In Revelation 6:2, the rider on the white horse carries a bow, part of John's apocalyptic vision of conquest and judgment. The bow was an ancient weapon associated with warfare, hunting, and power—particularly characteristic of eastern armies like the Persians and Parthians. In classical literature, the bow often symbolized distant, penetrating force, the ability to strike from afar. John's vision draws on this rich symbolism to depict divine sovereignty over the forces of history.