Show Me Some Images of the Holy Spirit

Seven Images of the Holy Spirit help us unpack and admire the Third Person of the Trinity. These seven are accepted as valid and Biblical pictures of the Third Person of the Godhead. Each image serves as a picture of the Divine Helper

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

Of course, other types and illustrations of God's Spirit exist. For now however, let's focus on these seven images of the Holy Spirit.

If you are looking for personal inspiration, this site will expand your concept of the imagery of the Holy Spirit. Here is a picture of a fiery dove never before seen on the internet.

How do I know? Because the fiery dove is painted by wonderful daughter-in-law, Courtney Anderson. It is currently displayed in our dining room in Muscatine, Iowa.

I like the fiery dove painting. It inspires me to add passion to my work and prayers.

Speaking in Tongues--Original Symbol of the Holy Spirit

Does anyone have a recent photo of the Holy Spirit? If so, please send it to me!

I'm joking, of course!

But here's my dilemma. I need photos of the Holy Spirit! As you know, there are none.

Not one anywhere! And for some reason, I have chosen the Holy Spirit as the focus for my website. But alas—no photos available!

We live in a photo-rich age. iPhones are almost ubiquitous world-wide. Websites need photos or videos to survive.

The ascended Christ in heaven chose speaking in tongues. As such, it should become the primary symbol of the Christian church. Stop and think, if there were no tongues at Pentecost, how would anyone even know that the Spirit had been given? Jesus chose speaking in tongues to become the original (and controversial) image of the Holy Spirit for the Christian church world-wide!

Like it or not, God chose speaking in tongues as the first sign of the Holy Spirit and.  . . we get to live with it.

And this is a great problem for me in creating the Hello Holy Spirit website. What image can I use for tongues? Can I reasonably post a picture of somebody sticking out his/her tongue? Is that beautiful? Are tongues good-looking? Not really!

Let’s go on to the next image of the Holy Spirit. . .

The Dove Pictures the Holy Spirit

Perhaps the dove is the most popular image of the Spirit. At Jesus’ baptism in water the Spirit came upon Him. The dove was not the Spirit, but the Spirit came upon Him like a dove. And the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in bodily form like a dove, and a voice came out of heaven, “You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased.” (Luke 3:22 NAS).

The dove portrays the Holy Spirit accurately as gentle, beautiful, and heavenly.

Fire in the Bible Often Speaks of God's Presence

Exodus 3:2 The angel of the LORD appeared to him in a blazing fire from the midst of a bush; and he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, yet the bush was not consumed.

Running Water--Another Image of the Holy Spirit

Two of my favorite Bible verses portray water as images of the Holy Spirit.

From the Old Testament comes Psalm 46:4: There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God.

We (the church) are the city of God. The joy of the Holy Spirit bubbles over from the New Testament church into the 21st century.

John 7:37-39 informs us: Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. The one who believes in Me, as the Scripture said ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’” But this He said in reference to the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

Wind (or Breath)

The breath of God reminds us of the Spirit’s role in creation. By the word of the Lord, the heavens were made, and by the breath of His mouth all their host. Psalm 33:6

And when He had said this, He [Jesus] breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. John 20:22

Oil

Throughout Scripture oil is used as an image of the Holy Spirit.

Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him [David] in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon David from that day forward. (1 Samuel 16:13).

What does oil represent in the story of the 10 virgins? 5 were foolish and 5 were prudent. Matthew 25:1-13

Lamp, Ray of light, Candle--All Images of the Holy Spirit

Some viewers might be searching for images to use in educational contexts, such as teaching about the Holy Spirit. You are free to use any symbols you find here. Or you may be wanting to find images for personal devotion or inspiration.

Jesus’ words recorded in Matthew 25:1-13 continue to inspire me every time I read them. The ten women all went out to meet the bridegroom (Jesus). They were all virgins. They all took their lamps. They all got drowsy, they all began to snooze. They all heard the cry, “Come out to meet Him.” They all arose. They all trimmed their lamps. But only the wise had enough oil to keep their lamps burning. Only the wise got to meet Jesus. Only the wise were ready. Only for the wise, the door opened.

This episode is filled with images of the Holy Spirit. Oil, lamps, fire, burning, readiness, alertness.

Are you ready? Can we all see the importance of recognizing the images of the Holy Spirit?

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