Seashell. It is invisible, a source of inspiration, and a means of growing close to Christ. The Top 8 Symbols Associated with the Holy Spirit In many ways, the Holy Spirit is the most mysterious and least understood of the Holy Trinity. Various symbols are used in the Bible to represent the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit comes as rain, as rivers, as oil, as wine, as fire, and as a dove. It is one of the most common symbols of St. James, who reportedly used a seashell to baptize his converts in Spain. Holy Spirit is a diverse and vibrant community where families and individuals come together to grow rich in their faith as they continue their journey to Christ. Thank you for visiting our parish website. Symbols The Spirit Of God Moving Upwards God, Trinity The Holy Spirit Described As The Dove Heaven, Glimpsed By Humans The Witness Of The Holy Spirit Symbols of the Holy Spirit After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him, Symbols for the Holy Spirit 1) The Dove: Luke 3:22:22 And the Holy Spirit descended, in a visible form, like a dove, upon him, and from the heavens came a voice–“Thou art my Son, the Beloved; in thee I delight.” This does not say that the Holy Spirit IS a Dove, it simply says ‘like’ a dove. The holy water recalls the waters of baptism, and when a person makes the sign of the cross, it recalls the baptismal formula. Because of this, oil has been used to symbolize the fact that, in confirmation, the Holy Spirit penetrates our whole being and makes us luminous with his gifts. The purpose of using symbols is to shed more light, add understanding and to illustrate the truth. When one object has several symbols by which it is represented, each symbol emphasizes a different aspect of the object. Symbols are ways in which the reality of the invisible penetrates the visible, so that we might capture an understanding of what the Holy Spirit is like. The one characteristic of oil is that it penetrates our skin and makes our skin glow. A seashell is sometimes used to cup and pour the water during baptism. Welcome to Holy Spirit Catholic Community! The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit are, according to Catholic Tradition, heroic character traits that Jesus Christ alone possesses in their plenitude but that he freely shares with the …