Monograms
Alpha And Omega: These are the first and last letters of the
Greek alphabet, signifying that Jesus Christ is the beginning and
end of all things (Rev. 22:13).
Chi Rho: This is a monogram of the first two letters X and P of
the Greek word for Christ.
Chi Rho with Alpha and Omega: This symbol for the Lord comes from
the catacombs and indicates that he is the beginning, continuation
and end of all things.
Chi Rho with Alpha and Omega in a Circle: The symbol for Christ
is within the symbol for eternity (the circle), thus signifying the
eternal existence of the Savior.
IHC or IHS: This is more often seen in Protestant churches and is
almost as common as the Cross. They are the first three letters of
the Greek word for Jesus. IHC is more ancient, but IHS is more
common.
I X: This symbol for the Lord consists of the initial letters of
the Greek words for Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ The Victor: This is a Greek Cross with the
abbreviated Greek words for Jesus Christ, the lines above the
letters indicating that the words are abbreviated. The letters NIKA
are translated victor or conqueror.
I.N.R.I.: These are the initial letters for the Latin inscription
on the Cross of the Crucified Christ. Iesus Nazaremus Rex Indaeorum:
Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews (John 19:19).
Sun and Chi Rho: The sun is the source of light and Jesus is
referred to as the Light (John 1:4). The sun is combined with the
CHI RHO, another symbol for Christ (Mai. 4:2).
The Four Evangelists.
Winged Man St. Matthew: The winged man is his symbol, for he
traces the human lineage of Jesus.
Winged Lion St. Mark: The winged lion symbolizes St. Mark because
he begins his Gospel by describing St. John the Baptist, the voice
of one crying in the wilderness.
Winged Ox St. Luke: St. Luke is symbolized by a winged ox because
his Gospel describes the sacrifice of Christ.
Winged Eagle St. John: The winged eagle symbolizes him because
his Gospel seems to soar on eagles' wings.
The four images portrayed above, find their first expression in
the writings of the Prophet Ezekiel, who describes his famous
inaugural vision:
The word of the Lord came to Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi,
in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and the hand of
the LORD was upon him there. As I looked, behold, a stormy wind came out of the north, and a
great cloud, with brightness round about it, and fire flashing forth
continually, and in the midst of the fire, as it were gleaming
bronze. And from the midst of it came the likeness of four living
creatures. And this was their appearance: they had the form of men,
but each had four faces, and each of them had four wings.... As for
the likeness of their faces, each had the face of a man in front;
the four had the face of a lion on the right side, the four had the
face of an ox on the left side, and the four had the face of an
eagle at the back. Such were their faces.... (Ez. 1:3-6, 10).
Other Symbols.
All-Seeing Eye: The All-Seeing Eye of God looks out from the
triangle, which represents the Trinity. This reminds us that God
always watches over us in love (Ps. 33:18).
Ark: This is a common symbol of the Church, since, like the Ark
of Noah, all can find life in the safety of the Church.
Candle: Candles are used in the Church as symbols of Our Lord
Jesus Christ, Who is the Light of the World (John 8:12; 9:5).
Censer: This is a symbol of prayer, for as the smoke of incense
soars upward, so too prayer ascends to God (Rev. 8:4 and Ps. 141:2).
Chalice and Cross: This represents the cup used at the Last
Supper, the Cross standing for the suffering of Christ (Luke 22:42).
Sometimes, instead of a Cross, there is placed a square loaf, Christ
the Bread of Life. Thus, this symbol can also be seen as symbolizing
the Holy Eucharist.
Dove Descending: This symbol, white, with a three-rayed nimbus
descending, is the most common representation of the Holy Spirit
(Luke 3:21-22).
Fish: This is one of the most ancient symbols for Christ. The
letters of the Greek word for fish, also signify the first letters
of each word of the phrase Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior.
Grapes: A bunch of grapes signifies the Sacrament of the Holy
Communion. It also is a symbol of Christ the Fruit of Life.
Lamb of God: This symbol emphasizes the sacrificial role of
Christ (John 1:29). The lamb carries the banner of victory over sin
and death (1 Cor. 5:7; Rev. 5:13).
Lily: This is a symbol of Easter and immortality. The bulb decays
in the ground, yet from it new life is released.
Olive Branch: The olive branch is the symbol for peace, harmony
and healing.
Peacock: This is an ancient symbol of the Resurrection. When the
peacock sheds his feathers, he grows more brilliant ones than those
he lost.
Phoenix: This is a mythical bird which at death bursts into
flames and rises from its own ashes. Thus it is a symbol of the
Resurrection and life immortal.
Seven-Fold Flame: This is a symbol of the Holy Spirit at
Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4).
Seven Lamps: This represents the seven lamps burning before the
Throne of God (also a seven-branched candlestick) and symbolizes the
gift of the Holy Spirit (Is. 11:2-3; Rev. 5:12).
Shamrock: This was supposedly used by St. Patrick of Ireland to
teach the Trinity. The leaf is one, yet distinct, equal, and of the
same substance.
Ship: The Church has been likened to a great ship bearing men
through a violent storm to the safety of the Kingdom of Heaven. The
main part of the church building is called the Nave, which comes
from the Latin word for ship, navis.
Ten Commandments: These are pictured as tablets of stone, with
numbers on each, symbolizing the Ten Commandments. Sometimes there
are three commandments on the first and seven on the second;
sometimes there are four and six; and sometimes there are five on
each tablet.
Triquetra: This is an early symbol of the Trinity in which the
three equal arcs express eternity in their continuous form,
indivisible in their weaving.
Triquetra and Circle: The Triquetra, denoting the Trinity, is
combined with the circle of eternity, producing a figure recalling
several spiritual truths.
Wheat: Wheat is the symbol of the Bread of Life, based on the
Gospel of Mark
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