Table of Contents
10 symbols of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is God and can appear or even take the form of anything which represents him in the best possible way. We can never understand God fully and so we as human beings can come up with all symbols that the Holy Ghost can use. So, I will only mention a few here:
1. The Dove.
We read in the Book of Matthew 3:16-17,” After Jesus was baptized, He came up immediately out of the water, and behold, the heavens were opened, and he (John) saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on him (Jesus),” Here we see that the Holy Spirit is likened to a dove, a dove is pure, innocent, gentle, and even patient according to (Matthew 10:16; Psalm 68:13).
2. Clothing.
We see according to the Book of Luke 24:29 that Jesus told his disciples,” Listen carefully: I am sending the Promise of My Father [the Holy Spirit] upon you, but you are to remain in the city [of Jerusalem] until you are clothed (fully equipped) with power from on high.” We see here that the Holy Spirit is likened to clothing. We see that the disciples were to remain in Jerusalem until they were “clothed” by God with the Holy Spirit’s power.
3. Oil
Oil is a sign of the Holy Spirit’s approval, anointing, and power: “So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon David.” Samuel then went to Ramah.” (1 Samuel 16:13).
In the Bible times, we see that kings and priests were being anointed with oil as a way of God’s approval and blessing. We see that in the New Testament, oil is used as a symbol of the blessing of the Holy Spirit on all believers: “But you have had the Holy Spirit poured out on you by Christ, and so all of you know the truth.” (1 John 2:20).
4. Wine
Wine is a symbol of the joy-giving quality of the Holy Spirit. For instance, on the Day of Pentecost, the disciples were thought to be drunk with wine. But the apostle Peter explained, “These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: ‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams” (Acts 2:15–17).
5. Water.
Water symbolizes the cleansing nature of the Holy Spirit. “ we see that Jesus answered, ‘Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit’” (John 3:5; Ezekiel 36:25–27). Water also expresses the thirst-quenching, life-giving character of the Holy Spirit (John 4:14)
6. Fire
fire is a symbol of the Holy Spirit, which symbolizes power and presence: “I baptise you with water for repentance, but after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry.” He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire” (Matthew 3:11; see also Exodus 3:2; Isaiah 4:4; Luke 3:16–17, and 1 Thessalonians 5:19). On the day of Pentecost, as the disciples saw “what seemed to be tongues of fire” resting on them, and they were filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:3–4).
7. The Seal (John 6:37; Ephesians 4:30).
The seal symbolizes God’s ownership of the believer forever. We read in 2 Corinthians 1:22 “and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.
8. Rain
Rain is a symbol of the Holy Spirit’s refreshing power: “Let us try to know the LORD. He will come to us as surely as the day dawns, as surely as the spring rains fall upon the earth.” (Hosea 6:3).
9. Rivers
The river is a symbol of the Holy Spirit, which symbolizes the abundance and prosperity that flow forth from the Holy Spirit: “On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart” (John 7:37–38; see also Psalm 1:3).
Also, the symbol of dew illustrates the Holy Spirit’s refreshment, abundance, and fertility (Genesis 27:28; Isaiah 18:4).
6. Wind or Breath
Wind symbolizes the invisible, everywhere-present, and life-giving power of the Holy Spirit. We read in the Book of John 3:8 that “The wind blows wherever it wishes; you hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it is going. It is like that with everyone who is born of the Spirit” (John 3:8) The powerful outpouring of the Holy Spirit was accompanied by the sound of a mighty, rushing wind on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:2).
Pastor Nathaniel
