Blood is a common theme in the seven plagues of the seventh seal.¹ Many corresponding references are found in the Doctrine and Covenants.² Blood has more than one meaning, depending on the context. For example, blood is the symbol of life³ and the shedding of blood represents death.⁴ Therefore, blood commonly symbolizes death and destruction in the plagues of the seventh seal.⁵ However, blood is also a symbol for the redeeming and saving power of Jesus Christ.⁶ Through the shedding of his own blood,⁷ Christ saves and preserves the lives of those who repent.⁸ The tenth plague of Egypt illustrates the saving power of the atonement when the angel of death⁹ passed over the Israelites that had the blood of the paschal lamb on their lintels and doorposts.¹⁰

Some images of blood from the seven plagues are figurative. For example, many scriptures say the moon will become as blood.¹¹ This means the moon will appear to be red in color,¹² which is a symbol of bloodshed.¹³

Additionally, Christ will have red apparel at the Second Coming,¹⁴ which could have several different meanings. For example, his red apparel may symbolize how Christ will tread the winepress alone.¹⁵ This is another way of saying that his garments will be metaphorically stained red by the blood of the wicked that he destroys as though they were crushed by him like grapes in the winepress.¹⁶ Christ's red apparel may also represent the blood of sinners that he took upon himself during the atonement so that their garments might be made white.¹⁷ Red is also a symbol of victory particularly in Christ's war against Satan.¹⁸ Finally, Christ's garments were literally stained red with his own blood at the time of his atonement in Gethsemane.¹⁹