Halos are often depicted in religious and spiritual art as circular discs or rings of light surrounding the heads of holy figures, such as saints, angels, or gods. Symbolically, halos represent divine presence, sanctity, and enlightenment. In many traditions, they signify the spiritual purity and transcendent nature of the person they surround, indicating that the individual is blessed, virtuous, or connected to a higher power.
The halo’s circular shape is significant as it suggests eternity, completeness, and the infinite, emphasizing the idea of a divine or unending connection to the sacred. In Christian iconography, halos are used to distinguish holy figures from ordinary people, underscoring their role as intermediaries between humanity and the divine. Similarly, halos in other cultures—such as Hinduism, Buddhism, and ancient Greek art—serve to mark figures of great spiritual or divine significance.
Halos are needed in religious art to communicate quickly and universally the holiness or divine nature of a person, helping worshippers or viewers understand the spiritual importance of the figure. They create a visual cue that transcends language and culture, reinforcing the connection between the physical and spiritual realms. Ultimately, halos represent purity, divine light, and the eternal nature of the soul, offering a visual testament to the sanctity and spiritual authority of the depicted figure.