THE MICROCOSM & THE MACROCOSM 

    Greater than and less than can also symbolize the four forces, these are not spiritual forces, but they do allow us to exist. The four forces are; Gravity, Electricity & Magnetism (electromagnetism), The Strong Nuclear Force and The Weak Nuclear Force. Gravity and Electromagnetism can move things at great distances. So they are remembered by points on the end of greater-than. The two other forces, which primarily short range, can be remembered by the two remaining points on less-then.       

      Quantum mechanics, the physics of particles and the microcosm, and classical mechanics, the physics of gravity and the macrocosm can also be visualized by the two arrows. A unifying theory of both, called “Quantum-Gravity”, is expressed by the diamond in the middle. Quantum mechanics also shows us that “God plays dice” and that randomness, even if it is hard to accept, is quite real. Quantum mechanics may also explain some aspects of ESP.

      Greater than and less than also mean more or less. More or less then translates in addition and subtraction, which, through many emergent steps, forms the bases for the rest of mathematics. Selected parts of mathematics have an almost mystical way of describing the world. They say “God speaks in numbers”. But the adaptive life of math seems no more mysterious than any other product of evolution. Indeed the question of whether mathematics is discovered or created seems to disappear if one sees life as a kind feedback. However, in my opinion math’s best quality is that it works for any size  

      Greater than and less than also represent, attraction and repulsion, or expansion and contraction or Yin and Yang, universal themes indeed. Examples of expansion and contraction, or tension and compression, can be found in super novas, bones, muscles, and suspension bridges. Examples of activation and inhibition can be found in DNA, the brain, and computers. Not to mention issues surrounding good and evil.      

       Indeed love itself could be thought of as an emerging from contraction. The forces of nature bring things together. The strong nuclear force brings nucleons together and creates nuclei. Electromagnetism brings together protons and electrons and creates the atom. Then gravity brings together dust and rocks and creates a planet. So it’s natural to think of a more complicated form of contraction as bringing together; couples, tribes, cities, nations and finally the whole world. And now we huddle together, in the context of an expanding universe.

       In addition to reconciling dualities, the two arrows could be thought of as a call to meditate on your own breath. Located in the center of the Octagod, in a position that could be considered the nose, expansion and contraction could mean breathing itself. But if you think of this as a meditation, say “ooooo-ct-aaaaa”, and imagine something from science!