Christian symbolism facts for kids
Christian symbolism is about giving objects or actions special meanings that show Christian ideas. These symbols help people understand important beliefs and feelings. It can be tricky to choose symbols that are unique to Christianity and not used by other religions or traditions.
Contents
What are Early Christian Symbols?
Symbols from Nature
The early Christian Church often used symbols from nature. Water is a very important symbol for Christians. It is used in baptism and can also mean cleansing or purity.
Fire symbolizes both the Holy Spirit and light. You often see it as a candle flame. These symbols come from the Bible. For example, the Bible talks about "tongues of fire" that showed the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Jesus also called his followers "the light of the world."
The Fish (Ichthys)
The fish was a super important symbol for early Christians. People knew about the symbolic fish from the very beginning. You can see it on old Roman buildings and in catacombs.
Christians started using the fish symbol in the early 2nd century. It might have come from a miracle where Jesus fed many people by multiplying bread and fishes near the Sea of Galilee.
But its main popularity came from a secret code! The Greek word for fish is Ichthys. This word is made from the first letters of five Greek words: Iesous CHristos THeou Yios Soter. This phrase translates to "Jesus Christ, Son of God, Saviour."
The Cross and Crucifix
The cross is one of the most famous symbols in the world. Christians used it as a symbol from very early times. Even people who argued against Christianity in the early 3rd century mentioned it.
A writer named Clement of Alexandria called the cross "the Lord's sign." Another writer, Tertullian, called Christians "devotees of the Cross." He also wrote that Christians would often make the sign of the cross on their foreheads.
The crucifix, which is a cross with Jesus' body on it, wasn't used until the 5th century.
The Peacock
Ancient people believed that the flesh of a peafowl (peacock) never decayed after death. Because of this, it became a symbol of immortality (living forever). Early Christians used this idea. Many old Christian paintings and mosaics show the peacock. It is still used in the Easter season in some parts of the world.
Symbols in Christian Churches
Sacraments: Special Rites
Some of the oldest symbols in the Christian church are the sacraments. The number of sacraments is different in each denomination (type of Christian church). However, all denominations have the Eucharist (also called Communion) and baptism.
Other sacraments that some churches use include ordination (becoming a priest or minister), anointing the sick, confirmation, penance (confession), and marriage.
These special rites are seen as symbols of a spiritual change or event. In the Eucharist, the bread and wine are symbolic of the body and blood of Jesus. In the Roman Catholic Church, they believe the bread and wine actually become the Body of Christ and Blood of Christ. This represents the salvation Jesus brought by his death.
The rite of baptism symbolizes God cleansing a sinner. If baptism is done by immersion (going fully underwater), it can also symbolize spiritual death and resurrection (rising again). Different Christian groups have different beliefs about what the sacraments mean. Some Protestant churches think they are only symbolic. But Roman Catholics, Orthodox Christians, and some Anglicans and Lutherans believe that God's power makes the sacraments have a real effect.
Other Important Christian Symbols
- Alpha and Omega: The first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, meaning God is the beginning and the end.
- Anchor: A symbol of hope and safety in faith.
- Apple: Sometimes represents sin or temptation, but also knowledge.
- Bestiaries: Books about animals with symbolic Christian meanings.
- Burning Bush: Where God spoke to Moses, symbolizing God's presence.
- Candles: Represent light, the presence of Christ, or prayer.
- Christian flag: A flag representing Christianity.
- Chi Rho and Labarum: Early symbols for Christ, often seen on banners.
- Cross and Crown: Symbolizes the reward in heaven after earthly suffering.
- IHS (monogram): A monogram for Jesus' name.
- Flaming sword: Seen at the Garden of Eden, symbolizing protection and judgment.
- Ichthys: The fish symbol (explained above).
- INRI: Letters placed on Jesus' cross, meaning "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews."
- Lamb: Represents Jesus, who was sacrificed for humanity.
- Mitre: A special hat worn by bishops.
- Pelican: Symbolizes Jesus' sacrifice because it was believed to feed its young with its own blood.
- Rose Cross: A symbol used in some Christian mystical traditions.
- Shield of the Trinity: A diagram showing the Holy Trinity (God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit).
- Trefoil: A three-leaf clover, sometimes used to represent the Trinity.
- Triquetra: A three-pointed knot, also representing the Trinity.
- Vesica Piscis: An almond-shaped symbol formed by two intersecting circles, often used in Christian art.
Related pages
Images for kids
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An early coin with a cross on a globe, from the time of Emperor Leontios.
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The Ichthys (fish) symbol written in ancient Ephesus.
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Jesus shown with the Alpha and Omega letters in old Roman catacombs.
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A staurogram, an early cross-like symbol, in an old Bible manuscript.
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The Chi-Rho symbol in the Catacomb of Callixtus in Rome.
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An IX monogram from a 4th-century Sarcophagus in Constantinople.
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A 3rd-century painting of the Good Shepherd in the Catacomb of Callixtus.
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A dove with an olive branch, from the Catacombs of Rome#Catacombs of Domitilla in Rome.
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Two peacocks, symbolizing paradise and living forever, on an old church fragment from Italy.
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A pelican feeding itself, a symbol of sacrifice.
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St. Patrick with a shamrock, from a church window in Ireland.
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Christ and Saint Menas, a 6th-century Coptic icon.
See also
In Spanish: Simbolismo cristiano para niños
