Dublin Core
Title
Smoke
Identifier
91
Symbol Item Type Metadata
Symbol name
Smoke
Symbol Description
The combination of the earth and fire elements as a "residue" of both. The antithesis of mud, since mud combines the Elements of earth and water, whereas smoke corresponds to air and fire. Represents the soul leaving the body. Associated with the journey of the soul to afterlife, plagues of locusts, and sacrifice. Some folklore traditions attribute a beneficent power to smoke, to ward off misfortunes. The column of smoke is a symbol of the relationship between earth and heaven, "pointing out the path through fire to salvation"(Cirlot).
Sources
Cirlot, Diccionario de Simbolos, p. 299-300.