The symbolism of sand as the foundation of creative life

There are several healing elements in sandplay therapy. However, research on the healing and symbolic importance of sand has been relatively insufficient as studies have been more fascinated by the number and scale of figures used. Sand represents the earth, and the earth is a symbol of maternity that allows all life to conceive, create, and thrive. Maternity is where we are born and raised, and where we grow. Therefore, in this study, both the symbolism of sand itself and its role as a positive, supportive, maternal, and earth-like foundation for the creation of life by clients were discussed. The implications of this study are as follows: Sand stimulates the maternal, healing, and creative abilities within us and allows this energy to be constellated. Sand, which represents the inner force of positive mother and healing of wounds, symbolically includes the therapist. With the power of the inner mother archetype and the support of symbolic mother as represented by the counselor, the client gains the power to heal themselves.