What Are Icons of the Holy Ghost?
Icons of the Holy Ghost — the Holy Spirit — are sacred images of the Third Person of the Trinity. "Holy Ghost" is the older English name for the Holy Spirit, used in the King James Bible and in traditional prayers; the two terms mean the same Person.
Scripture and tradition show the Spirit in three great moments: the Baptism of Christ in the Jordan (the dove), Pentecost (the tongues of fire over Mary and the apostles), and the Holy Trinity itself (the three angelic figures of Rublev's icon).
What Does a Holy Spirit Icon Look Like?
A classic Holy Spirit icon shows the dove surrounded by rays of light or a golden nimbus — the Spirit descending on Christ at His Baptism. A Pentecost icon (the Descent of the Holy Spirit) shows the Mother of God with the apostles in the upper room, each crowned with a tongue of fire. A Holy Trinity icon follows the Rublev composition: three angels around a chalice, with the Holy Spirit as the third Person.
Our collection brings together these great subjects — the Descent of the Holy Spirit icon, the Rublev-style Holy Trinity icon, and the Pneumatophora icon of Our Lady carrying the Holy Spirit — all hand-gilded on alder wood.
The Dove — The Most Common Symbol of the Holy Spirit
The dove is the most recognizable symbol of the Holy Spirit. It comes from the Baptism of Christ: "he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove" (Matthew 3:16). The image joins two lines of meaning — the dove of Noah that returned with the olive branch, the sign of peace after the flood (Genesis 8:8–12), and the gentle bird of the Song of Songs.
In iconography the dove appears above Christ in icons of the Theophany (the Baptism of the Lord), usually within a burst of light and combined with the hand of God. In Western sacred art a dove with seven rays recalls the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.
The Pentecost Icon — The Descent of the Holy Spirit
The Pentecost icon shows the moment fifty days after Easter when the Holy Spirit descended on the apostles gathered with Mary in the upper room (Acts 2:1–4). At the center sits the Mother of God; around her the apostles receive "tongues as of fire," while the room fills with the sound of a rushing wind.
In Orthodox versions the composition often includes the figure of Kosmos — the world — at the bottom, holding the twelve scrolls the apostles will carry to the nations, and the background is commonly red, the liturgical color of Pentecost.
See our Pentecost icon — the Descent of the Holy Spirit, and read the full guide: Pentecost icon explained.
The Holy Trinity Icon — Rublev's Trinity
The Holy Trinity icon attributed to Andrei Rublev (early 15th century) is the most famous icon of the Trinity. It depicts the three angels who visited Abraham at the oaks of Mamre (Genesis 18) — the Hospitality of Abraham — as a veiled image of the three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
The three angels sit around a single chalice — the Lamb, the sacrifice of Christ — forming a silent circle of love into which the viewer is drawn. Rublev's Trinity is kept in the Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow and is regarded as one of the greatest works of Christian art.
Our Rublev-style Holy Trinity icon and its companion Trinity icon follow this composition, hand-gilded on alder wood.
The Pneumatophora Icon — Our Lady Carrying the Holy Spirit
The Pneumatophora ("Spirit-bearer") is a rare Marian icon type showing the Mother of God carrying the Holy Spirit. It expresses the faith of the Church that Mary — full of grace, overshadowed by the Spirit at the Annunciation — bore God in her womb and carries the Spirit in her prayer.
See our Pneumatophora icon of Our Lady carrying the Holy Spirit, hand-gilded on alder wood.
The Ten Symbols of the Holy Spirit
Scripture presents the Holy Spirit through images. These are the ten symbols most often listed in Catholic teaching:
- Dove — peace, purity, the Spirit descending at Baptism (Matthew 3:16)
- Tongues of fire — the power of the Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 2:3)
- Wind and breath — "ruah," the invisible but powerful presence of God (John 3:8; Acts 2:2)
- Water — Baptism and the new birth "of water and the Spirit" (John 3:5)
- Anointing oil (chrism) — the Spirit given in Confirmation and ordination (1 John 2:27)
- Seal — the Spirit as God's mark on the faithful (Ephesians 1:13)
- Hand of God — the Spirit's action in creation and salvation
- Cloud — the Spirit's hidden presence and guidance (Exodus 13:21)
- Light — illumination and the flame of faith (Psalm 119:105)
- Finger of God — the Spirit at work in creation and in Christ's miracles (Luke 11:20)
Read the full guide with Scripture references: Holy Spirit symbols and their meanings.
The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit
Catholic tradition lists seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, drawn from Isaiah 11:2–3: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. They are received in Baptism and strengthened in Confirmation — which is why a Holy Spirit icon is a traditional Confirmation gift, and a favorite gift for priestly ordinations and jubilees.
Materials and Sizes — Hand-Gilded on Alder Wood
Every icon in this collection is hand-finished in Poland. The image is applied to an alder board with a unique imaging technology, and the gilding is done by hand with gold leaf. Each icon includes a certificate of authenticity and a gift box, and is made to both hang and stand.
| Size | Dimensions | Price |
|---|---|---|
| A | 10.5 × 14 cm (4.13 × 5.51 in) | from $48 |
| B | 12 × 16 cm (4.72 × 6.29 in) | from $60 |
| E | 17 × 23 cm (6.69 × 9.05 in) | from $72 |
| F | 29 × 39 cm (11.41 × 15.35 in) | from $98 |
The largest Trinity and Pneumatophora icons (size F) are $121. Orders over $100 ship free.
Devotional Use — Pentecost, Confirmation, Ordination
Holy Spirit icons are particularly appropriate for prayer before Confirmation, for Pentecost devotions, and for personal discernment. The Church invokes the Spirit with the ancient hymn Veni Creator Spiritus and with the novena to the Holy Spirit before Pentecost.
A Holy Spirit icon also makes a meaningful gift for priestly ordinations and jubilees, and for anyone preparing to receive the sacrament of Confirmation. Placed on a home altar or in a prayer corner, it keeps the presence of the Spirit before the eyes of the family. See our guide: How to set up a home altar.
Holy Spirit Icons in Catholic and Orthodox Tradition
In Orthodox iconography the Holy Spirit is depicted in the canonical scenes of the Baptism (the dove) and Pentecost (tongues of fire), while the Trinity icon shows the three Persons through the three angelic figures. Catholic sacred art adds devotional images such as the Pneumatophora — the Mother of God carrying the Holy Spirit.
Explore our icons of Our Lady, icons of Jesus Christ, Holy Family icons, icons of the archangels, and the full collection of sacred icons.
To go deeper, read our guides: Understanding Catholic Icons, How to Care for Sacred Icons, How to Choose Icons for a Church, Holy Spirit Symbols and Their Meanings, and Pentecost Icon Explained.
Frequently Asked Questions About Holy Spirit Icons
What is the icon of the Holy Spirit?
The most recognizable icon of the Holy Spirit is the dove — the form in which the Spirit descended on Jesus at His Baptism. Pentecost icons show the Holy Spirit as tongues of fire over Mary and the apostles, and the Holy Trinity icon shows the Spirit as the third of the three angelic figures.
What is a symbol for the Holy Spirit?
The primary symbol of the Holy Spirit is the dove, followed by fire (tongues of fire), wind, water, oil, and the hand of God.
What are the four symbols of the Holy Spirit?
The four most common symbols of the Holy Spirit are the dove, fire, wind, and water — drawn from the Baptism of Christ, Pentecost, the breath of God, and the waters of baptism.
What are the five symbols of the Holy Spirit?
The five symbols most often listed are the dove, fire, wind, water, and oil (chrism) — the oil of anointing that signifies the gift of the Spirit in Confirmation and ordination.
What are the ten symbols of the Holy Spirit?
The ten symbols most often listed are the dove, fire, wind, water, oil (chrism), the seal, the hand of God, the cloud, light, and the finger of God.
What are the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit?
The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, listed in Isaiah 11:2–3, are wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. They are given in Baptism and strengthened in Confirmation.
What is the difference between the Holy Ghost and the Holy Spirit?
There is no difference — "Holy Ghost" and "Holy Spirit" are two names for the same Person of the Trinity. "Holy Ghost" is the older English form, used in the King James Bible and in traditional prayers; modern translations use "Holy Spirit."
Why is the Holy Spirit shown as a dove?
The dove comes from the Baptism of Christ, when the Spirit of God descended on Jesus "like a dove" (Matthew 3:16). The image also recalls the dove of Noah that brought back the olive branch — the sign of peace and reconciliation with God.
What is the Pentecost icon?
The Pentecost icon (also called the Descent of the Holy Spirit) shows Mary and the apostles in the upper room, each crowned with a tongue of fire, as the Holy Spirit descends upon them fifty days after Easter. It is the icon of the birthday of the Church.
What is the Pneumatophora icon?
The Pneumatophora ("Spirit-bearer") is a rare Marian icon showing Our Lady carrying the Holy Spirit. Our Pneumatophora icon is hand-gilded with gold leaf on alder wood and starts at $48.
How is the Holy Spirit shown in Orthodox and Catholic iconography?
In Orthodox iconography the Holy Spirit appears as the dove at the Baptism and as tongues of fire at Pentecost; Catholic art also uses the hand of God and the Holy Trinity icon, where the Spirit is the third of the three angelic figures.
When do Catholics venerate icons of the Holy Spirit?
Icons of the Holy Spirit are used especially at Pentecost, for Confirmation, for priestly ordinations and jubilees, and in personal prayer for the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.
