An Overview of Christian Symbolism

Christian symbols have played a huge role in Christianity for many years. Every symbol represents a piece of history for the Christian religion. These symbols provide a way to explain the meanings behind objects and why they exist. Additionally, many Christian symbols are drawn from secular symbols and ideas. Christian symbols explain why faith is important and the beliefs that Christians have held for centuries. From ancient times to the modern day, Christian symbolism continues to be an important means for declaring the biblical message to the world.

Christian symbolism can be defined as the use of symbols, including archetypes, acts, artwork or events in Christianity. Imagery plays an important role in Christian life by incorporating colors, shapes, letters, and numbers that can have significant importance within a piece of art or architecture. When using symbolism in art, it helps the viewer understand what the artist is trying to convey and can be an aid in the Christian faith. The symbolism of the early church was characterized by being understood only by Christians, while after the legalization of Christianity in the 4th-century more widely recognizable symbols entered into use.

The early Christian Roman catacombs from the second and third centuries AD show the thousands of Christian graves with a number of symbols that reflect the earliest period of the Christian era. These depictions help reveal how one would view the person who has died. Later, these symbols will be used in art with several different meanings (Wilson).

Nearly all Christian symbols are adaptations from the common stock of significant symbols known to most periods and to all regions of the world. Once Christianity was more widely accepted, those symbols lost the pagan meaning and spoke to the Christians. Without the pagan symbols, we may not have some symbols that we have today.

Symbols are used all over the world to get a message across. They can come in the form of street signs, letters, and a variety of objects. However, for Christianity it is used to express the importance of faith. Each symbol is a visual that explains the background on Christian beliefs. Every symbol has a powerful meaning and purpose for why it was created and focuses on what religion means to Christians. These different symbols are displayed visually to reflect back on the truths of the Bible and the promises of God. Symbols can also be used to express emotions such as victory, love, and pain to represent the life of Christ and his disciples who followed him. For example, during communion, the wine represents the blood of Christ and bread represents Christ’s body. This symbolism is important to the Christian faith because it is a way to remember, honor, and show appreciation for Jesus dying on the cross for the world’s sins. Symbols are how Christians express and explain their faith and why they participate in certain practices.

Throughout history, symbolism has played a large role in art. For Christian artists, symbols are a primary piece in the art puzzle. For example, if an individual were to visit the apse that is found above the altar in the Basilica of San Clemente; almost every inch of it is covered with symbols, standing for a variety of different things. Although art as a whole was primarily used as a religious instrument in ancient times, art and the symbols that are riddled throughout it are not limited to religious ritual (Jirousek). There were many secular artists who utilized symbols in their art. The chief reason for this is because art is used to communicate. Skilled artists use their creations to convey a message. Therefore, a common way to communicate was through the use and manipulation of symbols. Additionally, in ancient times, many were illiterate and books were scarce. Art was one of the easiest ways to communicate a message to the masses. Churches are places that large portions of the population congregate; therefore, churches were commonly filled with art to share the message to the people. Since they could not always write the message, they employed the use of symbols in windows, paintings, and other works of art. However, the point needs to be stressed that religious peoples were not the only ones to use symbols; artists of all backgrounds used symbols to express thoughts and ideas in addition to adding clarity and concision.

The use of symbolism has evolved throughout the years; however, it continues to be prevalent. In the same way that a book’s message would be lost without words, paintings rely on the use of symbols. John Hospers writes in Encyclopædia Britannica, “…the medium of literature is words, and words are conventional vehicles of meaning, literature has meaning in a way that the other arts do not, since every word, to be a word at all, must have a meaning.” (Hospers). Books are works of art that are filled with words that act as symbols. In the same way, paintings and sculptures convey ideas through a variety of different symbols. Without symbols, artists would lose a lot of their ability to communicate.

As time has gone on, art has moved onto more abstract works as it steps into the age of modern art. Through this new art form, artists add a new perspective by morphing symbols into more impressionistic shapes and angles. Many of the symbols used in modern art merely allude to ideas through curves and colors. This in itself is a form of symbolism. Yet, it is more blurred; that is, the symbols are not quite as clear. Although modern artists have drawn away from symbolism, they hold a respect for the ancient artists’ techniques of using images to allude to deeper meaning.

Symbolism as a widespread phenomenon has decreased significantly over the years. With the advent of the printing press it became possible to spread messages to the masses through the written word. Art became less and less the mainstream way to communicate with an audience. However Christian symbolism still exists, and those who take the time can learn a great deal from it.

Compared to the past, there is little “Christian art” made in the modern era, but some people are arguing for the church to again invest in art. One of those people is Makoto Fujimura, a talented artist and writer and a committed Christian. For several years, he has been arguing for the value of art in the Christian experience. Back in 1996 he wrote, “Art that reflects God’s grace and love will always accompany his Message” (Fujimura, 9).

Fujimura puts forward the idea of “visual theology.” He describes it in this way: “If theology is a way to illumine how God is to be understood, then visual theology is illumination of the Biblical words as expressed by God” (Fujimura, Visual Theology). He believes artists can play an important role in bringing God’s Word to life before a dark and dying world. In a speech to fellow artists he said, “…monsters have already taken over in reality, and the only hope we have is to imaginatively work backwards. We are to take charge of the situation, and we mediate both the sinister and the good” (Fujimura, Being a Child of the Creative Age).

Fujimura seeks to express the God-given hope of things to come through his artistic works. He chooses to do this through abstraction, which he claims better depicts the essence of life beyond the physical (Fujimura, 9). However, as he readily admits, there is a place for the physical in God’s plan as well. Consequently, representational painting – including traditional Christian symbols – can also have a role in presenting the hope found in Christ to the world.

All Christians can take part in Fujimura’s vision in some way, even those who would not call themselves artists. Everyone can be part of what he terms his, “Freddie the Mouse ministry” (Fujimura, Visual Theology). That is to say, everyone can speak to others about the value of art and beauty, both in and outside of the church. It is also important for Christians to learn about and appreciate the Christian symbolism of ages past, so that it can be built on and continued in the present age and beyond.

From considering Christian symbols – what they are, where they came from, how they evolved, and their application for today – one can see that they are a significant piece of human life. The world is full of symbols, from words to pictures. John Hospers states “… a bell ringing means the end of class… the word cat to someone who knows English means a certain species of domesticated quadruped; these relations are conventional, established by humans” (Hospers). Without symbols, the world would be chaotic. Therefore, humans have assigned meanings to various shapes and colors to ease the struggle of communication. This explains why symbolism has become a main tool in Christian art. Symbols have become closely tied with the Christian faith because it aids in conveying the message of Christ to His children.

 

Bibliography

“Christian Symbolism.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 12 Mar. 2014. Web. 4

Dec. 2014. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_symbolism&gt;

“En.m.Wikipedia.org – Wikipedia Details.” En.m.Wikipedia.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Dec. 2014. <http://en.m.wikipedia.org.ipaddress.com/&gt;.

Fujimura, Makoto. “Being a Child of the Creative Age.” 3 March 2007. makotofujimura.com. Web. 4 December 2014.  <http://www.makotofujimura.com/writings/being-a-child-of-the-creative-age/&gt;

Fujimura, Makoto. “The Extravagance of God.” Rome Reader.  Ed. Geneva College Semester in Rome. 6-9. Print.

Fujimura, Makoto. “Abstraction and the Christian Faith.” Rome Reader. Ed. Geneva College Semester in Rome. 6-9. Print.

Fujimura, Makoto. “Visual Theology.” 10 April 2012. makotofujimura.com. Web. 4 December 2014.  http://www.makotofujimura.com/writings/visual-theology/

Hospers, John. Encyclopædia Britannica. 2014. Web. 4 December 2014. <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/36433/art-philosophy-of/36271/Meaning&gt;.

Jirousek, Charlotte. Art, Design, and Visual Thinking. 1995. Web. 3 December 2014. <http://char.txa.cornell.edu/art/introart.htm&gt;.

Lewis, Bonnie. “Christian Symbols.” Christian Symbols. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Dec. 2014.

<Faithology.com>.

Wilson, Ralph. “Early Christian Symbols of the Ancient Church from the Catacombs.” Jesus

Walk, 1 Jan. 2014. Web. 4 Dec. 2014. <http://www.jesuswalk.com/christian-symbols/&gt;

Christianity.” : The Religion of Jesus Christ. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Dec. 2014. <http://www.religionfacts.com/christianity/index.htm&gt;.

The Key and Saint Peter

Saint Peter
1838-40
Giuseppe De Fabris
St Peter’s Square

When the Catholic Saints are depicted, particular items are consistently given to each of them. Saint Peter is usually shown with a key or set of keys. They are his symbol. Informed visitors can identify him by the keys. They are a symbol of his connection to the Church. Saint Peter is seen as the first Pope by the Catholic Church. The keys chiefly represent the power and authority of the Church.
This symbolism is taken from the words of Jesus. He said to Peter, “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” (Matt. 16:18-19, NIV) This is one of the main places where the Catholic Church derives the idea of the Pope’s special position and authority over the church, as the heir to Saint Peter. When Saint Peter is painted or sculpted with keys, they represent the “keys of the kingdom of heaven” that Jesus spoke of.

Saint Peter
by Pierre-Etienne Monnot 1706-1718?
Saint John Lateran

Saint Peter is often sculpted holding a set of keys. A few examples of this can be seen in Saint John Lateran, the cathedral of Rome, and in front of Saint Peter’s Basilica. Both statues depict him looking out, holding keys in one hand. This portrayal and the symbolism of the keys are at least partially propaganda for the Catholic Church. As I mentioned earlier, Saint Peter is believed to be the original Pope, so the keys which represent the authority given to him also represent the authority of the Church.

The Last Judgment, close-up
Michelangelo
1535-1541
Sistine Chapel, Vatican Museum

Michelangelo’s Last Judgment also portrays Saint Peter with a key. However, there is a slight difference in the use of the key because of the theme of the work. This is the final judgment at the end of time, so Saint Peter is handing the key back to Jesus. This shows that the Church’s authority is until Jesus returns and reigns forever.

The keys are an interesting symbol. They represent Saint Peter in a way, but are rarely if ever used apart from him. Most of all, the keys symbolize the Church’s authority. They serve as a reminder of the Church’s roots and the source of the power and authority it claims.

IHS

The IHS monogram is a very old symbol, dating back to the first century. IHS is the abbreviation of ΙΗΣΟΥΣ, ιησυς (iēsus, “Jesus”) the Greek name for Jesus (Iasous). Grammatically, the monogram can be written in two forms, as IHS or as IHC. The IHC is grammatically more correct because the letter “s” (sigma) is represented as a “c” when in the middle of a word. However, it is an “s” when at the end of the word. The Latin phrase Iesus Hominum Salvator (Jesus, Savior of Men) can be abbreviated as IHS. There is growing popularity in I.H.S. being an abbreviation for the phrase “In His Service.” However, this is a more modern meaning and should never be substituted for the primary meaning, especially in church settings where it is found on various objects such as the cross, Communion instruments, and altars.

The IHS was popularized in the fifteenth century by Franciscan disciple Bernadine of Sienna as a symbol of peace. In 1541 St. Ignatius Loyola adopted the symbol with three nails below and surrounded by the sun as the seal of the Jesuit order. Some attribute its origin to Constantine’s vision, where he saw a cross with the inscription “In hoc signo vinces” (“in this sign you shall conquer,” which is abbreviated, according to them, as IHS. However, this seems to require a stretch, as do claims that it is really a pagan symbol. The simplest explanation, as an abbreviation of Jesus’ name, is best.

Protestant Cemetery, Rome, Italy

Il Gesu, Rome, Italy

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Green, H. (2012, January 1). IHS Christian Symbols. Retrieved November 24, 2014, from http://www.religionfacts.com/christianity/symbols/chi_rho.htm

Wilson, R. (2012, January 1). IHS Christogram — Early Christian Symbols of the Ancient Church. Retrieved November 26, 2014, from http://www.jesuswalk.com/christian-symbols/ihs.htm

Triangle

In Christian symbolism, the triangle is most commonly used to remind the viewer of the trinity. The three sides of a triangle reflect the three parts of the Trinity, which are all a part of a whole. The three sides of a triangle come together to form one shape; similarly, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are three separate entities that are one God. As a result, Christian artists latched onto the triangle as the perfect symbol for the trinity. Consequently, it appears in various mediums and forms such as in mosaics, sculptures, and paintings.

Statue in San Giorgio. Venice, Italy.

However, the triangle is not limited to the Trinity in symbolic nature. Its three sides can be used to resemble multiple other things such as past, present, and future. Yet, this is not as common as its use to represent the Trinity in ancient Christian symbolism.

Additionally, the symbolic meaning of a triangle can be determined by its positioning. In Christian symbolism, if the triangle is pointing upwards, it often alludes to the ascension. On the other hand, a triangle oriented to point downward can symbolize the opposite; that is, a descent from heaven down to earth. The downward pointing triangle excellently resembles Christ’s decent down to earth. While He was here on earth, He was still connected to both the Father and the Holy Spirit.

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Works Cited

Beyer, Catherine. Geometric Shapes. 2014. Web Page. 26 November 2014. <http://altreligion.about.com/od/symbols/ig/Geometric-Shapes/Triangles.htm&gt;.

Gast, Walter E. Symbols in Christian Art & Architecture. 9 June 2000. Web Page. 4 November 2014. <http://www.planetgast.net/symbols/&gt;.

Chi Rho

The Chi Rho can be seen numerous times through churches and different pieces of art. This monogram is the oldest known monogram of Jesus Christ dating back to the second century. It is sometimes referred to as a Christogram. The Chi (χ = ch) and the Rho (ρ = r) are the first three letters of Christ (ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ, Christos) in the Greek language. The symbol can be frequently found carved in the catacombs, on tombs and wall paintings. There are many artistic variations of the Chi Rho. The Chi Rho is sometimes shown with the letter “N”. What word the “N” represents is up for debate. It could be the word nika meaning “to conquer.” The meaning of this symbol would be “Christ conquers.” It could also be the word Noster meaning “our Lord.” In this case, the symbol would read “Christ our Lord.” The Chi Rho design can be combined with doves or doves wings. This symbolizes peace in Christ and was very popular at burial sites. It is often combined with other monograms such as the alpha and omega and IHS to form some interesting and beautiful combinations. The Chi Rho’s popularity got a strong boost after Constantine, a great military commander and disputed Roman Emperor, was on his way to a difficult battle at the Milvian Bridge. At the bridge a larger and stronger army under the leadership of Maxentius awaited him. There are two different takes on what happened next. Some historians say that as Constantine prepared for battle, he saw a vision in the sky of the Chi Rho and heard a voice proclaim, “In this sign you shall conquer.” Others say that he had a dream that evening, and that someone in the dream told him to attach the symbol to his shields and then go and face the enemy. The later account is most likely true; but, in either case, Constantine quickly ordered the Chi Rho painted on all of his soldiers’ shields. That day his army won a decisive, upset victory at the Milvian Bridge, allowing him to march on Rome and conquer it. The experience would deeply impact Constantine and would solidify his positive attitude towards both Christ and Christianity. It would be under Constantine the Great that Christianity would become a legal religion throughout the Roman Empire, causing the church to explode in both size and popularity. The chi-rho appeared on the coins of Constantine and his Christian successors, sometimes alone and sometimes as part of a military standard as described by Eusebius. It continues to be widely used today. You can see the Chi Rho in the top of this mosaic.

San Clemente, Rome, Italy
Mosaic,  Artist Unknown

Protestant Cemetery, Rome, Italy

— Gray, D. (2014, January 1). Chapter 10 – Monograms. Retrieved November 24, 2014, from http://www.christiansymbols.net/monograms_2.php Green, H. (2012, January 1). Chi-Rho (Christogram, Labarum) Symbol. Retrieved November 24, 4, from http://www.religionfacts.com/christianity/symbols/chi_rho.htm

Chrisitan Fish Symbol

Once Upon A Fish Tale:

Most people would recognize the fish symbol if they saw it because of it’s popularity to have it printed on stickers or make key chains and magnets with the symbol displayed on them. However, the Christian fish symbol dates all the way back to the first century and is demonstrated many times through out Jesus’ ministry. For example, when Jesus fed the 400, and 500 bread and fish and in Mark 1:17 when he told his disciples he wanted to make them fishers of men. In the years leading up to when the resurrected Jesus would ascend into heaven, the Christian church and number of people coming to faith in Christ grew rapidly. Christians soon found themselves subjected to persecution by the Romans and the Jews. Being known as a Christian became a dangerous lifestyle and those that belonged to the faith needed to come up with a way to protect themselves from harm. Which, brings me to how the fish symbol may have originated, even though we don’t know if it is a reals story or just a tale. When two strangers would meet on the road to see and maybe thought that the other was a fellow believer, they would draw on the ground the upper half of the fish symbol. In addition, if the other person was a Christian they would finish the symbol by drawing the bottom half completing the fish. If the stranger was not a Christian then they would quickly erase the part of the fish they drew. Christians did this in order to stay connected to fellow believers and show support for each other.

Fish at Catacombs of Priscilla

Greek Background:

The fish started being used as a Christian symbol around the first three centuries AD. The word fish comes from the Greek word Ichthys. This word is commonly used in the Old Testament to refer to fish. Ichthys consists of five letters from the Greek alphabet. They used an acrostic to explain its meaning. Here is an example of what that would look like.

Iesous- Jesus

Christos- Christ

Theos- Of God

Yios- Son

Soter- Savior

This acrostic translated to the phrase “Jesus Christ, God’s son, Savior. Furthermore, the first letter of the Greek alphabet, alpha, looks like the fish symbol. In the Bible, the word alpha was used to refer to Jesus Christ.

Rev 22:13 “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”

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. Works Cited: “History of the Christian Fish Symbol.” History of the Christian Fish Symbol. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Nov. 2014. <http://www.eureka4you.com/fish/fishsymbol.htm&gt;. “What Is the Origin of the Christian Fish Symbol? | Christian History.” What Is the Origin of the Christian Fish Symbol? | Christian History. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Nov. 2014. <http://www.christianitytoday.com/ch/asktheexpert/oct26.html&gt;. blogs.providence.edu

The Cross

One of the most famous and important symbols of Christianity is the cross. It represents the sacrificial death of Jesus for his redemption of the world. There are many variations of the symbol, but all include two beams intersecting perpendicularly.

The cross has a dual meaning in both suffering and triumph. The New Testament talks about the crucifixion of Jesus, which is an execution method where the individual is nailed to a large wooden cross and left to die. They are forced to carry there cross before their execution. This shows the suffering of the meaning behind the cross.

The cross also shows triumph. Christians hold a view that Jesus’ death on the cross was one of the central moments in Christianity. It was necessary for the act of redemption of humanity’s sins. Although he died on the cross, he rose from the dead. This is where Christian’s see the triumph of the cross. The cross is a victorious symbol and a turning point in the battle against sin. It also shows the pattern of death, victory, and resurrection, as first demonstrated by Jesus.

The earliest known use of the cross was in the Egyptian community and later adopted by Christians after the crucifixion of Jesus. During Constantine’s reign, Christians were afraid to promote the symbol of the cross out of fear of persecution. Once Constantine converted to Christianity, he removed crucifixion as a means of execution and crosses became popular symbols.

Polyptych with the Crucifixion and Saints Nicholas, Bartholomew, Florentius, and Luke, Pacino di Bonaguida
Galleria dell’Accademia, Florence

Capitoline Museum
Niccolo di Pietro Gerini

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Green, P. (2011, January 1). Florence at the Dawn of the Renaissance (Getty Center Exhibitions). Retrieved November 14, 2014, from http://www.getty.edu/art/exhibitions/florence/devotion.html

Lewis, B. (2012, January 1). Christian Symbols – The Cross. Retrieved November 14, 2014, from http://www.faithology.com/symbols/cross

Halo

The halo, also called the nimbus, is a symbol that represents divinity and supreme power, usually found in a circle. The circle shows eternity- no beginning or end. It portrays a saint or angel with a gold painted circle behind their head. This appears in Roman and Greek art as early as the 4^th century. There are four different types of halos. The first is the aforementioned, circular halo around the head. The second is the cross that usually represents Christ. This has a cross within a halo. The third is a triangular halo that represents the trinity- the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The last type is shaped as a square that depicts the unusually saintly living personages. This soon was transformed in the Renaissance. Originally, these people were represented by a glow of sanctity emanating from the head. Since it was conventionally drawn as a circle, during the Renaissance, when perspective became more important in art, the halo was changed from an aura surrounding the head to a golden ring that appeared in perspective, mysteriously floating above the heads of the saints. It then represented the angel, and the saints throughout the Middle Ages. At first it was treated by some Florentine artists as a solid object seen in perspective, a disk fixed to the back of a saint’s head. The inadequacy of this solution led to its decline in Italian art in the 16th century and to its abandonment by Michelangelo and Titian. In Flemish painting of the 15th century, it began to be represented as rays of light, under the influence of the Counter-Reformation. This form was adopted by Italian artists of the late 16th century as a realistically rendered light radiating from the holy person’s head. This new interpretation was the standard one in the Baroque period and in most subsequent religious works.

This is an example of the nimbus around Jesus and his mother.

“Ognissanti Madonna” by Giotto Uffizi Gallery

This example shows the halo over St. Matthew.

Caravaggio “The Calling of St. Matthew”

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Caravaggio Paintings. (2012, January 1). Retrieved November 13, 2014, from http://www.allartclassic.com/pictures_zoom.php?p_number=25&number=CAM011

Gietmann, G. (2012, January 1). Christian Halo. Retrieved November 13, 2014, from http://mb-soft.com/believe/txw/halo.htm

Ognissanti Madonna by Giotto at Uffizi Gallery in Florence. (2014, January 1). Retrieved November 13, 2014, from http://www.uffizi.org/artworks/the-ognissanti-madonna-by-giotto/

Gold-Ground

Gold-ground is the use of gold leaf in painting. Extremely thin pliable gold is brushed onto a prepared surface. This method was often used as the background for works. Gold-ground was especially common in the Medieval era, but continued to be used into the Renaissance. While it is most often seen in paintings, gold-ground was used directly onto the walls of churches as well. Our example of this is actually the ceiling of the Baptistery in Florence.

Florence Baptistery ceiling multiple artists circa 1225

In Christian painting gold-ground is used to represent heaven and eternity. One potential source for this meaning can be found in the book of Revelation. In chapter 21 verse 21 it says: “The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of gold, as pure as transparent glass.” (NIV) This is a description of the New Jerusalem that Christians will live in one day. The reference to streets made of gold there may have influenced the use of gold to represent heaven and eternity, since that is the Christian’s future for eternity.

Another source for this symbolism is that heaven is described as a place of beauty and happiness in the Bible. It is held up as the Christian’s hope and longing, where he or she will be with God forever. Gold is a beautiful, precious material that is and was very important and longed for by many people. So it fits to use the object of our earthly longing to represent the object of our spiritual longing.

The Trinity 1400-1410
Capitoline Museum
Niccolo di Pietro Gerini

Gold-ground is often seen in representations of the crucifixion, in paintings of events in heaven (like the coronation of Mary) and in paintings of other Biblical people and events. Gold-ground is also sometimes used to make the golden halos around the heads of saints and holy people. The halo, or nimbus, of gold around a figure’s head reminds the viewer that they are a heavenly person.

Adoration of the Magi
Gentile Da Fabriano
1423 Uffizi Gallery, Florence