Heat, combustion, and energy are the domains of Agni, symbolizing transformation from the gross to the subtle; Agni is the vital energy. Agnibija is the consciousness of tapas, agni, the Sun, Brahman, and Truth (Satya), that is, Rita, order, the organizing principle of all that exists.
Agni is addressed as Atithi (“guest”) and Jatavedas,, which means “the one who knows all who are born, created, or produced.” He symbolizes the power of will united with wisdom. Agni is the essence of the knowledge of existence. Agni destroys ignorance and all delusions, removes unknowing. The Kanvasatpatha Brahmana (SB.IV.I.IV.11) calls Agni wise. Agni is also a symbol of “the fastest mind among the heavenly.”
Iconography
The iconography of Agni varies depending on the region. Guidelines for his depictions are described in Hindu Agama texts. He is portrayed with one, three, or most often two heads, two, four, or seven arms, usually with a red or smoky-gray face, standing beside or riding a ram, with a distinctive dramatic halo of flames rising upward from the top of his head. He is shown as a strong man, sometimes bearded, with a large belly because he consumes everything offered to the fire, with golden-chestnut hair, eyes, and mustache the color of fire.
In the eastern states of India, Agni holds prayer beads in one hand, symbolizing his role connected with prayer, and in the other hand — a sphere. In other regions, his four hands hold an axe, a torch, a spoon (or fan), and a blazing spear (or prayer beads).
Seven rays of light or flames emanate from his body. One of his names is Saptajihva, “the one with seven tongues,” symbolizing how quickly he consumes the sacrificial ghee. Sometimes Agni is depicted in the form of Rohitatva, where he does not have a ram as his vahana, but is instead pulled in a chariot by seven red horses and by a symbolic wind that makes the fire move like the wheels of the chariot. In Khmer art, Agni was depicted with a rhinoceros as his vahana. The number seven symbolizes his presence on all seven mythical continents in ancient Hindu cosmology or the colors of the rainbow in his form as the Sun.
Agni has three forms — fire, lightning, and the Sun — forms that are the reason he is sometimes depicted with three heads or three legs. Sometimes he is shown in a garland of fruits or flowers symbolizing offerings to the fire.”