The three symbols of the Holy Spirit within the Bible and what they mean

The three symbols of the Holy Spirit within the Bible and what they meanThere are three common symbols of the Holy Spirit that are wind, fire, and the dove. This is the story …

Wind or Breath

The Holy Spirit is likened to wind or breath. In Hebrew and Greek, the word for breath and spirit is identical, whether ‘ruach’ in Hebrew or ‘pneuma’ in Greek. At creation God breathed spirit into mankind. The Bible says that God formed a person from the dust of the bottom and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living being (Genesis 2:7).

Later we have now the analogy of the Holy Spirit with wind. Jesus explained that the wind blows wherever it pleases. Jesus said you can hear the sound of wind, but you can’t tell from where it’s coming or to where it goes: “So, it’s with everyone born of the Spirit”  (John 3:8, NIV). 

Then the Holy Spirit got here like wind at Pentecost. It was said to sound like a violent wind blowing in from heaven, and it filled the entire place where they sat: “All of them were full of the Holy Spirit and commenced to talk in other tongues because the Spirit enabled them” (Acts 2:2). The Spirit arrived like a rushing wind (Acts 2:2), signifying life, power, and the invisible but real presence of the Spirit.Wind is robust and powerful and can’t be controlled by mankind. So, it’s with the Holy Spirit. Rather like electricity and love, you can’t see wind physically, but you’ll be able to see and feel its effects to realize it is there.

Flames or Fire

Another symbol of the Holy Spirit is the flame or fire. At Mount Sinai Moses met the angel of the Lord who appeared to him within the flames of fireside from inside a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it didn’t burn (Exodus 3:2-3). The burning bush has been used as an emblem by some Christian groups. Its adoption dates to the French Huguenots (Reformed Church of France) in 1583, who selected it as an emblem of the Church’s endurance through persecution, accompanied by the motto “I’m burned but not consumed” (Flagror non consumor).

John Calvin used the burning bush as a metaphor for the Church enduring persecution but never being destroyed, because it is sustained by God’s presence moderately than its own strength. Today the burning bush is used as an emblem by many Presbyterian churches which come out of the Scottish Calvinist tradition.

John the Baptist baptised with water for repentance, but he said that Jesus would baptise with the Holy Spirit and fire” (Matthew 3:11, Luke 3:16). Then at Pentecost within the Upper Room, the gathered disciples saw what appeared to be tongues of fireside that separated and got here to rest upon them. It says that every one of them were full of the Holy Spirit and commenced to talk in other tongues because the Spirit enabled them (Acts 2:2-4). Today fire is an emblem of The Salvation Army which has “Blood and Fire” because the motto of its crest and flag. The flame can be an emblem of the United Methodist Church (UMC) within the USA, which mixes a flame with the cross.Fire has the sense of holiness within the Old Testament. The burning bush never burnt out and God’s fire can’t be extinguished. In metalwork fire purifies metal and burns off impurities. We could have a spark of the Holy Spirit in us, nevertheless it must be ignited to set us on fire for God. Fire symbolises transformation, purification, energy, and the empowering force of the Spirit.

The Dove

The dove is one other symbol of the Holy Spirit. In the story of Noah, we read that when the dove returned within the evening, it had a freshly plucked olive leaf in its beak. That enabled Noah to know that the water had receded from parts of the earth (Genesis 8:11). From this story the dove has grow to be a global symbol of peace which has been utilized by the United Nations. At the baptism of Jesus, we read that Jesus was baptised by John the Baptist and as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven opening and the Spirit descend upon him like a dove (Matthew 3:6; Mark 1:9-10; Luke 3:22; John 1:32). Some Christians wear a dove as a badge, especially those from Pentecostal or charismatic traditions.

In the ark the dove brought the primary proof of life to Noah, and the Holy Spirit is proof of life with God. Doves are white and white was symbolic as a color of holiness and purity. In the Old Testament the priests wore white linen garments to suggest their readiness to enter God’s holy presence (Exodus 28:39), and angels are sometimes described as clothed in white (Daniel 7:9, Revelation 7:9, 14). 

The prophet Isaiah uses the metaphor of sins being like scarlet, but purity being white like snow or wool (Isaiah 1:18) for example God’s power to cleanse and forgive, turning impurity into purity. Doves come bringing peace, and the Holy Spirit brings peace, and Jesus is Prince of Peace. The dove represents purity, peace, and the gentle presence of the Spirit.

Summary

There are three biblical symbols of the Holy Spirit present in the Old Testament and within the New Testament. These three symbols are deeply rooted in Scripture and Christian tradition. They have been used through history by Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant Christians. They help us understand and visualise the various ways the Holy Spirit is present and energetic on the earth and within the lives of believers.