Top 16 Symbols of Relaxation With Meanings

Daily life routines are quite stressful, which compromises our peace and happiness. That’s why surrounding ourselves with symbols of relaxation can be a great way to make up for that.

These symbols can be objects, animals, flowers, or elements of nature. Whether you choose to look at, think about, or meditate on them, they can help you relax and unwind.

Let’s take a look at some of the relaxation symbols and what they represent in different cultures.

Objects Symbolizing Relaxation

There are many objects around us that induce relaxation. What’s even better is that most of them are accessible and easy to have around in our daily life.

Here are five objects representing relaxation:

1. Candles

When thinking of relaxation, the first thing that pops to mind is the dim flame of a candle in a dark room. It’s just what everybody needs after a long, tiring day.

People have always felt a close spiritual connection with candles on various occasions. They light candles while praying, celebrating birthdays, meditating, or simply relaxing.

In ancient times, however, candles symbolized much more meanings. The Greeks, for instance, believed that candles represent the divine.

Additionally, on Diwali night, Indians send out floating candles to the goddess of wealth and prosperity, Lakshmi. (1)

2. Balloons

Balloons of Yellow, Red, Purple, Blue, and Green colors. — Balloons
Pete, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Among many other meanings, like joy, letting go, independence, and freedom, balloons represent relaxation. Their slow floating motion is enough to spark a feeling of peace in your soul.

Balloons are a symbol of letting go of all things that stress and hold you back. That’s especially when they float up to the sky effortlessly.

In addition, they also represent freedom, not necessarily physically, but mentally as well. Nevertheless, this only happens when you break free from stress. (2)

3. Singing Bowl

Also known as the Himalayan bowl, the Tibetan singing bowl produces deep sounds and vibrations when played. Let me tell you more about it.

Buddhist monks have been using singing bowls for ages. They claim that the sounds these bowls make have strong healing, as well as relaxation-promoting, properties.

What’s more, therapists of all kinds (yoga, massage, or music) use singing bowls during their treatment sessions. Presumably, these singing bowls can do the following:

Relieve stress and pain
Stimulate the immune system
Improve sleep
Harmonize the body
Lower blood pressure
Reduce depression (3)

4. Incense

Incense represents relaxation, letting go, and spirituality. It’s often made from herbs, and when you burn it, it helps release the plants’ aromas.

Whether in powder, sticks, or cone form, incense has been around for ages. Moreover, it always has a place in religious and spiritual practices.

Aside from the fantastic smell, incense helps you:

Link to deep memories
Relax and unwind
Eliminate negative energy
Practice mindfulness
Meditate and concentrate (4)

5. Wind Chimes

You probably see windchimes and enjoy the sound they make everywhere. However, did you know that they were originally used as healing instruments in ancient China?

Just like the Tibetan singing bowl, wind chimes use sounds to induce relaxation. They emit healing frequencies that soothe the mind.

Ancient Chinese believed that their windchimes, otherwise known as Fenglings, deter negative spirits and attract good spirits.

Aside from the relaxation and healing properties they have, wind chimes also symbolize growth, kindness, and wisdom. (5)

Elements of Nature Symbolizing Relaxation

People who need to disconnect often choose to go to an open place and smell the fresh air. That’s because nature, in general, has relaxing vibes to it.

Below are two of the elements that represent relaxation in nature:

6. Water

Water drop. — Water
Davide Restivo from Aarau, Switzerland, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Scientifically speaking, being underwater has calming and relaxing effects. Researchers found that when submerging your face, your heart rate slows and blood vessels compress. (6)

Additionally, spending time with any body of water around is naturally relaxing. That’s why people often link relaxation destinations with beaches and lakes.

Furthermore, elements of nature usually oppose the stressing effect that modern life has on people.

That said, if a person doesn’t have access to a lake, beach, pool, or any body of water, there’s a way around it.

Looking at a picture of water or listening to the sound of it practically has the same relaxing effect. (7)

7. Clouds

There’s nothing more relaxing than lying outside and watching the clouds as they float across the sky.

The slow movement of these clouds is a reminder for us to pause, live the moment, and never rush things.

In fact, you can even meditate on clouds. All you need to do is look up, take a deep breath, and enjoy the relaxing moment. (8)

Flowers Symbolizing Relaxation

Flowers are among the most symbolic items that can help communicate various feelings without even speaking. People have been using them forever to express love, grief, happiness, etc.

That said, many flowers symbolize calmness and tranquility, and the following examples are a few of them.

8. Passion Flower

This exotic flower is a symbol of relaxation. Not only does it have a marvelous purple color and mesmerizing looks, but it also has anti-stress medicinal properties.

Though not scientifically proven, people use passion flowers to help them with the following:

Anxiety
Insomnia
ADHD
Pains
Stress (9)

9. Anemone Flower

Also known as windflower, this delicate bloom has different colors, and they’re all equally mesmerizing.

Aside from relaxation, the anemone flower also has a variety of other meanings, including anticipation, expectation, spring, forgotten love, and remembrance.

According to Greek mythology, the anemone flower grew out of Aphrodite’s tears. This happened when she was mourning the death of her beloved, Adonis.

Moreover, according to Christianity, the red anemone symbolizes the blood that Christ shed when crucified. (10)

10. Jasmine Flower

It’s no surprise that jasmine has made this list. The smell of it alone is quite intoxicating and relaxing. Furthermore, jasmine flowers look gorgeous indoors as well as outdoors.

People use jasmine intensively in aromatherapy because of its fascinating scent that releases tension and induces relaxation.

Additionally, massage therapists also use jasmine essential oil because of its ability to soothe pains and relax the body. (11)

Animals Symbolizing Relaxation

Just like flowers, different animals have deep symbolism. When you think about it, some of these meanings make sense.

The butterfly, obviously, is a representation of transformation, while dogs symbolize faithfulness. That said, what animals indicate relaxation? Check these three examples.

11. Koala

This cuddly animal is a clear symbol of relaxation because of its laid-back nature. It also represents innocence due to having those large cute eyes.

In modern days, people also consider koalas a symbol of loyalty, as they’re devoted to their friends and family.

Other symbolism associated with koalas include:

Nature
Friendship
Family
Safety
Faith (12)

12. Jellyfish

Watching jellyfish glide gracefully underwater is definitely a relaxing scene. That’s why jellyfish symbolize relaxation, among many other characteristics.

Jellyfish are creatures that don’t force anything. Alternatively, they let the water current carry them all the way through. As a result, they also symbolize letting go and trusting.

Among several other qualities, jellyfish represent:

Flow
Survival
Instinct
Simplicity
Hidden strength (13)

13. Sloth

The sloth is one of the strangest animals that has been living on earth thousands of years ago.

Due to its slow movement, it’s often associated with laziness. However, what others call laziness has benefited sloths in surviving all these years.

The sloth is a symbol of relaxation and patience. If it’s your spirit animal, then you’re probably an easygoing person who doesn’t like to rush things. (14)

Other Relaxation Symbols

Aside from the previous symbols of relaxation, these are other miscellaneous, intangible ones.

14. Pasithea

Goddess Pasithea. — Pasithea – The Three Graces
Antonio Canova, CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons

A minor goddess in Greek mythology, Pasithea was the wife of Hypnos, the god of sleep.

Surprisingly, there’s a plant called Pasithea that contains hallucination-inducing chemicals.

That’s because this goddess’s name is often associated with meditation, relaxation, hallucination, and other altered consciousness states. (15)

15. Root Chakra

The root chakra is located at the base of a person’s spine, and it’s responsible for the sense of security and safety.

It’s the first and base chakra. So, balancing it creates a strong foundation for opening the other chakras.

Unfortunately, an imbalanced root chakra leads to fears, anxiety, and nightmares. That’s why working on balancing the root chakra is quite essential to restore peace and relaxation. (16)

16. Bodhi Tree

The night that Buddha reached enlightenment, he was sitting under a type of fig tree. This tree was later given the name Bodhi tree.

Throughout the years, the illustration of this tree became a symbol of spiritual enlightenment. That’s why it’s associated with peace and relaxation.

Furthermore, in many Buddhist temples, there’s a bodhi tree that’s believed to be an offspring of the original one. (17)

A Final Thought

There are many symbols of relaxation that a person can have around the house to help release stress. This is especially when experiencing burnout.

That’s why things like candles, wind chimes, and incense can all work together to bring that sense of relaxation into one’s soul.

Observing nature can help with that too. So, whenever you get the chance, go to an open space, enjoy nature, and relax.

References

Header image courtesy: focusonmore.com, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons