Fire has been an important part of many cultures and religions, from pre-history to modern day, and was vital to the development of civilization. It has been regarded in many different fashions throughout history. Chinese Wood (木) | Fire (火) Earth (土) | Metal (金) | Water (水) Japanese Earth (地) | Water (水) | Fire (火) | Air / Wind (風) | Void / Sky / Heaven (空) Hinduism and Buddhism Vayu / Pavan — Air / Wind Agni / Tejas — Fire Akasha — Aether Prithvi / Bhumi — Earth Ap / Jala — Water Water has been important to all peoples of the earth, and it is rich in spiritual tradition. ... This does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... . Bön . Hinduism (Tattva) and Buddhism (Mahābhūta) Prithvi / Bhumi — Earth Ap / Jala — Water Vayu / Pavan — Air / Wind Agni / Tejas — Fire Akasha — Aether . ... In Chinese alchemy, wood was one of the five elements. ... For other uses, see Fire (disambiguation). ...

Greek and Roman Tradition

Fire is one of the four classical elements in ancient Greek philosophy and science. It was commonly associated with the qualities of energy, assertiveness, and passion. In one Greek myth, Prometheus stole fire from the gods to protect the otherwise helpless humans, but was punished for this kindness. The ancient Greeks distinguished the destructive (aidelon) fire, associated with Hades, from the creative fire, associated with Hephaistos.^[1] Goddess Hekate was called Pyrphoros (Fire-bearing), Pyripnon (Fire-breather), Daidoukhos (Torch-bearer) and Phosphoros (Light-bearer).^[1] . Bön . Hinduism (Tattva) and Buddhism (MahābhÅ«ta) Prithvi / Bhumi — Earth Ap / Jala — Water Vayu / Pavan — Air / Wind Agni/Tejas — Fire Akasha — Aether Japanese (Godai) Earth (地) Water (æ°´) Air / Wind (風) Fire (火) Void / Sky / Heaven (空) Chinese (Wu Xing) . Modern Many ancient philosophies used a set of archetypal classical elements to explain... Greek philosophy focused on the role of reason and inquiry. ... For other uses, see Prometheus (disambiguation). ... Hades, Greek god of the underworld, enthroned, with his bird-headed staff, on a red-figure Apulian vase made in the 4th century BC. For other uses, see Hades (disambiguation). ... The Temple of Hephaestus, Athens: western face. ... In later Greek mythology, Hecate (or Hekate; Greek Ἑκάτη Hekátē) was scarcely more than the goddess of witchcraft and sorcery. ...

Fire was one of many archai proposed by the Pre-socratics, most of whom tried to reduce all things to a single substance. However, Empedocles of Acragas (c. 495-c. 435 BCE) selected four archai for his four roots: air, fire, water, and earth. Empedocles’ roots became the four classical elements of Greek philosophy. Plato (427-347 BCE) took over the four elements of Empedocles. In the Timaeus, his major cosmological dialogue, the Platonic solid associated with fire is the tetrahedron which is formed from four equilateral triangles. This makes fire the element with the smallest number of sides, which Plato regarded as appropriate as the heat of fire feels sharp and stabbing (like little tetrahedra).^[2] Empedocles (Greek: , ca. ... . Bön . Hinduism (Tattva) and Buddhism (MahābhÅ«ta) Prithvi / Bhumi — Earth Ap / Jala — Water Vayu / Pavan — Air / Wind Agni / Tejas — Fire Akasha — Aether . ... Chinese Wood (木) | Fire (火) Earth (土) | Metal (金) | Water (æ°´) Japanese Earth (地) | Water (æ°´) | Fire (火) | Air / Wind (風) | Void / Sky / Heaven (空) Hinduism and Buddhism Vayu / Pavan — Air / Wind Agni / Tejas — Fire Akasha — Aether Prithvi / Bhumi — Earth Ap / Jala — Water Water has been important to all peoples of the earth, and it is rich in spiritual tradition. ... . Bön . Hinduism (Tattva) and Buddhism (MahābhÅ«ta) Prithvi / Bhumi — Earth Ap / Jala — Water Vayu / Pavan — Air / Wind Agni / Tejas — Fire Akasha — Aether . ... For other uses, see Plato (disambiguation). ... Timaeus (Greek: Τίμαιος, Timaios) is a theoretical treatise of Plato in the form of a Socratic dialogue, written circa 360 BC. The work puts forward speculation on the nature of the physical world. ... In geometry, a Platonic solid is a convex regular polyhedron. ... A tetrahedron (plural: tetrahedra) is a polyhedron composed of four triangular faces, three of which meet at each vertex. ...

Plato’s student Aristotle (384-322 BCE) developed a different explanation for the elements based on pairs of qualities. The four elements were arranged concentrically around the center of the universe to form the sublunary sphere. According to Aristotle, fire is both hot and dry, and occupies a place between earth and air among the elemental spheres.^[3] For other uses, see Aristotle (disambiguation). ... The Sublunary Sphere is a concept derived from Greek astronomy. ...

In ancient Greek medicine, each of the four humours became associated with an element. Yellow bile was the humor identified with fire, since both were hot and dry. Other things associated with fire and yellow bile in ancient and medieval medicine included the season of summer, since it increased the qualities of heat and aridity; the choleric temperament (of a person dominated by the yellow bile humour); the masculine; and the eastern point of the compass. This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... Bile (or gall) is a bitter, yellow or green alkaline fluid secreted by hepatocytes from the liver of most vertebrates. ... Astrology played an important part in Medieval medicine; most educated physicians were trained in at least the basics of astrology to use in their practice. ... For other uses, see Summer (disambiguation). ... “Manliness” redirects here. ...

Symbol for fire

In alchemy, the chemical element of sulfur was often associated with fire and its alchemical symbol and its symbol was an upward-pointing triangle. In alchemic tradition, metals are incubated by fire in the womb of the Earth and alchemists only accelerate their development.^[1] Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... For other uses, see Alchemy (disambiguation). ... The periodic table of the chemical elements A chemical element, or element, is a type of atom that is defined by its atomic number; that is, by the number of protons in its nucleus. ... This article is about the chemical element. ... Alchemical symbols, originally devised as part of the protoscience of alchemy, were used to denote some elements and some compounds until the 18th century. ...

Chinese Tradition

In Chinese tradition, fire is one of five elements. It is associated with the planet Mars, summer, the south and the color red. It is also believed to govern the heart. Fire is associated with the qualities of dynamism, strength and persistence; however, it is also connected to restlessness. Adjectives: Martian Atmosphere Surface pressure: 0. ...

In the conquest cycle, fire overcomes metal, and in turn is overcome by water. In the birth and nurturing cycle, fire burns to earth, and is sparked by wood igniting. The element plays an important role in Chinese Astrology and feng shui. This does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Chinese Wood (木) | Fire (火) Earth (土) | Metal (金) | Water (æ°´) Japanese Earth (地) | Water (æ°´) | Fire (火) | Air / Wind (風) | Void / Sky / Heaven (空) Hinduism and Buddhism Vayu / Pavan — Air / Wind Agni / Tejas — Fire Akasha — Aether Prithvi / Bhumi — Earth Ap / Jala — Water Water has been important to all peoples of the earth, and it is rich in spiritual tradition. ... . Bön . Hinduism (Tattva) and Buddhism (MahābhÅ«ta) Prithvi / Bhumi — Earth Ap / Jala — Water Vayu / Pavan — Air / Wind Agni / Tejas — Fire Akasha — Aether . ... In Chinese alchemy, wood was one of the five elements. ... Chinese astrology is the divination of the future from the Chinese calendar, which is based on astronomy, and ancient Chinese philosophy. ... Fēng Shuǐ (風水 – literally, wind and water pronounced fung shuway), which may be more than 3000 years old, is the ancient practice of placement to achieve harmony with the environment. ...

Indian Tradition

Main article: Agni

Chinese (Wu Xing) Japanese (Godai) Earth (地) | Water (水) | Fire (火) | Air / Wind (風) | Void / Sky / Heaven (空) Hinduism (Tattva) and Buddhism (Mahābhūta) Vayu / Pavan — Air / Wind Agni / Tejas — Fire Akasha — Aether Prithvi / Bhumi — Earth Ap / Jala — Water Bön New Zealand Agni is a Hindu and Vedic deity. ...

In modern magic

Ceremonical Magick

Fire and the other Greek classical elements were incorporated into the Golden Dawn system despite being considered obsolete by modern science. Philosophus (1=10) is the elemental grade attributed to fire; this grade is also attributed to the Qabalistic sphere Netzach and the planet Venus.^[4] The elemental weapon of fire is the Wand.^[5] Each of the elements has several associated spiritual beings. The archangel of fire is Michael, the angel is Aral, the ruler is Seraph, the king is Djin, and the fire elementals (following Paracelsus) are called salamanders.^[6] Fire is considered to be active; it is represented by the symbol for Leo, and it is referred to the lower right point of the pentagram in the Supreme Invoking Ritual of the Pentagram.^[7] Many of these associations have since spread throughout the occult community. A magical weapon is a tool consecrated to and used in Magick. ... Guido Renis archangel Michael (in the Capuchin church of Santa Maria della Concezione, Rome) tramples Satan. ... This does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Presumed portrait of Paracelsus, attributed to the school of Quentin Matsys. ... Families Salamander is the common name applied to approximately 500 amphibian vertebrates with slender bodies, short legs, and long tails (order Caudata or Urodela). ... Leo is an astrological sign, which is associated with the constellation Leo. ...

Wicca

In most Wiccan traditions, fire is associated with: For other uses, see Wicca (disambiguation). ...

• The South,
• The Summer
• The color red on the physical plane.
• The athame or ceremonial dagger.
• In covens that use the sword, it is often associated with this element.

Other correspondences include blood, candles, the guitar, rubies and incense. Fire represents energy, inspiration, passion and masculinity. It is sometimes represented in writing by a red upwards triangle. A compass rose showing the cardinal directions Cardinal directions or cardinal points are the four principal directions or points of the compass in plane. ... For other uses, see Summer (disambiguation). ... Athame Athame, athamé or arthame is what some practitioners of ritual magic call their ceremonial knives. ... Hermes Trismegistuss axiom, As Above, So Below is a key metaphysical concept. ...

In rituals, fire is represented in the forms of burning objects, love spells, baking and lighting candles or fires.

The manifestations of the element are found in the sun, lightning, fire, volcanoes and lava, and all forms of light. 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. For other uses, see Lion (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Tiger (disambiguation). ...

The astral creatures of fire, known as elementals, are the salamander, phoenix, drake/dragon and, occasionally, the falcon (Although most associate this animal with air, instead). The astral plane, also called the astral world or desire world, is a plane of existence according to esoteric philosophies, some religious teachings and New Age thought. ... This article is about elementals in alchemy. ... A 16th-century image of a salamander from M. M. Pattison Muirs The Story of Alchemy and the Beginnings of Chemistry The salamander an amphibian of the order Urodela. ... For other mythic firebirds, see Fire bird (mythology). ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Dragon. ... Falcons eat humans. ...

Fire's place on the pentagram is the lower right point.

Fire belongs to the Tarot suit of Wands, although some Wiccans associate it with the suit of Swords because the athame (ritual knife) is often associated with fire. Fire is associated with warm colours, like red, orange and yellow, but also colours like black. This article is about the general history, iconography, and uses of tarot cards. ...

Astrological Personalities

People born under the astrological signs of Aries, Virgo and Gemini are thought to have dominant fire personalities. Fire personalities are believed to have good leading qualities, and also tend to be extroverted, rebellious, passionate and enthusiastic; however, they can also be moody, hot-tempered, snappy, uncontrollable and angry. Aries the animal Aries is an astrological sign that is associated with the constellation Aries. ... Virgo is an astrological sign associated with the constellation Virgo. ... Gemini is an astrological sign, which is associated with the constellation Gemini. ...

Other traditions

Fire represents the creativity and passion that all intellectual and emotional beings have. It is an active force that has the passion to create and animate things. The element is also very rational and quick to "flare up" as is the personality of many "fire-children."

Fire in many ancient cultures and myths has been known to purify the land with the flames of destruction; however, it is also capable of the renewal of life through the warmth and comfort of those very same flames.

The element of fire shows up in mythological stories all across the world, often in stories related to the Sun.

In East Asia fire is represented by the Vermilion Bird, known as 朱雀 (Zhū Què) in Chinese, Suzaku in Japanese and Ju-jak (주작, Hanja:朱雀) in Korean. Fire is represented in the Aztec religion by a flint; to the Native Americans, a mouse; to the Hindu and Islamic faiths, a lightning bolt; to the Scythians, an axe, to the Greeks, an apple-bough; and in Christian iconography, a lion. East Asia Geographic East Asia. ... The Vermilion Bird (Chinese: ; Hanyu Pinyin: ) is one of the Four Symbols of the Chinese constellations. ... Hanja is the Korean name for Chinese characters. ... Aztec is a term used to refer to certain ethnic groups of central Mexico, particularly those groups who spoke the Nahuatl language and who achieved political and military dominance over large parts of Mesoamerica in the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries, a period referred to as the Late post-Classic... Native Americans redirects here. ... Bhavna says there are 300 million gods in Hinduism. ... For people named Islam, see Islam (name). ... Scythia was an area in Eurasia inhabited in ancient times by an Indo-Aryans known as the Scythians. ... For other uses, see Christian (disambiguation). ... Look up Iconography in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

See also

• Fire
• Fire worship
• Burnt offering
• Pyromania
• Pyrokinesis

For other uses, see Fire (disambiguation). ... Indo-Parthian stone palette, illustrating a fire worship, possibly of a Zoroastrian nature. ... Sacrifice is the practice of offering food, or the lives of animals or people to the gods, as an act of propitiation or worship. ... Property damage caused by fire Pyromania is an obsession with fire and starting fires in an intentional fashion. ... Pyrokinesis is the paranormal or legendary ability to control, ignite, and/or extinguish fire using only the mind. ...

Notes

1. ^ ^{a b c} The Elements: Fire. Retrieved on 2007-10-18.
2. ^ Plato, Timaeus, chap. 22-23; Gregory Vlastos, Plato’s Universe, pp. 66-82.
3. ^ G. E. R. Lloyd, Aristotle, chapters 7-8.
4. ^ Israel Regardie, The Golden Dawn, pp. 154-65.
5. ^ Regardie, Golden Dawn, p.322; Kraig, Modern Magick, pp. 149-53.
6. ^ Regardie, Golden Dawn, p. 80.
7. ^ Regardie, Golden Dawn, pp. 280-286; Kraig, Modern Magick, pp. 206-209.

Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 291st day of the year (292nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Professor Sir Geoffrey E. R. Lloyd (born 1933) is a Historian of Ancient Science and Medicine at the University of Cambridge. ...

External links

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Category:Four elements

• Different versions of the classical elements
• Overview the 5 elements
• Section on 4 elements in Buddhism