A seashell symbolizes the soul leaving earth, the journey of life, eternity, strength, and relaxation.
The seashell has long, deep symbolic roots. The first reference to a seashell can be found in the Egyptian Papyrus. In the Papyrus, the seashell image was used as a symbol for humankind.
The Christian, Buddhist, Hindu, and Islamic traditions also each have some form of belief about seashells. Despite their different beliefs, they all have one thing in common: seashells represent the safe journey of the soul from this world.
Seashell Symbolism
1. The Soul Leaving Earth
Seashells make us think of what’s left over once the soul has left the earth. The body remains in the shape of a shell, but the spirit begins its journey to unknown realms.
Thus, while the seashell symbolizes death and leaving behind your earthly body, it’s a beautiful representation of this. It’s not just a crude symbol of death, but a message of the passing of the soul.
However, note that some people also believe that a seashell represents reincarnation. This symbolic interpretation has the same origins (the passing of the soul). But, those who believe in reincarnation believe the soul returns in a new body.
2. The Journey of Life
A seashell is a great reminder of the wonderful journey through life. Shells left behind on a beach remind you of a life once lived.
The uniqueness of each seashell is a beautiful reminder of how each person is unique and that no two lives are the same. Each one of you is here because the heavens created you, and you have an opportunity to live an extraordinary life.
The uniquebess of the shell also reminds you that how you choose to live your life is up to you. The first step is realizing that all people are beautiful in their own way, just as how all shells have their own beauty.
3. Eternity
Seashells can be hundreds of years old. The shell that has washed up and ended up in your hands went on an amazing journey to get to you.
And when you release that seashell, it will continue on its journey endlessly. It may end up in the hands of another person or deep in the depths of the ocean. It might be repurposed by a crab, or crushed into sand by the waves.
This endless journey of the seashell can remind us of how vast and endless this world really is. Beautiful objects like seashells will outlive us and continue on their journey. The fact the shell is in your hands right now is a remarkable coincindence. You are a part of that shell’s eternal journey.
4. Strength and Protection
A seashell represents strength. The shell itself protected a creature and guided it on its journey in life.
The shell you find can be kept in your wallet or on your shelf as a reminder that you have protection from the earth and the ocean. It can give you confidence to proceed knowing you have inner strength.
Using totems like shells as reminders of your own strength can have great psychological benefits. Many people carry other objects as reminders to be strong, too, like shark teeth and inscripted coins.
5. Relaxation
Shells are regularly used as decorations to bring our minds to a calm ocean mindset.
People place seashells in bowls in their bathrooms to create a sense of relaxation and comfort. You may also find shells on the walls of oceanside restaurants. Here, the shell decoration is a subtle signal that you should find relaxation in that space.
Similarly, ‘cool surfer dudes’ will wear seashells as necklaces as identity markers that they’re the relaxed surfer guy and not the sort of person who would wear a corporate suit!
What does a Broken Seashell Symbolize?
1. Sadness and Loss
A broken seashell can signify sadness and loss. The shell has served its purpose and is now discarded.
The broken shell highlights how, when we lose something, we feel broken inside. It is a visual representation of the destruction of something that was once whole and is now irreparable.
2. Love Through Separation
However, if two people have two equal halves of a broken shell, it is a symbol of your love for one another despite your separation.
Many lovers or close friends choose to break a shell apart and wear one half each. They can wear their half as a necklace, knowing the other half that makes the shell whole is with someone else who (when you’re together) makes you feel whole.
The seashell is also listed in our article on symbols of eternal love.
What Does The Seashell Symbolize In Christianity?
The seashell is the symbol of baptism in Christianity. In early Christian writings, the seashell symbolizes God‘s coming to Earth to redeem it from corruption.
Many Christian symbols are derived from Old Testament stories and Christian mythology. The seashell is often used as a Christian symbol because of its connection to Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
Baptismal fonts are frequently seashell-shaped or ornamented in the shape of one. Priests often use a seashell-shaped dish to pour water over catachumens’ heads during baptism.
Seashells In Polynesian Culture
In Polynesian culture, the shell is a representation of peace and wisdom. This is a time to understand the depth of peace and what it takes to achieve peace.
Seashells are found in abundance in Polynesian culture. The Polynesian people have a deep connection to nature and the ocean. This deep connection has led to a very interesting culture. Many of their spiritual beliefs center around the sea and its various creatures like a seashell.
An Overview of Seashell Symbolism
| Seashell Symbolism | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 1. The Soul Leaving Earth | Seashells make us think of what’s left over once the soul has left the earth. The body remains in the shape of a shell, but the spirit begins its journey to unknown realms. |
| 2. The Journey of Life | A seashell is a great reminder of the wonderful journey through life. Shells left behind on a beach remind you of a life once lived. |
| 3. Eternity | Seashells can be hundreds of years old. The fact the shell is in your hands right now is a remarkable coincidence. You are a part of that shell’s eternal journey. |
| 4. Strength and Protection | A seashell represents strength. The shell itself protected a creature and guided it on its journey in life. |
| 5. Relaxation | Shells are regularly used as decorations to bring our minds to a calm ocean mindset. |
Related Articles
Conclusion
From ancient times the seashell has become a symbol of life. If you look at the various seashells, you can see the different forms of life that have come and gone.
A seashell is a small, fragile, and wonderful representation of life. It can be a great reminder of what an individual has become and what he or she is yet to become.
What better symbol can you possibly find to express your inner desires to attract your true love? Find a beach, ashore, and a river where you can dwell on the beauty of this tiny, fragile symbol and watch the waves crash into it.
There must have been something unique about the early seashells that set them apart from all other creatures on Earth. This is the reason why a lot of people choose to keep a seashell around them.
I’m Chris and I run this website – a resource about symbolism, metaphors, idioms, and a whole lot more! Thanks for dropping by.