Symbols of Church

An overview

Church or Christianity?
Often the symbols for Church and Christianity are one
and the same especially in the earlier centuries.
It is in the later centuries, after the Reformation, that
symbols for Catholic Church and Protestant Church
start to differ more because often the symbol was used
to differentiate one branch of Christianity from another.
In more modern times there are often distinct
similarities between the Catholic and the Protestant
Church use of symbol with the symbols at times
referring to Christian belief as a whole.
If you had to think of a symbol for Church what would
you think of?
Why did you select that symbol?

Early symbols of Church

The fish
Christian symbols of two fish and what appears to be a trident, which was
probably a disguise for the cross symbol, which might identify the person as a
Christian and subject the family to persecution .

The ship

The ship (bark or barque, barchetta) was an

ancient Christian symbol. It is the Church tossed
on the sea of disbelief, worldliness, and
persecution but finally reaching safe harbor with
its cargo of human souls. Part of the imagery
comes from the ark saving Noah's family during
the Flood (1 Peter 3:20-21), Jesus protecting the
Peter's boat and the apostles on the stormy Sea
of Galilee (Mark 4:35-41). It was also a great
symbol during times when Christians needed to
disguise the cross, since the ships mast often
forms a cross in many of its depictions.

Simon Peter, son of Jonas: Peter

was martyred on the cross. Peter
requested that he might be
crucified head downward for he
was not worthy to die as his Lord
had died. His apostolic symbol is
a cross upside down with crossed
keys. The keys represent Peter as
holder of the keys to the Kingdom
of Heaven.

Matthew: 16: 17 -19

Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not
revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. 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."

Early symbols of Church

Fish and basket
Tabcha, or Ein Sheva, is a site on the north-west shore of
the Sea of Galilee. In this site there is the Church of the
first feeding of the Multitude, with beautiful mosaics of an
old church, including the two fish and basket - the symbols
of the miracle.
Matthew 15: 36
Then he took the
seven loaves and the
fish, and when he
had given thanks, he
broke them and gave
them to the
disciples, and they
in turn to the
people.

The Cross as symbol

The Chi Rho is one of the
earliest cruciform symbols
used by Christians. It is
formed by superimposing
the first two letters of the
word "Christ" in Greek, chi =
ch and rho = r.
( in hoc signo vinces
Emperor Constantine)
John 19: 19
Pilate had a
notice prepared
and fastened to
the cross. It read:
JESUS OF
NAZARETH, THE
KING OF THE
JEWS.

One example of another style of cross, the

celtic cross is on top of Holy Family Church,
in Port Hudson, Missouri. This rural parish is
in Franklin County and is about 71 highway
miles west of downtown Saint Louis in USA

Other
Christian
Churches
and their
symbols

Dove
Scripture
(open
book)

The seal of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is a symbolic statement of

the church's heritage, identity and mission in contemporary form. Its power
depends on both its simplicity and complexity, as well as its traditional and
enduring qualities.
The basic symbols in the seal are the cross, Scripture, the dove, and
flames. The dominant structural and theological element in the design is
the cross -- the universal and most ecumenical symbol of the Christian
church. The cross represents the incarnate love of God in Jesus Christ,
and his passion and resurrection. Because of its association with
Presbyterian history, the Celtic cross was chosen as a model for this
contemporary rendering of the ancient symbol.

The Windows at Christ Lutheran

Las Vegas, Nevada

Christ Lutheran Church Symbol

The cross, central to our faith, is also centred in our symbol. The cross, blue in
colour, reminds us of our hope in Jesus Christ. The green cross extends beyond
the diameter of the outside cross reminding us of our growth through faith that
must extend beyond ourselves out into the world.
The leaves in each of the four corners surrounding the cross are interlocking to
represent the Trinity. These green leaves are bursting forth with new life through
Christ.

Baptism Window
This window is full of symbols of
Baptism like the Shell, the Ascending
Spirit and the Water.
The window also includes symbols of
the Church such as the Ship, the Fish
and The Sun and Stars.

Stained Glass a symbol of Church

The Rose Window
of the Cathedral in Chartres,
France

www.sacreddestinations.com/fran
ce/chartres

Detail of north rose window, with squares featuring

Old Testament kings and Old Testament prophets.

There are
many
symbols
here

http://www.trinityumc.info/RoseWindow(big).htm

Byzantine
Symbols

Hagia Sophia- look at the

architecture- A Church building
itself can symbolise church

Byzantine symbols- icons and mosaics

What do you
notice
about
the
representation
of Jesus?

Inside Hagia Sophia

What does this

interior
suggest to you?

link to Hagia Sophia site

A Church building itself can symbolise church

Originally built by the mother of Emperor
Constantine in 330 A.D., the Church of the Holy
Sepulchre in Jerusalem commemorates the hill of
crucifixion and the tomb of Christ's burial.
http://www.bibleplaces.com/holysepulcher.htm

Sagrada
Familia
Cathedral
Barcelona

Cologne Cathedral

A Church building itself can

symbolise church

More questions for you

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

There have been many symbols for Church

throughout history What symbols can you draw for
each of these?
The symbol of a community fearing persecution
The symbol of power given in the scriptures
The symbol of a pilgrim making a journey of penance
The symbol of the Church triumphant reaching
towards the heavens?
Are Catholic and other Christian Church symbols
similar? Provide three examples to illustrate your
answer.

What else can be a symbol for Church?

Decide on two other symbols , which for you

represent church.

Terrace Chapel Visit

List 5 symbols you see in the chapel
( these can be symbols for the Eucharist or
for the Passion of Jesus or.) Explain
each of these symbols and what it
represents.
Is there a symbol which represents
CHURCH for you in the Chapel? Explain
your response to this.
http://www.terrace.qld.edu.au/mini
stry/liturgies.htm