The Spiritual and Symbolic Meaning of Red Sprites

Last Updated on December 4, 2024 by Avia

I came across an award-winning photograph of red sprites the other day, and I was gobsmacked.  So much so, that I got inspired to cogitate about the potential spiritual and symbolic meaning of red sprites (sometimes called “red lightning”).  Although I haven’t seen one in-person, my meditative journeying retrieved some pretty interesting insights.  Of course, with every article I publish here on whats-your-sign – I do oodles of research, and that research fetched some fascinating tidbits too.  So, without futher ado, please allow me to share what I’ve leaned about the deeper meaning of red sprites.  Ready to rock this symbolic topic? Let’s roll!

What Is a Red Sprite, Exactly?

First things first: What are red sprites? Picture this—a brilliant red flash, shaped like a jellyfish, with electric tendrils sparking across the sky for a fraction of a second. These ethereal phenomena occur high above thunderstorms, in the upper atmosphere, and they’re as rare as they are mesmerizing.

Red sprites are a type of transient luminous event (TLE), which is science-speak for short-lived bursts of light caused by atmospheric electricity. Unlike lightning, which strikes down, red sprites flash upwards, connecting the heavens to the Earth like a celestial handshake.

Fun Fact:
The name “sprite” comes from their elusive, fairy-like quality—here one second, gone the next. Shakespeare would approve.

How Do Red Sprites Manifest?

Think of a thunderstorm as the drama queen of weather. It rages below while red sprites silently, elegantly steal the spotlight above. These sprites occur when there’s a massive electricity discharge between the thunderstorm clouds and the ionosphere. In simple terms, they’re cosmic power surges—lightning’s sophisticated, artsy cousin.

Where and How Are Red Sprites Best Seen in the Sky?

Catching a red sprite is no easy feat. You’ll need a powerful thunderstorm, a dark sky, and a bit of luck. They’re typically spotted in open areas with minimal light pollution—think the Great Plains of the U.S. or atop a remote mountain. A high-speed camera can help, but hey, why not just let the universe surprise you?

According to my research, the first red sprite was recorded around 1989. Since then, they’ve been observed in North America, Africa, Australia, and South and Central America. Astronauts also have gathered data about red lightning cropping up over both land and oceans, and temperate and tropical regions.

Pro Tip: Red sprites are more likely to appear during summer thunderstorms, so grab a blanket, head outside, and keep your eyes on the sky.

What Does It Mean When You Witness a Red Sprite?

So you’ve seen a red sprite. What now? First, pat yourself on the back—it’s rarer than spotting a unicorn (probably). Second, take a moment to reflect. Why? Because your encounter with this phenom is going to mean something different to you than anybody else.  Consider all the elements in life that had to culminate in order for you to be in that right place and the right time to witness such a spectacular event. Now, consider who you are, what you’re feeling, what you’re thinking, and what’s going in your life at the time of your sighting. Factor in all these details and then consider the symbolic meaning of red sprites (below listed).  With self-reflection and souldful introspection – you should come up with a narrative that illuminates a deeper meaning that is personal to you and your life experience.

Symbolic Meaning of Red Sprites

Now to this nitty gritty – the long awaited symbolic meaning of red sprites! Check it:

Cosmic Connection

Red sprites serve as a sort of an illustration of how all things are tied together in an ineffable cosmic waltz. Their occurance is a reflection of how mind-boggling events manifest from chain-reactions that might not always be understood – but nevertheless, happen from a series of events that ultimately burst into our awareness like a streak of awareness.

Bright Ideas

In general, lightning is considered a symbol of inspiration. You know when you get a hunch, or a flash of insight? That’s how red sprites convey meaning to some humans – it’s a bolt of brilliance – prompting us to act on instinct, intuition, or bright ideas.

Passion Strikes

I like to lean into the symbolism of colors when I’m interpreting any kind of meaning, and we can’t overlook that eerie red hue in the sprite’s debut in the sky’s stage. Red is symbolic of passion, urges, love, and sometimes anger. As lightning is a quick-as-a-wink phenom, red lightning might symbolize a whiplash of amorousness, heat, fury. It’s undeniably powerful, but its gone as quick as it came. – Something to ponder.

Wake Up Dunderhead

Lightning of any kind is ubiquitous of some kind of awakening or sudden epiphany – and red lightning is no different. Well, it is a little different because of the hue and rareity of this event. Perhaps moreso than regular lightning, red sprites striking in our awareness are a profound calling to “snap out of it” – wake up – open your cosmic eyes and see with crystal clarity.

Awestruck Wonder

I’ve been accused of overanalyzing everything. That’s okay, because part of my job is conveying potential symbolic meanings to you sweet peeps. But in truth, I’m just as dumbstruck by phenomena like red sprites as the next person. More accurately, it’s the symbolism that creates even more magic behind any wondrous spectacle such as red lightning. My point here is this – sometimes a cosmic anomoly is just that – an anomoly – and sometimes the symbolic take-away is that we need to just sitback and absorb the hair-raising glory of a moment for what it is – pure awesomeness.

Otherworldly Language

Ever since we humans have been rummaging around on this planet, we’ve been searching for meaning and answers. So, it’s no wonder that red lightning is often heralded as some form of communication – cosmic, divine, symbolic – whatever you want to call it – these events can be construed as a language opening up to speak to our hearts, souls and minds. Depending on who you are, your beliefs, and where you are in life – red sprites can be a message of warning, protection, inspiration, creativity, desire – or any manner of download you perceive in your symbolic or spiritual lexicon.

“Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.”

– Lao Tzu

Red Sprites in Myths and Lore

I’ll be honest with you – I didn’t find a whole lot online (but who can trust what you read on the internet these days anyway?) about the symbolic meaning or red sprites in myths and lore. Lucky for me, I have an extensive personal library (yes, with paper books). So, I scoured through my reference books, and got a few insights (this book was the most helpful in my research).  While direct citations about the symbolic meaning of red sprites were fleeting and woefully undocumented in terms of mythological recordings – I did find a few references that are connected to the red lightning wonder-vision.

Raijin: Japan’s Thunder God

Raijin is a bad-ass Japanese god of thunder, lightning, and storms. I found he might be linked to red sprites because he’s usually red-faced and angry, displaying eratic, whip-like fury.  While his persona is described as fiersome and pissed off, Rijin the lighting-thunder god is actually considered as a protector of illness, evil spirits, and is believed to ward off bad juju.  

Thor: Norse God of Thunder

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’re probably familiar with the Norse god of thunder Thor due to the massively popular Marvel Comics movies. Yes, he’s that hunky hammer-wielding god, and I’m associating him with the meaning of red sprites because this god is mythologically linked with thunder, lightning, and storms. Riding through the heavens in a chariot pulled by goats, Thor’s hammer, Mjölnir, creates wicked-cool lightning bolts as he battled giants and other foes. His red beard (a slim wink to the red hue of the sprites we’re exploring in this article) and fiery temper were emblematic of the storms he controlled, and his lightning was both a weapon and a symbol of divine power.

Haietlik: The Lightning Serpent of the Nuu-chah-nulth

Among the Nuu-chah-nulth people of the Canadian Pacific Northwest, the haietlik is a legendary lightning spirit. I’ve included the Haietlik in our discourse about the symbolic meaning of red sprites because the serpent A) originates in a region that has been reputed to encounter red lighting sightings, B) the creature’s body is reminiscent of the otherworldy tendrils of red sprites. This fabled lightning serpent is described as a serpent with a sharp head and a tongue that shoots lightning bolts, the Haietlik serves as both an ally and a weapon for the thunderbirds in their whale hunts. Symbolically, the lightning serpent embodies the connection between lightning and the natural world’s cycles.

Drangue: Albanian Storm Spirits

Deeper into my research, I came across another weather myth in Albanian folklore, which might be a nod to red sprites. To elaborate, the Drangue are semi-human warriors with supernatural strength, often associated with storms and lightning. They are believed to combat the Kulshedra, a serpent-like creature that reigns down torrential, killer weather. The Drangue’s battles in the sky manifest as thunderstorms, with lightning representing their divine weapons. I tracked down a few of these epic battles in mythology books in which red lightning spewed from the Drangue’s swords (sometimes from their eyes) slaying the Kulshedra, and hence protecting humanity from deathly natural disasters.

Sprites in European Folklore

As I briefly touched on earlier, a “sprite” is a fairly-like folk. The term crops up in European folklore and refers to itty bitty entities who are connected to natural elements. While not directly linked to red sprites, these entities were often seen as manifestations of nature’s unseen forces, influencing weather patterns and atmospheric phenomena.

Are Red Sprites a Bad Omen?

No, red sprites are not bad omens. At least, I didn’t come across any nefarious clues while I was fact-hunting. However, seeing red sprites can be a little unnerving simply because of their massive weirdness. And, as I said earlier, they sometimes convey a sense of fury or flashes of anger. But nothing in my research leads me to believe that red sprites are a bad omen in terms of the end of the world or apocalyptic prediction. In truth, I rather think they’re more like stunning reminders that the universe is alive, dynamic, and filled with surprises. Seeing one is more like a cosmic high-five than a cause for concern.

“The world is full of magic things, patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper.”

– W.B. Yeats

FAQs About Red Sprites

Spiritual Practices to Connect with Red Sprites

Seeing a red sprite is a switched-on visual, sure – but it can also spark a transformative spiritual journey. Here are some practices to deepen your connection:

• Meditative Sky-Watching: Lie under the stars, breathe deeply, and reflect on your place in the cosmos. Let the vastness of the universe inspire you.
• Journaling: Write about what the sprite meant to you. Did it evoke a sense of wonder? A new perspective? Capture the moment in words.
• Affirmations: Try this on for a red sprite-inspired mantra – “I am connected to the beauty and mystery of the universe. I am open to the messages of the natural world.”

“The clearest way into the universe is through a forest wilderness—and sometimes, through a sky filled with red sprites.”

– (Adapted from John Muir)

Closing Thoughts: Wonders Never Cease

I hope you enjoyed my yammerings about the spiritual and symbolic meaning of red sprites as much as I relished researching and pondering their deeper meaning. Ultimately, what these heady, hard-core bolts mean to you is up to your interpretation (beauty [and meaning] is in the eye of the beholder, ya know). Whether you consider them as a flash of inspiration, or a wink from the divine – I hope these insights about the meaning of red lightning inspire you to look deeper into nature for all manner of clarity, revelation, and endless intrigue. As always, thanks for reading!

Mighty brightly,

© Copyrighted. All Rights Reserved.

Get Firmly Rooted In Your Spiritual Growth
With These Nature Spirituality Selections From Amazon

Want more? Me too! That’s why I’ve also got this for you on Whats-Your-Sign:

Symbolic Meaning of Weather and How Weather Impacts Mood, Spirituality, Etc.

About Rare Clouds and Their Meanings