Introduction

Building upon our interpretation of the four classical elements as developmental stages in the formation of physical reality, we find a remarkable parallel in modern cosmology. The stages of the Big Bang and subsequent inflationary model of the universe can be divided into four distinct periods that correspond to the four letters of the Tetragrammaton, the four classical elements, and the four worlds of Seder Hishtalshelut (“Chain-like Order” [of Created Worlds]). This alignment illustrates the universality of these developmental stages across both spiritual and physical realms.

The Four Cosmological Epochs

  1. Planck Epoch — Yud (י) — Fire (Aish)

This period corresponds to the letter Yud in the Tetragrammaton—the smallest letter in the Hebrew alphabet, essentially a point, symbolizing the initial singularity. It also corresponds to the element of Aish (Fire), representing intense heat and pure energy. The Planck Epoch’s singularity aligns perfectly with Yud’s representation as a point, embodying the concentrated essence of all that would become the universe. The unified superforce aligns with the undifferentiated nature of the Yud and the pure energy state of fire—essentially a super-heated plasma state.

  • Inflationary Epoch — Heh (ה) — Water (Mayim)

During this brief but crucial period (from approximately 10⁻³⁶ to 10⁻³² seconds after the Big Bang), the universe underwent rapid, exponential expansion, growing faster than the speed of light. This cosmic inflation was driven by a hypothetical scalar energy field called the inflaton field, which caused space itself to expand dramatically. This rapid expansion smoothed out initial irregularities, creating the remarkably uniform and isotropic universe we observe on large scales today.

This epoch corresponds to the letter Heh, which graphically represents expansion from the point of Yud into breadth and width, symbolizing extension and the emergence of dimensionality. The transition from singularity to a rapidly expanding universe mirrors Heh’s expansion from point to space. It corresponds to the element of Mayim (Water), whose fluid nature parallels the inflaton field’s ability to flow and expand, filling all available space. Just as water smooths and levels surface, inflation homogenized the early universe.

  • Particle Epoch — Vav (ו) — Air (Ruaḥ)

As the universe cooled, the inflaton field decayed, releasing its energy to create elementary particles. During this period (from 10⁻¹² to approximately 1 second after the Big Bang), quarks, leptons, and bosons formed. Quarks combined into hadrons (protons and neutrons), which later joined with electrons to form atoms. This epoch also saw matter-antimatter asymmetry development, leading to matter predominance in our universe.

This epoch corresponds to the letter Waw and the element of Ruaḥ (Air). Waw, written as a vertical line, represents connection and continuation—indeed, in Hebrew, it means “and,” serving as a conjunction. This connecting role parallels the combining of particles into more complex structures. Air’s intangible yet essential nature reflects the fundamental forces acting between particles, while its constant motion mirrors the dynamic interactions of the particle era.

  • Matter Dominated Epoch — Final Heh (ה) — Earth (Afar)

Beginning around 70,000 years after the Big Bang and continuing to the present, this epoch is characterized by matter’s dominance over radiation. Gravitational forces began pulling matter together, forming increasingly complex structures—stars, galaxies, and galaxy clusters. Within stars, nuclear fusion created heavier elements, eventually leading to the formation of planets and the emergence of life.

This epoch corresponds to the final Heh and the element of Afar (Earth). The final Heh, associated with the sefirah of Malkhut, represents the completion and manifestation of creative potential in tangible reality. Earth symbolizes solidity and stability—the most concrete manifestation of matter. The gravitational forces shaping cosmic structures mirror Earth’s grounding nature and physical manifestation.

Correspondence with the Four Worlds

These cosmological stages align perfectly with the four worlds of Kabbalah:

1. Atzilut (Emanation) — Planck Epoch — Yud — Fire (Aish)

Atzilut is Pure Divinity, where unity prevails, corresponding to the unified superforce and singular nature of the Planck Epoch.

2. Beriah (Creation) — Inflationary Epoch — Heh — Water (Mayim)

Beriah is the beginning of creation, mirroring the universe’s rapid expansion and the emergence of spatial dimensions.

3. Yetzirah (Formation) — Particle Epoch — Waw — Air (Ruaḥ)

Yetzirah is the world of formation where created forms take shape, paralleling the formation of fundamental particles and atoms.

4. Asiyah (Action) — Matter-Dominated Epoch — Final Heh — Earth (Afar)

Asiyah is the realm of physical existence, corresponding to the material universe with its complex structures and life forms.

Conclusion

The alignment between cosmological epochs and the four developmental stages demonstrates how the four elements, reinterpreted as developmental stages, manifest in modern cosmology. The universe’s evolution—from initial singularity to complex material reality—mirrors the progression outlined by the Tetragrammaton, the classical elements, and the four worlds of Seder Hishtalshelut.