The topic of a white horse as a symbol of death has randomly been shown to me.

I was sitting down watching a TV show that was filmed about 20 years ago.

Then within the same week, I was watching a different show filmed about 5 years ago.

Both of them referenced a white horse as a symbol of warning that someone was going to die.

I have to be honest here, I’d never heard of it.

Nor did I take it to mean that someone close to me was going to die.

I’m also not really one to follow superstition.

However, I am a rather curious soul and this got me to thinking how did this come about?

Why do some people believe that seeing a white horse indicates the death of a loved one?

I was wondering what other symbolism it could mean?

Looking into this has made me understand that in general, a horse depicts freedom, courage and strength.

I like that.

Depending on which culture you live in it can also have slightly different meanings such as:

Native American’s consider the horse a spiritual being it represents freedom and their token of war.

Japanese culture consider the horse to be a spirit animal, a divine creature.

In China depicts it bringing the Buddhist sutras for the first time and introducing Buddhism.

The spiritual meaning is of courage, integrity, perseverance, and power.

However, in Christianity the white horse is apparently a symbol of death!

Same as a black horse but add in evil and destructiveness.

Because you know black = evil.

That wasn’t enough for me, I had to look a bit further.

If you look at mythology all the great horses were white – think Pegasus.

However, in the New Testament it has been translated as this:

The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse include one seated on a white horse and one on a pale horse – the “white” horse carried the rider Conquest while the “pale” horse carried the rider Death.

That is how a white horse came to be a symbol of death.

Seriously.

If you’re out and about and you suddenly see a white horse.

Don’t be alarmed, it doesn’t mean someone is going to die.

It just means a beautiful horse is running out of its paddock enjoying itself – it’s freedom.

I think I’ll take it that I should be living my life in a free way, enjoying my freedoms.

Having the strength to do what I need to do.

Having the courage to stay the course.

I like that, what about you?

Love & light

Katrina x