Church symbolism dates back to the very beginning of Christianity. During the persecution periods certain symbols were used to decorate the places of worship with these symbols having specified religious meanings. Few early Christians could read but all of them could recognize the symbolic portrayals. Many of these symbols are still used in Church decorations and may be seen in the designs of stained glass windows, carved woodwork, Icons and vestments. Listed here are some of the most familiar Christian symbols.
ALPHA-OMEGA - The
first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. Signifies that God is the beginning
and end of all things. Also expresses the eternity and Divinity of the Lord
and is referred to in the Book of Revelation of the Bible.
ANCHOR - Symbol of
a belief and hope in God.
BOOK - A symbol of
the Gospel — the Word of God.
BREAD - Symbol of
the Divine Eucharist.
CANDLES - Symbol of
the light of the Word of God.
CENSER - The warmth
of Prayer, symbolized by incense.
CHALICE - Symbol of
the Holy Communion and the brotherhood of man.
CROSS - There are
many forms. All of them symbolize the Crucifixion of Christ and the triumph
of Christianity.
CROWN OF THORNS -
Symbol of the suffering of Christ.
EAGLE - Symbolizes
St. John, who, because of his lofty theological expressions, soared heavenward
like the eagle.
EYE - Symbol of the
omniscience and omnipresence of God, that is He is everywhere.
FISH - Early Christians
used the fish as a secret symbol in the catacombs to conceal and safeguard their
faith. The Greek word meaning fish (IXOYE) symbolizes Christ the Saviour, the
Holy Eucharist and Christians.
FISHERMAN - Symbol
of Christ the Saviour as a Fisher of Men.
FLOWERS - Symbol of
the pleasures and beauties of Paradise.
IC XC - Symbolizes
Jesus Christ.
IC XC NI KA - Symbol
meaning that Jesus Christ is victorious over all.
LAMB - A beautiful
symbol of Jesus. Originates from John the Baptist's annunciation: "Behold
the Lamb of God." The Lamb is usually depicted crowned with a three-rayed
nimbus denoting Divinity and carrying a banner of victory.
LAUREL - The emblem
of martyr's glory.
LILY - The emblem
of radiant purity.
LION - Sometimes an
emblem of Christ. Usually St. Mark is symbolized by the lion because his Gospel
begins with the call to repentance by John the Baptist, a voice crying in the
wilderness which is compared to the roar of a lion in the desert.
OLIVE - Signifies
consecration.OLIVE BRANCH — An emblem of happiness and peace, symbolizing an
end of turmoil as first mentioned in the Bible when the dove sent out by Noah
returned with an olive branch.
OLIVE TREE - The emblem
of immortality.
OX (or BULL) - Symbolizes
good deeds. St. Luke is symbolized by the ox because his Gospel begins with
an account of the sacrifice of Zacharias. Luke also describes the sacrificial
death of Christ and the ox or bull was the ancient sacrifice animal.
PALM - The emblem
of Christianity's victory.
PEACOCK - A symbol
of immortality. The peacock was a very popular symbol in early Christian days,
representing the soul glorified.
PIGEON (or DOVE) -
Symbol of the Holy Spirit. At the Baptism of Christ by John the Baptist, the
Holy Spirit descended in the form of a dove.
SHEEP - Followers
of Christ — Christian worshipers.
SHEPHERD - Christ
the Good Shepherd. The well-known 23rd Psalm calls the Lord a Shepherd.
SNAKE - Signifies
evil and satan. The first temptation to Eve in the Garden of Eden came through
the whispering of the serpent.
TRIANGLE - Symbolic
of the Holy Trinity.
VESSEL (or SHIP) -
Symbolizes the Church of Christ.
VINE - The body of
the Church of Christ.
VINEYARD - Symbolizes
the Holy Communion and also symbolic of Christ from Whom we receive life as
the grape plant does from the vineyard.
VIOLET - Symbol of
purity.
WHEAT - Symbolic of
the Resurrection.
WINGED MAN - Symbol
ascribed to St. Matthew because his Gospel begins with the genealogy of Christ
as a man.
X - Symbolizes Christ.
This is the first letter of the Greek word for Christ. XP — Signifies Jesus
Christ.
COLOUR SYMBOLISM
WHITE - being the
greatest heat of metal symbolizes God. It is also symbolic of the innocence
of the soul, purity and holiness of life used on any feast relating to Christ
or the great mysteries of the Faith, Christmas, Easter, Ascension, Trinity Sunday
and Transfiguration. It is also used on days relating to the Virgin Mary or
to saints who were not martyred.
BLACK - symbolic of
death and mourning and is of pagan origin in connection with the underworld.
It is used for Good Friday, Lent and memorials for the dead.
RED - the colour of
blood: appropriate to Feasts of Martyrs. The colour of fire: appropriate to
the Holy Spirit.
GREEN - represents
the earth, and gives promise of future fruitfulness, birth and therefore symbolizes
hope. It is the colour of the Epiphany season, marking the visitation of the
Magi; also the Trinity season and any day that is neither a feast nor a fast.
PURPLE or VIOLET -
symbolizes penance and fasting. It is used for Advent and Lent.
GOLD - symbolizes
sovereignity, the sun, love, constancy, dignity and wisdom.
BLUE - signifies eternity,
faith and truth. It has become the traditional colour of the Virgin Mary and
is used on days commemorating events in Her life.