Since the earliest times, symbols have been important in every human culture and religious system. Symbols convey meanings in what they represent, and they point beyond their own existence. Catholic symbols help us to deepen our faith 10 Catholic symbols and shape our prayer. They bridge the material and spiritual worlds, and reveal truths about God.
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1. Crucifix 2. Alpha and Omega 3. The Sacred Heart 4. IHS and Chi-Rho 5. The Fish The most common symbol of our faith Alpha and omega are the first and last In Catholic art, the Sacred Heart The letters IHS often appear on One of the oldest Christian symbols is the crucifix – a cross with the figure of letters of the Greek alphabet. They are is depicted as a flaming heart. It is liturgical items in our churches, is the fish. It was used by Christians the body of Jesus Christ attached to it. used at various times in the Church’s usually shining with divine light, building plaques, gravestones and to identify themselves and each other, The crucifix is a symbol of sacrifice liturgical year. The alpha and omega pierced from a lance, encircled by a sacred vessels. IHS is a shortened often in times of persecution. It was and atonement, since, according to have been used by Catholics since the crown of thorns, surmounted by a form of the Greek word for Jesus, found in the Roman catacombs, a the Bible, Jesus died for the sins of the fourth century as symbols expressing cross, and bleeding. Sometimes it is which is IHΣΟΥΣ. secret meeting place during the time world. The crucifix is found wherever the confidence of Christians that God shown in the chest of Jesus Christ. The The letters X and P are often used when the Christians were persecuted there is a Catholic presence. is infinite and eternal. In the book of wound, thorns, and blood represent as another symbol for Christ. The first for their faith by the Romans. A crucifix usually has the letters Revelation 1.8, 21.6 and 22.13, Christ Jesus’ crucifixion, and the flames two letters of Christ’s name in Greek The fish is based on the first letters ‘INRI’ carved into the wood of the refers to himself as the alpha and the represent the transformative power are X and P. In the Greek alphabet, of the Greek words for Jesus Christ. cross. These letters are short for the omega – that is, the first and the last. of divine love. X equals ‘CH’ (pronounced ‘Kye’ and The Greek word for fish is ‘Ichthus’, Latin phrase, “’Iesus Nazarenus, Rex These two letters symbolise the fact The Sacred Heart is an object of P equals ‘R’ (pronounced ‘Roe’. Also which is also an acronym for Jesus. Iudaeorum’, which translates as ‘Jesus that Christ is the beginning and the devotion for Catholics everywhere and known as the Chi-Rho cross, the The Greek, ‘Iesous CHristos THeou of Nazareth, King of the Jews’. These end of all creation. shares the message of Jesus’ sacrificial letters are usually inscribed one Uios Soter’ translates in English to, are the words which Pontius Pilate, love for humanity. On its own the over the other and are sometimes ‘Jesus Christ, Son of God, Saviour’. the Roman governor of Judea who heart is a symbol of love, but the enclosed within a circle. Christ also referred to his apostles sentenced Jesus to death, ordered to Sacred Heart, pierced and wrapped in as ‘fishers of men’ while the early be written on the cross on which Jesus thorns, shows the depth of Jesus’ love Christian writers called the faithful Christ was crucified. and that his love is eternal. ‘little fish’.
6. The Dove 7. The Lamb 8. The Pelican 9. Crossed Keys 10. The Peacock and The dove is a white bird often depicted One of the most important symbols Medieval Europeans noticed that In Christian art, crossed keys, also the Tree of Life as flying gracefully before a shining aura of Christ is the Lamb. Jesus Christ as pelicans were particularly attentive to known as the ‘Keys of Heaven’, are a The Ancient Greeks believed that the of light. Sometimes the dove is carrying the Lamb of God is mentioned in John their young, and even thought they pair of keys that overlap creating an flesh of peacocks didn’t decompose an olive branch in its beak. 1.35–36 and Revelation 5.6–14. The would wound themselves and let their ‘X’. The keys are used in ecclesiastical after death, and so peacocks became The dove is the symbol of the Holy Old Testament has several references young drink their blood when no food heraldry, papal coats of arms, and a symbol of immortality. The ‘eyes’ in Spirit. When Christ was baptised by to sacrificial lambs making this symbol was available. Therefore, the pelican symbolic images in holy places. the peacock’s tail feathers symbolise John the Baptist, a dove descended more meaningful when it represents became a symbol of Christ’s passion. The crossed keys represent the the all-seeing God. The early Church on him, according Matthew 3.16 and Jesus in the New Testament. The He poured out his blood for the for- keys that Jesus promised to St Peter, adopted this symbol to represent the Mark 1.10. The dove is sometimes phrase ‘the Lamb of God’ is always giveness of our sins, as if shedding his empowering him to take binding Christian belief in eternal life in heaven depicted with an olive branch in used in the liturgy of the Mass. blood for our spiritual food, which is actions in leading the institution of with God, and the peacock was often its mouth as a symbol of peace. In The whiteness of the Lamb what we encounter in the Eucharist. the Church. They are a symbol of the depicted next to the Tree of Life. Noah’s story in Genesis 8.1–12, he symbolises innocence and purity. Pope’s authority. In Matthew 16.19, The Tree of Life is mentioned three sent out a dove to search for dry land. Christ, as the sacrificial lamb, who died Jesus says to Peter: ‘I will give you the times in Genesis 2 in Eden – as a It returned carrying an olive branch for the sins of humanity was innocent keys to the kingdom of heaven, and source of food for Adam and Eve – in only when the rain had stopped, and and pure in his life and death. The whatever you bind on Earth shall be Proverbs (3.18, 11.30, 13.12 and 15.4) this was the sign and symbol of God’s lamb is sometimes portrayed with a bound in heaven, and whatever you and four times in Revelation (2.7 and forgiveness. The dove also symbolises flag. This is symbolic of Christ’s victory loose on Earth shall be loosed 22.2,19). It is both an actual tree in God’s grace. over death in his resurrection. in heaven.’ Eden and a newly restored tree in St Peter was the first pope, and heaven. those who succeed him share in the authority Jesus gave him.