Every day, we are bombarded with phrases and mottos that just make language rich.
Some of these expressions can be pretty straightforward, such as “be the change you want to see in the world” and “insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.”
In fact, some of these mottos have become second nature to us to such a degree that we can just reference part of them while expecting the listener to understand exactly what we mean.
For instance, if your friend keeps trying to solve a problem with the same method yet to no avail, you can just tell them “well, you know what they say about insanity” and expect them to fully understand the gist of what you’re saying.
On the other hand, other mottos can be a bit esoteric. This can be due to the phrasing of the expression or due to its rich history. One such phrase is “as above, so below.”
Contents
- 1 What does “as above, so below” mean?
- 2 A closer investigation of the origins of “as above, so below”
- 2.1 What is Hermeticism?
- 2.2 And, what is the Emerald Tablet?
- 2.3 ”As above, so below” in Hermeticism
- 3 Other meanings of the expression “as above, so below”
What does “as above, so below” mean?
“As above, so below” has many interpretations, the simplest of which is that whatever happens on earth is reflected in the astral plane. Another interpretation is that the microcosm, such as the world of the individual, is affected by the macrocosm, such as society at large. In essence, the expression looks at any place there is a duality, one where half of the duality is deemed “above” while the other half is deemed “below,” and tries to establish a relation between the two.
The expression has ties to Hermeticism and can be traced back to the Emerald Tablet. It is also a core component of alchemy and has influenced several facets of our lives, including the Christain religion.
A closer investigation of the origins of “as above, so below”
To truly appreciate this expression, we need to cover a few main key points first.
What is Hermeticism?
Hermeticism is an ancient religion and philosophy.
The main writings of this esoteric tradition come from Hermes Trismegistus and have been very influential to western culture, particularly during the Renaissance and the Reformation.
Interestingly, Hermeticism can trace its origins to Prisca Theologia, a monotheistic doctrine.
So, who was Hermes Trismegistus?
Well, here is where things start to get tricky. He is the supposed author of the Hermetic Corpus, the texts that form the basis of Hermeticism, sort of like the Bible for Christianity.
On the one hand, some writers such as Giordano Bruno and Ralph Waldo Emerson believed Hermes to be a sage prophet who was able to foretell the rise of Christianity.
Moreover, Christians adopted a large part of Hermetic teachings, a big reason for which was to validate the teachings of the Prisca Theologia, so they considered Hermes to either be a contemporary of Moses or be another individual who predated Christianity.
Some may even go further and say that Hermes Trismegistus has relations to both the Greek God Hermes as well as the Egyptian God Thoth.
The idea was that the ancients realized that Hermes, the God of interpretive communication, was equivalent to Thoth, the Egyptian God of wisdom.
Ergo, the two gods were combined and worshiped as one.
On the other hand, when analyzing the Hermetic texts, a discrepancy arose.
According to a Swiss philologist named Isaac Casaubon, the Hermetic texts weren’t written in ancient times. Instead, they were written sometime around the second or third century C.E.
However, this was later disputed by Ralph Cudworth, who claimed that Casaubon’s analysis didn’t apply to all Hermetic texts.
Interestingly, one of the Hermetic texts whose origin is uncertain is the Emerald tablet.
The Emerald Tablet, which also goes by the names Smaragdine Tablet and Tabula Smaragdina, is a part of the Hermetic texts.
It focuses on the prima materia, which was considered to be the necessary starting material for all other matter, making it a cornerstone of alchemy.
This is why the Emerald Tablet was so important for alchemists.
Now, no one knows the source of the Emerald Tablet. And, while Hermes Trismegistus is considered to be the author, the text first showed up in an Arabic text that had been written sometime between the sixth and eighth century.
In fact, the text wasn’t translated into Latin until the twelfth century. As a result, some historians believe that the Emerald Tablet was actually first composed in Arabic.
It is in the Emerald Tablet that we find our expression.
”As above, so below” in Hermeticism
If we were to look at one of the translations of the Emerald Tablet, the one done by Isaac Newton, we would find that the first few lines go as follows.
Tis true without error, certain and most true,
that which is below is like that which is above and that which is above is like that which is below
to do the miracle of one only thing.
Ergo, as you can see, “as above, so below” is a paraphrase of the line bolded above.
So, what does “as above, so below” mean in the text?
Well, by now, we have enough context to explore this a bit. We already know that the Emerald Tablet was about alchemy and focused on the prima materia.
Ergo, one interpretation of the line can be that whatever happens in Nature, i.e. what is above or in the macrocosm, is mirrored in the alchemical lab, i.e. what is below or in the microcosm.
Other meanings of the expression “as above, so below”
However, this expression has developed other meanings. For example, while the “as above” part could refer to nature and the cosmos, the “so below” part could refer to what happens inside of us as human beings and creatures.
In other words, the Prima Materia could be considered to be the Anima Mundi, the latter of which is an expression denoting consciousness.
Astrologers have taken the expression to mean that what happens in the stars affects our everyday lives.
Others have chosen to see it as meaning that the human body, the microcosm, can act as a miniature version of the outside world, the macrocosm.
Ergo, they believe that the best way to understand the outside world would be to start by studying the human body. This is where arts such as palmistry and Tarot derive their main arguments.
Another group has chosen to see the universe as composed of two main components, the physical and the spiritual.
According to them, whatever happens in one component is bound to affect the other.
This is where the concepts of magic and the astral plane come from. It is also where the idea of doing good things in the physical world will reflect in the spiritual world, purifying the actor’s soul.
Others have chosen to toss away the mystic interpretations and to look at more concrete relations.
For instance, the human body contains patterns that can be seen reflected in the cosmos, bearing in mind the difference in scale.
The dendritic patterns drawn by our veins and nerve cells are very similar to the patterns seen in trees and rivers.
Another instance is how a number like Phi can be seen in different aspects of nature, including the human body. The proportions of the body seem to follow a very regular numerical pattern.
Hey fellow Linguaholics! It’s me, Marcel. I am the proud owner of linguaholic.com. Languages have always been my passion and I have studied Linguistics, Computational Linguistics and Sinology at the University of Zurich. It is my utmost pleasure to share with all of you guys what I know about languages and linguistics in general.
FAQs
The phrase "as above, so below" is an ancient quote to describe the idea that what happens in a higher realm or plane of existence also happens in a lower realm.
What does as above, so below mean in the Bible? ›
The expression, “as above, so below,” has a religious or spiritual meaning. The most straightforward interpretation of the phrase means that anything that happens on the astral plane also occurs on earth.
How do you use as above, so below in a sentence? ›
Here are a few examples of how to use this phrase within a sentence. Astrology is a neat concept, as above so below. You cannot control his response, as above so below. As above, so below, we are at God's mercy now.
Who said as above, so below as within so without? ›
Quote by Hermes Trismegistus: “As above, so below, as within, so without, as t...”
What is as above so below based on? ›
It is presented as found footage of a documentary crew's experience exploring the Catacombs of Paris and was loosely based on the seven layers of Hell. The film was produced by Legendary Pictures and distributed by Universal Pictures, making it the first film in Legendary's deal with Universal.
Is as above so below true? ›
The criminally underrated As Above/So Below took horror fans deep into The Catacombs in a fresh take on the found-footage subgenre. And while many of these found-footage horror films claim to be inspired by true stories, As Above/So Below does not, which is weird considering there is a true story just as terrifying.
What is the spiritual meaning of as above, so below? ›
“As above, so below; as below, so above”– The Kybalion. This Principle embodies the truth that there is always a Correspondence between the laws and phenomena of the various planes of Being and Life.
What happened at the end of as above, so below? ›
After facing their guilt, the group finds a long, dark tunnel going down, and in a literal leap of faith, the group jumps in, falling for a long time before landing clumsily yet alive. They then find a manhole on the ground that leads to the outside world, bringing them back to the real Paris.
What does as within so without mean? ›
This quote is believed to have demystified one of the biggest secrets of life. In the modern world – “As Within” presumes - what do we think deep within ourselves, how well we know ourselves. “So Without” supposes - that it will get expressed in the life we lead.
What you mean below? ›
The definition of below means beneath, underneath, downstairs or lower than. An example of below is the mouth being located under the nose. An example of below is an underground parking garage. adverb.
Parents need to know that As Above/So Below is a "found footage" horror movie about archeologists seeking treasure in the catacombs beneath the streets of Paris. There's some brief but strong gore when characters are injured or attacked in the tunnels.
What does as above, so below stream on? ›
As Above, So Below, a thriller movie starring Perdita Weeks, Ben Feldman, and Edwin Hodge is available to stream now. Watch it on CALIFORNIA TV BOX, Prime Video, VUDU, Apple TV, Redbox. or Vudu Movie & TV Store on your Roku device.
What is the movie as above, so below about? ›
Is as above, so below based on Dante's Inferno? ›
As Above, So Below incorporates a little bit of everything, from Egyptian history to Knights of Templar, to alchemist mythology and religion. At its core, though, it's a modern retelling of Dante's Inferno.
Is as above, so below scary Reddit? ›
The movie is absolutely terrifying. People often say that 'The Descent' is the best when it comes to building on the idea of claustrophobia and closed spaces. But I think that crown belongs to AASB. It's even scarier, even more disturbing and much more polished and well directed than The Descent.
What are the sins in as above, so below? ›
Scarlett's sins are twofold; she didn't respond to her father's call for help before he committed suicide and she stole the philosopher's stone. Scarlett realizes they must rectify their sins to escape, so she rushes back through the catacombs to put it back where she found it.
Where is as above, so below? ›
Watch As Above, So Below | Netflix.
How long is as above, so below? ›
What is the monster in as above so below? ›
Satan is the main antagonist of the 2014 movie As Above So Below. Hell in this movie is heavily inspired by its depiction in Dante's Inferno. Although he only appears a few times in the film, it's very likely that his origins are the same as in that story and that he is a fallen angel.
What was the hidden stone in as above so below? ›
Plot. Scarlett Marlowe, a young alchemy scholar, continues her dead father's work searching for the philosopher's stone, a legendary alchemical substance said to be capable of turning base metals such as lead into gold or silver and grant eternal life, discovered by Nicolas Flamel.
To film the movie, the crew had to crawl their way through narrow tunnels with the actors wearing head-mounted cameras as they navigated down the cavernous passages. Often the only light used on the set was on-camera lights. Because of so many on location constraints, the low-budget film shot mostly guerilla-style.
Is as above, so below on Netflix? ›
Watch As Above, So Below | Netflix.
Does HBO Max have as above, so below? ›
Watch As Above, So Below - Stream Movies | HBO Max.
Who was the creepy girl in as above so below? ›
As Above, So Below (2014) - Olivia Csiky Trnka as Strange Young Woman - IMDb.
What is the Rose key in as above so below? ›
They use the Rose Key to translate the headstone of Nicholas Flamel, who wrote about the philosopher's stone. The headstone contains a riddle that leads them to believe that the philosopher's stone is hidden 370 feet underneath the streets of Paris.
Why didnt the stone work as above so below? ›
It didn't. Scarlett had placed her hand over the wound the first time, believing she (through the stone, technically) had the power to heal. So it worked. The reason why it didn't work after that was because she just used the bits of stone, she didn't herself touch it.
What does from without mean? ›
Yes, the phrase 'from without' is antiquated - simply means people usually do not use it for the sense. However, the expression 'from within or (from) without' is a good acceptable (contemporary) English - with no confusion as to what it means.
Who is Hermes Trismegistus? ›
When the Greeks learned that the Egyptians had a god Thoth, or Tehuti, who specialized in wisdom and learning, they named him Hermes Trismegistus, or “thrice greatest Hermes.” Supposedly Hermes Trismegistus was the scribe of the gods who authored the sacred hermetic works that described the material world as well as ...
What's the difference between above and below? ›
What's the difference between OVER and ABOVE? UNDER and BELOW?
What are the examples of below? ›
"The temperature is below average today." "She gets paid below minimum wage." "The kids were looking for fish below the water." "He was hiding below the dock."
Below is a preposition or an adverb.
What is the theme of as above so below? ›
The strongest poems focus on the book's dominant theme: love. Divergent subjects impede its flow somewhat. The poems' uncomplicated rhyme schemes and strong, striking word pairings are engaging. As Above, So Below is a vibrant collection of poems focusing on sensational love and healing.
Did As Above, So Below get removed from Netflix? ›
Just before the official start of spooky season, and as the streamer prepares to roll out the first of its annual Halloween-themed content, As Above, So Below, the 2014 John Erick Dowdle-directed horror film, will exit Netflix on Wednesday, Sept. 15. This means fans have just two weeks left to binge the film.
Where can you watch free movies? ›
Here are seven of the best options for watching movies for free.
- The Roku Channel. Roku offers a mix of contemporary and classic films for free. ...
- YouTube. You might be surprised to learn that YouTube has a sizable collection of free films. ...
- Vudu. ...
- Crackle. ...
- Popcornflix.
Watch As Above, So Below | Prime Video.
Why did they create the catacombs? ›
The city needed a better place to put its dead. So it went to the tunnels, moving bones from the cemeteries five stories underground into Paris' former quarries. Cemeteries began to be emptied in 1786, beginning with Les Innocents.
Why were the catacombs built? ›
The catacombs of Rome, which date back to the and were among the first ever built, were constructed as underground tombs, first by Jewish communities and then by Christian communities.
How many people are lost in the catacombs? ›
Now, there are over seven million bodily remains in the catacombs. The French continued to bury new dead in the catacombs during the French Revolution, but the practice ceased after 1860. Many people killed by guillotine rest down there, Maximilien Robespierre among them.
Do they still put people in the catacombs? ›
The remains of more than six million people are buried in a vast network of tunnels below Paris, France. People who call themselves 'cataphiles' visit the catacombs illegally and occasionally hold underground parties. Skulls and bones are arranged to form the walls of the tunnels in the Paris Catacombs.
Are there really catacombs under Paris? ›
The Catacombs of Paris (French: Catacombes de Paris, pronunciation (help·info)) are underground ossuaries in Paris, France, which hold the remains of more than six million people in a small part of a tunnel network built to consolidate Paris' ancient stone quarries.
20 Movies Like As Above, So Below (2014)
- 1 Deliver Us from Evil (2014) ★ 6.2. Similar to As Above, So Below (2014)? ...
- 2 Afflicted (2013) ★ 6.2. ...
- 3 The Deep House (2021) ★ 5.4. ...
- 4 The Other Side of the Door (2016) ★ 5.3. ...
- 5 Ouija (2014) ★ 4.5. ...
- 6 Come Play (2020) ★ 5.7. ...
- 7 The Ritual (2017) ★ 6.3. ...
- 8 The Witch (2015) ★ 6.9.
While waiting to climb down the rope, Benji is on the eight floor which in Dante's Inferno would be the Eight Circle of Hell, called Fraud. He is pushed down the hole by a woman holding a baby, killing him instantly when he lands on the ninth floor, or Ninth Circle of Hell called Treachery.
What is above/below like? ›
“That which is below is like that which is above, and that which is above is like that which is below, to perform the miracles of one only thing.”
What happened at the end of as above, so below? ›
After facing their guilt, the group finds a long, dark tunnel going down, and in a literal leap of faith, the group jumps in, falling for a long time before landing clumsily yet alive. They then find a manhole on the ground that leads to the outside world, bringing them back to the real Paris.
What is the movie as above, so below about? ›
Is as above, so below scary? ›
Parents need to know that As Above/So Below is a "found footage" horror movie about archeologists seeking treasure in the catacombs beneath the streets of Paris. There's some brief but strong gore when characters are injured or attacked in the tunnels.
What does as above, so below stream on? ›
As Above, So Below, a thriller movie starring Perdita Weeks, Ben Feldman, and Edwin Hodge is available to stream now. Watch it on CALIFORNIA TV BOX, Prime Video, VUDU, Apple TV, Redbox. or Vudu Movie & TV Store on your Roku device.
Is as above, so below scary Reddit? ›
The movie is absolutely terrifying. People often say that 'The Descent' is the best when it comes to building on the idea of claustrophobia and closed spaces. But I think that crown belongs to AASB. It's even scarier, even more disturbing and much more polished and well directed than The Descent.
Where can we watch as above, so below? ›
Watch As Above, So Below Streaming Online. Hulu (Free Trial)
What was the hidden stone in as above so below? ›
Plot. Scarlett Marlowe, a young alchemy scholar, continues her dead father's work searching for the philosopher's stone, a legendary alchemical substance said to be capable of turning base metals such as lead into gold or silver and grant eternal life, discovered by Nicolas Flamel.
Satan is the main antagonist of the 2014 movie As Above So Below. Hell in this movie is heavily inspired by its depiction in Dante's Inferno. Although he only appears a few times in the film, it's very likely that his origins are the same as in that story and that he is a fallen angel.
Where is the hidden stone in as above so below? ›
The archaeologist Scarlett Marlowe searches the Nicholas Flame's alchemical philosopher's stone and finds a rose key in Iran in Aramaic that would help her to find the stone. She meets her former boyfriend George in Paris with her cameraman Benji and they conclude that the stone is below the Parisian Catacombs.
What was Benji's sin? ›
Benji's background and sin are less transparent, but his consistent notice of the Pagan woman seems to hint his sin is lust, the second circle of Hell.
What is the theme of As Above So Below? ›
The strongest poems focus on the book's dominant theme: love. Divergent subjects impede its flow somewhat. The poems' uncomplicated rhyme schemes and strong, striking word pairings are engaging. As Above, So Below is a vibrant collection of poems focusing on sensational love and healing.
Who was the creepy girl in As Above So Below? ›
As Above, So Below (2014) - Olivia Csiky Trnka as Strange Young Woman - IMDb.
How many survivors are in the as above so below? ›
By the end of As Above, So Below just three of the group remain – Zed, a gravely wounded George, and Scarlett, who thinks she has the stone in her possession. Zed's sins center around having a son he never sees and for George, it's about the role he played in his brother's accidental death.
How long is as above so below? ›
Is as above so below on Netflix? ›
Watch As Above, So Below | Netflix.
