Sacred Symbols in Ancient Cultures: The Meanings of Water, Air, Fire, and Earth

-part I-

The sacred symbols of ancient tradition lead us to the essence of what it means to be human. Even in contemporary Western culture, dominated by rationalism, consumerism, and visual innovation, shared symbols continue to shape the mental and emotional architecture. Thus, we will review some of the most potent sacred signs and images of the world.

We will start with the primordial elements that appear as symbols in almost all religions and cultures of peoples around the world: Water, air, fire, and earth.

Fire, water, air and earth

Water

Water symbol

Since ancient Egypt, water has been the subject of extensive symbolism. All things emerged from primordial waters, water made purification possible and was a symbol of reproduction. Osiris was the god of the waters of the Nile.

The Egyptian symbol of water

The Celts were also extremely fascinated by water in all its manifestations. There were countless rituals, myths and symbols surrounding seas, lakes, rivers, springs, wells and swamps. The Celts thought it was supernatural that water gushed out of the ground seemingly spontaneously, and so shrines with healing powers appeared near springs.

For the ancient Greeks, water was the domain of Poseidon, and for the Romans, the god of water was Neptune.
For the tribes of North America, for example, the sea was associated with fertility, which came from the Great Chieftain from under the water, a supernatural being who controlled everything, also known as the Coppersmith.

In Buddhist religion, water is closely linked to the symbolism of the moon, as an image of the feminine, regenerative force of the universe. In Taoism, water is the weakest element and yet the most powerful. It takes the form of clouds and mist, the breath of the earth (yin), and returns in the form of rain, bringing yang energy to fill the rivers and oceans. It expresses peace and understanding.

The air

Air symbol

The Egyptian goddess Nut was the sky goddess, and her father Shu was the air god. Because she was closely associated with resurrection, the goddess was often depicted on sarcophagi.

Geb,_Nut,_Shu

Among the ancient Greeks, air was an attribute of the goddess Hera, who in Greek was also called Era (air), and among the Romans her equivalent was Juno;

For the ancient Maya, the sky was a deep mystery, a realm of supernatural happenings. They believed that the sky was held up by four brother gods. They had various rituals and ceremonies through which they asked the sky to grant them favorable conditions for harvests and games.

In Taoist religion, the sky, or air, represents the concentration of yang energies. The sky is associated with the circle that appears in traditional coins, often made of jade, hence the name jade sky.

The relationship between heaven and earth is a universal theme with many legends related to fertility.

fire

Fire symbol

For the cold lands of northern Europe, fire had a special significance: it repelled the darkness outside and brought warmth to settlements. Ritual fires were lit to mark special days in the Celtic calendar.

Being considered a solar pendant, fire has been associated over time with the image of the divine demiurge and has often been used as a symbol in religious writings.

In Hindu doctrine, fire has a vital importance, being associated with the divine spirit Brahma.
Among the Romans, fire was an attribute of Jupiter (Zeus in Greek mythology) who ruled the sky.

earth

Earth symbol

Among the Native Americans, the Earth itself was inhabited by a spirit and had its own symbolism. Native American tribes often associated the earth with a primordial deity (most often a female deity closely associated with fertility) represented in interaction with the sky deity.

Among the Mayans, the earth was often associated with the caiman, an animal that evoked the image of mountainous land. Another symbol of the earth was corn, the growth of which symbolized the creation of the world.
Surprisingly, among the Egyptians, the god of the earth was a male being Geb, who had an unusual affection for his sister, the sky goddess Nut.

To the Romans, the earth was the domain of Pluto, along with his wife Proserpina (meaning wealth) and her mother Ceres. Their Greek equivalents are the gods Hades and Persephone and their mother Demeter.