Blood globally represents life itself, as the element of divine life that functions within the human body. It is repeatedly referred to as having magic powers and as the only food for the supernatural beings, and it is also associated with "a variety of non-rational notions, includ[ing] blood brotherhood, blood vengeance, blood baptism. Since it corresponds so readily with the color red, it represents the end of a series which begins with sunlight (yellow) and follows intermediately with vegetable life (green). Closely tied with passion, but also with death, war, sacrifice (specifically sheep, hog, bull and man) and the warding off of malicious powers -- 'blood has flowed, the danger is past' (Arabic saying). Close ties to guilt, especially as bloodstains.
In Hitler's vocabulary, blood meant "race," heritage, genetic information. In the classical theory of procreation, menstrual blood is one of the two components from which new life comes about..."(Biederman, 43). Fertility.
Blood and WINE are interchangeable symbols; in
Chinese symbolism, blood and WATER are associated
as complementaries, as THE YIN AND THE YANG.
The term cold blood refers to unfeeling. When used in reference to Christ, represents
atoning for all humanity -- 'See, see where Christ's blood streams in the firmament!'
(Marlowe, Doctor Faustus, 16).
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