Spiritual Meaning of Being Struck By Lightning

In this article, we will talk about the spiritual meaning of being struck by lightning and the spiritual meaning of being struck by lightning in a dream. To be struck by lightning is “to experience an event provoked by the gods,” or to be called upon by the gods. This is because lightning was seen as a sign from the gods in many ancient cultures. Nowadays, we see lightning as a natural phenomenon but to our ancestors, it meant something more. So what does lightning symbolize?

Struck by lightning is a phrase that many of us have never heard. We all know what it means, though the phrase usually refers to the impact something has made on our lives. Inspiration is achieved by some and sought by others, but either way, its powerful presence can be felt by its target.

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Spiritual Meaning of Being Struck By Lightning

Lightning is a symbol of the divine. It is the manifestation of God’s righteous wrath, which can strike anyone who is not living in accordance with God’s will. Lightning can also be seen as a sign that God is present in your life.

The Bible says that Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist “in the Jordan River” (Matthew 3:16). The Jordan River flows from its source at Mount Hermon in Syria, through Israel, and into the Dead Sea. This area is regularly struck by lightning and thunderstorms, which are often associated with strong winds and heavy rains.

Jesus’ baptism symbolizes his death and resurrection, as well as our own spiritual rebirth through baptism. Being struck by lightning during a stormy day would have been a sign to Jesus’ followers that he was indeed their Lord and Savior, just as it will be for us today!

Is It Good Luck To Get Struck By Lightning

Lightning is an important part of many Native American myths, and it appears in many different forms. It represents the power of the storm and lightning itself, as well as healing, renewal, and cleansing.

In one myth, lightning strikes a tree and creates a hollow where four-legged animals can shelter from the rain. In another myth, lightning causes a great flood that kills all of humanity except for two sisters who were saved by two ravens who had been turned into humans by their grandmother’s magic. In yet another myth, lightning is seen as a sign from a god that people should be kinder to each other.

The spiritual meaning of being struck by lightning is that it signifies a sudden change in your life (or death). If you are struck by lightning, it means that your life has changed dramatically—you may be going through something new or experiencing something different than before.

Lightning is a powerful symbol of divine intervention in many cultures. In some cases, it’s even believed to be a direct message from God.

In the Bible, for example, it is said that Jesus Christ was struck by lightning three times during his ministry. The first time was during his baptism; he was being baptized by John the Baptist when “a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased'” (Luke 3:22). The second time was during his transfiguration—when Jesus went up on top of Mount Tabor with Peter, James and John, who were all able to see him in his full glory as the Son of God.

The third time he was struck by lightning was when he died on the cross. “Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and gave up his spirit” (Matthew 27:50).

In other religions, lightning has also been seen as a sign from above or as an omen of great change or danger to come. The Vikings considered lightning bolts to be weapons wielded by their gods against their enemies. The Incas believed that lightning bolts were thrown at them by angry gods when they displeased them.

What Does It Mean When Someone Gets Struck By Lightning In A Dream

We all have some experience with lightning bolts. It might be that dog cartoon. Or that wizard book. Or the rumor that wearing red clothes will make lightning target you. Or the fact that you see lightning before you hear thunder … but they happen at the same time.

Today we’re going to focus on lightning bolt symbolism in the spiritual realm. This could include seeing lightning bolts on fuse boxes, dreaming about rainstorms, or suddenly noticing lots of Flash Gordon comics and Sheldon Cooper t-shirts. So let’s look into it!

1. Divinity

Science tells us a massive static charge builds up in the clouds when protons and electrons battle it out up there. That’s when the clouds seem to flash and shimmer. If the electrons in the clouds link up with the positive charge on the ground, a bolt comes crashing down.

And since many religions and creation myths believe a divine being in the sky created us, it makes sense we would assume our god up there sent it down. Almost every culture has a god in charge of thunder and/or lightning, so a lightning bolt could easily represent deities.

2. Punishment

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Lightning generally ‘falls’ out of the sky.  If you’re in the MCU, lightning bolt symbolism means Thor is coming. But even in other religions, lightning is often seen as God’s Wrath. After all, he’s been known to use rain as punishment before, and there was surely lightning.

Besides, as a kid, you were probably told that if you said something sacrilegious, lightning from heaven would smite you. And technically, Thor is a sky god, and so is Zeus. So it’s a viable thought that some powerful being up there got mad and tossed down a few bolts.

3. Clarity

If you’ve ever gotten trapped in a storm, you know how scary it can be. There’s low visibility, your wheels keep skidding, the windows are all fogged up, and you can crash at any moment. Often, storms cause blackouts. So when that lightning flashes, it’s enough to shake your soul.

But it does something else too. In that split second of electric current, the whole world lights up. It’s like a giant flashlight from the heavens, giving you a glimpse of hope as you see that out there in the darkness, everything still exists. It’s why lightning bolts symbolize revelation.

4. Disaster

A lot of people are terrified of thunder. It’s a disturbing sound. But in many ways, the silence of lightning is even more ominous. And it always seems to start ‘over there’ and gradually get closer. Lightning bolt symbolism calls it an omen. You see that flash and thunder is coming.

But on a more general plane, lightning bolts represent danger and destruction. You’ll see it on electric poles and fuse boxes, but you’ll also see it on bottles of poison. Harry Potter’s lightning bolt scar foreshadowed the end of the world as they knew it – Voldemort’s return.

5. Bad Vibes

Electricity comes from electrons, and electrons have a negative charge. Coincidentally, the average person has a bad attitude towards lightning. We all believe it will strike us down even though few of us know anyone that actually got hit in a rainstorm, red umbrella or not!

In the same way, some see it as an announcement of worse things to come. But lightning bolt symbolism can also be a symptom of something bad that’s already going on. You see the flash far off and closing in, so lightning means that bad event over there is headed this way. Soon.

6. Surprise

The second you see that flash of lightning, you know roaring thunder will follow. But there’s no realistic way for ordinary people to predict lightning. Meteorologists might, and there’s probably an app for that. But its stealth and unpredictability give meaning to this insignia.

In this specific sense, lightning bolt symbolism suggests a shocking event in your near future. Possibly a nasty one, since lightning is known to cause all sorts of damage including fires and electrocution. And it may be hidden behind something positive, just like lightning and rain.

7. Violence

Thor is probably the best-known weather god (bless you, Chris Hemsworth). In the canon, his dad, Odin, has a lightning spear which I suppose he could toss to earth whenever he had a tantrum. His young son Thor was terrified of thunder and would yell at scream if it rained.

So Odin ‘made’ him the God of Thunder as a nasty nickname for all his hollering. But Thor grew into his title, amid thunderous fights with his father. Somewhere between this backstory and its destructive power, lightning became a symbol of violence and aggression.

8. Closure

As we explained in the beginning, that lightning flash isn’t as sudden as we think. It bubbles up in the sky until it ‘bursts’ out. In that sense, lightning bolt symbolism could designate completion, closure, or fulfillment. Battles may have been raging in your organic brain cloud.

But your lightning dream (or maybe you’re seeing lightning bolt icons as you go about your day) could mean you’ve found a resolution to your challenge or an answer to your nagging question. The release of repressed emotions grounds you, just like earthing that current.

9. Inspiration

Ever since Thomas Edison, we’ve used the light bulb as shorthand for bright ideas. It’s the graphic representation of shouting ‘eureka!’ You’ll often see one materializing over someone’s head in cartoons or comics. Lightning bolt symbolism has a similar concept.

See, if you’re physically struck by lightning, that could get really bad. But when lightning hits you in a dream, it’s a positive sign. You may have been struggling with a dilemma, so that dream means you now have your fix. And if you can’t spot that resolution yet, you soon will.

10. Calm

Think of the idioms associated with bad weather. Things like cook up a storm (in a teacup). Or my favorite, calm before the storm. If you look at a tornado in action, the last thing you want is to get sucked into that funnel. But that spot, the eye of the storm, is the safest space.

Science has proven the ‘sides of the funnel’ are where the damage happens. Once you’re in the middle, you’re fine. So lightning could symbolize that moment of tense calmness before things get really bad. It’s a warning to suit up and get ready, it’s about to blow!

11. Creativity

Lightning is literally a form of creation. Atmospheric particles condense to form clouds and bulk up until they break. Then the negative charge in the sky and the positive charge in the soil link up in a flash. Seeing lightning in your dreams could indicate a spurt of artful energy.

You may soon find yourself brimming with ideas, so get ready to grab them. After all, lightning is gone in microseconds so if you don’t harness that incoming energy and record the ideas, you’ll quickly forget them. Get a notebook (or a notes app) and jot them down.

12. Speed

The phrase ‘flash of lightning’ is a cliché now, but it was built around the swiftness and shock value of lightning. Blink and you’ll miss it! (Though you’ll probably see the brightness even behind your eyelids.) So lightning bolt symbolism can imply urgency – you need to be quick!

Also, the visual effect of lightning does make you wonder if there’s a hidden hand in the cloud throwing down his bright booming spears – and only god knows why. So that bolt can sometimes symbolize split-second decisive action. No hesitation. The goal is ‘Do it now!’

13. Not-So-Nice

You may have heard about the SS. That would be the Schutzstaffel aka Protection Squadron. Initially known as Saal-Schutz or Hall Security. Under Heinrich Himler, it grew into the Aryan equivalent of Russia’s KGB. This paramilitary outfit was the key to operating Nazi Germany.

And modern iterations have appeared among neo-Nazis. So while this is practical rather than a spiritual symbol, it still counts. Context is crucial here, because double lightning bolts (like the SS) may inadvertently be a Bat Signal that summons contemporary white supremacists.

14. Strength

It does seem that lightning bolt symbolism is impossibly tied to the idea of gods. While Thor is a firm favorite, Zeus (of the Greeks) aka Jupiter (of the Romans) was considered the ruler of the gods because he controlled lightning. He tossed some down at the Titans in that war.

And with lightning being the weapon of choice for the most powerful god on Mt. Olympus, lightning bolts easily become a symbol for strength and conquest. And this isn’t necessarily positive power, because Zeus wasn’t the nicest of gods. So, again, context skews the meaning.

15. Life

This interpretation of lightning isn’t as well known. And it’s more philosophical than spiritual. See, lightning often comes with rain, which feeds the crops, which then feeds the humans and all their animals. For this reason, lightning signifies life, fertility, and rebirth.

Among agricultural societies (both ancient and modern ones), the fires caused by lightning can raze the land, forcing you to start over. In Japan, the twin gods of weather are Raijin and Fujin, and if they sent lightning to your rice field, you’d have a bountifully fertile harvest.

16. Holiness

For the Celts, lightning bolt symbolism was about purification and sanctuary. Spots that were hit by lightning became ceremonial spaces for celebrating, worship, and ritual sacrifice. Also, forget sun-kissed skin – Celts preferred an electric kiss. It was a caress from the gods.

In their world, being struck by lightning was a good thing, even if you died. To them, lightning was like touching god. Meanwhile, Native Americans (particularly the Hopi), lightning represents the Thunderbird, an ethereal being that represents truth and morality.

17. Justice

The Native American Thunderbird (much like the Christian God) is an omnipotent, kind being. But the bird can be quite rough with evil-doers. The bird watches us from the heavens and when it spots somebody lying or being cruel, it shot lightning at the person from its eyes. Fujin and Raijin are more neutral, though Japanese deities aren’t subjectively good or evil.

The Twins handle the weather in general and are key figures during typhoon season. You’ll see them at a lot of temple gates.  In China, Lei Gong is the god of thunder and lightning. Lei Gong was part of the Jade Emperor council of ministers. He blesses the emperor’s friends with nurturing rain for their crops but sends lightning to destroy enemies of the emperor.

18. Raw Power

Yes, humans have learned how to harness electricity. But we still can’t do much about the drama of lightning. We can use lightning rods to redirect it. And earthing wires to prevent electrocution. But those extreme flashes of current from the sky? We haven’t wrangled them.

Here’s where lightning bolt symbolism becomes a sign of unpredictable, lethal power. It can also symbolize unfiltered emotions in their purest form. Your gut instincts and reflexes often appear as a flash from nowhere. You didn’t consciously activate them – just like lightning.

19. Silver Linings

In the daytime, a cloud’s silver lining is the halo that sometimes frames the clouds when the sun sneaks behind them. It might also be that divine ray of sunshine that peeps through as the clouds open up. So that’s a good thing. But in the night sky, things are rather different. If your lightning bolt is attached to a cloud, it’s an omen. Prepare yourself psychologically.

Of course, lightning bolts also express the blinding flash of enlightenment. On the lighter side, lightning bolt symbolism is big in pop culture too. Whether it’s David Bowie, Arianna Grande, Lady Gaga, Kiss, or AC/DC, lightning bolts feature heavily among the stars, pun intended. You can make the number of jagged edges on the lightning symbolic as well.

What Does Lightning Symbolize

Lightning is a symbol of the Divine. It’s a sign that God is near, and it’s a reminder that we are not alone in this world.

In the Bible, this is expressed through the story of Elijah:

“Then there appeared a great wonder in heaven—a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head. She was pregnant and cried out in pain as she was about to give birth. Then another sign appeared in heaven: an enormous red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on his heads. His tail swept away a third of the stars in heaven and flung them to the earth.” [Revelation 12:1-4]

The woman being described here is Mary, mother of Jesus. The dragon represents Satan, who tried to destroy Jesus when He was born. But God protected His Son from harm by sending His angels to protect Him until He could be taken safely into Egypt (Matthew 2:13-15).

Light Up Your Identity

Lots of communities and fandoms use lightning bolt symbolism to signal their tribe. Endless Hogwarts fans got lightning tattoos on their bodies. Some Goths might opt for lightning bolt jewelry rather than getting it inked, and Wiccans may use lightning pendants as talismans.