Art, obsession, and identity
When we think about Christian symbols, the cross usually comes to mind. Indeed, it's safe to say that the cross is the most recognizable Christian icon in the world, but the truth is that there are a lot more. Did you know, for instance, that the Eye of Providence is actually a Christian symbol?
Browse through the following gallery and learn more about enigmatic Christian symbols.
The Latin (also known as Western) cross is undoubtedly the most popular Christian symbol in the world. It is pretty universal among Christians, and has literal and metaphorical symbolism attached to it.
But the crucifix (where the image of Jesus is depicted on the cross) is not adopted by every Christian denomination. This is especially true for Protestants, who view the Catholic crucifix as an emphasis on Christ's death, instead of his resurrection.
This cross has two extra crossbeams when compared to the Western cross. The top beam is where the sign "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews" was placed. The second is where Christ's arms were, and the bottom one is said to represent Christ's footrest.
The direction of the lower beam has to do with the faith of the two thieves who were crucified alongside Jesus. One (St. Dismas) went to heaven, and the other one (Gestas) went to hell.
You probably associate the ankh with ancient Egypt, and indeed you are correct: it symbolized life. But then Christians adopted the symbol and started using it as well.
Its resemblance and meaning were associated with another Christian symbol: the staurogram. So it was an easy adaptation.
The staurogram, also known as the monogrammatic cross, symbolizes an abbreviation of the Greek word for cross, stauros. It is still used as a monogram of Christ to this day.
The alpha and omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. They represent Jesus and God, as the beginning and the end.
It is essentially a symbol for God's infiniteness. It is mentioned in Revelation 21:6 He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life."
The symbol dates back to 312 CE, when during a Roman conflict between Maxentius and Constantine the soldiers of the latter appeared in battle bearing this symbol containing the Greek letters chi and rho.
Legend has it that Jesus told Constantine he would be victorious if his soldiers wore the symbol, which actually contains the first two letters of "Christ" in Greek. The Chi Rho remains a Christian symbol to this day.
Ichthys means "fish" in Greek, but the letters themselves also form an acronym for "Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior."
The use of the two intersecting arcs that resemble a fish is widespread throughout the world (think bumper stickers). But this was once used as a covert sign for Christians to identify each other during times of persecution. It was commonly found in hidden places of worship, like catacombs.
The triquetra, also known as the Celtic knot, is commonly associated with paganism, but it has also been adopted by Christianity, especially during the Celtic revival of the 19th century.
The triquetra symbolizes the Holy Trinity (God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit).
The Holy Spirit represented as a dove appeared when pagan Frankish King Clovis was baptized a Christian. But this was not the first time the dove was used to represent the Holy Spirit.
It had already done so during the baptism of Jesus, as detailed in Matthew 3:16: "As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him." The dove is still regarded as a sign of goodness and purity.
Also known as the All-Seeing Eye, it is a symbol many people associate with the Freemasons. But despite its use by Freemasonry, the roots of the Eye of Providence are Christian.
Sirach 23:19 says that "the eyes of the Lord are 10,000 times brighter than the sun." And this image has been depicted in numerous Christian works of art, particularly during the Late Renaissance.
An example includes the 1525 painting 'Supper at Emmaus' by the Italian painter Pontormo.
Despite the popular association with the occult and Satanism, the inverted cross is actually a Christian symbol.
It is associated with the crucifixion of St. Peter, which was performed upside down in Rome.
Legend has it that this type of sea urchin was left behind by Jesus as an evangelization tool.
The sand dollar's holes are associated with the wounds Christ suffered during the crucifixion. And their floral shape is said to resemble the Easter lily: a symbol for the Resurrection.
Agnus Dei is Latin for "Lamb of God." The lamb is associated with Jesus in some parts of the Bible, including John 1:29, which reads: "The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, 'Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!'"
An important reference is also made in Revelation 7:10: "And they cried out in a loud voice: 'Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.'"
This symbol is most popular in West Africa. Like several other Christian symbols, it has pagan roots.
It was originally used to represent the god of the Akan people of Ghana, and then it grew to be adopted as a symbol of the Christian god.
This ancient monogram for Jesus is an abbreviation of the first three letters of his name in Greek.
The Ihs can be traced back to the 1st century CE.
Sources: (Grunge) (Learn Religions)
Famous Christian symbols explained
Did you know that the Eye of Providence is a Christian symbol?
LIFESTYLE Religion
When we think about Christian symbols, the cross usually comes to mind. Indeed, it's safe to say that the cross is the most recognizable Christian icon in the world, but the truth is that there are a lot more. Did you know, for instance, that the Eye of Providence is actually a Christian symbol?
Browse through the following gallery and learn more about enigmatic Christian symbols.