tyle="font-weight: 400;">It means the falcon is the morning’s favourite and the prince of daylight. The bird's stunning flight is like a sign pointing towards God's glory. Thus, the windhover becomes the symbol of God’s majesty in creation. The bird’s mastery in the air also shows God’s control over the world. This symbol suggests that even a small thing in nature shows God’s greatness.

Fire and Embers: Fire in “The Windhover” represents God’s majesty and spiritual energy. In the poem, Hopkins says fire is coming out of Jesus Christ. He says this fire is “lovelier” and “more dangerous.” This fire means Christ’s divine beauty and power. Later, embers (pieces of burning coal) are mentioned. He says we find golden red colors in burning coals. The embers also symbolize God’s glory. When they break, they shine brightly, just as suffering can reveal God’s light in us.

The Chestnut: In “Pied Beauty” (written in 1877), Hopkins talks about chestnuts. They look like “fresh-firecoal.” Outside, chestnuts are rough and green with spikes. But there is a smooth, brown nut within. This beautiful chestnut makes us think about God. So, the chestnut becomes a symbol of God’s greatness in creation. It tells us that God’s power and beauty are present in all things in nature.

Horses and Horseshoes: In “Felix Randal” (written in 1880), horses and horseshoes are important symbols. Felix Randal was a farrier (a blacksmith for horses). He made horseshoes. He was a young and strong man before his illness. A horse is also a big and strong animal. So, the horse becomes the symbol of Felix Randal’s strength and youthful energy. The horseshoes he made were also hardy like him. The poet says Felix was a:

“Mould of man, big-boned and hardy-handsome.”

So, the horses and horseshoes are symbols of Felix’s skill, strength, and youthful power before he became sick.

Spring and Fall: In “Spring and Fall” (1918), seasons symbolize the stages of human life. Margaret, the young girl, is in the “spring” of her life. But she feels sad when she sees leaves falling in autumn:

“Margaret, are you grieving

Over Goldengrove unleaving?”

Autumn (Fall) symbolizes death and change. The dry leaves fall from trees in this season. It teaches that nothing stays forever. The falling leaves suggest how people will also face change, loss, and death, just like nature does.

In fine, Hopkins’s symbols like the falcon, fire, chestnut, horses, horseshoes, and seasons help us see God’s glory and the truth of human life. They teach us about strength and weakness, beauty in ordinary things, and the reality of death. Through these simple symbols, Hopkins connects nature to God. He shows how everything in the world shows us divine power and beauty.