“Just as it is written in the Law of Moses, all this disaster has come upon us, yet we have not sought the favor of the LORD our God by turning from our sins and giving attention to Your truth” (Daniel 9:13). “Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming” (Ephesians 4:14).
Several weeks ago we bought a small 6′ decorative windmill at our local Tractor Supply store. Both Brooksyne and I like to glean the end of season clearance items and fortunately the windmill was among the choices. We have it set up right out in front of our home office where we can view it while we work.
We both like windmills. They are a pleasant sight on the rural landscape reminding us of a bygone era. Many windmills are now decorative such as ours, but others are functional such as the one pictured to the right, which pumps water up to a storage tank on an Amish farm.
A working windmill is designed to shift direction with the wind and this is effective in efficiently utilizing the wind’s power. Although prevailing winds may come from one direction they also shift and the design of the windmill adjusts for these shifts. This design is beneficial for the windmill but devastating for those who are “blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming” (Ephesians 4:14).
In our first daily text Daniel is writing concerning the exiled Jews, who are Scripturally known as “the remnant”. The first part of the ninth chapter of Daniel is one of the great prayers of the Bible and the daily verse comes from this prayer. The Jews had been exiled to Babylon as a result of years of failing to live by God’s Law. Moses had warned of this and now Daniel acknowledges, “All this disaster has come upon us.”
Windmill Symbol
The windmill is renowned for its symbolic representation of various concepts and beliefs. This mesmerizing structure has long been associated with spirituality and holds deep meaning in numerous cultures and religions around the world. The windmill symbolizes a multitude of ideas, such as:
- Harmony with nature
- Renewal and regeneration
- Movement and energy
- Transformation and progress
- Connection to a higher power
Its rotating blades gracefully symbolize the cyclical nature of life, reminding us that everything is constantly in motion and evolving. The windmill’s symbolism transcends time and geographical boundaries, capturing the essence of our spiritual journey.
Spiritual Meaning of A Windmill
The windmill is a universal symbol of life, hope, serenity and resilience. It is widely used in literature, music and films to represent fascinating, important, diverse and mystical matters. Its symbolism is so powerful that it has created many idioms, sayings and metaphors. Here are some examples:
‘Tilting at windmills’ is an idiom which means attacking imaginary enemies. It originates from the novel Don Quixote, written by Miguel de Cervantes in 17th century. Don Quixote had a vivid imagination and was seen as a crazy man. He did not accept reality and loved to challenge everyday life. In the book he fights with windmills, because he sees them as giants who will hurt him. His adventures are interpreted as a metaphor that individuals can be right while society is wrong.
The character and its reference to windmills is one of the most influential and well known in the history of literature. This reference is used by many, for example:
The Man Who Killed Don Quixote (2018) is a comedy film directed by Terry Gilliam. The novel inspired Terry Gilliam to write a script for a film. It inspired him because he saw themes that run through his own work, such as individual versus society and the concept of sanity.
Another example from literature of the use of windmill reference, is seen in Animal Farm by George Orwell. The windmill represents hope and progress. However, it is also used to symbolise the totalitarian triumph of the pigs. All the animals are involved in building it and they believe it will benefit them all. Whereas in fact the windmill is only there for the pigs.
Many song lyrics used windmill as a metaphor. For example, the band Gorillaz uses windmill as reference in their song Feel Good Inc. The song is about destructive activities that make us feel good such as meaningless sex. Windmill is used as metaphor to remember that most important is to love others. Love is what makes the world go round.
“Windmill, windmill for the land
Turn forever hand in hand
Take it all in on your stride
It is ticking, falling down
Love forever, love is freely
Turned forever, you and me
Windmill, windmill for the land
Is everybody in?” – Gorillaz
Windmill Prophetic Meaning
In the realm of spirituality, windmills have been attributed with prophetic meanings that offer guidance and insights into hidden truths. Their prophetic significance can be interpreted in various ways, depending on cultural beliefs and personal perspectives. Some of the eminent prophetic meanings associated with windmills include:
- Divine intervention and protection: Windmills have been interpreted as symbols of divine intervention, reminding us that we are always surrounded by higher forces guiding and protecting us on our path.
- Transformation and growth: Windmills signify the continuous transformation and growth that occur within our spiritual journeys. Just as the wind propels the rotating blades, our experiences propel us forward, leading to personal evolution and enlightenment.
- Opportunities and abundance: Windmills are often considered symbols of abundance and opportunities, signifying that prosperity and fulfillment are attainable through hard work, perseverance, and harnessing the energies of the divine.
- Merging of physical and spiritual realms: Windmills serve as a bridge between the physical and spiritual realms, reminding us that our material existence is intrinsically linked to our spiritual nature.
The prophetic meanings associated with windmills reveal the profound wisdom embedded in these magnificent structures, inspiring us to delve deeper into our spiritual quests.
What is the Symbolic Meaning of the Windmill in “Animal Farm”?
George Orwell’s novel “Animal Farm” employs the windmill as a powerful symbol representing various themes and concepts. In the book, the windmill symbolizes the ideals of progress, socialism, and equality, which are distorted and corrupted by the ruling elite, much like what occurred during the Russian Revolution. The windmill becomes a metaphor for the manipulation of power and the manipulation of symbolism itself.
Initially, the windmill is seen as a symbol of unity and collective effort among the animals, representing their desire for a better future. However, as the story progresses, it becomes a tool of manipulation by the pigs, who use it to assert their dominance and control over the other animals.
The windmill’s symbolic meaning in “Animal Farm” serves as a cautionary tale, reminding us of the dangers of unchecked power and propaganda, and the importance of staying vigilant and questioning authority.
Biblical Meaning of A Windmill
A windmill is a tool used to grind grain into flour, and in many cultures it signifies the passage of time. The first windmills were seen in Persia, where they were built by ancient people who lived near the Euphrates River. In China, windmills were used as early as the sixth century BC, and some of those structures still stand today.
Windmills had many purposes besides grinding grain into flour: they were used to pump water for irrigation and for use in homes (this is why some of them have sails on top).
The windmill is a symbol of self-reliance and independence. It represents the ability to make your own decisions and take charge of your life, which can be difficult when you’re surrounded by people who have more influence over you than you do.
The windmill also represents being able to draw upon internal resources in order to accomplish goals, instead of relying on outside forces like luck or other people’s help.