# Transmigration
> [!summary]
> *The soul's journey from body to body is one of the most important concepts to understand. These analogies make this abstract truth tangible and memorable.*
## Changing Clothes
### The Most Famous Analogy
As a person gives up old garments and accepts new ones, the soul gives up old bodies and accepts new ones.
![[bg/2/22|garments]]
—Bg. [[bg/2/22|2.22]]
See also: [[bg/13/22|Bg. 13.22]]
## Fire Leaping
### From Wood to Wood
As fire leaps from one piece of wood to another, the soul transmigrates from one body to the next at the time of death.
![[sb/10/1/51#purport|fire]]
—SB [[sb/10/1/51|10.1.51]] Purport
## Dreaming
### Moving Through Different States
As we experience different bodies and situations in dreams, the soul experiences different bodies in material existence.
![[sb/3/33/26#purport|dream]]
—SB [[sb/3/33/26|3.33.26]] Purport
See also: [[sb/10/1/41|SB 10.1.41]]
## Caterpillar
### Grasping Before Releasing
As a caterpillar reaches forward to grasp the next leaf before releasing the previous one, the soul secures its next body before leaving the present one.
![[sb/4/29/76-77#purport|caterpillar]]
—SB [[sb/4/29/76-77|4.29.76-77]] Purport
## Childhood to Youth
### Changing Within This Life
As we change from childhood to youth to old age within one life—yet remain the same person—the soul similarly continues when changing bodies.
![[bg/2/13|changing bodies]]
—Bg. [[bg/2/13|2.13]]
## Ferris Wheel
### Going Around in Circles
Transmigration is compared to riding a ferris wheel—going up to heavenly planets, then coming back down, repeatedly cycling through material existence.
![[bg/9/21#purport|ferris wheel]]
—Bg. [[bg/9/21|9.21]] Purport
## Gold Transaction
### Changing Forms
As gold is melted and recast into different ornaments while remaining gold, the soul takes different bodies while remaining the same spiritual entity.
![[sb/6/16/6#purport|gold]]
—SB [[sb/6/16/6|6.16.6]] Purport
## Animal Changing Owners
### New Controllers
As an animal may be sold from one owner to another, the soul moves from one body to another, coming under different material controllers.
![[sb/6/16/7#purport|animal]]
—SB [[sb/6/16/7|6.16.7]] Purport
*Complete reference: [[index/entries/analogies|Analogies Index]]*
*See also: [[wiki/analogies/soul-body|Soul & Body Analogies]], [[wiki/analogies/dreams|Dream Analogies]]*