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OCTAIKON | | |
 Meaning of the parts
The Octaikon
is made up of ten elements. Here they are marked as symbols,
followed by their explanations.
ONE BODY
The
eight coloured elements symbolise our physical, material body.
FOUR FACULTIES
The
squares represent the four main faculties we use to function as individuals and
interconnect with the world and other people around us:
Left square
The first faculty represents our five senses – sight, sound, smell, taste, and
touch. These are the ways in which we take in data or observe the world around
us. It can be summed up by the word Observation (O), symbolised by a leaf-shape and the colour green.
Top square
The second faculty represents our brain or mind. It is what we use to make
sense of the data provided by our senses, and turn it into information. It can be
summed up by the word Interpretation (I), symbolised by a cloud, and the colour
blue.
Bottom square
The third faculty represents the different forms of languages (spoken and body)
we use to express our thoughts to ourselves or to other people, turning
information into knowledge. It can be summed up by the word Expression (E),
symbolised by a star and the colour yellow.
Right square
The final fourth faculty represents how we use our body to convert what we know
into practical action. It is walking the talk. It can be summed up by the word
Application (A), symbolised by a triangle and the colour red.
SIX LINKAGES
The linkages between the faculties show the other ways we function. The exact
meaning of the linkages can vary – the descriptions given below are typical.
Top left triangle
This is the linkage between our faculties of observation and interpretation. It
represents the process we use to check data coming to us via our senses,
making sure it is useful and complete, and rejecting what is not useful. It may
also represent our instinct. It can be summed up by the word Monitoring (M),
symbolised by a pair of spectacles, and the colour turqouise.
Top right triangle
This is the linkage between our faculties of interpretation and application. It
represents the process we use to decide what is correct and beneficial, and
based on this knowledge, the action we should choose. It can be summed up by
the word Judging (J) and symbolised by a pair of scales, and the colour purple.
Bottom left triangle
This is the linkage between our faculties of observation and expression. It
represents the process we use when we are creative, making art-forms. It can
also represent our intuition. It can be summed up by the word Creating (C) and
symbolised by a medallion.
Bottom right triangle
This is the linkage between our faculties of expression and application. It
represents the process we use to direct or steer ourselves and other people to
do the right actions. It can be summed up by the word Directing (D), symbolised
by a pointing hand and the colour orange.
ONE SOUL
The white centre symbolises our spiritual soul. In the printed version of the graphic, the white merges into the colours
to show that we don't really known how body and soul relate. The white colour
also represents the
centrality of soul and balance of body. If we use all our faculties in harmony, then
the colours add up to illuminate and strengthen our soul. The
white area can also represent what parapsychologists may refer to as our
psi-faculties, i.e. those abilities we have to relate to our environment and
other people which appear to be outside space and time.
Vertical line.
This is the central "inner" linkage between our faculties of interpretation and
expression. It represents the process we use to talk within ourselves and
conceptualise things, turning information into knowledge. It can be summed up
by the word Reflecting (Rf) and symbolised by a silver (or gold) ring.
Horizontal line.
This is the central “outer” linkage between our faculties of expression and application. It
represents the process of feeding back the results of our actions so that we (or
other people) can make any changes needed. It can also be thought of as both
leading and following and forming relationships - ultimately showing love. It can be summed up by the
word Relating (Rl) and symbolised by a brown heart.
Since you may consider the idea of a spiritual soul unbelievable, or psi-faculties
unacceptable, you can also consider the central part of the Octaikon
as your ultimate goal in life – whatever is most important to you at any one time.
Here are the ten elements summarized again using the key words.
Appendix 7 gives lists of other keywords, which are synonyms for the ones given
above, which can help clarify and broaden what is meant.
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