You know the BFF necklaces middle schoolers wear with pride, each a puzzle piece reading “BE FRI” or “ST ENDS”?

On their own, the necklaces don’t make much sense. But when you fit the two halves together, they create a heart that tells the world who the individuals donning the necklaces are: BEST FRIENDS.

Now imagine that the heart beating in your chest really is one half of a puzzle, and if you get really lucky, you might just find your other half.

That’s the idea behind twin flames. They’re not just a garden-variety crush or friendship but a profound mirroring of two souls. If you feel this same level of connection with someone special in your life, here’s how to tell if they’re your long-lost soul twin.

What is a twin flame?

According to ancient beliefs, twin flames are two halves of a single soul, separated at the beginning of time and destined to find each other again.

In theory, when twin flames “reunite,” the bond is instantaneous and intense. There's an overwhelming sense of familiarity and euphoria as if you've known each other across lifetimes. It’s not just someone you share interests or hobbies with; it's another human who shares your soul.

Since your twin flame is essentially a mirror of your own soul, exploring that connection might force you to confront uncomfortable truths about yourself, like your deepest fears and insecurities. While that level of self-examination might feel overwhelming at times, it can also help you grow and learn to love and accept yourself just as you love and accept your soul twin.

One common misconception about twin flames is the nature of their relationship. You might associate these connections with buzzing romance or hot twin flame sex thanks to Hollywood pairings and tabloid stories (shout-out to Megan Fox and MGK), but this dynamic can also be purely platonic. Your other half might just be a close friend that feels like more than a sister — or even a genuine sister you’ve known since birth. 

7 signs you’ve found your twin flame

You’ll probably know the twin flame connection when you feel it — an undeniably deep, soul-clicking bond that feels predestined, like the stars guided you to each other or you knew each other in a past life.

Still not sure? Here are seven signs you might have found your other fiery half.

1. A deep, instant connection

We’re not talking about linking up with someone who loves all the same memes. If someone’s your twin flame, you’ll quickly feel a soulful, unspoken understanding of them and a sense that your knowledge of this person transcends this lifetime. 

2. An intense emotional bond

Twin flames often have deep emotional conversations, sometimes without ever speaking a word. Their linked hearts often do the talking, and they can be vulnerable with one another on a level they haven’t experienced with other people.

3. Mirror soul dynamics

You and your twin flame may share a lot of similarities, like interests and traits, but you’ll also match one another on a spiritual and energetic level. While this can lead you to click instantly, it’s also like looking at all your insecurities, strengths, and weaknesses in a mirror.

4. Divine timing

This relationship is the ultimate example of love finding one another when you least expect it. You won’t find your twin flame through any intentional search or a fee-based service that promises to locate your person. Believing in twin souls means believing in the divine timing of the universe and trusting that your paths will cross when the time is right. 

5. Shared growth

A true twin flame relationship goes way beyond friendship or romance. You don’t just love each other — your connection triggers an awakening that allows you to evolve together. Your twin flame may push you out of your comfort zone or make you see things in a new light as a catalyst to growth.

6. Synchronicities

Have you ever asked the universe to give you a sign? When you’ve found your twin flame, the universe delivers signs again and again. And then there are the rare twin flame signs, the synchronicities that leave almost no room for misinterpretation. You might share the same dreams night after night, or every time you think of them, they call.

7. Separation phases

It might seem like finding your twin flame means you’re locked in for life, but that’s often not the case. Twin flames sometimes go through periods of separation, which are crucial for individual growth and healing. These phases can be challenging but are essential for the relationship's evolution​ — and even if they never come back together, each partner will likely move forward in life stronger than they were before they met.

Soulmate versus twin flame versus karmic relationship

It’s easy to confuse twin flames with other metaphysical pairings like soulmates and karmic partners — they all share an intense, immediate connection and a sense that you’ve always known the person you just met. But the purposes of these relationships and the inherent forces behind them vary drastically.

Soulmates

While relationships between twin flames and soulmates are both based on deep, meaningful connections, the two are as different as streaming and vinyl — both special, but each in its own unique way.

Twin flames are like two halves of the same consciousness, and each half challenges the other. They grow together, even when it’s painful. The relationship is intense, fiery, and transformative.

Soulmate connections, on the other hand, are more complementary than reflective. They have enough in common to get along, but their differences make for a more complete combination. They offer unconditional love and allow their partners to grow and develop independently, understanding that the growth of one benefits the other.

Karmic relationships

While twin flames are of the same soul, karmic relationships involve two separate people who know each other in a spiritual sense from past lives and carry unfinished business.

While the sense of knowing one another is strong at the onset of a karmic relationship, there’s conflict at the core and a need to learn something in order to grow. This challenge can push you out of your comfort zone and lead you down a path to growth, but it can also feel emotionally taxing.

It’s important to remember that, no matter the type of kindred encounter, having an intense connection with someone doesn’t mean you have to pursue a relationship of any kind. If your heart tells you it’s “meant to be” but your mind tells you the relationship is toxic or abusive, walk away — sometimes it’s best to let unfinished business stay that way. 

Focus on feelings, not labels

There’s no scientific definition of twin flames, and focusing too much on finding yours could make you brush off a worthwhile connection or invest too much energy into a false twin flame — something that feels less right as time goes on. 

What really matters isn’t the label you give someone but the way they make you feel. If a connection feels amazing but not quite perfect, it might still be worth pursuing. And if someone is 99% perfect but does you harm, listen to the inner voice telling you the 1% is a big enough piece of the pie to let them go. 

Explore your fantasies with Quinn

You don’t have to find your twin flame to indulge in the fantasy — that’s what erotica is for. We made Quinn, the audio erotica app created by women for the world, to help people of every gender and sexuality enhance their sex lives with steamy audio content, whether it’s alone, with a twin flame, or to prep for a fun one-night stand. 

If you’re interested in tantric sex, sensory play, or healthy communication, the wide range of erotic content on Quinn is a great place to start.

To access thousands of audio stories and guided masturbation sessions, download the Quinn app for iOS or Android.