Torch symbol

[[SanityIsLost]]

My neighbor's house has a symbol of a torch above their front door that was there since before they moved in. They recently came to ask us if we know what it means. We don't know but now I am curious. Does anybody know what it could mean or why it might be there?

[Draconis]

any chance of a pic? may help with the recognition

[LaFiamma]

My neighbor's house has a symbol of a torch above their front door that was there since before they moved in. They recently came to ask us if we know what it means. We don't know but now I am curious. Does anybody know what it could mean or why it might be there?

Maybe someone just wanted a symbol of a torch there?

[forgottenDuo]

The first thing that pops into my mind is the goddess Brighid, mainly because I designed a tattoo representing her the aspects a year or so back. I believe she's known more for her cauldron than torches though.

"Known by many names, Brighid's three aspects are (1) Fire of Inspiration as the patroness of poetry, (2) Fire of the Hearth, as patroness of healing and fertility, and (3) Fire of the Forge, as patroness of smithcraft and martial arts."

Jen

[[SanityIsLost]]

I don't have any way to take a picture of it but I'm trying to find something online that looks like it. Perhaps somebody just wanted it there but around my neighborhood a lot of houses have them so it would be kind of random for that many people to decide to put a torch above their door if it wasn't a symbol. Thanks for your replies!

[Sobek]

could be a ye olde community style cult? how old are these houses?

[Baratoz]

My neighbor's house has a symbol of a torch above their front door that was there since before they moved in. They recently came to ask us if we know what it means. We don't know but now I am curious. Does anybody know what it could mean or why it might be there?

It could represent Hecate. At different points in history she was associated with torch bearing and her statue was placed at the entrance of private homes. I think I read somewhere else too that a torch was one of her symbols at one time.


Hekate Propylaia -- "the one before the gate" -- a guardian goddess whose statue was often at the entrance to major temples of other deities, primarily Demeter, or at the entrance to private homes

Hekate Phosphoros -- "the light bringer" -- a torch-bearer (probably related to her role as guide, especially one who guides and attends initiates at the Mysteries, such as the Eleusinian Mysteries); while other deities carried a single torch, Hekate was most prominently associated with torch-bearing, and unlike the others, She usually carried two; though later sources identify Her as a moon goddess (and say the torches are a symbol of Her connection with night and the moonlight). Her early role as torch-bearer has no such connection, though they might refer to the Morning and Evening stars (Venus)


http://www.goddessmystic.com/CoreCurric ... ndex.shtml

[Witch1693]

being jewish it could represent the eternal flame, ecuase it is hard to keep a lfame lit forever, some peple use a torch statue, or an electric candle, does it light up by any chance?