What does a whirlwind symbolize in literature?

Question

Like in Bless Me Ultima for example!

But a generic symbolic meaning will do.

Answer 1

Death, destruction, violence.  A celestial deity's angry voice; a demon's messenger or spy.   Among Apache Indians they are composed of a dead shaman's dust, causing bad dreams and sickness, or capturing a person's shadow (their external soul), thus bringing death.  In Finno-Ugrian belief, it is a form in which souls of the dead travel.

Answer 2

Instability, probably. Or chaos.  

Answer 3

change power destruction take your pick

Answer 4

It's swift and an individual or vehicle with great power. It's a whirlwind so it's the power of wind.