The Five Universal Shapes 
                                              The Five Universal Shapes 
                                                                  What do you think they might be? 
                                                                  What do you think they might be? 
                                                                                              
                                                                                              
                                                                                              
           Signs of Life                                                                      
            Signs of Life 
           Angeles Arrien is a cultural anthropologist who wrote a book in the early 90's called 
           Angeles Arrien is a cultural anthropologist who wrote a book in the early 90's called 
           Signs of Life. She wondered if all cultures had common symbols in their art and what 
           Signs of Life. She wondered if all cultures had common symbols in their art and what 
           meanings were attributed to them. After seven years of study she discovered that five 
           meanings were attributed to them. After seven years of study she discovered that five 
           basic shapes appear in the art of all cultures: the circle, square, triangle, spiral and 
           basic shapes appear in the art of all cultures: the circle, square, triangle, spiral and 
           equidistant cross. From this research Arrien developed a Preferential Shapes Test 
           equidistant cross. From this research Arrien developed a Preferential Shapes Test 
           as a tool for self discovery.  
           as a tool for self discovery.  
            
             
           Five Basic Shapes in All Cultures 
            Five Basic Shapes in All Cultures 
                 1.  The Circle 
                 1.  The Circle 
                 2.  The Equidistant Cross 
                 2.  The Equidistant Cross 
                 3.  The Spiral 
                 3.  The Spiral 
                 4.  The Triangle 
                 4.  The Triangle 
                 5.  The Square 
                 5.  The Square 
            
            
           The Preferential Shapes Test 
            The Preferential Shapes Test 
                      Draw the shapes on a piece of paper 
                      Draw the shapes on a piece of paper 
                      Now rank them according to preference. (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) 
                      Now rank them according to preference. (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) 
                      Do not spend a lot of time thinking about the order. 
                      Do not spend a lot of time thinking about the order. 
            
            
           After studying the art of many different cultures, Arrien discovered five universal shapes common to all of them. 
           After studying the art of many different cultures, Arrien discovered five universal shapes common to all of them. 
           The meanings attributed to the shapes describes universal aspirations, needs, and fears; each shape 
           The meanings attributed to the shapes describes universal aspirations, needs, and fears; each shape 
           symbolizes a specific inner and outer experience relevant to humankind. (p. 29) 
           symbolizes a specific inner and outer experience relevant to humankind. (p. 29) 
            
            
           CIRCLE: Wholeness, completeness 
           CIRCLE: Wholeness, completeness 
           the process of individuation -  the circle remains humankind's primary symbol for unity and stands for the 
           the process of individuation -  the circle remains humankind's primary symbol for unity and stands for the 
           mythic theme of individuation. 
           mythic theme of individuation. 
            
            
           EQUIDISTANT CROSS: Relationship 
           EQUIDISTANT CROSS: Relationship 
           This is a coupling, synthesizing, integrating and balancing process, which carries a need for connection - to a 
           This is a coupling, synthesizing, integrating and balancing process, which carries a need for connection - to a 
           creative project, a group, another person, or oneself. 
           creative project, a group, another person, or oneself. 
            
            
           SPIRAL: Growth and evolution 
           SPIRAL: Growth and evolution 
           a process of coming to the same point again and again, but at a different level, so everything is seen in a new 
           a process of coming to the same point again and again, but at a different level, so everything is seen in a new 
           light. Strong need for variety, novelty and change. 
           light. Strong need for variety, novelty and change. 
            
            
           TRIANGLE: Goals, visions, and dreams  
           TRIANGLE: Goals, visions, and dreams  
           The triangle is associated with pyramids, arrowheads and sacred mountains.  
           The triangle is associated with pyramids, arrowheads and sacred mountains.  
           An innate gift of vision may not be recognized.  
           An innate gift of vision may not be recognized.  
           Those involved in the triangle process have a great need to follow their dreams. 
           Those involved in the triangle process have a great need to follow their dreams. 
            
            
           SQUARE: Stability, solidity and security.  
           SQUARE: Stability, solidity and security.  
           The act of drawing a square mirrors the process of constructing a foundation.  
           The act of drawing a square mirrors the process of constructing a foundation.  
           Those attracted to the square are ready to build, to implement a plan and to manifest ideas.  
           Those attracted to the square are ready to build, to implement a plan and to manifest ideas.  
            
            
            
            
            
            
     
     
     
     
     
     
    The Significance of the Order 
    The Significance of the Order 
    Not what you might expect… 
    Not what you might expect… 
     
     
    Position 1  Where You Think You Are  
    Position 1  Where You Think You Are  
    The shape placed here signals the process that now has your attention.  
    The shape placed here signals the process that now has your attention.  
    It describes the part of yourself of which you are most aware...and most comfortable...at this time. However, it 
    It describes the part of yourself of which you are most aware...and most comfortable...at this time. However, it 
    is not the most accurate indicator … it only shows where you think you are or where you would like to be....it 
    is not the most accurate indicator … it only shows where you think you are or where you would like to be....it 
    may mean you admire the qualities of the process it represents 
    may mean you admire the qualities of the process it represents 
     
     
    Position 2  Your Strengths  
    Position 2  Your Strengths  
    The shape you have chosen as your second preference exhibits an inherent strength predominant in you at 
    The shape you have chosen as your second preference exhibits an inherent strength predominant in you at 
    this time, whether you know it or not. The shape in this position indicates areas of your nature that are currently 
    this time, whether you know it or not. The shape in this position indicates areas of your nature that are currently 
    fluid, strong, and resourceful. 
    fluid, strong, and resourceful. 
     
     
    Position 3  Where You Are 
    Position 3  Where You Are 
    This shape stands for the work that is really going on, at the core of your being.  
    This shape stands for the work that is really going on, at the core of your being.  
    You must be aware of it in order to fully manifest the potential it represents.  
    You must be aware of it in order to fully manifest the potential it represents.  
    Think of Goldilocks ... when presented with multiple choices, the third choice was the best one for her (just 
    Think of Goldilocks ... when presented with multiple choices, the third choice was the best one for her (just 
    right) 
    right) 
     
     
    Position 4  Your Motivation 
    Position 4  Your Motivation 
    Position 4 points to past challenges that have motivated your current process of change.  
    Position 4 points to past challenges that have motivated your current process of change.  
    The fourth position ...discloses the motivation that triggered your move into the core work to be done 
    The fourth position ...discloses the motivation that triggered your move into the core work to be done 
    symbolized by the shape in Position 3. 
    symbolized by the shape in Position 3. 
     
     
    Position 5  Old, Unfinished Business  
    Position 5  Old, Unfinished Business  
    This shape identifies a process you have outgrown or one that you dislike.  
    This shape identifies a process you have outgrown or one that you dislike.  
    The fifth position is associated with unresolved issues you now wish to put aside and will reclaim at a later 
    The fifth position is associated with unresolved issues you now wish to put aside and will reclaim at a later 
    date. 
    date. 
     
     
    Hmmmmm…