To most, the triangle is a polygon that has three equal sides—an equilateral construct. But this shape is more than a closed plane figure bounded by straight lines. It is a geometric abstraction that represents a deeper universal truth:

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"All is from Unity and All returns to Unity—to Oneness—through the union of opposites."

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This truth, embedded within layers of abstraction, is made visible upon further examination.

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The Bottom Line and Duality

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The bottom line of the triangle represents duality. Each end of the line is a point different from the other yet connected to the other through the same line.

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The end points represent opposites, but the line itself, unsevered and intact, maintains continuity and connectedness. Thus, although each end point is an opposite side to the same line, these different points are nevertheless connected to each other through the intermediating line. This line, then, reflects Oneness as All are fragments of the Unity but not disconnected from it.

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In the Kybalion, the Principle of Polarity says:

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Everything is Dual; everything has poles; everything has its pair of opposites; like and unlike are the same; opposites are identical in nature, but different in degree; extremes meet; all truths are but half-truths; all paradoxes may be reconciled.

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The bottom line of the triangle embodies this truth. Even in its duality of opposite points, it remains the same. Although the end points are different in degree, they remain the same in nature. Both end points are from the line and connect in the line. Whether Light or Darkness, Masculine or Feminine, Unconscious or Conscious, Spirit or Matter, Love or Hate, Big or Small, Good or Evil, or any other duality…each quality derives from the same Source of Oneness and any duality is reconciled by integration through harmony of opposites.

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The Sides and Union of Opposites

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Each side of the triangle, equal to the other, neither divides the whole nor fractures it. Rather, each side enlarges the whole through interconnectedness and unification, enabling harmonization through symmetry. More, each side expands the whole and gives it added strength.

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The triangle is said to be the strongest shape in nature because it has a strong base, holds its shape, and has strong support. It is a remarkably stable structure. Some of the world’s most notable architectural structures used the triangle shape—the Great Pyramids of Giza, the Louvre Pyramid, the Eiffel Tower, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, the Millennium Wheel known as the “London Eye” to name a few.

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Because it is equilateral, the triangle maintains its shape no matter how it is positioned. Each side can effectively become the base as all sides are equal. And because no side is weaker than the others, any side will provide the same strength and stability in foundation and structure as the others. Thus, in addition to stability and durability, the triangle has enhanced utility.

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And because each side is equal to the others, each end point on a line connects that line to the other lines. This creates continuity through interconnectedness. There is no beginning nor end in a fully connected enclosed triangle because each end of one line is merely the beginning of another line. In a triangle, each end point that would otherwise disconnect a line standing alone now bridges one line to another, creating a whole that is greater than its parts yet dependent on its parts for its wholeness.

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This unity is only possible with a fully constituted triangle because any line on its own lacks the structural integrity—strength and stability—facilitated by interconnectedness.

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The Pinnacle and the Philosopher’s Stone

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The pinnacle of a triangle—the capstone—represents a convergence of opposites into One. It is here where the two sides that diverged from the bottom line with opposite points (duality) now come together (alchemical marriage of opposites) to form the high point, or crown, of the triangle structure (enabling union with the divine).

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This is associated with the “crown chakra”—the seventh primary chakra located at the top, or crown, of the head. The crown chakra represents enlightenment or our ability to be spiritually connected to the divine. This chakra enables access to higher consciousness.

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This convergence represents the ultimate goal of alchemy: the harmonious union of opposites. The Emerald Tablet spoke to this:

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That which is below is like that which is above, that which is above is like that which is below, to do the miracles of one only thing. And as all things have been and arose from one by the meditation of one: so all things have their birth from this one thing by adaptation.

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The Gnostic Gospel of Thomas explained this union in the following way:

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Jesus saw infants being suckled. He said to His disciples, "These infants being suckled are like those who enter the Kingdom." They said to Him, "Shall we then, as children, enter the Kingdom?" Jesus said to them, "When you make the two one, and when you make the inside like the outside and the outside like the inside, and the above like the below, and when you make the male and the female one and the same, so that the male not be male nor the female female; and when you fashion eyes in the place of an eye, and a hand in place of a hand, and a foot in place of a foot, and a likeness in place of a likeness; then will you enter [the Kingdom]."

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This convergence through unification of opposites creates a third, perfected thing—the Philosopher’s Stone. The Judeo-Christian book of Revelation 2:17 said the following about this stone:

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He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

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Thus, it seems that the earlier statement in Psalms 118:22 that “the stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner” refers to the Philosopher’s Stone—the refined person forged in the fires of alchemical purification through union of opposites.

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The Apostle Paul in his work, 1 Corinthians 15:42-54, wrote the following about this transformative alchemical process of integrating opposites into a harmonious whole:

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So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:

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It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:

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It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.

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And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.

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Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.

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The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.

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As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.

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And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.

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Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

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Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

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In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

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For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

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So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

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This convergence into unity is symbolized by the double-headed eagle further illustrating the alchemical concept of SOLVE et COAGULA—the process of separating elements, then, following a purification process, recombining them into a refined product. The mythological Phoenix that is burned to ash in the fires of purification produces a new, refined bird.

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But these alchemical elements are not metals but the energies existing within the alchemist. For the microcosm cannot be separated from the macrocosm nor can the macrocosm be understood without understanding the microcosm. On a psychological level, an integration of unconscious elements with the conscious personality of the individual is the process whereby the person is made whole. The Masculine elements are integrated with the Feminine aspects, the Shadow with the Light, the Good with the Bad, et cetera. The fragmented self-parts of the individual once denied are now unified, divisions are healed, and the person, now integrated, becomes whole.

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When this integration of opposites happens—the alchemical marriage of the Great Work— the individual is crowned. This is because when the masculine and feminine elements within the self are integrated, union with the divine is made possible. As above, so below. As within, so without. As with the microcosm, so with the macrocosm. The one reflects the other and is reflected in the other.

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The book of Psalms 21:1-3 said the following about this refined gold—the crown—of the alchemical process:

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The king shall joy in thy strength, O LORD; and in thy salvation how greatly shall he rejoice!

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Thou hast given him his heart's desire, and hast not withholden the request of his lips. Selah.

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For thou preventest him with the blessings of goodness: thou settest a crown of pure gold on his head.

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The book of James 1:12 discussed the purification process of alchemical transformation:

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Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

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And again, in the book of Revelation 2:10, this crown is mentioned:

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Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

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Thus, the harmonious union of opposites that leads to the crown of gold is symbolized by the apex of the triangle where opposites converge into a unified point—Oneness.

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Triangle as Meditation

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One can contemplate the union of opposites by meditating on the triangle. They can see the bottom line of the triangle not as an impediment to enlightenment but as a start point from which this unification process begins.

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Remember: The soul agreed to separate from Unity and descend into duality so it could learn from this experience in order to return to Source enlarged thereby enlarging Source.

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Thus, duality is not something to be loathed or disparaged but it is critical to the process of harmony of opposites.

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From there, one can contemplate on the sides of the triangle, seeing them as a journey from duality into Unity. This upward trajectory from duality into unity slowly but steadily narrows until finally converging at the pinnacle of the triangle. Jesus spoke of this narrow path in the book of Matthew 7:13-14:

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Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

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Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

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As one nears the apex of the triangle in their meditation, they can visualize this convergence as a union of opposites—as the crown of gold received upon completion of the alchemical process.

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Here, one can visualize the difference between eating from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil (knowledge of duality)—which was caused by the “Fall” into density—and eating from the Tree of Life (return to Unity)—which is the effect of the Great Work.

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The book of Proverbs 3:13-18 spoke of enlightenment as the Tree of Life:

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Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.

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For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.

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She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.

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Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.

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Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.

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She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.

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The book of Revelation 2:7 said the following about the Tree of Life:

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He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

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This is the crown of gold that comes from completion of the alchemical process of union of opposites. This is when the individual merges with Source into Oneness.

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The triangle can serve as an image we contemplate on to guide us in our own union of opposites—the goal of our Great Work.

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We should strive to transmute the lead of our baser nature—our imperfections and impurities—into the gold of our Higher Self for the crown of gold is forged from those imperfect metals purified in the fires of the alchemical process. In geometric analogy, this lead is the bottom line of the triangle—duality. The gold is the point of convergence at the pinnacle of the triangle—unity from harmony of opposites. And the alchemical process is the journey upward toward convergence by union of opposites.

 

We should not settle for existing only on the bottom line, snuggly enveloped in the cocoon of duality, nor should we be satisfied to remain suspended on the sides of the triangle—ever looking upward to the pinnacle but never actually moving forward in our refinement.

 

We should press on through the narrow way—the strait gate—that leads to life. And we should always carry the key of wisdom so we can unlock this gate. We should always aim to reach the point of convergence at the top of the triangle—a union of opposites.

 

For it is by rising above duality that one can look down and see it for what it is. By ascending the triangle and arriving at the pinnacle—point of convergence through integrating opposites—one can only then realize the truth that enlightenment is balance between opposing aspects and divergent elements—divine equilibrium.

 

Remember this: When you meditate on the triangle, think of this because there is more than the physical eye can see, much more.