A ‘twin flame’ doesn’t always refer to a romantic relationship, but it’s a term that refers to people that share something bigger. If you’ve ever met someone who you instantly connect to, as if you were always destined to meet, even if you’re unsure quite why, they may be your twin flame.
Twin flame relationships tend to be intense, it’s someone with whom you have a profound spiritual connection to, with traits often compared to soul mates. While both describe a life-changing relationship, the two concepts are described as being entirely different.
The term ‘twin flame’ was first coined in the ’70s by Elizabeth Clare Prophet, the leader and founder of an international New Age religious organisation called The Church Universal and Triumphant (CUT). She also published the book Soul Mates and Twin Flames: The Spiritual Dimension of Love and Relationships.
However, the concept can be traced to the fifth century BC. According to Greek mythology, humans originally had a head with two faces, two pair of arms, and two pair of legs. However, Zeus feared their power and split them into two separate parts. The pair spends their lives in search of their other half – alas, your twin flame.
So what, exactly, does the term twin flame mean? And, perhaps more importantly, how do you know when you’ve found yours?
What is a twin flame?
The concept of a perfect, destined partner is certainly a nice one. But what does it actually mean?
According to astrologer Patty Kamson, it’s a lot like what it sounds like. “Imagine meeting someone who feels like they are your soul’s mirror,” she says. “Someone who reflects your deepest self, lights up your spirit, and challenges you like no one else. That’s a twin flame.”
However, a twin flame is not exactly a soulmate. “Unlike soulmates, who come into your life to support and grow with you (and yes, you can have more than one soulmate), a twin flame is the person who shares your soul,” she says. “It’s like two halves of the same whole — two flames burning from the same spark. The connection is intense and can be as tumultuous as it is transformative.”
Kamson points to Megan Fox and Machine Gun Kelly as an example. The pair have spoken about their twin flame connection in the past.
Kamson sums up, “It’s that electric feeling of being deeply understood, yet constantly pushed to grow. Meeting your twin flame isn’t about finding someone who completes you, but rather, someone who pushes you to evolve into your best self.”
Can you have more than one twin flame?
Although we can all have plenty of wonderful connections in our lives, you can only have one true twin flame, according to the theory.
“It’s often believed that a twin flame is your soul’s other half, making the connection rare and uniquely special,” says Kamson.
Sometimes, we may never meet our twin flame — but we can still find a soulmate. “A soulmate brings deep support, love and companionship, often arriving when you need them most,” she says. “Soulmates can come in the form of friends, partners, or even family members, and they’re there to share in your journey, offering comfort and connection without necessarily challenging you to the core the way a twin flame does.”
How do you know when you have met your twin flame?
Recognising your twin flame isn’t as simple as swiping right on a dating app. “It’s not just about chemistry or attraction, it’s a soul-level connection that’s pretty unmistakable,” says Kamson.