The Catholic church is steeped in mystic iconography, solemn rituals, and imagery that can be pretty confounding for those who aren’t practitioners of the faith – and often, even for those who are. From stylized bleeding hearts to crosses to an entire menagerie of religiously significant animals to the clever use of Greek letters to symbolize faith itself, the Catholic church is overflowing with unique images that each have their own rich history, tradition, and meaning. Often, the layered symbolism of the images stems from the persecution of Christians who had to hide their faith to avoid punishment. Here’s a breakdown of the hidden meanings behind some of the most enduring and unusual icons, emblems, and symbols of the Catholic church.
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The Alpha And The Omega Represent The Presence Of God In All Things
Often used as a term to describe God or Jesus, as in, “He is the alpha and the omega,” the phrase refers to the first and the last letters of the Greek alphabet. It is used to imply that God comprises all things. Essentially, God is in everything in the universe, from A to Z.It is also used to imply the presence of God and Jesus at the beginning of creation through the end of creation. Its use in the New Testament is believed to have been inspired by the Old Testament; in Isaiah 44:6, God says, “I am the first, and I am the last.”
The Jesus Fish Is A Secret Symbol That Stands For Jesus’s Name
Famed for adorning the bumpers of minivans the world over, the Jesus Fish, also known as the Ichthys, was a secret symbol long used by persecuted Christians. In Propaganda & Persuasion, Garth Jowett and Victoria O’Donnell explain:Initially used as a secret sign during the time when Christians were persecuted by the Roman authorities… it was found scrawled on walls, trees, in the dust, and any place where Christians wished to leave their mark to communicate their increasing strength to others.The fish was chosen because the Greek word for “fish” served as an acronym for Jesus.
The image of the three-petal flower is famous both for its appearance in medieval heraldry and as the logo of the New Orleans Saints. However, the history of the fleur-de-lis is steeped in religious symbolism and significance.The fleur-de-lis is a stylized lily, a flower that has historically symbolized peace and purity. The three petals are believed to represent the Holy Trinity, and the symbol is strongly associated with the Virgin Mary, as there can be no Holy Trinity or divinity without her.
The Crossed Keys of St. Peter Are The Keys To The Kingdom Of Heaven Itself
The image of two ornate keys crossing one another has long been a familiar symbol, and is often found in paintings of St. Peter and even in the flag of Vatican City. They represent the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven, which Jesus promised to St. Peter in Matthew 16:19: “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on Earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on Earth shall be loosed in heaven.”According to the Catholic church, the keys also represent the divine authority of the church itself. St. Peter’s keys are so ingrained in his story and the history of Catholicism that the floor plan of St. Peter’s Basilica resembles a key.
The letters IHS frequently appear on liturgical vestments and documents, and many people incorrectly believe they stand for “I have suffered,” in reference to Jesus’s sacrifice. In reality, they are a Christogram, meaning they are a collection of letters that represent Jesus’s name. I (iota), H (eta) and S (sigma) are all letters that appear in the Greek spelling of Jesus. XP (or Chi-Rho) is another example of a Christogram, serving as an abbreviation for the Greek word for Christ. These symbols were often used as a secret code by Christians looking to avoid persecution while identifying themselves to other Christians. For example, they would be marked on a tomb to indicate that its inhabitant was of the faith.
As one of the most common images associated with the Catholic church, the dove isn’t just a symbol of peace or purity; it represents the Holy Spirit itself. It is considered to be the vessel for the Holy Spirit’s works on Earth, and pops up frequently in ecclesiastical art.As a vessel for the Holy Spirit, the dove appears frequently during baptisms, and it represents the Holy Spirit coming to cleanse the soul of the person being baptized. Additionally, in paintings that show doves sitting on people’s shoulders, the feathered friend often symbolizes divine, guiding wisdom.
The Paschal Candle Represents Jesus’s Light Shining On The World
Sometimes referred to as the Easter candle or the Christ candle, the Paschal candle is a large, white candle – usually the largest used in the area of worship – which is blessed and lit each year during the Easter vigil. The Paschal candle is steeped in religious symbolism and iconography.On the candle itself, there are often several images that represent Jesus, including the Chi-Rho and the Greek letters alpha and omega. The yearly lighting of the Paschal candle is meant to represent the light of Jesus entering the world.
The Rosary Represents A Promise To The Virgin Mary
The rosary is considered by many to be one of the items most emblematic of the Catholic faith. Rosary beads are used for prayer, specifically in respect and honor of the Virgin Mary. However, the use of rosary beads for prayer is far more complex than many who are not practicing Catholics may realize.Each strand of rosary beads is divided into five “decades” consisting of 10 beads of equal size, separated by a larger bead – known as a mystery – between each decade. An additional strand is anchored by a crucifix. Each section of the necklace is held as a different prayer or creed that is recited in solemn reflection, and the ritual is meant to maintain a promise Catholics have made to Mary herself.
While the pelican doesn’t appear quite as frequently in Catholic imagery as some other animals, such as the dove or the lamb, it’s a recurring emblem and is meant to evoke Jesus’s selfless sacrifice. However, the reason the pelican was chosen as the pinnacle of self-sacrifice stems from a basic misunderstanding of the bird’s biology and behavior.Long-billed birds, such as pelicans, are known to rest the tips of their beaks on their chests. Because there is a red coloring on the pelican’s beak, it was believed that female pelicans would pierce their breasts to nourish their youngwith their own blood, which was considered similar to Jesus’s self-sacrifice for man. While it’s now known this isn’t something pelicans actually do, they have remained an integral part of Catholic symbology.
The lamb is one of several animals that appear in Catholic symbology and, like many other religious images, represents Jesus himself. In John 1:29, Jesus is referred to as “the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sin of the world.”Since lambs were often used as sacrificial animals in ancient traditions and religious practices, the animal represents Jesus’s sacrifice on the cross. Given the white coat of the lamb, the animal was also believed to represent purity and the immaculateness of Jesus’s divinity.
In paintings and stained-glass portraits of Jesus, he is occasionally seen dropping seeds from the palm of his hand. Religious texts sometimes also refer to Jesus as the sower of seeds. The seed itself is rich in symbolism, since it is the beginning of life, and can be seen as a physical representation of an idea that grows inside a mind into something large and complex – like the concept of religion itself.However, Jesus is said to have used the image of the seedand agricultural concepts in general to explain his teachings. It was a way to proselytize to the laypeople of his time using terms and ideas that they were already familiar with.
The Sacred Heart Is Supposed To Be Jesus’s Actual Heart
Also known as the Sacred Heart of Jesus, it is often depicted as a stylized heart, not an anatomically correct human heart. It bleeds from a crown of thorns and radiates golden light, while a cross is embedded into the top. The Sacred Heart represents Jesus’ actual physical heart and is symbolic of his love for humanity despite his hardships and the pain inflicted upon him.The image is not rooted in biblical texts, but instead was the creation of medieval theologians, mystics, and Jesuit monks.
Holy Communion Is A Reenactment Of The Last Supper
Also known as the Eucharist or the Lord’s Supper, Holy Communion is a sacramental ritual that is celebrated by Catholics the world over during Mass. It involves the consumption of consecrated bread and wine. The ritual is meant to be a symbolic reenactment of Jesus’s last supper, the final meal before his execution, when he instructed his disciples to eat bread and drink wine in his memory.There is a division among Christian denominations regarding the meaning and importance of the Eucharist. Roman Catholics believe in transubstantiation, meaning the bread and wine actually become the body and blood of Jesus upon entering the recipient. Conversely, most Protestant faiths believe the Eucharist to be purely symbolic.
The Cross Is The Ultimate Symbol Of Suffering, Sacrifice, Love, and Triumph
The cross is the single most universal and ubiquitous image associated with Christianity, and is famously representative of the capital punishment of Jesus by the Romans. For this reason, the cross represents not only sacrifice and loss, but also triumph and salvation.Since Jesus’s purpose on Earth was to perish for the sins of humanity, his ultimate sacrifice on the cross is seen as both an image of solemn suffering and one of hope, love, and divine kindness
Famed for adorning the bumpers of minivans the world over, the Jesus Fish, also known as the Ichthys, was a secret symbol long used by persecuted Christians. In Propaganda & Persuasion, Garth Jowett and Victoria O’Donnell explain:Initially used as a secret sign during the time when Christians were persecuted by the Roman authorities… it was found scrawled on walls, trees, in the dust, and any place where Christians wished to leave their mark to communicate their increasing strength to others.The fish was chosen because the Greek word for “fish” served as an acronym for Jesus.
As one of the most common images associated with the Catholic church, the dove isn’t just a symbol of peace or purity; it represents the Holy Spirit itself. It is considered to be the vessel for the Holy Spirit’s works on Earth, and pops up frequently in ecclesiastical art.As a vessel for the Holy Spirit, the dove appears frequently during baptisms, and it represents the Holy Spirit coming to cleanse the soul of the person being baptized. Additionally, in paintings that show doves sitting on people’s shoulders, the feathered friend often symbolizes divine, guiding wisdom.
The rosary is considered by many to be one of the items most emblematic of the Catholic faith. Rosary beads are used for prayer, specifically in respect and honor of the Virgin Mary. However, the use of rosary beads for prayer is far more complex than many who are not practicing Catholics may realize.Each strand of rosary beads is divided into five “decades” consisting of 10 beads of equal size, separated by a larger bead – known as a mystery – between each decade. An additional strand is anchored by a crucifix. Each section of the necklace is held as a different prayer or creed that is recited in solemn reflection, and the ritual is meant to maintain a promise Catholics have made to Mary herself.
The lamb is one of several animals that appear in Catholic symbology and, like many other religious images, represents Jesus himself. In John 1:29, Jesus is referred to as “the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sin of the world.”Since lambs were often used as sacrificial animals in ancient traditions and religious practices, the animal represents Jesus’s sacrifice on the cross. Given the white coat of the lamb, the animal was also believed to represent purity and the immaculateness of Jesus’s divinity.
