List of Catholic Symbols and Meanings
Religious Symbols
Since the earliest times, the concept of symbolism has appeared in every human culture, social structure, and religious system. Signs and symbols play a vital role in all of the world's religions as objects on which thoughts and prayers can be focused.
Symbols point a way through the spiritual world. They act as badges of faith, teaching tools, and aids on the journey towards an understanding of complex philosophies.
Crucifix
The crucifix is a cross with the figure of the body of Jesus Christ attached to it. This is a very common Catholic symbol that is often placed on or above the altar where the Eucharist is celebrated.
A crucifix often has the letters INRI written across the top. These letters are short for a Latin phrase which translates as "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews." These are the words in which Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea, ordered to be written over the cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified.
A crucifix is a symbol of sacrifice.
Alpha and Omega
These are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet and are used at various times in the Church liturgical year.
In the book of revelation 22:13, Christ refers himself as the Alpha and the Omega, that is the first and the last: Christ is the beginning and the end of all creation.
The Cross
The most famous and widespread Christian symbol is the cross. It is found wherever there is a Christian presence.
In Roman times, the cross was seen as an instrument of torture and public humilation. Criminals were put to death on crosses.
For Christians, however, the cross became a symbol not only of Jesus' death but also of his resurrection.
The Sacred Heart
The Sacred Heart is a symbol of the love of Jesus for all of humanity.
The heart is a symbol of love. When depicted as the Sacred Heart, it is shown as pierced with a cross and thorns twisted around it. This shows the depth of Jesus' love. He was prepared to suffer and die for all people. His love is eternal.
IHS and Chi-Rho
The letters IHS often appear on liturgical items, building plaques, gravestones, and sacred vessels. IHS is a shortened form of the Greek word for Jesus.
The letters X and P are often used as another symbol for Christ. The first two letters of Christ's name in Greek are X and P. In the Greek alphabet, X equals CH and P equals R.
Also known as the CHi-RHO cross, the letters are usually inscribed one over the other sometimes enclosed within a circle, becoming both a cosmic and a solar symbol.
The Fish
One of the oldest Christian symbols is the fish. It was used by Christians to identify themselves and each other, often in times of persecution. It is often found in the Roman catacombs, a secret meeting place when the Christians were persecuted for their faith by the Romans.
It is based on an acrostic of the initial letters of the Greek words for Jesus Christ. To understand this symbol, you need to know the meaning of the acronym. The Greek word for fish is ICHTHUS, which is also an acronym for Jesus. (Iesous CHristos THeou Uios Soter translates as "Jesus Christ, Son of God, Saviour.")
Christ also referred to his apostles as "Fishers of Men" while the early Christian fathers called the faithful pisculi (fish).
Fleur de Lis
This is one example of a symbol of Mary. The whiteness and beauty of the lily is symbolic of the purity of Mary Immaculate.
The lily is often used to decorate shrines, chapels, or grottos dedicated to Mary.
The Dove
The dove is the symbol of the Holy Spirit. When Christ was baptized by John the Baptist, a dove descended on him (Matthew 3:16 and Mark 1:10).
The dove is sometimes depicted with an olive branch in its mouth as a symbol of peace. It also symbolizes God's grace.
Do you remember how in Noah's story, God sent a great flood and after the rain stopped, Noah sent out a dove to search for dry land? It returned carrying an olive branch from the Mount of Olives, a symbol of God's forgiveness.
Crossed Keys
Crossed keys are a symbol of the Pope's authority. This is because Christ said to St. Peter that he would give him the key to the Kingdom (Matthew 16:19). St. Peter was the first pope and those who succeed him share in the power Jesus gave him.
The Lamb
One of the most important symbols of Christ is the Lamb. Christ as the Lamb of God is mentioned in John 1:35-36 and Revelation 5:6-14 and in the words of the Mass.
The whiteness of the Lamb symbolises innocence and purity. Lambs are often associated with sacrifice in the Old Testament. Christ, the sacrificial lamb, died for the sins of humanity.
The lamb is sometimes portrayed with a flag, symbolic of Christ's victory over death in his Resurrection.
Questions & Answers
Thank you for visiting this hub. . .
i love GOD and our mother mary
The Fish is my favourite symbol.
i love this website, thanks for all the help :)
i need more symbols
Thanks so much for the inside it has opened me to understanding the symbols used by the Church. I am not Oliver twist but i will be glad to read on more symbols.
Remain Blessed
Am proud to be catholic in the catholic church everything is in order.
What does the circle around the centre of the cross (as displayed on catholic churches etc) represent.
Is good for one to act what he/she believe & believe what he/she act. i love catholic.
I love catholic church.i wil like to be a priest presenly am a minor seminarian if u went to help jus contect me on facebok Andrew Paul on facebook.
my project is now complete
I love th Catholic church and its teachings are so pure.
Thank you for this explanation. Do you or any one reading this know what the capital 'M' with a cross above it, surrounded by an oval or circle of dots mean?
It's hard to describe in words,but its on the back of a cross necklace my husband owns, that I got from a catholic store.
Thanks!
thanks, this helped me with my r.e assesment!:D
thankyou very much it helped alot about my religion (roman catholic) and my project thankyou very much!! :)
Thank you for all the work! This helped sooo much
were are the candles , 10 commandments ,the cup and the bread
Thank you so much for your beautiful work. It's very helpful. May God reward you.
I've tried to be a good catholic and feel so blessed to attend holy masses. Now I understand the signs in the churches.
Thanks for help for my homework! :D
What do the beads on the cross necklace mean?
Everything is Jesus Then why need meaning for specific things. but the meaning for every image and letters are really clear and every christian must know it well to share with non catholics
thanks man that help me a lot
Am really proud to be a catholic am really proud
Thanks so much for your help!
~God Bless~
CRISSY:)
I go to a private catholic school and we take our faith REALLY seriously (which of course is a good thing. my teacher just gave me an assignment to look up symbols and write an essay this really really helped thank you :)
thank, you very much my home work is now complete :D
thancks alot
As a new convert, I am often amazed and pleased at the richness of Catholic tradition.
I love the church's teaching
This site has opened my eye, Thanks so much.
On December 2011, we (YOUTHS)have yes retreat Nangina parish. I was given the topic to discuss about signs of the church. Thank you to sana.
thank you somuch..................
ok thank you this answerrs my question
Thanx so much... this helped me heaps in re !
Symbols helps. We are living in the world of symbols.
Jesus said i am the way the truth and the life. Why is it Catholics pray through Mary?
thank you so much this site has helped me so much with my school assignment =)
It is always good for the Church to explain and teach it's faith
I believe that symbols don't mean anything to our Christian faith what God real wants is the we believe as the bible says in Romans1:17 "For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith." W can only be justified in our walk with through faith and not symbols again the bible says in 2Corinthian5:7 "For we live by faith, not by sight" and symbols are sight not faith
I am trying to find out the meaning of the slanted cross on catholic cemetary headstones and so far am not able.
Thank you very much for the information.I'm a Catholic and I've never understood some of the symbols in the church.This site has really opened my eyes.
THX!
this website needs more viewers. it is an awesome website. ill tell you this. ADVERTISE!!!!!!!
Well presented. Symbols are in our prayer life. It reminds of of the God who loved us so much. Thanks.
great photos and very , to the point informative hub, keep writing and join helium.
This helps us understand the meaning of symbols!!
I am just in love all that I have read. A proud Catholic.
I love this hub and the topic and the layout. I love that you have symbols and words to make understanding so easy.
very well done explains the means great
sweet. helped me stufy for RE exam. :P
i am a catholic, very nice hub
Fernando
thans alot, this knowledge will me defend my catholic faith.
Hi, I want to add about the symbol of cross; besides what has you mentioned, a cross is also a symbol of victory over death and sins. To catholics, a cross with Jesus attached bring an important meaning, where it refers Jesus's victory and as accomplishment of the Father's Word. Usually for protestant point of views, they claim that Jesus should be put down, because it hurts Him.But Catholic believe that it is a sign of Jesus's great faith to His Father and also His love upon humanity.
i am catholic and i think this website was okay but i didn't get what i needed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
exellent job. i learned a lot.
This is a wonderful post. The Church is full symbolism. This is the beauty of the Catholic tradition - http://bit.ly/c8ddcs
Thanks for the info, helps me alot on my faith experience project. I am a protestant and am visiting a catholic church for my project. God Bless You
I feel it would be have been more insightful if you had also explained the pagan origins of these symbols and their translation to the catholic church.
I notice during the recent papal visit a symbol being worn . It is a circle with a bar through it
in the form of a pendant. Anyone know what this is?
Many thanks
Bernie
Key word it's 'Catholic' symbols, they are not Christian symbols...
Good information for Catholic like mr
when did the chi rho cross get replaced with the latin cross?
thanks for explaining all the different symbols and the Latin words in all of them. really useful stuff! God Bless!
great page fantastic
Thanks a lot for this information. i once read these from a book but could no longer lay hands on it again. But i would love to read more on the developments if any. God bless you. Thanks again
Thanks, but we still need more symbols
yor website rocks
your website rocks
this website helped me alot! thank you.
Very informative hub! Good job!
great advice on the easter symbols ill definetly be coming back to this site late on in life thanks
i love this site i use it everyday! thanks heaps for this
awesome
very informative ^_^
Thank you so much for this information. You answered many questions I have had for years. I have a couple rosary beads I purchased from Rome when I lived in Naples (was in military). I am not a Catholic and have been wondering what the symbols are on the rosary. When I traveled Italy, I noticed on the outside of the churches it would have the letters IHS and now I know what it means! I also have wondered what INRI was. On my rosary it has the alpha symbol as well as the omega symbol, which I knew, but it also had a 'P' with an 'x' at the bottom of the P overlapping it. Now I know what it means. My daughters rosary has the sacred heart so I will let her know exactly what it means. The backside of the rosary with the alpha, omega, and chi-rho symbol has what looks like a shield with a cross and a M and a helmet on top of the shield. It reminds me of the armor of God, but if anyone knows what this means, please let me know. Thank you so much for the information you have provided and God bless you.
im baptist but my boyfriend is catholic i see no wrong in it just the diff. in them i want to know more... how can i know more besides keep going to church with him ...i already do that...but i want to do it on my own time too
i would like to know how when priests make the sign of the cross and say the words the son spirit and holy ghost across their body how is it signed left to right right to left up down how? please send explanation
why cant we have info on all the symbols
if you do your research, all of these symbols are based in pagan ideas and practices. interesting thing about mainstream christianity, they fail to read their history books. Edict of Milan for example. Truth stands on the four pillars.
me and my friend used this site even though im not catholic (go chuch of england) and the fish was on my old school logo it was a lutheran school
i think this site was good.
i had to use this for work at school (Merici Colleage Camberra the cool school) and it was great thanks
the Chi-Rho was developed by Constantine for his battles. IN THIS SIGN SHALL YE CONQUER was the motto for the Chi-Ro.
Thanks....Great page
This site is just too great and wonderful.
Absolutely Fantastic article with wonderful photos. GBY Dear Heart.
I'm not a christian, but i really love and believe in jesus. i want to convert to christian can anyone guide me what should i do. I pray to jesus everyday but don't know it is in the correct way or not. christianity is a beautifully peace religion , it gave us faith and gave the power how to love other.. i feel very good and feel god's love when i was in the church near my home..
great sighns of the church
good hub....very very informative...
can't wait to read more...
Deuteronomy 4:15 Take ye therefore good heed unto yourselves; for ye saw no manner of similitude on the day that the LORD spake unto you in Horeb out of the midst of the fire:
Deuteronomy 4:16 Lest ye corrupt yourselves, and make you a graven image, the similitude of any figure, the likeness of male or female,
Deuteronomy 4:17 The likeness of any beast that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged fowl that flieth in the air,
Deuteronomy 4:18 The likeness of any thing that creepeth on the ground, the likeness of any fish that is in the waters beneath the earth:
Deuteronomy 4:19 And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars, even all the host of heaven, shouldest be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the LORD thy God hath divided unto all nations under the whole heaven.
thankyou. i am doing a project on religious symbols and have been stuck for a while. Thankyou for all your help.
Great job, I appreciate the explanations behind all the different symbols it was interesting to read about them all!
I AM A CATHOLIC BUT I DONT KNOW THE MEANING OF THE CATHOLIC SYMBOLS TILL I VISITED THIS SITE. WILL DONE KEEP THE CATHOLIC FAITH BURNING
What is greek symbol for faithful?
this really helped
thanks for that wonderful piece of information. I'm studying for a test and this will hep a lot
thanks for that, it really helped.
Very nice Hub MM Del Rosario. I should write some Hubs like this myself instead of spending all my time in the HubPages forums. It's fun too though.
Tim Bourdon I also happen to be wearing one of those medals myself attached to my scapular. It is called the Medal of the Immaculate Conception or more popularly known as the Miraculous Medal. It has quite the history to it. So this spurred me on to writing a Hub about the Miraculous Medal. You can get this medal for free from a link on my new Hub.
https://hubpages.com/religion-philosophy/Miraculou
God bless
Mike
Beautifully told. It is interesting how the same symbols can mean different to different culture or even in different time.
Help me find the name of a medal I ware?
Mary on the front: Inscribed - O Mary concieved with out sin
Pray for us who have recourse to thee
On the back: A M with a cross on top of it, below that are two hearts not the same. If someone can help please e-mail me.
timbourdon49@yahoo.com
Thank you for your site; brief and informative.
A very informative hub with Easter just around the corner.
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