Fire (classical element)
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Western
Chinese Wood (木) | Fire (火) | Earth (土) | Metal (金) | Water (水) Hinduism and Buddhism The Pancha Mahabhuta ("The Five Great Elements") Vayu/Pavan (Air/Wind) Agni/Tejas (Fire) Akasha (Aether) Prithvi/Bhumi (Earth) Ap/Jala (Water) | |||||||||
Fire has been important to all peoples of the earth, and it is rich in spiritual tradition.
Western concepts of Fire
Fire is one of the four classical elements in ancient Greek philosophy and science. Fire is considered to be both hot and dry, and according to Plato is associated with the tetrahedron. In one Greek myth, Prometheus stole fire from the gods to protect the otherwise helpless humans and was tortured for his kindness.
In the Hermetic and Wiccan traditions, it is associated with the South, Summer, and the color red on the physical plane. It is sometimes represented by a red upwards triangle, the athame, blood, candles, the guitar, rubies, and incense. Fire represents energy, inspiration, passion, and masculinity. In rituals, Fire is represented in the forms of burning objects, love spells, baking, and lighting candles and fires.
The manifestations of the Element of Fire are the sun, lightning, fires, volcanoes and lava, all forms of light, and ovens. Cats of all types, especially the lion and tiger, are also thought to personify the element of Fire, as are all predatory creatures, such as the fox. Astral creatures of Fire (elementals) are the Salamander, Phoenix, Drake/Dragon and the Falcon (Although most associate this with Air). Fire's place on the pentagram is the lower right point. Fire is represented by the Greeks as an apple-bough and in Christian iconography by a lion. Fire belongs to the Tarot suit of Wands.
Fire is also an element that humans and many other creatures cannot live without for it offers warmth and light.
Non-Western concepts of Fire
In China and Japan Fire is represented by a red bird; in the Aztec religion, by a flint; to the Native Americans, a mouse; to the Hindu and Islamic faith, a lightning bolt; and to the Scythians, an axe.
See also
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