Symbolism for Fire
Fire is one of the major four elements of western culture but has various meanings to different cultures, religions, and spiritual groups. It depends on how one uses it in context to depict the intended meaning.
Some say fire is meant to symbolize love and passion, yet others use it in regard to death and destruction.
Fire is commonly seen in reference to passion, desire, eternity, Hell, destruction, hope, rebirth, and resurrection as well as purification.
Passionate for the Flame
The most recognized symbol for fire is connected to desire or passion. The flicker of the flame can ignite into a full-blown passion.
Shakespeare's plays contain many themes that relate to fire, passion and desire. In Romeo and Juliet, he symbolized passion using fire by referring to the "fire sparkling" in the two lovers' eyes.
It is common for romantic events to include candles or a fireplace setting that adds to the ambiance of a special evening in hopes of evoking passion between couples.
A simple friendly campfire can surely set the tone for spooky tales, create a relaxing mood as well as the ability to take the chill out of one's bones. Many will agree that gazing into the fire is also mesmerizing.
I myself never turn down an invite to sit around a campfire on a chilly night and let my mind wander.
The Promise of Eternity
Fire can also symbolize eternity. The eternal flame is said to protect life as long as it is kept lit.
The flame is often used in religious memorial services of those who have passed, promising us their own soul flame will live on forever—at least in our hearts.
We often see eternal flames at war memorials for those who are remembered letting their lights shine forever for the service they provided.
The ancient Roman cult of the Vestal Virgins were guardians of Rome's sacred fire that was not allowed to go out for fear the safety and security of Rome would be jeopardized. Should a Vestal Virgin be negligent with this duty, she was buried alive. Guess Rome wasn't messing around.
After researching the Vestal Virgins and having an enlightening trip to visit their ruins in Rome and Pompeii I was inspired to write, The Last Vestal Virgin, a Young Adult paranormal thriller.
Some Like it Hot
Many writers have used fire to symbolize death and destruction in their novels. Fire has the ability to destroy anything that may come in its path.
Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 was an example of destruction by means of fire when the main character burned books so all knowledge was gone with it.
Then we have the pyromaniac, which is an impulse control disorder that makes one unable to resist starting a fire; it's actually a release of anxiety or tension. And then there are those who feel an arousal after setting someone or something ablaze—yes, talk about the dark side of fire here.
Jim Morrison's famed song, Light My Fire contained the words, 'funeral pyre', which is a platform used in many ceremonial cremations. It evokes spirituality, ancient mythology, and death, one of Morrison's favorite topics.
Literature and film have used this concept for decades; two of my favorite films being, Carrie and Firestarter.
In my paranormal trilogy, The Women of the Willow Wood, I have used fire in the last two books, where fire is used for the purpose of destroying an evil cult.
Fire as Rebirth and Resurrection
In literature and certain religions, fire can be symbolic of life and death. In Greek mythology, we have the Phoenix Bird who dies due to fire after it is engulfed in flames and then turns to ashes. It's from these very ashes that a new reborn Phoenix rises again as a new Phoenix.
The use of the symbolic Phoenix is commonly used throughout literature and in countless films for all ages, including: Harry Potter, The Spiderwick Chronicles and My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic.
In Out of the Ashes, a Native American paranormal novel, I use fire in this sense, having a few of my characters walk through a sacred fire for renewal.
The Ultimate Cleansing
Fire can also be a symbol of purity and cleansing. This idea stems from the Bible and Christian religion, being that fire has the ability to remove sin. When fire burns it leaves nothing behind. If something that has been deemed evil is burned down, it is thought to destroy all traces of the evil that once existed.
We see people still burn houses and items that they believe are evil, thinking this will eliminate the problem.
In practitioners of Wicca, Witchcraft, Voodoo, and other spellwork we find fire used in this very method, along with other rituals.
So, if you're now getting warmed up, why not check out some of my novels where fire makes a debut.
