The Circle as a Sacred Symbol: Indigenous Wisdom for Healing and Balance
Do you ever feel like life moves in circles? Perhaps you notice the same challenges repeating, familiar lessons returning, or cycles of growth, loss, and renewal shaping your path. In the modern world, many of us long for balance and meaning, yet we often overlook the patterns that guide our lives.
For Indigenous peoples, the circle has always been recognized as a sacred symbol. It is not just a shape—it is a way of understanding the world, ourselves, and our relationships. From ceremonies to governance, the circle represents wholeness, unity, and connection. It teaches that every being has a place, every voice has value, and every ending is also a beginning.
In this episode of Ongwehonwe Wisdom, host Evita Teiohonwake Stacey, a proud member of the Haudenosaunee Nation, explores the circle as a sacred symbol and how its wisdom can guide us in healing the cycles of our own lives.
Across Haudenosaunee teachings, as well as many Indigenous traditions around the world, the circle is central.
In ceremonies, we sit in circles, honoring equality—no one is above or below another. Every person faces the center, symbolizing that we are all connected to the same source of life.
In governance, circles remind us of consensus and shared responsibility. Decisions are not made in isolation but in consultation, ensuring that the well-being of all is considered—including the generations to come.
In daily life, circles reflect the patterns of nature: the sun rising and setting, the turning of the seasons, the cycles of birth, growth, death, and renewal.
The circle shows us that life is not linear. We do not simply move forward, leaving the past behind. Instead, we move in cycles, returning to familiar places with new perspectives. Every time we complete a circle, we arrive at the same point, but with deeper understanding.
This is why circles are powerful symbols of healing. When we experience repeated challenges, it is not because we are failing, but because the cycle is inviting us to learn, to heal, and to grow.
So, why does the wisdom of the circle matter today? What can it offer us in our search for balance and authenticity?
The circle reminds us that we are not separate beings. Just as every point on the circle is connected, we too are connected—to our families, communities, ancestors, and the natural world. This sense of unity brings us peace, reminding us that our struggles and successes are part of a larger whole.
In a world where many feel isolated, the circle calls us back to belonging. It teaches that no voice is greater than another, and every person contributes to the balance of the whole.
The circle reflects the cycles of nature. Day follows night. Winter turns to spring. The moon waxes and wanes. These cycles remind us that change is natural, and that even in times of darkness, light will return.
When we embrace these cycles in our own lives, we find patience. We learn that healing takes time, that growth comes in seasons, and that every ending holds the seed of a new beginning.
Many of us struggle with cycles that feel painful—repeated mistakes, unresolved relationships, or emotional wounds. The circle teaches us that healing does not mean escaping the cycle, but walking it with awareness. Each return is an opportunity to bring wisdom and compassion to places where we once felt broken.
By recognizing life’s circular nature, we free ourselves from judgment and embrace growth. We begin to see challenges not as setbacks, but as invitations to heal and rise.
The circle also includes time. In Haudenosaunee thought, decisions are made with the Seventh Generation in mind, considering the impact on those yet unborn. This teaching reminds us that the circle of life includes past, present, and future.
When we live with awareness of the circle, we honor our ancestors, walk with responsibility in the present, and care for those who will follow.
Practical Ways to Embrace Circular Wisdom
You may wonder: how can I live the wisdom of the circle in my daily life? Here are some practices you can begin today:
Gather in Circles: Whether with family, friends, or community, arrange gatherings in a circle. It changes the energy—removing hierarchy and inviting equality.
Honor Cycles in Nature: Notice the sunrise and sunset, the phases of the moon, the turning of the seasons. Let these natural rhythms guide your pace and remind you of balance.
Reflect on Life’s Circles: Journal or meditate on repeating patterns in your life. Ask: What is this cycle teaching me? How can I bring healing into it?
Create Sacred Circles: Use circular symbols in your spiritual practice—a circle of stones, a round dance, or even mindful breathing that returns to its beginning. These remind you of unity and wholeness.
Live for the Seventh Generation: Before making choices, ask: How will this affect those who come after me? This brings balance and responsibility into decision-making.
By embracing these practices, you align with the circle’s wisdom, bringing more harmony into your mind, body, and spirit.
In this episode of Ongwehonwe Wisdom, you will discover:
Why circles are central to Indigenous ceremonies and governance.
How the circle reflects natural cycles and human growth.
Ways circular wisdom can heal repeating patterns in your life.
How honoring the circle brings balance, unity, and resilience.
This is more than a teaching about shape—it is about living in harmony with ourselves, each other, and the natural world.
Take a moment today to reflect: Where in your life do you notice cycles repeating? How can you bring awareness and healing to those circles?
Are you ready to embrace the wisdom of the circle and live with more balance, connection, and authenticity?
Listen to this episode of Ongwehonwe Wisdom and learn how the sacred symbol of the circle can transform the way you see your life’s journey.
Continue your exploration at www.ongwehonwewisdom.com, where you’ll find more teachings, resources, and reflections rooted in Haudenosaunee wisdom.
Remember: The circle is not only a symbol—it is a way of life. When we walk the circle with awareness, we honor connection, healing, and the sacred rhythm of all Creation.
