamantly defending yourself. Stress and tension from daily life. Deep layers of fear, guilt or grief.

Small Intestines Spiritual Meaning
The small intestine relates to holding onto details and trying to analyze information or experiences obsessively. Focusing on what’s wrong rather than what’s right. Oversensitivity to criticism. Easily hurt or irritated. Difficulty standing up for oneself. Not letting go of that which has served its purpose. Lack of trust in life.

Kidneys Spiritual Meaning

The kidneys are small but incredibly effective organs for filtering blood and keep the body in a state of homeostasis. The kidneys remove waste from the blood: urea, excess water, excess ions and toxic wastes. The kidneys also reabsorb needed substances to return them to the blood. This is a constant exchange to maintain and eliminate substances as needed for optimal health.

Source of Strength
The kidneys are located close to the sacral chakra on the back side of the body. They are viewed energetically as a source of great strength. In many cultures, the lower back and waist are wrapped in a special cloth during the colder months to keep the kidneys warm and support their function.

Knees Spiritual Meaning

On both the physiological and emotional levels, the knees are related to bending and flexibility. To “bend the knee” is to recognize the superior rank or knowledge of another. Problems with the knees can be connected to issues of pride and ego. Other causes of knee problems are stubbornness and the refusal to yield when necessary or advisable.

Psychological Meaning of the Knees
The knees are also related to personal “needs.” The left knee is closely related to the needs of the feminine side for both men and women. This could be the need to be appreciated and nurtured. The right knee is related to the masculine side. This might involve the need to be successful in society and to protect others.

Liver Spiritual Meaning

The liver is one of the largest organs in the human body, weighing approximately four pounds. The liver has multiple functions crucial for human health. The liver manufactures proteins involved in blood clotting. Cells of the liver destroy certain bacteria and aged white and red blood cells. The liver contains enzymes that break down or store poisons. In addition, the liver stores nutrients, minerals, and vitamins. Finally, the liver produces bile salts that break down fats.

The Liver and Emotions
On an esoteric level, the liver has long been seen as the seat of anger and other primitive emotions. Liver problems can be related to chronic complaining and fault-finding. This may be a refusal to take full responsibility in your own life. Therefore, you are looking for ways to blame others. Changing your thinking patterns can have an immediate and profound effect on the health of the liver.

Lungs Spiritual Meaning

The exchange of gases necessary for life takes place by diffusion across the alveoli and the capillary network in the lungs. Estimates are that the lungs contain over 300 million aveoli with a total surface area of 753 square feet (70 square meters). This provides a large surface for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide.

Lungs and the Fire Breath
God is associated with the breath, fire and the wind in many traditions. The idea that God breathes life into animate form is also a common theme. In Christianity, the Holy Spirit is an undifferentiated power of God often referred to as a sacred breath. In Eastern traditions, the practice of pranayama (breath control) is integral to spiritual advancement. 

Lung and Rib Injuries
To break your ribs indicates a conflict between emotional vulnerability and protecting yourself. Broken ribs or damaged lungs can also indicate a refusal to breathe in life deeply.

Mouth Spiritual Meaning

Mouth meaning taps into the entire world of emotions and self-expression. The mouth is possibly the most psychologically conflicted feature of the face. The mouth is a central focus for both receiving and giving pleasure and pain. We use the mouth to take in food and drink, to praise and curse, to kiss and spit, to sing and to moan. 

Neck Spiritual Meaning

The neck is the physical separation between the mind and body. Problems with the neck may indicate that you feel required to live a life that is not in keeping with your own vision for yourself. The mind and body have become separated.

Suffering a Broken Neck
A broken neck indicates a severe disconnect between the body and the mind. Injury to the neck can also indicate a tendency towards cutting off or strangling all feelings. A broken neck can also indicate a sense of not knowing where to turn in life. 

Problems with the Neck
A tight neck also is a way to keep from feeling the responses of your body to life. A stiff neck may indicate resisting the views of others around you. A healthy neck represents your right to commit fully and participate fully in the life of your choosing. The neck is your right to be on earth, to belong and to create a situation where you feel at home.

Pancreas Spiritual Meaning

The pancreas represents the ability to handle the sweetness in life. This is literally the ability to balance and process glucose in the body. The pancreas actually has a dual role. On the one hand, the pancreas produces pancreatic juice to aid in the digestion of food. On the other hand, the pancreas uses insulin and glucagon to balance the results of digestion as blood glucose levels. The pancreas is viewed as an endocrine gland because of the secretions it produces.

Pancreas and the Solar Plexus Chakra
The conversion of negativity into advantageous emotions is a superpower of the solar plexus chakra. Having the attitude that the universe is always bringing you the highest possible good is helpful. Even challenges may bring a better outcome than expected or hoped for. You may want to ask yourself, “How can I shift my experience to feel to trust that there is a sweet outcome on the way?”

Pelvis Spiritual Meaning

A broken or injured pelvis shows conflicts related to security, survival, relationships, and sexuality. These issues are directly related to the root chakra. Pelvis injuries can also be a fear of your own feelings. The pelvic girdle is actually made up of two hip bones that meet in the front of the body at the pubic symphysis. In the back of the body, the hip bones meet with the sacrum.

Pelvis and Organs of Elimination
The pelvis contains the organs of elimination and reproduction. The organs of elimination (bladder, colon, rectum) are the most closely connected to the root chakra. The organs of reproduction are more closely related to the second or sacral chakra.

Pineal Gland Spiritual Meaning

The name pineal comes from the Latin pinea or pinus, meaning pine cone. Representations of the pineal gland are used symbolically in art of the Sumerians, Egyptians, Indonesians, Greeks, Romans and Babylonians. Some traditions say that the soul enters and leaves the physical body at birth and death through the pineal gland.

Pineal Gland and Spiritual Vision
In most people, the degeneration of the pineal gland begins at the age of six or seven and continues until puberty. Some sources believe this is why children over the age of six or seven have a diminished ability to sense the spiritual world. They may no longer have “invisible playmates” or remember what happened “before they were born.”

Pituitary Gland Spiritual Meaning

The pituitary gland secretes oxytocin and vasopressin. Oxytocin is the “bonding” hormone, present when a mother first nurses a newborn baby. Oxytocin is also released in positive social situations. The second type of hormones released by the anterior pituitary gland are growth hormones. The pituitary gland is referred to as the “master gland” because it controls the secretions of so many other glands.

Relationships and Hormones
Mastering relationships is connected to the ability to bond with others in a healthy way. This is one of the first steps on a spiritual path. Whether one chooses to be cloistered from the world or deeply embedded in society, there are always relationships to manage. Understanding the connection between the physical and spiritual aspects of relationships can accelerate this process.

Reproductive Organ Spiritual Meaning

The process of reproduction allows us to pass on our genetic materials to future generations. The male and female reproductive organs produce special cells that unite to forma zygote. The zygote grows into an embryo, then a fetus, and finally a independent human being. Accordingly, the uterus in the female represents the home (womb) of creativity. This is a place of nurturing. The male reproductive organs hold the energy necessary to launch a new phase in life or propel a project forward.

Shoulders Spiritual Meaning

The spiritual meaning of shoulders can be drawn from the growing scientific evidence collected through somatic therapies and health psychology. This research as well as anecdotal evidence connects aspects of the body with specific thought patterns. This work reveals associations between illnesses or injuries of specific parts of the body and emotional states.

Psychology of the Shoulders
Difficulties with the shoulders may indicate that you are living a life of duty and obligation. Pain in the shoulders may indicate a block in your expression of love towards others (hugging, reaching out). Hunched shoulders can be overwhelm by the burden of life. Shoulders that are raised or pulled back can project strength but hide feeling of inadequacy or show where feelings are being held back. 

Skin Spiritual Meaning

The skin is our clearest boundary between ourselves and the environment. Problems with the skin can be connected a lack of feeling safe in your own self-expression. The skin is often a concern during the teenage years when physical and hormonal shifts have a significant impact on the sense of self.

Stomach Spiritual Meaning

Our digestive system is also full of contradictory meanings. Digestion is a process of absorption, nourishment and filtering. The emotional connections are related to honesty, emotional vulnerability, processing the experiences of life, inner power, inner strength and life force.

Problems with the Stomach
Problems with the stomach include the opposite conditions: indigestion, malabsorption, fear of intimacy, insecurity, holding onto toxic feelings, deep-seated fear of not being good enough, worry, concern about and fear of the future. To settle your feelings is to “settle your stomach.” To be highly disturbed is to be “sick to your stomach.” And you don’t want to handle difficult situations “on an empty stomach” (out of energy, strength or sustenance).

Thyroid Spiritual Meaning

The thyroid is associated with the breathe and the rhythm of life. The thyroid is related to the throat chakra and the ability to speak up for oneself. Trapped anger (unspoken words) are often held in the thyroid. The thyroid gland plays a major role in metabolism, growth and vital body functions such as heart rate and body temperature.

Mantras and the Thyroid
Chanting is an ideal tool for supporting the health of the thyroid gland since the vibrations of chanting and singing pass directly through the thyroid. A video about restoring proper functioning for the thyroid called “My Healing Journey: Mantras, Money and the Thyroid” can be found in the Throat Chakra Meaning article.

Toes Spiritual Meaning

The toes represent the details of the future. Problems with the toes can indicate feelings of tiredness, confusion, anxiety and depression–like a small child who wants to hide from life. You may have the feeling that there are too many events and situations over which you have no control. You may be wanting to give up and run away, expect there is nowhere to run. A positive affirmation for the toes would be: “All details of the future take care of themselves. Change is safe for me.”

Tonsils and Throat Spiritual Meaning

The spirtual meaning of the throat is related to what you are taking into yourself from the external world. What have you swallowed that was frightening or frustrating? What reality cannot be filtered by your immune system? Children or adults who are unhappy, do not understand what is happening around them or have no control over events may develop inflamed tonsils.

Trachea and Esophagus Spiritual Meaning

The trachea is also called the windpipe. This tubular passage is the airway connecting the mouth with the lungs. The trachea is a combination of cartilage, muscles and elastic tissue. The esophagus is a collapsible, muscular tube behind the trachea. The esophagus transports food to the stomach. This is the organ that helps us to swallow our food.

Symbolism of the Esophagus
Problems with the esophagus can be related to “swallowing” grief, anger or hurt. Acid reflux (also known as “heartburn”) is a common disorder that affects the esophagus. Some studies suggest that more than 15 million Americans experience heartburn symptoms every day.

Vocal Chords Spiritual Meaning

The key voice apparatus is the area in the larynx called the vocal chords. The vocal chords are ligaments shaped like a “V”. These ligaments vibrate when we speak or sing. The vocal chords are about as long as the lines that would be required to draw a triangle on the front of a penny. The vocal chords also vibrate about the depth of the penny. On the psychological or spiritual level, “losing your voice” may result from refusing to communicate, feelings powerless, or pushing yourself beyond your capacity.