The Hebrew word “ruach” – the word connected to the idea-symbol of “spirit” translates alternately as “wind,” “breathe,” or “spirit.” In Arabic, there are two words for the words: spirit, soul or self – namely, ruH (spirit, soul) & nafs (spirit, soul, self). Both of these Arabic words are also connected to the ideas of breath or wind (e.g. ruH is connected to riH (wind) and nafs to nafas [breath]). In modern English, the word “spirit” stems from the Latin word, spiritus, and conveys the meaning of “spirit, soul, courage, or vigor.” However, the Latin “spiritus” originates in the Proto Indo European peis or speis, meaning “to blow.” As language evolved, it descended into Latin as the verb spirare, “to breathe.” The Latin word anima, “soul,” which is derived from the Indo-European root meaning “to breathe.” On the other side of the world, the Hindu word prana in Sanskrit, refers to “breath,” “life force,” or “vital principle” and is viewed as a cosmic energy. The ancient Egyptians believed that a human soul was made up of five parts in which “Ka” was the vital essence. Ka was breathed into a human being at the instant of birth and it was “Ka” that actually gave the person life.
Likewise, in Scandinavian, Baltic, and Slavic languages, the words for “breath” are intimately connected to concepts of “the spirit.” For instance, in the ancient Germanic literary work, ond is the gift of the widely revered god of ancient Germanic mythology, Odin, who is often portrayed as a one-eyed and long-bearded spear wielding god famous for his valorous deeds which date back to the original creation.