The Symbolism of Fire in Literature - Essay Example

The Symbolism of Fire in Literature

In books, the symbolism of fire in literature is very subjective. Although books have some technical aspects, you can make your symbol what you want it to mean. While you can use anything to house any concept in your books, the flame symbol is quite an exception. Primarily, it is used to house specific ideas in a novel. Ideally, it is up to you and the perception of a particular concept of your books.

In a nutshell, fire is used in books to symbolize many things. It can be applied to bring out a concept of resurrection, rebirth, eternity, and passion, to mention a few. As fire marks more than 400 000 years since men began to use it, human beings have developed the ability to control it. Typically, flames are used for cooking and staying warm during the cold time in the house. Ideally, the benefits that human beings have and continue to enjoy since the discoveries of flames are countless.

From early times, scientists and scholars have studied the concept of flames and have written about it in books. They marvel at its ability to protect and nourish. Similarly, they present the harmful and 'killer' nature of a flame. Perhaps the two aspects are used to explain flames as part of the other essential elements of life - air, water, and earth. That said, what does a flame house in a novel?

Well, the use of the symbolism varies with different contexts. For instance, in the context of a particular novel revolves around the damage of any sort, a flame is brought in to symbolize destruction. In other books, it is used to symbolize passion. Ideally, one has to understand the key things in a novel content to understand its historical relationship with flames. For instance, flames are used to symbolize the following concepts in a novel:

Thoughts of Passion

Young lovers often used the phrase of having a fiery passion for each other. Ideally, when a flame flickers, it brings thoughts of desire and passion. Furthermore, a flame has its way of burning. It leaps everywhere recklessly to spread.

Another commonly used phrase in books is "light my fire." The expression presents someone who has a passion for someone else's soul. A good instance of a novel that uses a passion for house passion is the "Romeo and Juliet" play. A flame is used to symbolize the desire and love that the two characters have for each other. In the 1st Act of Scene 1, Shakespeare talks of a flame that sparkles in the eyes of the two lovers.

Additionally, Shakespeare uses flames to symbolize the "Henry VIII" quote. The character, Queen Katherine, uses flames to sparkle her sadness into action. Hence, she blames Cardinal Wolsey for interfering with her life. Katherine declared him her worst enemy because he caused a misunderstanding between her and her husband.

Flames to Symbolize Rebirth and Resurrection

In real life, flames spread in a forest and especially burn all the growth under. The old-growth burns down to give space for new vegetation to emerge from under.

It is quite a marvel that fire can house life and death. The significance of the symbol in the context of rebirth and resurrection is better explained through Phoenix. It is a bird that has its origin in the mythology of ancient Greek. The Phoenix is known to live up to 500 years before it burns to rebirth into a new bird. As the phoenix burns, it undergoes spontaneous combustion. It is completely burnt by the flames to ashes. In correspondence, the ashes form a new phoenix that is birthed to live again.

The idea of a phoenix returning to life is well-realized in the Harry Potter story. In modern books, the Phoenix of Dumbledore leaves Harry scared and surprised when it catches flames. However, Dumbledore explains that it is the bird's way of regenerating before it returns to a new life.

Fire to Indicate Eternity

The "eternal flame" is a metaphor that best explains the symbolism of fire to express eternity. Other than joy and happiness, destruction, devastation, fear, and death are aspects that make the world what it is. For this reason, humans hold on any shred that would give them hope in this life. In short, they remain hopeful as long as their flame continues to burn.

Another symbolism is evident in the phrase "fire burning in my heart." Here, the burning flame indicates a particular belief in something.

A flame is also used to recall the love and sacrifice that a family member or a friend had before dying. As long as the flame in the fire burns, the memory of the person lives on for many years to come.

A good instance of the symbol in modern books is explained in the Australian War Memorial. A flame is used to symbolize eternal life for souls that were lost in the war. Australia symbolically uses the flame as a way of appreciating and remembering the lives that were lost.

A Flame to Indicate Hope

Flames burn brightly. Subsequently, the brightness enhances communication from one distance to another. As such, gaze at this instance on the horizon gives people hope that salvation is near. Additionally, flames burning on the horizon indicate a resting point for a traveler. As flames provide warmth, its presence is used to signify refuge from the outside cold.

Some aspects of the symbolism of flames in modern books are evident in the film called "Mulan." In the film, a flame was significantly used to send messages to communicate a warning along China's Great Wall. In essence, guards would burn a flame on one side of the wall. Consequently, the guards on the other side would see it burn on the horizon. The alerts would be sent on and into different guards until the messages of warning were delivered to everyone.

Another good example of the flame symbol in modern books is the Statue of Liberty. Typically, the statue holds a torch above its head. The torch is used to encourage travelers that their time of weariness has come to an end. Moreover, the light from the torch shows the travelers that they have finally reached the liberty and freedom that they sought.

To Symbolize How Hell Looks Like

Apparently, human beings use flames to draw a picture of the appearance of hell. Their modern view of the imagery of hell often involves fire. For instance, people may curse an evil person by using the phrase, "May you burn in the pits of hell."

The image of how the hell looks like is clearly depicted in the "Inferno." In his vision, Dante explained that fire awaits the wicked in hell. They would be tortured severely as flames burn their flesh insufferably.

A significant clarity of flames in the hell is depicted in the Bible. In the book of revelation, false prophets, worshippers of idols, and beasts are condemned. The book proclaims that unless the sinners seek redemption, they will burn alive in a lake of flames.

In the same book, Matthew also speaks of an eternal flame that burns with brimstone. The fire awaits Satan and his angels when the world finally comes to an end.

A Significant Symbol of Purification

Other than burning sinners who do not seek redemption, the Bible portrays another symbolism of flames. In essence, fire symbolizes purification. Simply put, it purifies the world and its people from sin and its consequences. Perhaps, the aspect of purification is brought out by the fact that flames burn things down to ashes without leaving the slightest trace.

In the Bible, sin is evident in Sodom and Gomorrah. To purify the sinful acts of the people, God burns the two cities down.

Another notion of the aspect of purification is depicted in Phoenix. The bird burns down for its purification. In its rebirth, it returns as a new, innocent, and more desirable species.

The Final Word

From the above, flames are used to symbolize many things in books. From a general point of view, a flame is significantly used to illuminate, consume, and to provide a warming effect. Similarly, the awe of fire is marveled at its ability to cause people a lot of harm and pain.

Ritually, flames are also a building bridge between gods and mortal beings. It is because of the four elements (air, fire, water, and earth) of life; human beings can produce flames.

Therefore, people view flames differently. For instance, the Chinese, Christians, and Hebrews have different takes of the significance of flames in their lives. While Christians use it to symbolize their religious zeal, the Hebrews use it as a sense of power, control, and superiority. Some Chinese cultures view it as a symbol of knowledge and wisdom.

Other than flames, many other symbols are used to explain various concepts in books. As a matter of fact, the symbols are used to create meaning in a novel. As part of the products and actions of the human culture, flame symbols are adaptive to different phenomena that keep changing with different dimensions and situations.

To understand a flame symbol, one has to understand the flexibility of various meanings in a novel first. For instance, the meaning of flames may change depending on the concept of modern literature. If a particular novel realizes aims to explain the image of a blazing flame, the right network of symbols has to be used to provide a meaning that makes sense. Similarly, flame symbols that have hidden meanings also demand a keen and in-depth interpretation. Subsequently, accurate processing of different symbols realizes meaning out of a complex combination of various symbols.