Motherhood Symbols

The Chalice

This symbol is also commonly called The Cup. In Paganism, the cup symbolizes water, which is a feminine element. The cup resembles a woman’s womb and is therefore considered to be the symbol of the Goddess of the Womb and the female reproductive function in general. It is an all-encompassing symbol for fertility, a woman’s gift for gestation and the creation of life; a woman’s intuition and psychic abilities; and the subconscious. In Chistianity, the chalice is the symbol of the Holy Communion as it was the vessel which held the wine which symbolizes the blood of Christ. Recent symbolisms however hold the chalice as a symbol for the womb of a woman, not unlike the beliefs held by non-Christian practitioners.

Crow Mother

The Crow Mother or Angwusnasomtaka is a nurturing and loving mother. She is considered as the mother of all kachinas and is thus held in the highest regard by all mesas. She appears during the winter and summer solstices, bringing a basketful of sprouts to symbolize life’s new beginnings with an abundance of crops. She also appears during Kachina initiation rites for children. She brings a bundle of yucca blades that will be used during the ritual. The yucca blades are used by the Hu Kachinas as whips.  The Crow Mother replaces all yucca blades as they become worn during the whippings.

Lakshmi Yantra

Yantra is a Sanskrit word for “instrument” or symbol. Lakshmi is a Hindu Goddess, the Mother of all Kindnesses. She represents a calming, welcoming mother figure who intercedes on behalf of her devotees before Vishnu, one of the Supreme Gods of Hinduism, alongside Brahman and Shiva. Being the consort of Narayan, another Supreme Being, Lakshmi is believed to be the Mother of the Universe. She embodies God’s divine qualities and spiritual feminine energy. Hindus would normally approach Vishnu for blessings or forgiveness thru the intercession of Lakshmi, their nurturing mother figure.

Tapuat

The Tapuat or labyrinth is the Hopi symbol for mother and child. The cradle, as it is also called, symbolizes that from where we all come and shall eventually return. The stages of our lives in general are represented by the lines serving as our umbilical cord to the ever watchful and protective eyes of our Mother. The center of the labyrinth stands for the center of life, the amniotic sac where we were all nurtured from the very beginning. This symbol is also sometimes referred to as “the journey”, which again, “the journey we call life.” David's Weitzman Labyrinth pendant. Part of Mother's day jewelry collection

Triple Goddess

	A full moon depicted between a waxing crescent to its left and a waning crescent to its right is the symbol for the Triple Goddess. Next to the pentagram, this is the second most prominent symbol used in Neopagan and Wiccan culture. Neopaganism and Wicca are 20th century versions of nature worship that has existed since ancient times.
They are also referred to as nature religions or earth religions.  To Neopagans and Wiccans, the Triple Goddess is comparable to the Celtic Mother Goddess; the full moon symbolizes the woman as a nurturing mother, and the 2 crescent moons stand for the maiden and the crone.

Triskele

This symbol exists all around the world. It appears across many cultures and generations in quite a few incarnations, the most common of which are the three interlocking spirals and the three human legs spiraling out symmetrically from a common center. Similar forms are the three number sevens or any figure composed of any three-pronged protrusions. Although it does appear in many ancient cultures, it is most commonly accepted as a symbol of Celtic origins, depicting the Mother Goddess and the three phases of womanhood namely; maiden – innocent and pure, mother – compassionate and nurturing, and crone – old, experienced and wise.

Turtle

In many Native American folk legends, the turtle is credited for saving all of mankind from the Great Flood. It has come to represent Maka, the immortal Earth Mother who quietly carries on her back the heavy burden of humanity. Many turtle species have thirteen sections to their underbelly. These thirteen sections represent the thirteen moons which are why the turtle is associated with the lunar cycles and the powerful energies of the female. Native Americans believe that the turtle will take care and protect humankind if they take care and protect Mother Earth. We are reminded that just as the turtle cannot be separated from its shell we humans cannot separate ourselves from the results of what we do to Mother Earth.

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