Rubbing, Friction

Through rubbing or friction, energy is created or transferred. Pleasure can be shared through a caress, warmth generated by rubbing hands together, or fire produced by the friction of the right materials. This association easily extends to sexual intercourse.

In various rituals, sacred objects are rubbed to partake in their power, or an item is rubbed to transfer away negative energies, symbolizing release. There’s a magical quality to rubbing, evoking the "power of three" (cf.); for example, Aladdin must rub his lamp to free the genie.

The magical force of touch reappears in healing traditions, where a caregiver "treats" the patient, possibly through the laying on of hands—healing by transferring beneficial energy or extracting the harmful. Similarly, we instinctively rub where we feel pain as if to ease it.

The symbolism here is linked to the "up-and-down" or "back-and-forth" motions, as well as circular or rhythmic associations, which can relate to both energy flow and coitus.

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