As Above So Below – Meaning Origin and Hermetic Principle

The phrase “as above, so below” has appeared on countless tattoos, in films, and within spiritual communities worldwide. Yet its origins trace back to a cryptic alchemical text from the medieval Islamic world, not the ancient Egypt many assume. This principle sits at the heart of Hermetic philosophy and continues to influence contemporary spirituality, self-help movements, and Western esotericism.

Understanding where this maxim truly comes from—and what it actually meant in its original context—requires separating historical fact from popular mythology. The meaning embedded in these four words connects to profound questions about the nature of reality, the relationship between the physical and spiritual worlds, and the idea that patterns repeat across different scales of existence.

What Does “As Above, So Below” Mean?

At its core, “as above, so below” expresses a fundamental philosophical concept: the material world reflects principles and patterns that exist on higher planes of reality. This idea suggests that understanding one realm of existence can reveal truths about another, whether that means deducing cosmic laws from earthly observations or vice versa.

Key Insights About the Principle of Correspondence

• The phrase represents the second of seven Hermetic principles outlined in The Kybalion (1908), though the concept predates that text by centuries
• It reflects macrocosm-microcosm unity: the belief that universal patterns repeat at every level of existence
• In alchemy, the principle describes transformation where earthly matter ascends toward heavenly or spiritual perfection
• The concept enables reasoning from the known (microcosm) to the unknown (macrocosm)
• Hermes Trismegistus—the legendary author attributed with the phrase—blends Greek Hermes with Egyptian Thoth
• Modern applications span yoga practice, meditation, self-help literature, and psychological frameworks
• The phrase influences contemporary spirituality as a reminder of interconnectedness between all things

Quick Reference: Key Facts

Where Does “As Above, So Below” Come From?

The Emerald Tablet and Its Origins

The phrase originates from the Emerald Tablet (Latin: Tabula Smaragdina), a concise alchemical text consisting of roughly a dozen sentences. Scholars trace the earliest known Arabic versions to the late 8th or early 9th century CE. The text’s legendary authorship attributes it to Hermes Trismegistus, a syncretic figure combining Greek Hermes with Egyptian Thoth.

The second verse of the Emerald Tablet contains the principle that would eventually become “as above, so below.” According to academic sources, the original Arabic formulation emphasizes causation and origin rather than direct equivalence: “that which is above is from that which is below, and that which is below is from that which is above.” The familiar phrasing emerged primarily from Latin translations made in medieval Spain during the 12th century.

The Legend of Hermes Trismegistus

Hermes Trismegistus—which translates to “thrice-great Hermes”—represents a fusion of Greek and Egyptian divine figures. In Greek tradition, Hermes served as messenger of the gods, guide of souls, and patron of travelers, craftsmen, and thieves. Egyptian counterpart Thoth functioned as god of writing, wisdom, and magic. The blending of these identities occurred during the Hellenistic period when Greek and Egyptian cultures intermixed in Egypt.

Medieval Europeans inherited the Hermetic corpus through Arabic translations and attributed profound cosmological and alchemical wisdom to this legendary figure. The name became associated with texts exploring the nature of reality, the soul’s journey, and the transformation of matter—all themes connected to the Emerald Tablet’s mysterious verses.

What Does “As Above, So Below” Mean in Tattoos and Modern Culture?

Symbolism in Body Art

The phrase “as above, so below” has become a popular choice for tattoos, often appearing alongside complementary symbols. Common design elements include hexagrams (particularly the Star of David configuration), circles, all-seeing eyes, and various alchemical symbols. Those who choose this phrase for permanent body art typically seek to express ideas of balance, unity, spiritual transformation, or personal growth.

Tattoo artists and wearers frequently connect the principle to themes of karma, cause and effect, or the cyclical nature of existence. The visual appeal of the phrase’s symmetry—seven words balancing upper and lower worlds—contributes to its aesthetic popularity in body art contexts.

Appearances in Film and Media

The 2014 horror film As Above, So Below drew upon the phrase’s occult associations, using the Emerald Tablet as a plot device. The production, which follows archaeologists exploring Parisian catacombs, presents the principle as an actual magical formula capable of altering reality. Such portrayals, while dramatic, diverge significantly from the philosophical meaning embedded in the original Hermetic texts.

Beyond cinema, the phrase appears throughout New Age literature, self-help publications, and spiritual communities. Yoga instructors, meditation teachers, and motivational speakers often invoke the principle when discussing the connection between internal mental states and external circumstances. The concept aligns with psychological frameworks exploring how internal beliefs manifest in external experiences.

Is “As Above, So Below” in the Bible or Related to Other Traditions?

Alleged Biblical Connections

Some sources claim connections between “as above, so below” and verses from the Book of Isaiah in the Hebrew Bible. Specifically, passages describing God’s work in heaven being mirrored on earth have been cited as potential parallels. However, scholars distinguish between thematic similarity and direct textual influence.

The relationship between Hermetic texts and biblical passages remains a matter of interpretive discussion among scholars of Western esotericism. While certain mystical traditions have drawn connections between these sources, the Emerald Tablet’s specific phrasing does not appear in any biblical text. The similarity reflects broader philosophical themes about divine order manifesting throughout creation rather than direct literary borrowing.

Connections to Freemasonry

Within Freemasonry, “as above, so below” acquires symbolic meaning through architectural and ritual elements. The square (representing the material/earthly realm) and compass (symbolizing the spiritual/heavenly sphere) embody the correspondence between different aspects of existence. Solomon’s Temple pillars, representing terrestrial and celestial principles, reinforce this macrocosm-microcosm unity within Masonic philosophy.

Masonic teachings often emphasize universal brotherhood under what Freemasons call the Great Architect of the Universe. The Hermetic principle of correspondence supports this framework by suggesting that harmony exists across all levels of creation, from the divine down through human society.

Hermeticism and Related Occult Traditions

Hermeticism, the philosophical tradition stemming from the Corpus Hermeticum, provided the intellectual framework within which the Emerald Tablet gained significance. This tradition views reality as fundamentally interconnected, with the material world reflecting mental and spiritual principles.

Historical figures including Helena Blavatsky (founder of Theosophy) and Emanuel Swedenborg (Swedish scientist and mystic) interpreted the correspondence principle within their respective spiritual systems. These interpretations connected Hermetic philosophy with Kabbalah, Pythagorean mathematics, and Buddhist concepts of ultimate reality beneath visible appearances.

What Are the Related Hermetic Principles?

The Seven Hermetic Principles

The Kybalion, published in 1908 by authors writing under the pseudonym “Three Initiates” (likely William W. Atkinson), systematized seven fundamental Hermetic principles. While the original Hermetic texts did not present such a neat list, The Kybalion organized existing concepts into a coherent framework that gained widespread popularity in the 20th century.

• Mentalism: The universe is fundamentally mental in nature; all existence arises from mind
• Correspondence: “As above, so below; as below, so above”—the universal law operating across all planes
• Vibration: Nothing rests; everything moves, vibrates, and circles
• Polarity: Everything possesses opposites; extremes meet
• Rhythm: Everything flows out and in; everything has its tides
• Cause and Effect: Every cause has its effect; every effect its cause
• Gender: Everything has masculine and feminine principles

The Principle of Correspondence in Detail

Correspondence forms the second Hermetic principle and directly expresses the concept of “as above, so below.” This law states that the three great planes of existence—physical, mental, and spiritual—mirror each other in structure and operation. By studying one plane, practitioners believe they can infer principles operating on others.

The principle implies that patterns observed in astronomy might reflect principles governing atomic structure, or that psychological patterns repeat across individual, social, and cosmic scales. This correspondence enables what Hermetic practitioners call “the art of polar variation”—working on one plane to affect another.

The Emerald Tablet in Historical Context

Timeline of Key Developments

1. Ancient period: Legendary origins attributed to Thoth (Egypt) and Hermes (Greece), though actual texts came later
2. 6th-8th century CE: Earliest known Arabic versions of the Emerald Tablet emerge in the Islamic world
3. 12th century: Latin translations appear in Western Europe, notably by Hugo of Santalla
4. 17th-19th century: Alchemical and occult traditions continue incorporating the text
5. 1908: Publication of The Kybalion systematizes and popularizes the seven principles
6. 20th-21st century: Mainstream cultural exposure through films, tattoos, and New Age spirituality

What Can Be Verified About “As Above, So Below”?

Why Does This Principle Continue to Resonate?

The enduring appeal of “as above, so below” reflects broader human interests in finding patterns, meaning, and connection across different domains of experience. The principle offers a cognitive framework suggesting that existence possesses coherent structure—that the same underlying laws might govern everything from subatomic particles to galaxies, from individual psychology to spiritual reality.

In an age of increasing specialization and fragmentation of knowledge, the Hermetic correspondence principle offers an integrative vision. It suggests that understanding gained in one domain—scientific, artistic, spiritual, or practical—might illuminate others. This holism attracts those seeking unified worldviews in contrast to compartmentalized expertise.

The principle also speaks to questions of scale and relationship between parts and wholes. Modern scientific concepts like fractals, holograms, and emergence echo this ancient intuition that pattern and structure transcend simple categories of size or level.

What Do Primary Sources Say?

“That which is above is from that which is below, and that which is below is from that which is above, and that which is above is that which is below, and that which is below is that which is above.”

— Emerald Tablet (Tabula Smaragdina), from Latin translation

“The Principle of Correspondence: ‘As above, so below; as below, so above.’ This principle embodies the truth that there is always a correspondence between the laws and phenomena of the various planes of being and life. This Principle is of universal application and utility.”

— The Kybalion (1908), Chapter IV

Primary sources for understanding the Emerald Tablet include medieval Latin translations available through academic collections of alchemical texts. The Sacred Texts Archive provides accessible versions of these historical translations. Scholarly analysis of Hermetic philosophy appears in academic publications examining the intersection of ancient religion, philosophy, and science.

Understanding “As Above, So Below”

The phrase “as above, so below” distills complex philosophical ideas about correspondence, harmony, and the structure of reality into four memorable words. Its journey from medieval Arabic alchemy through Latin scholarship to contemporary popular culture demonstrates how ideas migrate across traditions and centuries. Whether encountered in academic study, spiritual practice, tattoo art, or casual conversation, the principle invites contemplation of how different levels of existence might mirror and influence each other.

Those interested in exploring related concepts might consider examining the Etch A Sketch – How the Classic Toy Works and Its History for a different perspective on how seemingly simple ideas can have complex cultural resonance, or the Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe – Original Toll House Formula to see how certain formulations achieve enduring cultural staying power.

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