As one of the four elements of nature, Fire has been a crucial part of human survival and societal development. Our ancestors were able to keep warm, have a light source, and protect themselves from predators. So, it is not surprising that this element has become a symbol in many cultures.
Many cultures have their symbolism of Fire. The meanings they have given to this element have become an integral part of their way of life and religion.
Fire symbolizes: light, warmth, protection, creativity, passion, drive, creation, rebirth, destruction, and purification.
Table of Contents
Symbolism of Fire
Fire as a symbol can be represented from various human aspects. For example, from a spiritual perspective, fire represents passion, creativity, ambition, and compulsion. Fire also is a symbol in many religions and mythology. You will also see the symbolism of fire in many works of literature.
Humanity and fire
Since the earliest humans learned how to tame its flames, fire has become a staple in the societies that followed. Fire represented a source of light, warmth, and protection for our ancestors. It was a crucial factor in developing sophisticated tools and technological advancements.
In terms of science, the father of the theory of evolution, Charles Darwin himself, considered fire and language to be humanity’s most outstanding achievements.
Furthermore, according to Harvard biologist Richard Wrangham’s theory, fire is a crucial factor in human evolution, especially the increased size of our brains. However, scientific theories aside, fire is an element people have found spiritually connected with for thousands of years.
The spiritual symbolism of fire
In spirituality, fire often symbolizes a person’s creativity, passion, drive, and compulsion. For example, the fire zodiac signs are Leo, Aries, and Sagittarius. The people born under these signs are considered to be highly passionate and spiritual individuals.
In many cultures, fire spiritually represents creation, rebirth, and destruction. As a symbol of spiritual transformation stands the fiery phoenix. According to the myth, the phoenix is an immortal bird that regenerates and is engulfed in flames. From its ashes rises a new phoenix.
At the same time, other cultures see fire as a symbol of purification. Here it is believed that fire can remove impurities from the human soul.
Fire in Mythology
Theft of fire
Prometheus and His Gift to Humanity
Perhaps the most well-known myth involving fire is the ancient Greek one about Prometheus. Prometheus is the Titan god of Fire, and according to Greek Mythology, he created humanity from clay and wanted to give them fire as a means of survival.
However, Zeus refused Prometheus’ request to give humans access to the fire. Prometheus came up with a plan to fool the gods. He flung a golden pear into the courtyard’s center, which was addressed to the most beautiful goddess. Since the pear had no name, the goddesses quarreled among themselves over who should receive the golden fruit.
Prometheus snuck into Hephaestus’s workshop during the commotion, took the fire, and delivered it to humans. For his insubordination, Prometheus was tied to Mount Caucasus, where an eagle would consume his liver forever due to Zeus’s fury.
Africa
The theft of fire for the benefit of humans is also present in other cultures’ mythologies besides the Greeks’. For example, the indigenous tribe of South Africa, the San People, tells the myth of the shape-shifting God IKaggen.
According to the story, IKaggen transformed into a mantis to steal the first fire from the ostrich, who kept it under its wings and brought it to the people.
Native American Myths
According to many Native American myths and legends, the fire was stolen by an animal and gifted to humans.
- According to Cherokee Myth, Possum and Buzzard failed to steal the fire from the land of light. Grandmother Spider managed to steal the fire by using her web to sneak into the land of light. She stole the first by hiding it in a silk net.
- In the Algonquin myth, Rabbit stole fire from an old man and his two daughters, who did not want to share it.
- According to Muscogee’s legend from the Weasels, Rabbit also stole the fire.
South America
The Native Tribes in South America also have their myths and legends regarding the origins of fire. [5]
- Mazatec legend talks about how an opossum spread fire to humanity. As per the story, fire fell from a star and the old woman that found it kept it for herself. The opossum took the fire from the older woman, who then carried it on its hairless tail.
- According to the Lengua/Enxet people of the Gran Chaco in Paraguay, a man stole fire from a bird after noticing that it cooks snails on burning sticks. However, the theft leads the bird to enact revenge on the man by creating a storm that damages his village.
Fire and Religion
The Bible
In the Bible, fire symbolizes punishment and purification.
Punishment
In the Christian religion, both in scripture and art, Hell is described as fiery eternal damnation to those living in sin. According to the Bible, every evil person will be thrown into the fires of Hell to spend eternity punished for their sins.
Purification
Besides eternal punishment, fire in Christianity is also seen as a purification of sin. As per the Roman Catholic doctrine in Purgatory, Fire purges the soul of sin. Another example of purification through fire in Christianity is the burning of Sodom and Gomorrah.
Sodom and Gomorrah were cities that fell into sinful ways, and God, as punishment for such sinful living, burned both to ash. By burning the cities, God purified the world of the evil that took over Sodom and Gomorrah.
Hinduism
Transformation and Immortality
The Hindu deity Agni represents both the sun and fire in Hinduism. Agni is said to transform everything he comes into contact with, which is why he symbolizes transformation and change.
Unknown artist unknown artist, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
As the God of Fire, Agni accepts sacrifices because he is the messenger between the mortals and the gods. Agni is also forever young and immortal because the fire is re-lit every day.
Mother of Renewal
Another Hindu deity associated with fire is the goddess Kali, the “mother of renewal.” Kali is often depicted with a flame in her hand. She can use fire to destroy the universe while creating new life from the ashes of her victims.
Fire in Literature
Many literary works use the symbolism of fire to evoke different emotions in the reader, while in other books, fire is the moving plot device.
Shakespeare’s works
Shakespeare frequently uses fire in his plays as a representation of deep sadness. The phrase “My drops of tears I’ll transform to sparks of fire” is one of his most well-known phrases from Henry VIII.
Queen Katherine discusses using melancholy as motivation in this passage. Then, she labels Cardinal Wolsey as her adversary and holds him responsible for the friction between the queen and her husband.
One of the world’s most well-known tragedies, Romeo and Juliet, uses fire as a metaphor for the two characters’ love for one another. Shakespeare, for instance, uses the metaphor “a fire blazing in lovers’ eyes” in Act 1, Scene 1.
Fahrenheit 451
Fire is a literal destructive force in Fahrenheit 451. Montag, the primary character, makes a living by burning books. He is erasing knowledge to keep people ignorant. However, fire also serves as a metaphor for destruction in this book.
The book begins with a description of how devastating fire is. It also recurs frequently in the book: “It was a delight to burn. Observing objects being consumed, transformed, and blackened was quite enjoyable.”
In the book, we fully see the destructive nature of humanity, no matter the consequences.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the symbolism of fire represents many different things, such as passion and creativity. In mythology and religion, fire often is seen as a symbol of rebirth, punishment, and purification.
References
- “Control of fire by early humans.” n.d. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Control_of_fire_by_early_humans.
- Adler, Jerry. n.d. “Why Fire Makes Us Human | Science.” Smithsonian Magazine. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/why-fire-makes-us-human-72989884/.
- “Fire Myths: Prometheus.” n.d. Eldvarm. Accessed January 30, 2023. https://eldvarm.com/stories-by-the-fire/fire-myths-prometheus/.
- Judson, Katharine B. 1912. Myths and Legends of the Pacific Northwest. Chicago: n.p.
- “Theft of fire.” n.d. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theft_of_fire#cite_note-6.
- “40 Best Bible Scriptures on Fire – ConnectUS.” 2020. ConnectUS. https://connectusfund.org/40-best-bible-scriptures-on-fire.
- “Agni: God of Fire and Sacrifices in Hindu Mythology.” 2021. World History Edu. https://www.worldhistoryedu.com/agni-the-hindu-fire-god-who-burnt-down-the-khandava-forest/.
- “Henry VIII, Act II, Scene 4.” n.d. Open Source Shakespeare. https://www.opensourceshakespeare.org/views/plays/play_view.php?WorkID=henry8&Act=2&Scene=4&Scope=scene.
- Shakespeare, William. n.d. “Act 1, Scene 1 | Romeo and Juliet | William Shakespeare | Lit2Go ETC.” Florida Center for Instructional Technology. https://etc.usf.edu/lit2go/201/romeo-and-juliet/4316/act-1-scene-1/.
- Bauer, Patricia, and Lee Pfeiffer. n.d. “Fahrenheit 451 | Plot, Themes, & Facts | Britannica.” Encyclopedia Britannica.https://www.britannica.com/topic/Fahrenheit-451-novel-by-Bradbury.