Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Anointing Oil is used in rituals and blessings but unfortunately we often miss the true meaning and symbolism behind anointing oil. First, when someone is anointed with holy oil, some might believe that the oil itself has supernatural properties imbued within it. This is not the case. The oil is a SYMBOL of the source of real power.
A great place to start when trying to understand anointing oil, is to look at the ingredients of holy anointing oil used throughout history. And while most religions have differing methods of anointing, there are surprisingly similar ingredients that most use across the world and throughout time for the oil itself. In fact 18 ingredients account for over 90% of all known anointing oils worldwide throughout all time.
Interestingly, the ingredients themselves are a key to the power of the oil. The most common ingredients over time have been olive oil, myrrh, frankincense, cinnamon, cassia, calamus; each of which comes from a tree or plant that has to be wounded to bleed the oil or sap to be used in the anointing oil. Even the color is symbolic. For example, Myrrh, from the thorny Commiphora myrrha tree, bleeds reddish brown sap when wounded. Myrrh is one of the most common ingredients across all anointing oils.
We also need to pay attention to when and why anointings take place. Nearly every culture, every temple, and every sacred writing prescribes the use of holy oil for 3 archetypal moments or events.
1. Protection BEFORE a journey or battle, especially a spiritual one against evil, wickedness and sin. This can include being part of a rebirth, baptism or other ordinance. This initial anointing removes spiritual blindness and lets you see beyond the physical world with an eternal perspective. It helps you focus on the good and dispel evil.
2. A Blessing with oil (Physical or Spiritual) of healing or peace during your life. During the battle.
3. Anointing and Crowning the victor AFTER the final triumph, meaning the anointing of exaltation and becoming a king or queen to the most high God.
Scripture makes it clear that a symbol of the son of God is the Tree of Life from which comes the Love of god. Messiah means "Anointed One". Ancient records call this sap different things such as “dew of light,” “honey of paradise,” "Balm of Gilead," and “oil of gladness.” The sap couldn't be a more direct and perfect metaphor and symbol for the protection, healing and exaltation that comes through the literal blood of Jesus Christ.
I don't think it is a stretch to map these three archetypal moments to the three holiest days in history.
Gethsemane which means oil press. The Tree of life is pressed until it bleeds from every pore. That first press of olive oil which is now the shield you carry into the lone and dreary world offering you protection and strength as you prepare to battle against sin. This is your first anointing.
Then Calvary. A pierced and bleeding savior hangs on a tree in the form of a cross. The tree of life issuing the reddish, brown myrrh. The oil you can use to heal the physical and especially the spiritual wounds you receive while battling through this life.
Lastly, An Empty Tomb. Your personal victory against sin is won and the tree of life, the savior, offers you a 2nd anointing crowning you with eternal glory and exaltation.
These three archetypal moments could also be mapped to our personal story arch's as we grow and progress. As Paul says we must have Faith, Hope and Charity. Faith to be anointed and go into battle. Hope for healing, endurance, strength and victory as we battle, and Charity, the love of God we develop through our battle and the love of a God as he anoints us his heir when we are victorious “kings and queens, priests and priestesses unto the Most High God, to rule and reign forever.”
When we use holy anointing oil to bless or heal someone, or when oil is placed on us, it is meant to direct our hearts and minds to the sacrifice of a loving God making this journey possible. Enabling our faith, hope and charity. You aren't protected from evil by oil, but through the sacrifice made by Christ to overcome all evil. You are spiritually "sealed" with the oil of Christ's protection if we have faith in Him.
The power, strength, protection, and healing doesn't come from the oil itself, but from the memory of, connection with, and the grace tied to the reality of a savior that bled and died for you so you could be protected, healed and crowned.
The little vial of anointing oil you keep is a portable Gethsemane, Calvary, and Empty Tomb trilogy. It is a mini-sacrament if we "always remember Him". So next time you see a drop of oil. See the garden press. See the cross. See the open tomb. Remember that the blessings and healings come through our faith in Him. Connect through the oil to the tree of life, the savior of the world.
Anointing Oil is used in rituals and blessings but unfortunately we often miss the true meaning and symbolism behind anointing oil. First, when someone is anointed with holy oil, some might believe that the oil itself has supernatural properties imbued within it. This is not the case. The oil is a SYMBOL of the source of real power.
A great place to start when trying to understand anointing oil, is to look at the ingredients of holy anointing oil used throughout history. And while most religions have differing methods of anointing, there are surprisingly similar ingredients that most use across the world and throughout time for the oil itself. In fact 18 ingredients account for over 90% of all known anointing oils worldwide throughout all time.
Interestingly, the ingredients themselves are a key to the power of the oil. The most common ingredients over time have been olive oil, myrrh, frankincense, cinnamon, cassia, calamus; each of which comes from a tree or plant that has to be wounded to bleed the oil or sap to be used in the anointing oil. Even the color is symbolic. For example, Myrrh, from the thorny Commiphora myrrha tree, bleeds reddish brown sap when wounded. Myrrh is one of the most common ingredients across all anointing oils.
We also need to pay attention to when and why anointings take place. Nearly every culture, every temple, and every sacred writing prescribes the use of holy oil for 3 archetypal moments or events.
1. Protection BEFORE a journey or battle, especially a spiritual one against evil, wickedness and sin. This can include being part of a rebirth, baptism or other ordinance. This initial anointing removes spiritual blindness and lets you see beyond the physical world with an eternal perspective. It helps you focus on the good and dispel evil.
2. A Blessing with oil (Physical or Spiritual) of healing or peace during your life. During the battle.
3. Anointing and Crowning the victor AFTER the final triumph, meaning the anointing of exaltation and becoming a king or queen to the most high God.
Scripture makes it clear that a symbol of the son of God is the Tree of Life from which comes the Love of god. Messiah means "Anointed One". Ancient records call this sap different things such as “dew of light,” “honey of paradise,” "Balm of Gilead," and “oil of gladness.” The sap couldn't be a more direct and perfect metaphor and symbol for the protection, healing and exaltation that comes through the literal blood of Jesus Christ.
I don't think it is a stretch to map these three archetypal moments to the three holiest days in history.
Gethsemane which means oil press. The Tree of life is pressed until it bleeds from every pore. That first press of olive oil which is now the shield you carry into the lone and dreary world offering you protection and strength as you prepare to battle against sin. This is your first anointing.
Then Calvary. A pierced and bleeding savior hangs on a tree in the form of a cross. The tree of life issuing the reddish, brown myrrh. The oil you can use to heal the physical and especially the spiritual wounds you receive while battling through this life.
Lastly, An Empty Tomb. Your personal victory against sin is won and the tree of life, the savior, offers you a 2nd anointing crowning you with eternal glory and exaltation.
These three archetypal moments could also be mapped to our personal story arch's as we grow and progress. As Paul says we must have Faith, Hope and Charity. Faith to be anointed and go into battle. Hope for healing, endurance, strength and victory as we battle, and Charity, the love of God we develop through our battle and the love of a God as he anoints us his heir when we are victorious “kings and queens, priests and priestesses unto the Most High God, to rule and reign forever.”
When we use holy anointing oil to bless or heal someone, or when oil is placed on us, it is meant to direct our hearts and minds to the sacrifice of a loving God making this journey possible. Enabling our faith, hope and charity. You aren't protected from evil by oil, but through the sacrifice made by Christ to overcome all evil. You are spiritually "sealed" with the oil of Christ's protection if we have faith in Him.
The power, strength, protection, and healing doesn't come from the oil itself, but from the memory of, connection with, and the grace tied to the reality of a savior that bled and died for you so you could be protected, healed and crowned.
The little vial of anointing oil you keep is a portable Gethsemane, Calvary, and Empty Tomb trilogy. It is a mini-sacrament if we "always remember Him". So next time you see a drop of oil. See the garden press. See the cross. See the open tomb. Remember that the blessings and healings come through our faith in Him. Connect through the oil to the tree of life, the savior of the world.
