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Christogram IHS facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Gravestone-ihs
A Christogram placed on a grave cross
Coat of arms of Franciscus
IHS on the coat of arms of Pope Francis.

The Christogram IHS is a monogram symbolizing Jesus Christ.

From Greek it is an abbreviation of the name IHΣΟΥΣ (Jesus).

In Eastern Orthodox Church the Christogram is composed with letters X, P, I and X arranged into the cross. They are the first letters of one from two words in Greek language: Christ and Jesus Christ.

In the Western culture there exist the compositions: "IHS" and also "IHC" being the first letters (iota-eta-sigma) of the name Jesus in Greek alphabet: ΙΗΣΟΥΣ (Ίησοῦς or ΙΗϹΟΥϹ with lunated sigma). The abbreviation in form "IHS" appeared in first time on the coins of Justinian II on the turn of the 7th and 8th centuries.

The order of Jesuits, in other words the Society of Jesus (Societas Iesu), adopted IHS as its fixed emblem - the symbol in 17th century. There appeared also Latin interpretations of the abbreviation IHS, among others:

  • Iesus Humilis Societas - Humble Society of Jesus,
  • Iesus Hominum Salvator - Jesus, Savior of men,

and also:

  • In hoc signo vinces- By this sign you shall conquer.

These developed inscriptions were most likely formed because in the Middle Ages people mistakenly read the letter E as H.

According to a legend, this inscription with the cross was seen by emperor Constantine the Great in his sleep before the battle against Maxentius in 312 on the Ponte Milvio.

Commentators unfriendly to the Catholic Church sometimes interpret the abbreviation IHS as derived from the solar idols of the Egyptian mythology: Isis, Horus and Seth. Nevertheless, present scientific knowledge does not confirm such interpretations.

Images for kids

  • Chrisme Colosseum Rome Italy

    Chi-Rho symbol with Alpha and Omega on a 4th-century sarcophagus (Vatican Museums)

  • Chrismon Sancti Ambrosii

    A Chi Rho combined with Alpha and Omega, in 1669 labelled Chrismon Sancti Ambrosii, Milan Cathedral

  • IHS Christogram 1864 Bible

    IHS Christogram embossed on an 1864 leather-bound King James Bible

  • キリシタン灯籠（梅窓院）

    Lhq-inscription on a Japanese lantern

  • IHS with cross

    IHS or JHS Christogram of western Christianity

  • Interlaced IHS monogram on ceiling of church of Saint-Martin de L'Isle-Adam

    Intertwined IHS monogram, Saint-Martin's Church, L'Isle-Adam, Val-d'Oise

  • Clontuskert Priory Doorway IHC Monogram 2009 09 16

    IHC monogram from Clontuskert Abbey, Ireland

  • Jesuit emblem 1586

    The Jesuit emblem from a 1586 print

  • Church Door, Church of the Good Shepherd (Rosemont, Pennsylvania)

    Door at Church of the Good Shepherd (Rosemont, Pennsylvania) showing (from left) arms of the parish; Marian monogram; the IHS Christogram; and arms of the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania

  • Spahr 63 1140 133312

    "ΙϹ ΧϹ ΝΙΚΑ" cross on the obverse of a 12th-century Sicilian coin (Roger II)

  • The Greek Pantokrator on the Hungarian Holy Crown

    Christ Pantocrator on the Holy Crown of Hungary (12th century)

  • Christ Pantocrator, Church of the Holy Sepulchre

    Christ Pantocrator, Church of the Holy Sepulchre (1810)

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Cristograma para niños

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