Ball, Sphere, Globe

Balls are (typically) perfectly spherical and often symbolize wholeness and thus the Self, especially when a ball is in motion, representing the individuation process.  

The Round

In alchemy and other philosophical and mystical traditions, the soul, the universe, and the primordial hermaphrodite were, in various contexts, described as round; alchemists referred to sacred substances or phenomena as round—even those that were clearly not round, like the fish or the spirit-in-water. Consequently, their vessels were also depicted as round.

Hildegard of Bingen, in her visionary writings, describes souls as “spheres of fire.” In other words, the sphere represents perfection and totality and is also associated with the soul; “the perfect” and “the round” are symbolically synonymous concepts. (See also Circle.)  

The Cohesive

The ball, which contains the greatest internal volume for a given surface area, is a symbol of a cohesive self and a self-regulating psyche.  

The Soul

Not only did ancient philosophers conceive of the soul as round (an unbroken unity), but "...even if the soul as a spherical object is foreign to us, we still dream of it in this way. It is a well-known archaic idea." (Jung, 2014, p. 12.)  

Celestial Bodies

In some cultures, there was a distinct cultic connection between the ball and the sun, from ancient Mexico to Christian monastery games. Similar associations were made in ancient Greece. (Compare Play, Games.)  

Ball Games

A ball game or play involving balls can be interpreted in dreams as a metaphor for personal development or individuation, since wholeness symbolizes the Self driving individuation. The process follows its own course, much appears to depend on chance, and the outcome is difficult to predict—much like a football match, for example.  

A similar perspective on the game views the ball as the focus of psychic energy, moving according to various forces in the conflict between opposites. In this way, balls often symbolize inner energy.  

Labyrinth

The labyrinth, where the sides are tilted to guide the ball (or marble) along a path, can be seen as an expression of this association—not only in the popular 20th-century board game but also in 16th-century monasteries. (See also Play.)

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