Symbols of purity represent virtue, cleanliness, and clarity. They help us keep a clean mind, heart, and body. However, the term purity does not have the same definition for everyone because we all have different senses of purity and give different forms of its value.
What is Purity?
Purity means freedom from contamination. An example of this would be to describe filtered water or a chemical without any others mixed in.
However, the word can also have many other meanings. One of the most common uses of the word purity is freedom from immorality.
The word purity often means someone that is morally pure in a venereal sense. But it can also refer to someone who is free from vices tying them to the desirous, carnal world.
However, not all religions see purity the same. In Buddhism, purity is called “Vissudhi.” It is a way to define the results of the purification of a Buddhist.
The process involves purifying the defects and weaknesses of someone so that they can reach nirvana. Buddhists believe that purifying yourself is the only way to be your true self as they believe we are naturally free of flaws and our weaknesses are truly superficial contaminants.
In Hinduism, ritual purification involves bathing in pure waters. Even when homes are purified before weddings, water is involved to ensure purity. Other purification ceremonies in the Hindu faith come at funerals, after menstruation, and after a child is born.
Types of Purity
In the ego-transcending spiritual practice known as Sādhanā, there are ten types of purity. Sādhanā combines beliefs and disciplines from Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain faiths, giving something everyone can connect to.
- Purity of Place – filling the space you reside with peace and purity by keeping it clean and positive
- Harmony – harmonious purity is important with those close to you. Avoid discord and create peace in your relationships
- Food – ensure that the food you eat isn’t too strong or will upset your stomach
- Drink – only drink pure water and other beverages
- Mind – keep thoughts and feelings positive and pure
- Vision – consider everyone family and look upon no one with lust
- Read – ensure your books are pure and clean
- Serve – be of service to others
- Spiritual Connection – connect to the divine and feel love no matter what
- Work – your job should serve a higher purpose, even if you give it that purpose
What Does Purity Mean in the Bible?
In the Bible, purity describes keeping your body pure. In Christianity, a pure body helps you remain spiritually pure.
1 Corinthians 6:18 says, “Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body.”
Then the same theme continues throughout, such as in Colossians 3:5, which states, “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry.”
This is what most Christians relate to purity. But it’s not the only mention of it because we also see God mention the importance of a pure heart with good intentions. Psalm 119:9 sums it up with, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”
Which Color Symbolizes Purity?
White is the color of purity. This is true in almost every religion and culture. It symbolizes purification from sin, pain, and uncleanliness.
Whether a white sheet or a white lamb, most people connect color to purity, and with good reason. The color white, ironically, is the hardest to keep clean, yet the one we strive to keep free from blemishes.
Flowers That Symbolize Purity
- Lotus – these spiritual flowers are the number one flower of purity due to their ability to remain clean in murky waters
- Lily – a flower of innocence and purity of the Virgin Mary
- Baby’s Breath – symbolizes innocence and purity
- White Rose – a universal flower of purity and innocent love
What Crystal is a Symbol of Purity?
Diamonds are symbols of purity. It is important that a diamond is pure, or else it loses its value. True diamonds are made of just one ingredient – carbon. Because of this, they are clear when pure. It’s also one of the strongest objects on Earth.
Animal Purity Symbols
- Lamb – a symbol of Christ and his followers
- Dove – symbolizes purity and peace
- Butterfly – a symbol of the transformation of ritual purification
- Swan – pure birds with white feathers and sacred to ancient Greeks who connected the swans to Aphrodite
Plant That Symbolizes Purity
Sage is a symbol of purity. While all of nature symbolizes purity when untouched by man, sage is one of the purest plants on Earth.
It is used in purification rituals to get rid of evil energy in homes and other buildings. This ritual is called smudging and is possible to do alone.
17 Symbols of Purity
1. Snow
Snow is a symbol of purity because of its appearance. “What can make me white as snow?” is a Christian lyric that means, “How can I be purified?”
2. Salt
Salt is a natural symbol of purity. It has natural purification properties that can be used in food, to clean, or in salt baths for the body.
3. Angel
Angels are spiritually pure beings. They live in heaven, free from sin, represented by pure light and goodness.
4. Water
From waterfalls to rain, water is a symbol of purity. It can clean and purify almost anything with natural waters often considered sacred or holy.
5. Silver
Silver is a pure mineral valued in every country. However, it also symbolizes spiritual purity due to its color and the healing properties many once believed it contained.
6. Solid Cloth
A solid white cloth is a symbol of purity. It must be of one material, such as cotton, and is used in many rituals involving purification.
7. Ailm
Ailm is a Celtic symbol of purity. It represents the highest point on the Tree of Life, which is a door to the next world, which is free from sin and impurities.
8. Unicorn
Unicorns are mythical creatures of purity. While other creatures have ill intent and flaws, unicorns are considered rare and free from imperfections, which gives them healing powers.
9. Milk
Milk is a pure substance. It represents purity because it sustains children and is the color white, which also represents purity.
10. Children
Children are major symbols of purity. Their innocence and lighthearted nature inspire adults everywhere yo reconnect with their purity.
11. Christ
Christ is the ultimate symbol of purity. Christians believe he is the only man to ever walk this earth free from sin and that his blood is the only way to reach salvation.
12. Fire
Like water, fire has the ability to purify. Heat can rid something of germs, but even in a spiritual sense, fire is a symbol of purity used by many religions.
13. Cross
The cross is a Christian symbol of purity. It represents Christ’s sacrifice as well as our gift of purity and new life.
14. Pearl
Pearls are symbols of grace and purity. They are rare and made due to a pure process. In Asia, they represent the human soul and the process it goes through during life.
15. Mary
Mary is the mother of Christ, a symbol of purity. She was chosen due to her purity in a Biblical Sense and remains a symbol to this day.
16. Sun
The sun is a symbol of purity. It is a natural pure symbol in Christianity as it represents Christ, for Native Americans due to its power, and in Ancient Greece because of its connection to Apollo.