Symbols of the Holy Spirit

Catechism of the Catholic Church 694 - 701

• Water for cleansing and new birth:

  • the Spirit of God over the waters at creation (Gen 1:2);

  • the flood waters in the new creation (Gen 7:17 - 8:19);

  • baby Moses was drawn out of the water and saved by Pharaoh's daughter (Ex 2:3-10);

  • the Israelites crossing the Red Sea in the exodus to freedom (Ex 14:15-31);

  • Naaman’s flesh restored to that of a little child after washing in the Jordan (2 Kg 5:14);

  • living water from Jesus (Jn 7:37-39) poured out from his pierced side (Jn 19:34) symbolising baptism of water and the Spirit (Jn 3:5)

• Anointing:

  • seventy elders of Israel received some of the Spirit that was on Moses (Num 11:16-17);

  • the Holy Spirit was upon Othniel so he could be a judge over Israel (Jdg 3:10);

  • anointing with oil of priests (Lev 8:30) and kings Saul (1 Sam 10:1,9-13), David (1 Sam 16:13) and Solomon (1 Kg 1:39);

  • the Holy Spirit anointed Jesus at his conception (Lk 1:35); the Holy Spirit rested on Jesus after his baptism (Mt 3:16-17);

  • baptism of water and the Spirit (Jn 3:5)

• Fire of transforming energy:

  • Elijah brought down the fire of God to extinguish the offerings to idol Baal (1 Kg 18:38);

  • baptism of Holy Spirit and fire (Lk 3:16) for a new creation (Jn 3:5)

  • Jesus casting out fire on earth (Lk 12:49);

  • tongues of fire resting on the apostles at Pentecost (Acts 2:3-4) emboldened them to preach the Gospel (Act 2:5-12);

  • Christians should not quench the fire of the Holy Spirit (1 Th 5:19)

• Cloud and light:

  • the pillar of cloud protecting Israel during the crossing of the Red Sea (Ex 14:19-25);

  • the Glory Cloud with Moses on Mount Sinai (Ex 24:15-18), in the tabernacle (Ex 40:34-35; 1 Kg 8:10-11) and with Israel in the wilderness during the day and fire in the cloud during the night (Ex 40:36-38);

  • Mary overshadowed by the Holy Spirit for her to conceive Jesus (Lk 1:35);

  • a cloud overshadowed Jesus at his Transfiguration (Mt 17:5);

  • a cloud took Jesus away at his ascension (Acts 1:9);

  • Jesus will return in a cloud (Lk 21:27)

• The seal:

  • a smoking firepot and a flaming torch sealed God's covenant with Abraham (Gen 15:17-18a);

  • God the Father set his seal on Jesus (Jn 6:27);

  • the baptised have the seal of the Holy Spirit (2 Cor 1:22; Eph 1:13; 4:30)

• The hand

  • for blessings: Jacob laid hands over Joseph's sons (Gen 48:14,20); Jesus laid hands over the children (Mk 10:16);

  • to receive the Holy Spirit: Joshua was filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses laid hands on him (Dt 34:9);

    the apostles laid hands on believers (Acts 8:17, 9:17, 19:6)

• The finger:

  • God's laws with Israel were written on two stone tablets by the finger of God (Ex 31:16);

  • Jesus cast out demons with the finger of God (Lk 10:20);

  • the Spirit written on tablets of human hearts (2 Cor 3:3)

• The dove:

  • the Holy Spirit hovered like a dove over the waters at creation (Gen 1:2);

  • over the flood waters after the rain had stopped (Gen 8:8-12);

  • rested on Jesus during his baptism in the River Jordan (Mt 3:16-17)