An east wind, defined as a wind originating in the east and blowing westward, is a powerful symbol frequently referenced across various cultures, mythologies, poetry, and literature. In Islam, the east wind known as Saba holds deep religious significance, credited with aiding Prophet Muhammad during the pivotal Battle of the Trench and appearing multiple times in the Quran. Similarly, in Chinese culture, Dōngfēng (東風) serves as a potent metaphor for revolution and progress, notably lending its name to the People's Liberation Army's tactical missile series. Mythologically, Eurus, the Greek east wind, is distinct for not being tied to any of the three Greek seasons and for its absence from prominent texts like Hesiod's Theogony, while Egyptian mythology features Henkhisesui, a ram-headed god, as the deity of the east wind.

The east wind also plays a crucial, often destructive, role in the English Old Testament, with numerous mentions in the Authorized King James Version. In Genesis 41, it symbolizes blight as Joseph interprets Pharaoh's dream of seven years of grain withered by the east wind. Moses harnesses its power in Exodus, first to bring a plague of locusts upon Egypt and later to miraculously part the Red Sea, enabling the Israelites' escape from Pharaoh's armies. Across these biblical narratives, the east wind frequently represents divine judgment and destruction. Beyond ancient texts, its symbolic use is seen in more modern contexts, such as the German anti-aircraft vehicle from World War II, the Flakpanzer IV "Ostwind" ("East Wind").