The Navel
Omphalos
The centre of the body, and of the world.
The Navel: what does it mean in analytical psychology?
The navel is where each life was joined to its source, and the centre of the body. In the Kundalini seminar Jung followed the third chakra, manipura, “the city of jewels,” seated at the navel: the centre of fire and of the passions.
The traditions set a navel at the centre of the world, the point where heaven and earth and the underworld meet.
The Navel: where does it appear in myth and tradition?
The omphalos stone of Delphi; Jerusalem as the navel of the earth; Brahma’s lotus springing from Vishnu’s navel; the contemplation of the navel.
From the Sources
In verses Jung quotes, midair comes forth from his navel, the sky is fashioned from his head and the earth from his feet, and thus the worlds are formed.
““Forth from his navel came midair; The sky was fashioned from his head; Earth from his feet, and from his ears The regions. Thus they formed the worlds.””
Dr. C. G. Jung, Psychology of the Unconscious: A Study of the Transformations and Symbolisms of the Libido, Part II, Chapter VIII, "The Sacrifice". Authorized translation, with introduction, by Beatrice M. Hinkle, M.D.; New York: Moffat, Yard and Company, 1916. The text, read in part
Jung retells the Hindu myth in which Brahma, enthroned on the lotus, arises from the navel of the sleeping Vishnu, bringing the Vedas with him.
“…during this state of sleep bore Brahma, who, enthroned upon the lotus flower, arose from the navel of Vishnu, bringing with him the Vedas, which he diligently read.”
Dr. C. G. Jung, Psychology of the Unconscious: A Study of the Transformations and Symbolisms of the Libido, Part II, Chapter VI, "The Battle for Deliverance from the Mother". Authorized translation, with introduction, by Beatrice M. Hinkle, M.D.; New York: Moffat, Yard and Company, 1916. The text, read in part
Each passage is quoted from the text named, which the press fetched and read, and was checked word for word against a fresh copy of it; the link opens that copy. Passages are given as printed, without the editors’ footnote numbers, and with words broken across lines joined.
Where to Read
- The Psychology of Kundalini Yoga: Notes of the Seminar Given in 1932 (1996)
Jung’s writings are cited by the volume of the Collected Works (CW), Bollingen Series / Princeton, 1953–79.
Related Symbols
Also among The Body
“Learn as much as you can about symbolism; then forget it all when you are analysing a dream.”
Cite This Entry
“The Navel.” In Symbols of the Psyche, the Symbolarium. The Thinking Press, 2026. https://thethinkingpress.org/symbolarium/psyche/navel.
Nearby in the alphabet: The Mountain: The height to be climbed, where heaven and earth meet. Multiplicatio: The finished stone increasing its power. Night: The dark from which the day is born. The Night Sea Journey: Swallowed in the dark, carried to the east.