Dictionary of all Scriptures & Myths

HORSE, RED

A symbol of the mind energized by the Spirit.

"Unless the prayers of men were addressed to him (Tishtrya), he was powerless to defeat the evil spirits, who kept back the waters in the sea. He steps into the sea in the shape of a red horse with yellow ears." - Tir Yasht.

The Higher Self through the mind (Tishtrya) cannot operate immediately upon the lower planes, unless aspirations or petitions from below are first raised for spiritual realities: since, of course, the lower planes do not exist excepting in so far as they become channels for the activities of the functionings of the indwelling Self. The Self energises the mind by animating the higher emotions. The "red horse " symbolises the mind energised; and the "yellow ears " signify the aspiring intelligence which is now coming into play as the astral plane (the sea) is reached.
“Tishtrya cannot bring the rain from the sea Voura-kasha over the earth, if not assisted by the prayers of men. In the same way Indra cannot release the celestial cows (the clouds) from the rocky cave, whither they have been carried by demons, without the assistance of Brihaspati, who is the representative of the prayers sent up by men to the gods, and the personification of their devotion and meditation." - M. HAUG, Essays, etc., P. 279.

"And when he opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, Come. And another horse came forth, a red horse and to him that sat thereon it was given to take peace from the earth, and that they should slay one another and there was given unto him a great sword.” - REV. vi. 3, 4.

The astral plane (second) being established, the mind was energized by the Spirit, and thereupon began the conflict between the higher and lower qualities of the soul; for in the first instance Christ " came not to send peace but a sword." The great "sword of the Spirit" signifies the spiritual energy from within, which by dissipating evil would in the end bring peace.

"O red-steeded, come hither! for red indeed is Agni's horse; O Agni. overcome all evil doers!" - Sata. Brāh., VI. 6, 3, 4.

"Those who stand around Indra while he moves on, harness the bright red (steed); the lights in heaven shine forth." - Rig-Veda, Mand. I. 6, 1.

The agents of the Higher Self (Indra or Agni) as he progresses, bring about the evolution of the mind which the Spirit energises; and so knowledge increases in the soul and love and truth shine forth from within.

See Also

AGNI (Fire God)
CLOUDS
Cows
INDRA
IRIS
IRRIGATION
OCEAN
PEACE AND SWORD
PRAYER
RED
SLAUGHTER
SWORD
TISTRYA
VOURUKASHA
WATER