Dictionary of all Scriptures & Myths

WINGS; PINIONS

A symbol of aspiration: indicative of rising in the mind (air).

"When perfect and fully winged, the Soul soars upward, and is the ruler of the universe; while the imperfect soul loses her feathers, and drooping in her flight, at last settles on the solid ground-there, finding a home, she receives an earthly frame which appears to be self-moved, but is really moved by her power; and this composition of soul and body is called a living and mortal creature. And now let us ask the reason why the soul loses her feathers.

"The wing is that corporeal element which is most akin to the divine, and is intended to soar aloft and carry that which gravitates downwards into the upper region where dwell the gods. Now the divine is beauty, wisdom, goodness and the like; and by these the wing of the soul is nourished, and grows apace; but when fed upon evil and foulness, and the like, wastes and falls away (PLATO, Phædus). - JOWETT, Dialogues, etc., Vol. II. p. 123.

Plato describes the World – soul (Archetypal Man) in its primordial state, as the Divine Ruler (Higher Self). The "imperfect soul" is the separated soul-the Divine Spark or Monad which descends to the lower nature (ground) and occupies a body prepared for it, that is subject to a transient life and death. The imperfect soul seeks to rise from that condition which tends downward (desire, etc.), and attain perfection so as to consort with the ideals (gods) on the upper planes the ideals being beauty, wisdom, goodness, etc., which are the "fruits of the Spirit," to nourish the soul. Through the ideals aspiration (wing) is augmented, but if the personality becomes immersed in desire and sensation, aspiration declines.

"All the powers of God are winged, being always eager and striving for the higher path which leads to the Father." - PHILO, Works, Yonge, Vol. IV. p. 252.

"A few have left caterpillar and chrysalis behind even in this world; they have found the wings of a larger spiritual consciousness and are in communion with a glorious world of more abundant life." - R. J. CAMPBELL, Serm., The Son of Man Ascending.

Also

BIRDS
FRUCTIFYING
HORSE (winged)
MAASEH
SUN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS