"There are two fundamental principles in the universe which are reflected in every single manifestation of nature and of life: they are the masculine and feminine principles. The whole of creation is the result of the concerted work of these two principles which are replicas of the two creative principles of the cosmos: the Heavenly Father and the Divine Mother, of which men and women are also the reflection. They can be seen in human beings, not only in their physical bodies but also in their psychic structure: the mind and spirit representing the masculine principle and the heart and soul the feminine principle. The two principles must work in conjunction: alone, each one is barren."
Omraam Mikhaël Aïvanhov

Even if we stand on the plane of sexuality, it is clear that men and women are neither wholly male nor wholly female. Men possess a female element, and women a male one. All male and female symbols display opposite characteristics.

According to the Zohar, the soul's male and female elements derive from the cosmos. The male principle radiates the life force, but this principle of life is subject to death; the female bears life, it animates. In this context Eve, who proceeded Adam, signifies that the spiritual is beyond the vital element. Adam was pre-existent to Eve and the vital is earlier than the spiritual element. A similar theme is picked up in the myth of Athene springing from the brain of Zeus. In this respect, the Zohar uses the example of the candle with its elements of light and darkness signifying male and female.

It is impossible to outline more fairly the problem of male and female, 'the two dimensions in the single pleroma of Christ' (EVDF pp. 23, 24). What St. Paul had declared concerning Christ, St. Gregory of Nyssa was to state concerning mankind ( De hominis opificio 181d). Thus male and female cease to confront one another, they cease to be opaque, while still preserving their own individual energies.

Male and female are present in the One God. Christ, the perfect image of God, is one in his male and female wholeness. 'In accordance with the hypo static division, the male relates to the Holy Spirit. The "uni-duality" of Son and Holy Spirit expresses the Father (EVDF p. 26).

The two words, male and female, are therefore not confined to an expression of sexuality. They symbolize two aspects, complementary or wholly one, of the individual, of mankind and of God.

The Penguin Dictionary of Symbols


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