Christian symbolism imbues items or acts with a deeper significance that reflects Christian beliefs. Christianity has borrowed from the common stock of major symbols that have existed throughout history and in all parts of the globe. When religious symbolism appeals to both the intellect and the emotions, it is effective.
Even if there was an intentional attempt to design an entirely unique ritual, the variety of relevant acts and objects for symbolism is limited enough that it would be difficult to avoid appearing to be a copy of previous traditions.
The early Church made extensive use of elemental symbols. For Christians, water has a special significance. Water can also symbolise cleanliness or purity outside of baptism. The Holy Spirit and light are both represented by fire, especially in the shape of a candle flame.
The origins of these symbols can be found in the Bible, such as the tongues of fire that signified the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, and Jesus’ depiction of his followers as the light of the world, or God is a devouring fire, which can be found in Hebrews 12. From the beginning, the cross, which is now one of the most widely recognised symbols in the world, has been utilised as a symbol.
The sign of the fish appears to have been the most important among the early Christians’ symbols. Indeed, we know that the symbolic fish was familiar to Christians from the earliest periods according to monumental sources such as tombs.
It can be seen in Roman structures such as the Capella Greca and the Sacrament Chapels of St Callistus’ catacomb. In the first decades of the second century, the fish was shown as a Christian symbol.
Crucifix — a cross with an image of Jesus’ body suspended from it. It is most commonly found in Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, and Eastern Orthodox churches (when the image is painted), and it highlights Christ’s sacrifice — his crucifixion death.
The “Coptic cross,” as used in the Coptic Church, is made up of two bold lines of equal length intersecting at right angles in the middle. Each line ends in three points, signifying the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as a Trinity.
The Christian cross is the most well-known religious emblem of Christianity, as it represents the instrument of Jesus Christ’s crucifixion. It is connected to the crucifix (a cross with a three-dimensional portrayal of Jesus’ body) as well as the larger cross symbol family.The cross-shaped sign, which is represented in its simplest form by a crossing … Read more
The Holy Spirit and light are both represented by fire, especially in the shape of a candle flame.
Because Peter decided to be crucified upside-down out of respect for Christ when he was to be murdered, the upside-down Latin Cross has become his symbol and, so, a symbol of the papacy. Unfortunately, Satanists have appropriated this cross for the purpose of “inverting” Christianity (e.g., in their Black ‘Masses’), which is conveyed by inverting … Read more
The Baptismal Cross is made up of a Greek Cross and the Greek letter “X,” which is the first initial of the name “Christ.” It is a symbol of regeneration, hence its relationship with Baptism.
The Jerusalem Cross, also known as the “Crusaders’ Cross,” is made up of five Greek crosses that are claimed to represent a) Christ’s five wounds; and/or b) the four Gospels and four corners of the earth (the four lesser crosses), as well as Christ Himself (the large Cross). During the fights against Islamic aggression, this … Read more
Anchor: found in the first-century cemetery of St. Domitilla, the second and third-century catacomb epitaphs, and especially in the oldest parts of the cemeteries of Sts. Priscilla, Domitilla, Calixtus, and the Coemetarium majus (approximately 70 examples in this cemetery alone). Hebrews 6:19 is a good place to start.
Rose represents the Holy Faith, Our Lady, martyrdom, and penitential concealment. Five roses are paired together to represent Christ’s five wounds.
Dove: a sign of the Holy Spirit that is frequently seen in depictions of our Lord’s baptism and Pentecost. It also represents the soul’s freedom after death and is associated with Noah’s dove, a symbol of hope.