The term “fire” derives from the Latin term focus which originally indicated the hearth and gradually replaced, especially in the popular context, the term ignis which had the true meaning of fire.

According to linguistic reconstructions it seems to be connected to the Latin verb foveo and to the Greek φῶς, phṑs, or «light».

The symbol of Fire recalls the flame stretched upwards which ends in a point; therefore it alludes to an ascending motion, of growth or expansion, to an intrusive and conquering action.

Indeed, it rises to a function of symbolic mediation in the contexts of divine revelation, both in liturgical and cultural practice (illumination, consummation of sacrifices, etc.).

It is through fire that the mysterious manifestation of God takes place: a communicative sign of divine response to man’s request.