Intriguing Symbols of the Holy Spirit

Symbols of the Holy Spirit abound. But are any true? If any are authentic, how would you know? How would anyone know? You would have to know the Holy Spirit to know if the symbol actually represented Him.

Nobody really knows what God or Jesus or the Holy Spirit looks like. We have no photos. This is especially true of the Holy Spirit. 

One little boy in Sunday School class was determined to help us out.

The Sunday School teacher asked her class to draw a picture from the Bible. Tommy, along with the rest of the class began drawing.

After a while the teacher went around the table commenting, “Oh, that’s nice,” and Good job.”

She came to Tommy. “And what are you drawing,?” she inquired sweetly.

“I’m drawing a picture of God,” he replied.

“But nobody knows what God looks like,” she commented.

“They will now!” returned Tommy.

In the absence of any “recent photos” of God or the Holy Spirit, ancient people resorted to symbols and word pictures to describe the invisible God. Symbols are the best we have to illustrate God.

Typically, 15 symbols (picture images) from the Bible are generally accepted as valid representations of the Holy Spirit. In Show Me Images of the Holy Spirit I covered--

1. tongues 
2. dove
3.  fire or flame
4.  water
5.  wind or breath
6.  oil 
7. lamp, ray of light or candle 

Now I want to show 8 additional symbols of the Holy Spirit. Each is a type or illustration of the Spirit of God.

Wine--Symbol of the Holy Spirit

On the Day of Pentecost, when Jesus "poured out" the Holy Spirit, the entire church spoke in tongues and praised God. The outsiders were shocked because they heard them (the followers of Jesus, primarily Galileans) speaking their own native languages.

But others were mocking and saying, “They are full of sweet wine.” Acts 2:13

And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit  Ephesians 5:18

The problem is--wine doesn't "talk" with us. Wine is not a Person! 

Clouds--Symbols of the Holy Spirit

I really like this image of a cloud hovering over the hills. I got it from Creative Commons. This symbolic image is so mysterious, so majestic. It often takes my breath away. To me it's an intriguing symbol of the Presence of God the Holy Spirit. What do you think?

This may have been the scene when Moses, Aaron, Nadab and Abihu and seventy of the Israeli elders ate and drank in the Presence of God (Exodus 24:9-11). They feasted in the glory of His beauty. The Holy Spirit calls us to experience His glory.

I just wrote that (above) about Moses and Aaron. But I think I was wrong. This cloud is so majestic and beautiful it moves me to believe it could only symbolize the New Covenant, not the ratification of the Old Covenant with Moses, Aaron and the seventy elders.

Hebrews 12:18-24 marks the contrast:

The Mountain of Fear and the Mountain of Joy

18 You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; 19 to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, 20 because they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.”[a] 21 The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.”

22 But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, 23 to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel NIV.

Clothes--Symbols of the Holy Spirit

Luke, the physician writes under the influence of God's Spirit, And behold, I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” Luke 24:49 NAS

To grant those who mourn in Zion, Giving them a garland instead of ashes, The oil of gladness instead of mourning, The mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified. Isaiah 61:3 NAS

Clothes can send a message, but the problem persists: Clothes don't talk. The Holy Spirit is a Person. He talks with us, He advises us. Clothes can be a valid, Biblical symbol of the Third Person of the Trinity, yet garments are not a complete symbol.

The Finger of God Can Represent the Holy Spirit

Jesus equated His finger with the Holy Spirit(!). Jesus had just delivered a man from a mute and evil spirit. The man spoke and folks were amazed. Then Jesus responded, But if I cast out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. Luke 11:20

The Lord gave me the two tablets of stone written by the finger of God; and on them were all the words which the Lord had spoken with you at the mountain from the midst of the fire on the day of the assembly.  Moses said that as recorded in Deuteronomy 8:10

Based on Genesis 24, A Servant Symbolizes Holy Spirit

In Genesis chapter 24, the servant is widely recognized as a type of the Holy Spirit. In this chapter alone, the servant is mentioned nine separate times. The servant, Abraham's helper, follows directions, goes away and returns with a bride for Isaac!

Pledge or Earnest Money Symbolizes the Holy Spirit

[God] who also sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge. The fact that God has given us His Holy Spirit assures believers in Christ that even greater aspects of salvation are sure to come. Other (more modern) words for pledge are “down payment” or “guarantee.”

[God] who also sealed us and [has] given us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge. The fact that God has given us His Holy Spirit assures believers in Christ that even greater aspects of salvation are sure to come. Other (more modern) words for pledge are “down payment” or “guarantee.”

Simply put, the pledge—the Holy Spirit—is the down payment from God and guarantee that there is more to come.

My wife and I once bought a rental house. Our down payment was our pledge that we would pay off the remainder of the cost of the house. We did!

First Fruits Symbolize the Holy Spirit

Of all the symbols of the Holy Spirit, first fruits is one of the most exciting. It's also one of the most easily understood symbols.

St Paul says that Christians are "the first-fruits of the Spirit."(Romans 8:23). First fruits is a harvest term. It refers to the first cutting of a crop or the first picking of fruits, such as grapes or apples. "First" means there will assuredly be a second, a third, and hopefully a fourth or fifth to come. 

My wife and I are bi-vocational. We farm and also are ministers of the gospel.

At our farm we grow beautiful alfalfa fields. The first cutting in spring takes place in May. That's our "first fruits." The second cutting is midsummer. Provided we get enough rain, September is our third cutting.

Back to the Bible: first fruits of the Spirit means there is more of the Holy Spirit to come. After we die and are with the Lord in heaven, we will experience the full measure of God's Spirit. We will enjoy the Presence of all God has for us. I'm getting ready! How 'bout you?

The Hand of God Symbolizes the Holy Spirit

The hand of God cares for the entire earth as does the Holy Spirit.

Laying on hands is one way that the Holy Spirit is imparted to people in the Bible (Acts 8:17-19). The same is true today. I have laid my hands on the shoulder or head of many people to impart the Holy Spirit. Many began to speak in tongues as they receive the Holy Spirit.

The hand of God is a symbol of the Holy Spirit for many people. Yet, the problem persists--Hands don't talk, mouths do. So let's search for a symbol of the Holy Spirit that speaks.

Synopsis of Symbols of the Holy Spirit

Each of the symbols of the Holy Spirit shown on this page are valid and Biblical. However, they are all inanimate.  None talk. Therefore I have chosen this young farmer with overalls (from Freepik.com) as a fitting symbol of the Holy Spirit. He's not a complete symbol of the Holy Spirit either, but He is capable to do the six things Jesus promised in John 16:13-14.

1 Guide into truth

2 Speak

3 Disclose

4 Glorify Jesus--Notice that he is pointing up (to Jesus)!

5 Take things from Jesus

6 Reveal Jesus' things to people

I like this young guy as symbol of the "Helper" that the Holy Spirit really is. As you may know, Jesus called the Holy Spirit a Helper (John 14:16 NASV) What do you think? Can you think of a better icon? If so, please send your suggestion to me.