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Candlelight: Symbol of Consciousness in Holy Protective Space

  • Journal of Symbols & Sandplay Therapy
  • Abbr : JSST
  • 2016, 7(2), pp.73-88
  • Publisher : Korean Society for Sandplay Therapy
  • Research Area : Social Science > Psychological Science > Counseling Psychology / Psychotherapy

이나경 1

1마라아동가족상담센터

Candidate

ABSTRACT

This study examined the symbolism of candlelight that is frequently observed in sand pictures. Candlelight represents light in the darkness of life, bright future, vitality of sun, or uncertainty and evanescence of life that can easily vanish. Birth and death of human being is compared to creation and extinction of candlelight. Candlelight that is lit at deathbed breaks darkness of death and it symbolizes the light in afterlife. As for the existing method of candlelight, it reveals its nature by burning itself. Hence, candle, which completes its existence through an encounter with flame, is an important symbol that shows birth, death, resurrection, and holiness. This study examined the symbolism of ‘candlelight’ from an aspect of analytical psychology by dividing into ‘Temenos’ as a holy protective space, ‘Initiation’ to death that is encountered at the process toward regeneration, and ‘Consciousness’ that naturally begins a noble evolution by converting unconscious characteristics of Self to be conscious. The paper analyzed the symbolism of candlelight by examining the sand pictures of client.

Citation status

* References for papers published after 2023 are currently being built.