the human body can express the symbol of world axis. some of the more abstract tree of life representations, such as the "sefirot" in kabbalism and in the "chakra" system recognized by hinduism and buddhism, merge with the concept of the human body as a pillar between heaven and earth. disciplines such as yoga and tai chi begin from the premise of the human body as axis mundi. the buddha represents a world centre in human form. large statues of a meditating figure unite the human figure with the symbolism of temple and tower. astrology in all its forms assumes a connection between human health and affairs and the orientation of these with celestial bodies. world religions regard the body itself as a temple and prayer as a column uniting earth to heaven. the ancient colossus of rhodes combined the role of human figure with those of portal and skyscraper. the image of a human being suspended on a tree or a cross locates the figure at the axis where heaven and earth meet. the renaissance image known as the vitruvian man represented a symbolic and mathematical exploration of the human form as world axis.