Are you afraid of the dark? If you answered yes, you’re not alone. People often fear darkness because of what they represent. There’s always something that stirs negative thoughts and emotions.
Darkness bears different spiritual meanings ranging from fear, death, destruction, evil to all sorts of harm. As a result, a person trapped in the dark may feel hopelessness and despair.
However, despite the overwhelming negative symbolism of darkness, it can still be linked to balance and infinite possibilities.
If you find yourself constantly exposed to darkness, the universe may have a special message you shouldn’t miss. Also, your spirit guides may lead your out of the dark place you’re at once you recognize the role of this natural occurrence in your life.
What Does Darkness Symbolize?
Darkness symbolizes a myriad of negative connotations. So, it’s almost universal that unfavorable events can unfold when light is absent, which triggers unpleasant human experiences. Here are some of the most common spiritual meanings of darkness:
Fear
Encountering darkness in your life often represents your fears, particularly the fear of the unknown. You may have internal struggles about the uncertainty of your future, similar to how you can’t see your direction when walking on a dark path.
Death
Death pretty much represents uncertainty. No one knows when and how their lives will end. With that, darkness becomes a natural representation of death to many people.
However, it’s essential that the symbol of death goes beyond the physical termination of life. Sometimes it also pertains to the end of a chapter, which is why darkness can be felt during breakups or job loss situations.
Harm or Destruction
Since darkness embodies the absence of light, it becomes the complete opposite of what light represents: life and growth. As a result, darkness is closely associated with destruction and even harm.
You may want to be on the lookout if you gradually feel the darkness around your life. Unfortunately, you’re most likely prone to tragic events. However, you can resist these misfortunes if you seek the light.
Evil
In many faith and religious beliefs, goodness is often represented by light, and evil is tied up with darkness. This explains why unpleasant life experiences are often linked to darkness. It is also believed that evil forces hide in the dark.
Gifts of Darkness
Contrary to popular belief, darkness is not entirely antagonistic in nature. Some people see darkness in a different light. Here are other positive symbolisms associated with darkness.
Balance
It is believed that without darkness, there’s no balance in the world. Light and dark are two sides of the same coin, keeping the scales on the same level. If you take the darkness out of the equation, it will disrupt life and harmony in the system.
Faith
In several religions, faith can be tested when a person encounters dark, uncertain periods in their life. With this idea, the meaning of darkness is reframed to strengthen a person’s faith in God.
Infinite Possibilities
You may seek darkness as the lack of direction in life. However, some people consider darkness as an opportunity to create their own path. The absence of light as a guide forces them to make their steps toward their purpose.
Meaning of Darkness in Christianity
Darkness has been mentioned many times in the bible, starting with the second verse of its first book, Genesis. It says that “the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep.” This phrase alone represents the absence of God in the beginning.
In Christianity, it is understood that God didn’t take away the darkness. It stayed even as life progressed after creation. However, God suppressed darkness by simply adding light.
By doing so, Christians share the belief that only God can take away the darkness in life.
Building on that, many Christians advocate the concept of spiritual darkness wherein humans are assumed to be spiritually dead due to the original sin of Adam and Eve.
To be saved from spiritual death and avoid the dark path, one must seek the light willingly, accepting Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
On the other hand, the bible also mentions that sinners willfully stay in the dark. InJohn 3:19 to 21 says that men loved the darkness more than light for their deeds were evil. Likewise, the bible also says that hell is dark, while heaven is light.
Clearly, there’s almost no reference to darkness in Christianity promoting positive associations.
However, religious people often use the presence of darkness as a barometer in measuring faith.
People who remain close to God even during the darkest period of their lives are believed to have a strong faith that earns them favor from God.
Darkness Symbolization in Other Religions
While other religions share the same view on darkness with that of Christianity, some aspects appear unique to a particular belief.
For example, in Taoism, the concept of yin and yang suggests that everything comes with a complement. So, if there’s light, there should always be darkness. Otherwise, you are tipping off the balance of life.
They also believe that darkness does not destroy all the time. One example is when life forms inside the darkness of the womb.
On the other hand, you may have encountered the word enlightenment used frequently in Buddhism. Naturally, the term implies seeking light which opposes the dark.
However, some monks adapted practices involving darkness, such as meditating or getting immersed in a dark room for several days. The concept revolves around confronting your enemy to get closer to enlightenment.
Darkness Meaning in Different Cultures
The meaning of darkness in various cultures over the history of humankind has been universal. The Western culture deems it as foreboding, evil, and depressing and the same understanding goes for Asian, African, and other cultures.
On the other hand, Chinese philosophies associate darkness with femininity. This is because yin, the dark lobe in Taijitu, is the female counterpart that keeps the balance with yang.
Darkness Dream Meaning
It may seem odd, but it’s possible to encounter a dream about darkness. Whether you see yourself in a dark room or a dark cloud looms around you in the dream, these appearances can bear different messages suggesting an impactful event in your life.
If you dreamed about darkness, in general, your spirit guides might be telling you to prepare for an unpleasant experience. It could be a failing point in your life or uneasy hurdles that you have to survive before reaching your goal.
On the other hand, if you are alone in a dark room, you may want to reevaluate your relationship with your partner.
Also, if you’re driving on a dark road, you may have some insecurities that you should start fixing or working on.
Nevertheless, the meaning of darkness in your dream can vary based on what situations you have in your life presently. While it may appear as if darkness bears terrible news, that’s not always the case. Sometimes it represents new beginnings or encouragement to face your fears.
Summary
No one likes to be in the dark. However, darkness is part of our life. So instead of dreading this element, why not understand its purpose first. Being in the dark can have lessons that will catapult you to a higher stage in your life.
By looking closely into the message and other meanings of darkness, you may achieve the growth you intend to have.