SYMBOLS OF FAITH SHELL The shell (usually a scallop or cockle shell) with three water drops is a symbol of baptism generally, and especially of the baptism of Christ. The three droplets remind us of the Trinity-Father, Son and Holy Spirit into which Christians are baptized. The shell alone may also be used as a symbol for Pilgrimage, and may be used as an emblem for saints known for their travels (such as St. James) or whose shrines have become destinations for pilgrims. CIRCLE The circle, because it has no beginning or end, is symbolic of eternity. It is used most often as a reference to God. CANDLE A candle calls to mind Jesus words, I am the Light of the World (John 8:12). When two candles are placed on an altar, they represent Jesus human and divine natures. Believers are also called to be the light of the world. RAINBOW The rainbow is a symbol of God s faithfulness and of His pardon and reconciliation to the faithful. The symbol is taken from the story of Noah and the Great Flood, where God placed His rainbow in the sky as a seal of His promise to never to destroy the earth again with a flood. The rainbow is sometimes used in art as Christ s throne, where it is symbolic of glory and final judgment.
CROSS (Baptismal) This Greek cross is superimposed on a Greek chi, the first letter of the Greek word for Christ. It forms a cross with eight arms. Since the number eight is symbolic of rebirth or regeneration, this cross is often used as a baptismal cross. ANGEL The word angel means messenger, and angels most often appear in the contest of a message from God. Examples are the Annuciation to Mary, the appearance to shepherds at Christmas, the announcement of the Resurrection, and many others. Angels may also represent the watchfulness or presence of God. CHI RHO The Chi Rho is one of the most ancient sacred monograms of Christ. They were developed by early Christians as a secret sign of their faith. This monogram is composed of the first two Greek letters of the word Christ (XPICTOC). The Chi Rho has many variations. CROSS The three steps leading up to this Latin cross represent the hill of Calvary or, more often, faith, hope and love. 1 Cor. 13:13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
BUTTERFLY The Butterfly is a symbol of the resurrection and eternal life. As the butterfly leaves the pupa and soars upward with a new body, so through Jesus Christ are His followers borne to a new life. GRAPES Grapes are symbolic of Holy Communion and of the blood shed by Jesus on the cross for the forgiveness of sin. Grapes are also symbolic of the fruitfulness of the Christian life. Matt. 26:27. Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, Drink from it, all of you. 28 This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for the many for the forgiveness of sins. CIRCLES (Entwined) This figure, formed of three interwoven circles, is a symbol for the Trinity. The circles represent the eternal nature of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Entwined, they remind us that God is one, even though he reveals himself in three Persons. ALPHA AND OMEGA Alpha and omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, and thus refer to the eternal nature of Christ. Rev. 1:8 I am the Alpha and the Omega, says the Lord God, who is and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty. FISH The initial letters of the Greek phrase Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior form the Greek word ICHTUS, which means fish. This symbol was used by believers in the early days of persecution as a secret sign of their shared faith. One person would draw an arc in the sand, and the other would complete the sign to show his brotherhood in Christ.
DOVE The dove is a symbol of the Holy Spirit. It is taken from the story of Jesus baptism, where the Spirit descended on him in the form of a dove. The three-rayed nimbus around its head identifies the Spirit as a member of the Trinity. A dove shown without the nimbus is a symbol of peace. Matt. 3:16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. LAMP The lamp is most often used to represent the Word of God. It may also be used as a symbol of wisdom taken from the parable of the wise and foolish virgins in Matthew 25. The lamp was associated in the Old Testament with worship, where it symbolized God s presence. A lamp can also represent life itself, or the Holy Spirit s indwelling. An interesting use of the word lamp in the Old Testament comes from several references to God s promise to preserve King David s descendants ( maintain a lamp ). It is also an emblem of several saints. The lamp is sometimes portrayed as an oil lamp more common in the land of Palestine. BOOK A book most commonly represents the Word of God, the Bible. An open book represents truth or revelation. A closed book may be presumed to contain the names of the elect, and so may symbolize the Last Judgment and the inheritance of the saints. In the hands of an Apostle, a book represents the writings of the New Testament (Old Testament writings are usually represented by a scroll). A book is used in the emblems of many saints, among them John the Baptist, Stephen, Bartholomew, Matthias and Simon. TABLETS The tablets of stone are a picture of the Ten Commandments given by God to Moses on Mt. Sinai. They may be used to represent the whole of God s law, the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible, the Torah), or the entire Old Testament.
PALM Palm branches are most often used as a symbol of Jesus triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the event which heralded his coming Passion and crucifixion. By derivation, palms may represent the fickleness of human acclamation. Used by the Romans as symbol of victory, they have been used by the church as a symbol of Christ s ultimate victory over sin, or of the saints victory over death. In the latter sense, martyrs are sometimes portrayed holding palm branches. CROWN OF THORNS The crown of thorns is a symbol of Jesus Passion. It is sometimes combined with a cross to include His crucifixion. The crown of thorns reminds us of the soldiers mockery of Christ and their ironic ascription of His place as King of the Jews. Mat. 27:27 Then the governor s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. 28 They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, 29 and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand and knelt in front of him and mocked him. Hail, king of the Jews! they said. CHALICE The chalice is a symbol of Holy Communion and the forgiveness of sin won by Christ's blood shed on the cross. Matt. 26:27 Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. 28 This is my blood of the(n) covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father's kingdom." LAMB Standing with a banner, the lamb represents the risen Christ triumphant over death. Standing with a cross and a gash in its side, it symbolizes the passion of Christ. The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! (John 1:29) Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they sang: "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!" (Rev 5:11-12)