Elements – Symbols
Symbols
One of the things I love about illustrative representation is how the spoken language is taken out of the mix and its universal.
There are thousands of icons that represent the elements, some are fancy some are simple. I’ve gone with traditional, coloured, triangles. Every element has a colour associated and it will help me remember more easily.
Observations
Symbols, colours and imaginary in wicca has purpose… a line is not merely a line. WhenI look at the triangular images I notice that they use equilateral triangles.. equality, symmetry, balance, Strength (I am not sure why strength popped into my head other than I see a triangle as a strong shape – e.g. my bike wheels, bike frame, house roof – all triangular)
If I add Aether into the mix here, when I look at its symbol its a circle, representing infinity, all encompassing, protection, surrounding.. no beginning and no end.
Triangles
Before I look at element in isolation, there is signifance behind the triangle as a symbol.
- no single side is longer or more weighted (equilateral triangle)
- elements are equal forces in nature
- upward facing triangles represent active, masculine energy (fire and air)
- downward facing trianges represent passive, feminine energy (water and earth)
Lines
Earth and Air have lines, Fire and Water do not. The line symbolising the horizon. Where Air is found above the horizon and Earth is found below the horizon. When I am out on the farm, or driving on a long, long straight road – I can see this clearly.
The absence of the line (Fire and Water) is because they represent spiritual states of energy where as Air and Earth are material elements and are solidified in our physical word.
FIRE
- Colour: red – representing the colour associated with fire
- Direction: upright triangle
- Notes:
- its sharp point symbolises fire’s stabbing/piercing heat
- fire is associated with midday
- associated with Mars – Mars is the red planet.
- associated with summer – summer is heat, heat and more heat
Air
- upright triangle
- Colour: yellow – in Europe (and hence traditionally) associated with East, the sun rises in the east, yellow represents the light of the morning sky and the initial rays of sunlight.
- Direction: upward triangle with a line
- Notes:
- associated with sunrise
Water
- downward triange
- upright triangle
- Colour: I thought this was obvious, from many angles water, the ocean appears blue however it is also related to being the element for sunset and as we transition to night we often get that amazing dark blue colour in our skys.
- Direction: d
- Notes:
- associated with sunset
Earth
- downward triangle
- upright downward triangle with a line
- Colour: green
- Direction: d
- Notes:
- associated with midnight
Post Summary
I am only at symbols for the elements and I can already see how the hexagram, pentagram and others start to form. For the abundance of information on the internet, some high level Earth = Green, some very technical, I think I have grabbed the bits that help the elements symbolically resonate with me the easiest. I dare say this post will get many updates as I read and discover more.
Images –
- the front page image (also used at the very top of this post) from from Lynette Creswell’s Website & Blog
- The photo demonstrating the horizon, air and earth is one of mine. I am that annoying person. on a long drive when my wife ‘just wants to get there’, I stop to take photos.
