Designation of Christians. The meaning of ancient Christian symbols depicted around the St. Elijah Church

Signs and symbols have existed on earth for a long time. They depict an attitude towards a particular culture, religion, country, clan or thing. The symbols of Christian Orthodox culture emphasize belonging to God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, through faith in the Holy Trinity.

Orthodox Christians express their faith with Christian signs, but few, even those who are baptized, know their meaning.

Christian symbols in Orthodoxy

History of symbols

After the crucifixion and resurrection of the Savior, persecution began against Christians who believed in the coming of the Messiah. In order to communicate with each other, believers began to create secret codes and signs to help avoid danger.

Cryptogram or secret writing originated in the catacombs where early Christians had to hide. Sometimes they have been used for a long time famous signs from Jewish culture, giving them new meaning.

The symbolism of the early Church is based on man's vision of the Divine world through the hidden depths of the invisible. The meaning of the emergence of Christian signs is to prepare early Christians to accept the Incarnation of Jesus, who lived according to earthly laws.

Secret writing at that time was more intelligible and acceptable among Christians than sermons or reading books.

Important! The basis of all signs and codes is the Savior, His Death and Ascension, the Eucharist - the Sacrament left by the Mission before His crucifixion. (Mark 14:22)

Cross

The cross symbolizes the crucifixion of Christ; its image can be seen on the domes of churches, in the form of crosses, in Christian books and many other things. In Orthodoxy there are several types of crosses, but the main one is the eight-pointed one, on which the Savior was crucified.

Cross: main symbol Christianity

A small horizontal crossbar served for the inscription “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.” The hands of Christ are nailed to the large crossbar, and His feet to the lower one. The top of the cross is directed to heaven, and the Eternal Kingdom, and under the feet of the Savior is hell.

About the cross in Orthodoxy:

Fish - ichthys

Jesus called fishermen as his disciples, whom he later made fishers of men for the Kingdom of Heaven.

One of the first signs of the early Church was a fish; later the words “Jesus Christ the Son of God the Savior” were written into it.

Fish is a Christian symbol

Bread and vine

Belonging to a group is expressed through drawings of bread and grapes, and sometimes wine or grape barrels. These signs were applied to sacred vessels and were understandable to everyone who accepted faith in Christ.

Important! The vine is a type of Jesus. All Christians are its branches, and the juice is a prototype of the Blood, which cleanses us during the reception of the Eucharist.

In the Old Testament vine is a sign of the promised land, the New Testament presents the vine as a symbol of paradise.

The vine as a symbol of heaven in the New Testament

A bird sitting on a grape vine symbolizes rebirth to new life. Bread is often drawn in the form of ears of corn, which is also a sign of the unity of the Apostles.

Fish and bread

The loaves depicted on the fish refer to one of the first miracles performed by Jesus on earth, when He fed more than five thousand people who came from afar to listen to the preaching of the Mission with five loaves and two fish (Luke 9:13-14).

Jesus Christ - in symbols and codes

The Savior acts as the Good Shepherd for his sheep, Christians. At the same time, He is the Lamb slain for our sins, He is the saving cross and anchor.

The Ecumenical Council of 692 banned all symbols relating to Jesus Christ in order to shift the emphasis not on the image, but on the Living Savior, however, they still exist today.

Lamb

A small lamb, obedient, defenseless, is a prototype of the sacrifice of Christ, who became the final sacrifice, for God became displeased with the sacrifices made by the Jews in the form of slaughtering birds and animals. The Supreme Creator wants to be worshiped with pure hearts through faith in His Son, the Savior of mankind (John 3:16).

Symbol of Lamb with Banner

Only faith in the saving sacrifice of Jesus, who is the way, the truth and the life, opens the way to eternal life.

In the Old Testament, the lamb is a type of the blood of Abel and the sacrifice of Abraham, to whom God sent a lamb to sacrifice instead of his son Isaac.

The Revelation of John the Theologian (14:1) speaks of a lamb standing on a mountain. The mountain is the universal Church, four streams - the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, which feed Christian faith.

Early Christians in secret writing depicted Jesus as the Good Shepherd with a lamb on his shoulders. Nowadays priests are called shepherds, Christians are called sheep or flock.

Monograms of the name of Christ

Translated from Greek, the monogram “crisma” means anointing and is translated as a seal.

By the blood of Jesus Christ we are sealed to His love and salvation. Hidden behind the letters X.P is an image of the Crucifixion of Christ, God Incarnate.

The letters "alpha" and "omega" represent the beginning and the end, symbols of God.

Monograms of the name of Jesus Christ

Little-known encoded images

Ship and anchor

The image of Christ is often conveyed by signs in the form of a ship or an anchor. In Christianity, the ship symbolizes human life, the Church. Under the sign of the Savior, believers in a ship called the Church sail towards eternal life, having an anchor - a symbol of hope.

Pigeon

The Holy Spirit is often depicted as a dove. A dove landed on Jesus' shoulder at His baptism (Luke 3:22). It was the dove that brought the green leaf to Noah during the flood. The Holy Spirit is One of the Trinity, Who was from the beginning of the creation of the world. The dove is the bird of peace and purity. He flies only where there is peace and quiet.

The symbol of the Holy Spirit is a dove

Eye and triangle

The eye inscribed in the triangle means the all-seeing eye of the Most High God in the unity of the Holy Trinity. The triangle emphasizes that God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit are equal in Their purpose and are one. It is almost impossible for a simple Christian to understand this. This fact must be accepted by faith.

Mother of God star

At the birth of Jesus, the Star of Bethlehem, which in Christianity is depicted as eight-pointed, lit up in the sky. In the center of the star is the bright face of the Mother of God with the Child, which is why the name Mother of God appeared next to Bethlehem.

The first Christian symbolic images appear in the paintings of the Roman catacombs and date back to the period of persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire. During this period, the symbols had the character of secret writing, allowing fellow believers to recognize each other, but the meaning of the symbols already reflected the emerging Christian theology. Protopresbyter Alexander Schmemann notes:

The early Church did not know the icon in its modern dogmatic meaning. The beginning of Christian art - painting of the catacombs - is symbolic in nature (...) It tends to depict not so much a deity as the function of a deity.

Active use in ancient Church L. A. Uspensky associates various symbols, rather than iconographic images, with the fact that “in order to little by little prepare people for the truly incomprehensible mystery of the Incarnation, the Church first addressed them in a language more acceptable to them than a direct image.” Also, symbolic images, in his opinion, were used as a way of hiding Christian sacraments from catechumens until the time of their baptism.

So Cyril of Jerusalem wrote: “everyone is allowed to hear the gospel, but the glory of the gospel is given to only the sincere Servants of Christ. The Lord spoke in parables to those who could not listen, and He explained parables to the disciples in private.” The oldest catacomb images include scenes of the “Adoration of the Magi” (about 12 frescoes with this plot have been preserved), which date back to the 2nd century. Also dating back to the 2nd century is the appearance in the catacombs of images of the acronym ΙΧΘΥΣ or the fish symbolizing it.

Among other symbols of catacomb painting, the following stand out:

• anchor - an image of hope (an anchor is the support of a ship at sea, hope acts as a support for the soul in Christianity). This image is already present in the Epistle to the Hebrews of the Apostle Paul (Heb. 6:18-20);
• dove is a symbol of the Holy Spirit; · phoenix – symbol of resurrection;
• the eagle is a symbol of youth (“your youth will be renewed like an eagle” (Ps. 102:5));
• the peacock is a symbol of immortality (according to the ancients, its body was not subject to decomposition);
• the rooster is a symbol of resurrection (the crow of a rooster awakens from sleep, and awakening, according to Christians, should remind believers of the Last Judgment and the general resurrection of the dead);
• the lamb is a symbol of Jesus Christ;
• lion is a symbol of strength and power;
• olive branch - a symbol of eternal peace;
• lily is a symbol of purity (common due to the influence of apocryphal stories about the Archangel Gabriel giving the Virgin Mary a lily flower at the Annunciation);
• the vine and the basket of bread are symbols of the Eucharist.

Characteristics of the 35 main symbols and signs of Christianity

1. Chi Rho- one of the earliest cruciform symbols of Christians. It is formed by superimposing the first two letters of the Greek version of the word Christ: Chi=X and Po=P. Although the Chi Rho is not technically a cross, it is associated with the crucifixion of Christ and symbolizes his status as Lord. It is believed that Chi Rho was the first to use it at the beginning of the 4th century. AD Emperor Constantine, decorating it with a labarum, a military standard. As the 4th century Christian apologist Lactantius notes, on the eve of the Battle of the Milvian Bridge in 312 AD. The Lord appeared to Constantine and ordered to put the image of Chi Rho on the shields of the soldiers. After Constantine's victory at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge, the Chi Rho became the official emblem of the empire. Archaeologists have found evidence that Chi Rho was depicted on Constantine's helmet and shield, as well as his soldiers. Chi Rho was also engraved on coins and medallions minted during the reign of Constantine. By 350 AD images began to appear on Christian sarcophagi and frescoes.

2. Lamb: a symbol of Christ as the Paschal sacrificial lamb, as well as a symbol for Christians, reminding them that Christ is our shepherd, and Peter ordered to feed his sheep. The Lamb also serves as a sign of St. Agnes (her day is celebrated on January 21), a martyr of early Christianity.

3.Baptismal cross: consists of a Greek cross with the Greek letter "X" - the initial letter of the word Christ, symbolizing rebirth, and therefore it is associated with the rite of Baptism.

4.Peter's Cross: When Peter was sentenced to martyrdom, he asked to be crucified upside down out of respect for Christ. Thus, the inverted Latin cross became its symbol. In addition, it serves as a symbol of the papacy. Unfortunately, this cross is also used by Satanists, whose goal is to “revolutionize” Christianity (see, for example, their “Black Mass”), including the Latin cross.

5.Ichthus(ih-tus) or ichthys means “fish” in Greek. The Greek letters used to spell the word are iota, chi, theta, upsilon and sigma. IN English translation This is IXOYE. The five Greek letters named are the first letters of the words Iesous Christos, Theou Uios, Soter, which means “Jesus Christ, son of God, Savior.” This symbol was used primarily among early Christians in the 1st-2nd centuries. AD The symbol was brought from Alexandria (Egypt), which at that time was a crowded seaport. Goods traveled from this port throughout Europe. That is why sailors were the first to use the ichthys symbol to designate a god close to them.

6.Rose: Holy Virgin, Mother of God, symbol of martyrdom, secrets of confession. The five roses united together represent the five wounds of Christ.

7. Jerusalem cross: Also known as the Crusader Cross, it consists of five Greek crosses that symbolize: a) the five wounds of Christ; b) 4 Gospels and 4 cardinal directions (4 smaller crosses) and Christ himself (large cross). The cross was a common symbol during wars against Islamic aggressors.

8.Latin cross, also known as the Protestant cross and the Western cross. The Latin cross (crux ordinaria) serves as a symbol of Christianity, despite the fact that it long predates the founding christian church he was a symbol of the pagans. It was created in China and Africa. His images are found on Scandinavian sculptures of the Bronze Age, embodying the image of the god of war and thunder, Thor. The cross is considered a magical symbol. It brings good luck and wards off evil. Some scientists interpret the rock carvings of the cross as a symbol of the sun or a symbol

Earth, whose rays indicate north, south, east and west. Others point out its resemblance to a human figure.

9.Pigeon: symbol of the Holy Spirit, part of the cult of Epiphany and Pentecost. It also symbolizes the liberation of the soul after death, and is used to call Noah's dove, a harbinger of hope.

10. Anchor: Images of this symbol in the cemetery of St. Domitilla date back to the 1st century, they are also found in the catacombs in the epitaphs of the 2nd and 3rd centuries, but there are especially many of them in the cemetery of St. Priscilla (there are about 70 examples here alone), St. Calixtus, Coemetarium majus. See Epistle to the Hebrews 6:19.

11.Eight-pointed cross: The eight-pointed cross is also called the Orthodox cross or the cross of St. Lazarus. The smallest crossbar represents the title, where it was written “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews,” the upper end of the cross is the path to the Kingdom of Heaven, which Christ showed. The seven-pointed cross is a variation of the Orthodox cross, where the title is attached not across the cross, but on top.

12. Ship: is an ancient Christian symbol that symbolized the church and each individual believer. Crosses with a crescent, which can be seen on many churches, just depict such a ship, where the cross is a sail.

13.Calvary Cross: The Golgotha ​​cross is monastic (or schematic). It symbolizes the sacrifice of Christ. Widespread in ancient times, the cross of Calvary is now embroidered only on the paraman and the lectern.

14. Vine: is the gospel image of Christ. This symbol also has its own meaning for the Church: its members are branches, and the grapes are a symbol of Communion. In the New Testament, the grapevine is a symbol of Paradise.

15. I.H.S.: Another popular monogram for the name of Christ. These are the three letters of the Greek name for Jesus. But with the decline of Greece, other, Latin, monograms with the name of the Savior began to appear, often in combination with a cross.

16. Triangle- symbol of the Holy Trinity. Each side personifies the Hypostasis of God - Father, Son and Holy Spirit. All sides are equal and together form a single whole.

17. Arrows, or a ray piercing the heart - an allusion to the saying of St. Augustine in Confessions. Three arrows piercing the heart symbolize Simeon's prophecy.

18. Skull or Adam's head is equally a symbol of death and a symbol of victory over it. According to Sacred Tradition, Adam's ashes were on Calvary when Christ was crucified. The blood of the savior, having washed Adam’s skull, symbolically washed all of humanity and gave him a chance for salvation.

19. Eagle- a symbol of ascension. He is a symbol of the soul that seeks God. Often - a symbol of new life, justice, courage and faith. The eagle also symbolizes the evangelist John.

20. All-seeing eye - a symbol of omniscience, omniscience and wisdom. It is usually depicted inscribed in a triangle - a symbol of the Trinity. Can also symbolize hope.

21. Seraphim- angels closest to God. They are six-winged and carry fiery swords, and can have from one to 16 faces. As a symbol, they mean the purifying fire of the spirit, divine heat and love.

22.Bread- This is a reference to the biblical episode when five thousand people were fed with five loaves. Bread is depicted in the form of ears of corn (sheaves symbolize the meeting of the apostles) or in the form of bread for communion.

23. Good Shepherd. The main source of this image is gospel parable, in which Christ Himself calls Himself that way (John 10:11-16). Actually, the image of the Shepherd is rooted in the Old Testament, where often the leaders of the people of Israel (Moses - Isaiah 63:11, Joshua - Numbers 27:16-17, King David in Psalms 77, 71, 23) are called shepherds, but it is said about the Lord Himself - “The Lord is my Shepherd” (The Psalm of the Lord says, “The Lord is my Shepherd” (Ps. 23:1-2). Thus, Christ in the Gospel parable points to the fulfillment of prophecy and the finding of consolation for the people of God. In addition, the image of a shepherd also had has a clear meaning to everyone, so that even today in Christianity it is customary to call priests shepherds, and the laity the flock, Christ the Shepherd is depicted in the form of an ancient shepherd, dressed in a tunic, in shepherd’s laced sandals, often with a staff and a vessel for milk in his hands; can hold a reed flute. The milk vessel symbolizes the Sacrament; the flute symbolizes the sweetness of His teaching (“No one ever spoke like this man” - John 7:46) and hope, this is the mosaic of the early 4th century. from Aquileia.

24. Burning bush is a thorn bush that burns but is not consumed. In his image, God appeared to Moses, calling him to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt. The burning bush is also a symbol Mother of God touched by the Holy Spirit.

25.a lion- a symbol of vigilance and the Resurrection, and one of the symbols of Christ. It is also a symbol of the Evangelist Mark, and is associated with the power and royal dignity of Christ.

26.Taurus(bull or ox) - symbol of the Evangelist Luke. Taurus means the sacrificial service of the Savior, his Sacrifice on the Cross. The ox is also considered a symbol of all martyrs.

27.Angel symbolizes the human nature of Christ, his earthly incarnation. It is also a symbol of the Evangelist Matthew.

28. Grail- this is the vessel in which Joseph of Arimathea allegedly collected blood from the wounds of Jesus Christ during the crucifixion. The history of this vessel, which acquired miraculous powers, was described by the French writer of the early 12th century, Chretien de Troyes, and a century later in more detail by Robert de Raven, based on the apocryphal Gospel of Nicodemus. According to legend, the Grail is kept in a mountain castle, it is filled with sacred hosts that serve for communion and give miraculous powers. The fanatical search for the relic by the crusading knights greatly contributed to the creation of the legend of the Grail, processed and formalized with the participation of many authors and culminating in the tales of Parsifal and Gilead.

29.Nimbus is a shiny circle that ancient Greek and Roman artists, depicting gods and heroes, often placed above their heads, indicating that these were higher, unearthly, supernatural beings. In the iconography of Christianity, since ancient times, the halo has become an accessory for images of the hypostases of the Holy Trinity, angels, the Mother of God and saints; often he also accompanied the Lamb of God and animal figures serving as symbols of the four evangelists. At the same time, for some icons, halos of a special kind were installed. For example, the face of God the Father was placed under a halo, which initially had the shape

triangle, and then the shape of a six-pointed star formed by two equilateral triangles. The Virgin Mary's halo is always round and often exquisitely decorated. The halos of saints or other divine persons are usually round and without ornaments.

30. Church In Christian symbolism, church has several meanings. Its main meaning is the House of God. It can also be understood as the Body of Christ. Sometimes the church is associated with the ark, and in this sense it means salvation for all its parishioners. In painting, a church placed in the hands of a saint means that this saint was the founder or bishop of that church. However, the church is in the hands of St. Jerome and St. Gregory does not mean any particular building, but the Church in general, to which these saints gave great support and became its first fathers.

31.Pelican, A beautiful legend is associated with this bird, existing in dozens of slightly different versions, but very similar in meaning to the ideas of the Gospel: self-sacrifice, deification through the communion of the Body and Blood of Christ. Pelicans live in coastal reeds near the warm Mediterranean Sea and are often subject to snake bites. Adult birds feed on them and are immune to their poison, but chicks are not yet. According to legend, if a pelican chick is bitten by a poisonous snake, it will peck at its own breast in order to give them blood with the necessary antibodies and thereby save their lives. Therefore, the pelican was often depicted on sacred vessels or in places of Christian worship.

32. Chrism is a monogram made up of the first letters of the Greek word “Christ” - “Anointed One”. Some researchers mistakenly identify this Christian symbol with the double-edged ax of Zeus - “Labarum”. The Greek letters “a” and “ω” are sometimes placed along the edges of the monogram. Christianity was depicted on the sarcophagi of martyrs, in the mosaics of baptisteries (baptisteries), on the shields of soldiers and even on Roman coins - after the era of persecution.

33. Lily- a symbol of Christian purity, purity and beauty. The first images of lilies, judging by the Song of Songs, served as decoration for the Temple of Solomon. According to legend, on the day of the Annunciation, Archangel Gabriel came to the Virgin Mary with a white lily, which has since become a symbol of Her purity, innocence and devotion to God. With the same flower, Christians depicted saints, glorified by the purity of their lives, martyrs and martyrs.

34. Phoenix represents the image of the Resurrection, associated with the ancient legend of the eternal bird. The Phoenix lived for several centuries and, when the time came for him to die, he flew to Egypt and burned there. All that was left of the bird was a pile of nutritious ashes in which, after some time, a new life was born. Soon a new, rejuvenated Phoenix rose from it and flew away in search of adventure.

35.Rooster- This is a symbol of the general resurrection that awaits everyone at the Second Coming of Christ. Just as the crowing of a rooster awakens people from sleep, the trumpets of angels will awaken people at the end of time to meet the Lord, the Last Judgment, and inherit a new life.

Christianity color symbols

The most significant difference between the “pagan” period of color symbolism and the “Christian” period lies, first of all, in the fact that light and color finally cease to be identified with God and mystical forces, but become their

attributes, qualities and signs. According to Christian canons, God created the world, including light (color), but it itself cannot be reduced to light. Medieval theologians (for example, Aurelius Augustine), praising light and color as manifestations of the divine, nevertheless point out that they (colors) can also be deceptive (from Satan) and their identification with God is a delusion and even sin.

White

Only White color remains an unshakable symbol of holiness and spirituality. Particularly important was the meaning of white as purity and innocence, liberation from sins. Angels, saints, and the risen Christ are depicted in white robes. White robes were worn by newly converted Christians. Also, white is the color of baptism, communion, the holidays of the Nativity of Christ, Easter, and Ascension. In the Orthodox Church, white is used in all services from Easter to Trinity Day. The Holy Spirit is depicted as a white dove. The white lily symbolizes purity and accompanies images of the Virgin Mary. White does not have negative meanings in Christianity. In early Christianity the positive prevailed symbolic meaning yellow, as the color of the Holy Spirit, divine revelation, enlightenment, etc. But later, yellow takes on a negative meaning. In the Gothic era, it begins to be considered the color of treason, betrayal, deceit, and jealousy. In church art, Cain and the traitor Judas Iscariot were often depicted with yellow beards.

Gold

Used in Christian painting as an expression of divine revelation. The golden radiance embodies the eternal divine light. Many people perceive the golden color as starlight descending from heaven.

Red

In Christianity, it symbolizes the blood of Christ, shed for the salvation of people, and, consequently, his love for people. This is the color of the fire of faith, martyrdom and the passion of the Lord, as well as the royal triumph of justice and victory over evil. Red is the color of services on the feast of the Holy Spirit, Palm Resurrection, during Holy Week, on the days of remembrance of the martyrs who shed blood for their faith. The red rose indicates the shed blood and wounds of Christ, the cup that receives the “holy blood.” Therefore, it symbolizes rebirth in this context. Joyful events dedicated to Christ, the Mother of God and the saints were marked in red on the calendar. From church calendar We have come to a tradition of highlighting holiday dates in red. Easter of Christ in churches begins in white vestments as a sign of Divine light. But already the Easter Liturgy (in some churches it is customary to change vestments, so that the priest appears each time in vestments of a different color) and the entire week is served in red vestments. Red clothes are often used before Trinity.

Blue

This is the color of heaven, truth, humility, immortality, chastity, piety, baptism, harmony. He expressed the idea of ​​self-sacrifice and meekness. The blue color seems to mediate the connection between the heavenly and the earthly, between God and the world. As the color of air, blue expresses a person’s readiness to accept for himself the presence and power of God, blue has become the color of faith, the color of fidelity, the color of desire for something mysterious and wonderful. Blue is the color of the Virgin Mary, and she is usually depicted wearing a blue cloak. Mary in this meaning is the Queen of Heaven, covering

with this cloak, protecting and saving believers (Pokrovsky Cathedral). In the paintings of churches dedicated to the Mother of God, the color of heavenly blue predominates. Dark blue is typical for the depiction of the clothes of cherubs, who are constantly in reverent reflection.

Green

This color was more “earthly”, it meant life, spring, the flowering of nature, youth. This is the color of the Cross of Christ, the Grail (according to legend, carved from a whole emerald). Green is identified with the great Trinity. On this holiday, according to tradition, churches and apartments are usually decorated with bouquets of green twigs. At the same time, green also had negative meanings - deceit, temptation, devilish temptation (green eyes were attributed to Satan).

Black

The attitude towards black was predominantly negative, as the color of evil, sin, the devil and hell, as well as death. In the meanings of black, like among primitive peoples, the aspect of “ritual death”, death for the world, was preserved and even developed. Therefore, black became the color of monasticism. For Christians, a black raven meant trouble. But black has not only such a tragic meaning. In icon painting in some scenes it means divine secret. For example, on a black background, signifying the incomprehensible depth of the Universe, the Cosmos was depicted - an old man in a crown in the icon of the Descent of the Holy Spirit.

Violet

It is formed by mixing red and blue (cyan). Thus, purple combines the beginning and end of the light spectrum. It symbolizes intimate knowledge, silence, spirituality. In early Christianity, purple symbolized sadness and affection. This color is appropriated to the memories of the Cross and Lenten services, where the suffering and Crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ for the salvation of people are remembered. As a sign of higher spirituality, combined with the idea of ​​the Savior’s feat on the cross, this color is used for the bishop’s mantle, so that the Orthodox bishop, as it were, is fully clothed in the feat of the cross of the Heavenly Bishop, whose image and imitator the bishop is in the Church.

Brown and gray

Brown and gray were the colors of the commoners. Their symbolic meaning, especially in the early Middle Ages, was purely negative. They meant poverty, hopelessness, wretchedness, abomination, etc. Brown is the color of earth, sadness. It symbolizes humility, renunciation of worldly life. Grey colour(a mixture of white and black, good and evil) – the color of ash, emptiness. After the ancient era, during the Middle Ages in Europe, color again regained its position, primarily as a symbol of mystical forces and phenomena, which is especially characteristic of early Christianity.

All Orthodox symbols- This is the personification of the life of Christ the Savior: his crucifixion, resurrection, ascension.

Initially, the symbols were used as secret writing, which helped Christians recognize each other during periods of hostile persecution.

Later, the images acquired a deep philosophical meaning. Each sign has its own history of origin, its own meaning.

Why fish is a symbol of Christianity

ICHTIS (fish) is an abbreviation that appeared when translating the expression “Jesus Christ the Son of God the Savior” from Greek by adding the first letters.

Next to Jesus there were many apostles - fishermen. He called them “fishers of men,” and associated himself with Alpha and Omega (the beginning and end of all life). By depicting fish, Christians preached their faith and recognized fellow believers.

According to some sources, the fish became a symbol due to its ease of availability.

What does an anchor symbolize?

The sign appeared at the beginning of our era. In Greece it was depicted on coins as hope for a bright future. In Ancient Rome, it represented the return home after long travels.

The amulet with the image of a dolphin and an anchor was very famous: a dolphin is a sign of speed, an anchor is a sign of restraint.

Saints sign

The attributes of saints were clothes, animals, various items, shown nearby.

The holy martyrs were painted with the instrument of their torture or execution, or with the animals that appeared to them in their dreams.

Some saints were depicted differently in different paintings. This is explained by the fact that there could be many stories and legends about one saint.

Christian symbol of the Trinity

Many people confuse the concepts of “Trinity” and “Three-Faced”. How are they different?

God is one, but has 3 persons: Father, Son, Holy Spirit. And the Holy Trinity is a single fusion, where one smoothly turns into three, and three becomes one.

Previously, the symbol was a circle with a triangle inside it. The same sides of the figure meant trinity and eternal life. Sometimes the image was in the form of three hares, whose ears were connected into a triangle. Modern sign Trinity - an ornament woven into a circle.

Dove in Christianity

There is a story about how a dove flew to Noah during the global flood, holding an olive branch in its paws. Having announced God's mercy, the bird became a symbol of peace and goodness.

Another legend says that evil spirits can dress in anyone except a dove. Therefore, it symbolizes purity and hope, truth and integrity.

Values:

• a bird with an olive branch - new life that has come to know Jesus Christ;
• a flock of doves - believers;
• white dove - a saved soul that has gone through the stages of purification;
• a pair of doves - love and a strong family.

Early Christian symbols

Their number is not as small as it seems: an olive branch, a peacock, a ship, ears of bread, etc. Let's look at the most famous ones.

Cross "Grapevine"

This is an eight-pointed cross with the image of thin branches of grapes. Sometimes the Savior may be depicted in the center.

Grapes are the personification of wisdom and immortality. The ministers of the church are the branches, and the grapes are the sign of Communion. Leaves and berries symbolize Christ's sacrifice of himself for the sake of people. Such a cross will always remind of God’s love for everyone who believes in him.

Biblical symbols

The most common:

• Antichrist is the devil;
• white clothes - the righteousness of Christ;
• to stay awake – to keep the faith;
• throwing dust to the sky - indignation;
• crown - reward;
• wind - war;
• gate - place of judgment;
• clay – man;
• a wallet with holes - a wasted acquisition;
• star - angel;
• serpent - Satan;
• lion - strength;
• flesh and blood - human understanding.

Jesus Christ symbol

The main symbol of Jesus Christ is the “cross”. To atone for the sins of all mankind, Jesus sacrificed himself. The cross is the personification of sacrificial victory over evil deeds.

Non-believers believe that worshiping the cross is worshiping an instrument of execution. But believers know that this is a symbol of life, the salvation of humanity.

Icon painters often paint the Virgin Mary and John the Evangelist near the cross. The skull at the foot is a sign of death. The image is filled with grace-filled power; by honoring it, a person praises God.

Symbols of the apostles

Each apostle is depicted with a specific attribute.

For example, the Apostle Peter is depicted with keys in his hands.

They were given by Jesus and open the gates of the Kingdom of God.

The Apostle Paul is depicted with the instrument of his execution. Bartholomew, a preacher of Christianity, was tortured in one of the cities of Armenia - they flayed his skin, then crucified him. Attributes: own skin and a knife.

James the Elder is a disciple of Christ who lost his life in Jerusalem. When pilgrims came to his grave, they took shells with them. This meant that they had reached their goal. So they began to depict him with a staff, a hat and a shell.

Thomas - drawn with the spear with which he was pierced. Judas holds a bag of money in his hands. He helped the poor, but was greedy. He is depicted with a red beard - this is the color of cowardice and betrayal.

Temple symbolism

Each fragment of the temple has a specific meaning.

Temple shape:

• cross - salvation from the devil, entrance to heaven;
• circle - the inviolability of the Church;
• The eight-pointed star is the salvation of the human soul.

Dome shape:

• helmet-shaped – the Church’s fight against evil;
• in the form of an onion - a candle flame.

Dome Color:

• gold - dedicated to Christ;
• blue with stars - to the Blessed Virgin Mary;
• green - Trinity.

An Orthodox church is a collection of many sacraments, the meaning of which can only be understood by a true believer.

One can come to an understanding of Christianity by deciphering its symbols. From them one can trace both its history and the development of spiritual thought.

1. Eight-pointed cross

The eight-pointed cross is also called the Orthodox cross or the cross of St. Lazarus. The smallest crossbar represents the title, where it was written “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews”; the upper end of the cross is the path to the Kingdom of Heaven, which Christ showed. The seven-pointed cross is a variation of the Orthodox cross, where the title is attached not across the cross, but on top.

2. Ship

The ship is an ancient Christian symbol that symbolized the church and each individual believer. Crosses with a crescent, which can be seen on many churches, just depict such a ship, where the cross is a sail.

3. Calvary cross

The Golgotha ​​Cross is monastic (or schematic). It symbolizes the sacrifice of Christ. Widespread in ancient times, the cross of Calvary is now embroidered only on the paraman and the lectern.

4. Grapevine
The vine is the gospel image of Christ. This symbol also has its meaning for the Church: its members are branches, and the grapes are a symbol of Communion. In the New Testament, the grapevine is a symbol of Paradise.

5. Ichthys

Ichthys (from ancient Greek - fish) is an ancient monogram of the name of Christ, consisting of the first boxes of the words “Jesus Christ the Son of God the Savior”. Often depicted allegorically - in the form of a fish. Ichthys was also a secret identification mark among Christians.

6. Dove

The dove is a symbol of the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity. Also - a symbol of peace, truth and innocence. Often 12 doves symbolize the 12 apostles. The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit are also often depicted as doves. The dove that brought an olive branch to Noah marked the end of the Flood.

7. Lamb

The Lamb is the Old Testament symbol of Christ's sacrifice. The Lamb is also a symbol of the Savior himself; this refers believers to the mystery of the Sacrifice of the Cross.

8. Anchor

The anchor is a hidden image of the Cross. It is also a symbol of hope for the future Resurrection. Therefore, the image of an anchor is often found in burial places of ancient Christians.

9. Chrism

Chrisma is a monogram of the name of Christ. The monogram consists of the initial letters X and P, often flanked by the letters α and ω. Chrism received widespread back in apostolic times and was depicted on the military standard of Emperor Constantine the Great.

10. Crown of thorns The crown of thorns is a symbol of the suffering of Christ, often depicted on crucifixes.

11. IHS

IHS is another popular monogram for Christ. These are the three letters of the Greek name for Jesus. But with the decline of Greece, other, Latin, monograms with the name of the Savior began to appear, often in combination with a cross.

12. Triangle

The triangle is a symbol of the Holy Trinity. Each side personifies the Hypostasis of God - Father, Son and Holy Spirit. All sides are equal and together form a single whole.

13. Arrows

Arrows or a ray piercing the heart - an allusion to the saying of St. Augustine in Confessions. Three arrows piercing the heart symbolize Simeon's prophecy.

14. Skull

The skull or Adam's head is equally a symbol of death and a symbol of victory over it. According to Sacred Tradition, the ashes of Adam were on Golgotha ​​when Christ was crucified. The blood of the savior, having washed Adam’s skull, symbolically washed all of humanity and gave him a chance for salvation.

15. Eagle

The eagle is a symbol of ascension. He is a symbol of the soul that seeks God. Often - a symbol of new life, justice, courage and faith. The eagle also symbolizes the evangelist John.

16. All-seeing eye

The Eye of the Lord is a symbol of omniscience, omniscience and wisdom. It is usually depicted inscribed in a triangle - a symbol of the Trinity. Can also symbolize hope.

17. Seraphim

Seraphim are the angels closest to God. They are six-winged and carry fiery swords, and can have from one to 16 faces. As a symbol, they mean the purifying fire of the spirit, divine heat and love.

18. Eight-pointed star
The eight-pointed or Bethlehem star is a symbol of the birth of Christ. Over the centuries, the number of rays changed until it finally reached eight. It is also called the Virgin Mary Star.

19. Nine-pointed star The symbol originated around the 5th century AD. The nine rays of the star symbolize the Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit.

20. Bread

The bread is a reference to the biblical episode when five thousand people were satisfied with five loaves of bread. Bread is depicted in the form of ears of corn (sheaves symbolize the meeting of the apostles) or in the form of bread for communion.

21. Good Shepherd

The Good Shepherd is a symbolic representation of Jesus. The source of this image is the Gospel parable, where Christ himself calls himself a shepherd. Christ is depicted as an ancient shepherd, sometimes carrying a lamb (lamb) on his shoulders. This symbol has deeply penetrated and become entrenched in Christianity; parishioners are often called the flock, and priests are shepherds.

22. Burning Bush

In the Pentateuch, the Burning Bush is a thorn bush that burns but is not consumed. In his image, God appeared to Moses, calling him to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt. The burning bush is also a symbol of the Mother of God, who was touched by the Holy Spirit.

23. Leo

The lion is a symbol of vigilance and the Resurrection, and one of the symbols of Christ. It is also a symbol of the Evangelist Mark, and is associated with the power and royal dignity of Christ.

24. Taurus

Taurus (bull or ox) is the symbol of the Evangelist Luke. Taurus means the sacrificial service of the Savior, his Sacrifice on the Cross. The ox is also considered a symbol of all martyrs.

25. Angel

The angel symbolizes the human nature of Christ, his earthly incarnation. It is also a symbol of the Evangelist Matthew.

Hurry now to accept salvation.
Jesus is ready to embrace you now!
But if you are indifferent to salvation,
Something terrible will happen: you might be late!

The early Church did not know the icon in its modern dogmatic meaning. The beginning of Christian art - painting of the catacombs - is symbolic in nature. It tends to depict not so much the deity as the function of the deity.

Jesus used symbols as he walked the roads of Palestine. He referred to Himself as the Good Shepherd, the Door, the Wine and the Light of the World. When He taught His disciples, He spoke in parables that were rich in symbolism.
We use symbols in our daily lives.

For centuries, Christians have used symbols to express their faith. It is unlikely that anyone who visits a church or picks up a religious book will not see some symbols. They help communicate the Gospel (evangelize), nourish faith, and create a special atmosphere during worship services. They serve us as “way signs” on our earthly journey.

There are many Christian symbols. Some of them are well known, but often even believers (and not just baptized) people do not know what this or that sign was actually originally intended for.

• Cross - Crucifixion is an image of the Crucifixion of Christ, usually sculptural or relief. The image of the cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified is the main and obligatory symbol of the Christian religion; it is necessarily present in places of worship, as well as among believers at home or as body decoration. The prototype of the symbol of the cross is the Cross of the Lord on which Jesus was crucified.

In the first centuries of Christianity, crosses were made without the image of Christ. Actually, crucifixes first appear in the 5th-6th centuries, and on the oldest of them Christ is depicted alive, in robes and crowned. The crown of thorns, wounds and blood collected in a cup appear in the late Middle Ages, along with other details that have a mystical or symbolic meaning. Until the 9th century inclusive, Christ was depicted on the cross not only alive, resurrected, but also triumphant - and only in the 10th century did images of the dead Christ appear.

• Holy Blessed Trinity - In the Athanasian Creed we confess: “And the universal Christian faith is this: we honor one God in three persons and three persons in one Godhead... we must worship both the trinity in unity and the unity in the trinity.” We hear God speaking of Himself in the Scriptures as existing in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, but as one Godhead in three persons. That's why we talk about Him as the Trinity, which means “three in one.”
• Triangle serves as a general symbol of the Trinity. Each of its equal sides represents the personality of the Divine. All the sides together form a single whole Being. This sign can be found in the most various forms, although the meaning of each is the same: the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God.
• Lamb (lamb) as a symbol came from the Old Testament. The Jews sacrificed a white lamb “without spot or blemish” to God.

According to legend, one of the two lambs sacrificed by Aaron was adorned with a crown of thorns. The prophets of the Old Testament called the expected Messiah the Lamb of God. The Lamb became a symbol of the atonement, humility and meekness of Christ.

• Butterfly - symbol Christ's Resurrection and eternal life for believers.
• Scales - a symbol of justice and a symbol of fairness God's judgment. At the Last Judgment, on the left hand of Christ or directly under his throne, a scene unfolds of the weighing of souls, which is carried out by the Archangel Michael. He holds scales in his hand, and on their two cups are the souls of the righteous (on the right of the archangel) and the sinner (on the left). The soul of the righteous is heavier, and it outweighs; The sinner's cup is pulled down by the devil. This is how the resurrected ones presented to this Judgment are distributed - some to heaven, some to hell.
• Vine - a Eucharistic image, as well as a symbol of the people of God, the Church. In his last conversation with his disciples, Jesus said: “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser...”
• Water - a symbol of fast-flowing time and Baptism. It is not for nothing that one of the many symbols of Christ is a stream. The same source that flows from under the Tree of Life in Paradise is living water. This is what the Gospel says about him: “Whoever drinks the water that I will give him will never thirst.”
  A dove with a green branch is a symbol of new life, it came from the Old Testament: after the flood, the dove returned to Noah with a green branch in its beak, thus notifying Noah that the water had already receded and God’s wrath had changed to mercy. Since then, the dove with an olive branch in its beak has become a symbol of peace. A white dove without a branch can represent God's presence and God's blessing.
• Two trees : green and withered - the idea of ​​green trees and withered trees was associated with the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and the tree of life, which stood side by side in the Garden of Eden.
• Mirror - a transparent sphere in the hands of an angel with the inscription "IS HR" - a symbol indicating that the angel serves Jesus Christ and is a spirit, but not an anthropomorphic being.
• Keys - gold and iron symbolize the gates of heaven and hell.
• Ship depicts the church leading the believer safely through the stormy waves of the sea of ​​life. The cross on the mast symbolizes the message of Christ, which gives authority and guidance to the church. The name of the part of the church where the community is located, nave, means "ship".
• Five point cross - around the cross we draw a circle and as a result we get five points: the point of the autumn equinox, the spring equinox, the summer solstice, the winter solstice and the central point. This is the fixed axis around which time moves. This visual model gives some idea of ​​the relationship between time and eternity within Christian culture.
• Blood of Christ , poured out from his wounds on the cross, has, according to Christian doctrine, redemptive power. Therefore, it was common to depict it as pouring abundantly. It can flow onto the skull (of Adam) lying at the base of the cross. The skull is sometimes depicted upside down, and then the holy blood collects in it, like in a cup.
  The blood of Christ, as medieval theologians believed, is a real substance, one drop of which would be enough to save the world.
• moon and sun - the moon symbolizes the Old Testament, and the sun the New Testament, and just as the moon receives its light from the sun, so the Law (Old Testament) becomes understandable only when illuminated by the Gospel (New Testament). Sometimes the sun was symbolized by a star surrounded by flames, and the moon by a woman's face with a sickle. There are also explanations of the figures of the sun and moon as indicating the two natures of Christ or as symbols of Christ himself (sun) and the church (moon).
• Olive branch - a symbol of establishing peace between God and man. The olive branch is a symbol of hope and peace.
• Nimbus - halo, symbol of holiness, glory. Depicted as a circle around the head.
• Hourglass traditionally symbolize the transience of time and the mortality of all things.
• Sink with three drops of water reminds us of baptism, when water was poured on us three times in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
• Ichthys - fish is one of the most common symbols in ancient times that personified Christ. In the oldest part of the Roman catacombs, an image of a fish was discovered carrying on its back a basket of bread and a vessel of wine. This is a Eucharistic symbol, denoting the Savior who gives food of salvation and new life.

The Greek word for fish is made up of the initial letters of the phrase "Jesus Christ God's Son the Savior." This is the first encrypted creed. The image of a fish was a very convenient sign, since it did not mean anything to people not initiated into the mysteries of Christianity.

• Shamrock-clover symbolizes the Trinity, unification, balance, and also destruction. It can be symbolically replaced by one, large sheet. It is the emblem of St. Patrick and the coat of arms of Ireland.
• Candles are still used in the Church today due to their symbolism. They signify Christ, who is the Light of the world. The two candles on the altar emphasize the two natures of Christ - divine and human. The seven candles in the candelabra behind the altar symbolize the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.
• Phoenix rising from the fire , - a symbol of Christ's Resurrection. One non-biblical Greek legend says that the phoenix, a fantastic bird, lived for several hundred years. Then the bird burned, but emerged again from its own ashes and lived for several more centuries before its death and “resurrection” were repeated. Christians borrowed the symbol from this pagan myth.
• Bowl reminds us of the cup that Christ blessed at the Last Supper and which we share every time at Communion.
• Four Evangelists . The authors of the four Gospels are called evangelists. Their symbols have been around since the early days of the church. The artists were influenced by the vision of the prophet Ezekiel, who saw four creatures supporting the throne of the Lord: “The likeness of their faces is the face of a man and the face of a lion (on the right side of all four of them), and on the left side is the face of a calf (of all four) and the face eagle (all four)". John saw a similar appearance of four creatures like a man, a lion, an eagle and a calf. The winged man represents St. Matthew, since his Gospel devotes Special attention humanity or human nature of Christ. It begins by listing Jesus' human ancestors. The winged lion represents St. Mark, since his Gospel pays special attention to the power and miracles of Jesus. The winged calf represents St. Luke, since his Gospel pays special attention to the death of Jesus on the cross, and the calf was often used as a sacrificial animal. The winged eagle represents St. John, since his Gospel pays special attention to the divine nature of Christ. The eagle soars higher than any other animal into the skies.
  These four symbols represent the main events in the life of Christ: the winged man - His incarnation; winged calf - His death; winged lion- His resurrection; and the winged eagle is His ascension.
• Flames - symbolize the anointing and power of the Holy Spirit. Fire symbolizes spiritual jealousy and can also represent the torment of hell. When a saint is depicted with a flame in his hand, it symbolizes religious fervor.
• Anchor - a sign of hope for salvation and a symbol of salvation itself. The seals of the first Christians with the image of an anchor, the monogram of Christ and fish have survived to this day. There are images of an anchor entwined with a large fish - a symbol connecting the signs of Christ and salvation. Anchors were used to decorate the wedding rings of Christians, which meant salvation in maintaining the fidelity of the spouses for the sake of Christ.
• Hand - appearing in various forms, is a common symbol of God the Father. The Old Testament often speaks of the hand of God, for example: “In Your Hand are my days” (Psalm 30:16). The hand signifies strength, protection and dominance; for example, the Israelites sang to God, who saved them from the Egyptian army: “Thy right hand, O Lord, is glorified in Power; Thy right hand, O Lord, has slain the enemy.”. We see the hand of God coming from the cloud and reaching down to bless his people. The Hand of God with a circle describes God as Eternally Existing with eternal care for His people.
• Eye - is another common symbol of God the Father. He conveys the message that He sees us: “Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon those who fear Him and trust in His mercy.” The Eye of God signifies God's loving care and involvement in His creation. It also reminds us that God sees everything we do. Jesus reminds us that God sees us even when no one else sees us: “Pray to your Father, who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.”
• Chrism - A monogram is usually two or more letters - initials that identify a person.

Early Christians used monograms to identify them as Jesus. IHS is the first two letters and the last letter of the Greek name Jesus, written in Greek capital letters: IHSOYS. “Jesus” means “The Lord saves.” The IHS monogram is often written on altars and paraments.

• Chi Rho - the first two letters of the Greek name of Christ - Xristos. Christ means “Anointed One.” Old Testament prophets and kings were anointed: olive oil was poured on their heads to dedicate them to God. Christ was ordained to serve (for His earthly mission) at the time of His baptism. Alpha and Omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet.

Jesus said, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” Jesus is the beginning and the end of all things; the world was created through Him and one day He will come again to bring this world to Judgment. Jesus spoke of Himself as Wine, Bread, Door and other symbols. Christian artists have made drawings for centuries to convey the message of Jesus Christ.

God the Father - The hand, appearing in various forms, is a common symbol of God the Father. The Old Testament often speaks of the hand of God, for example: “In Your Hand are my days.” The hand signifies strength, protection and dominance; for example, the Israelites sang to God, who saved them from the Egyptian army: “Thy right hand, O Lord, is glorified by power; Thy right hand, O Lord, has slain the enemy.” We see the hand of God coming from the cloud and reaching down to bless his people. The Hand of God with a circle describes God as Eternally Existing with eternal care for His people. The eye is another common symbol of God the Father. He conveys the message that He sees us:
“Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon those who fear Him and trust in His mercy.” The Eye of God signifies God's loving care and involvement in His creation. It also reminds us that God sees everything we do. Jesus reminds us that God sees us even when no one else sees us: “Pray to your Father, who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.”

God the Son - There are many symbols representing God the Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. There are monograms representing His name, crosses representing His crucifixion, and paintings depicting the events of His earthly ministry.

The first known images of the Good Shepherd date back to the 2nd century. His image in the Roman catacombs dates back to this period (detail of the painting of the crypt of Lucina in the catacombs of St. Callistus, the catacombs of Domitilla. In 210 AD, Tertullian testified that he saw the image of the Good Shepherd on communion cups and lamps. The Good Shepherd essentially did not appear an icon of Jesus, but acts as an allegorical image. For this reason, together with the ichthys, it became the first image of Christ in the early days. Christian art. Also, due to its similarity with images of pagan deities, it was safe during the years of persecution, since it did not contain obvious Christian themes and could not reveal the owner, a secret Christian. At the same time, in the conditions of persecution of Christianity, the image expressed the idea of ​​special protection for the chosen ones and a prototype of the coming Kingdom of God.

• Stork - a symbol of prudence, vigilance, piety and chastity. Since the stork announces the arrival of spring, it is associated with the Annunciation of Mary - with the good news of the coming of Christ. It is possible that the existing Northern European belief that the stork brings children to mothers stems from the fact that this bird was associated with the Annunciation. In Christianity, it symbolizes purity, piety and resurrection. Although the Bible classifies all stilted birds as “unclean animals,” the stork is viewed differently as a symbol of happiness, mainly because it eats snakes. Thus, he points to Christ and his disciples who destroyed satanic creatures.
• Angel with a fiery sword - a symbol of Divine justice and wrath. The Lord God, having expelled our first parents from paradise after their fall, placed “a Cherubim with a fiery sword to guard the way to the tree of life.” (Gen. 3.24). In the Revelation of the Evangelist John it is said about the Son of Man: “From His mouth came sharp on both sides sword".
• Angel with trumpet - a symbol of resurrection and the Last Judgment. Christ says about the coming of the Son of Man: “He will send His angels with a loud trumpet, and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.” Likewise, the Apostle Paul says about the second coming of Christ: “The Lord himself, with a proclamation, with the voice of the Archangel and the trumpet of God, will descend from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first.”
• Squirrel - among Christians it means greed and greed. In European mythology, the squirrel Ratatosk ("gnawtooth") appears, constantly scurrying along the trunk of the world tree and sowing discord between the eagle at its top and the dragon gnawing the roots, transmitting their words about each other. She is associated with the devil, who is embodied in this reddish, swift, elusive animal.
  
• Ox - a symbol of the martyrs who were killed for Christ. St. speaks about this symbol. John Chrysostom and St. Gregory of Naziyanz.
• Magi - Melchior (senior), Balthazar (middle), Caspar (junior). However, there is another relationship: the eldest is Caspar (or Jaspir), the middle is Balthazar (he can be portrayed as a black man), the youngest is Melchior. In the Middle Ages, they began to symbolize the three then known parts of the world: Europe, Asia and Africa, and the youngest, Caspar, was often depicted as a black man.
• Crow - a symbol of solitude and hermit life.
• Horse heads - an eternal metaphor for the irreversibility of the passage of time.
• Pomegranate - traditional symbol resurrection, points to Christ as the Savior of the world. The pomegranate is considered a symbol of life... According to legend, Noah's ark was illuminated by a pomegranate. Pomegranate comes from Asia and is one of the earliest fruits consumed by humans. Ancient Carthage was crushed by the Romans and died irrevocably. They say that only the “Carthaginian” or “Punic” apple remains from it. This name for the pomegranate - punica granatum - was given by the Romans. It is believed that the tail on top of the pomegranate became the prototype of the royal crown.
• Griffins - fictional creatures, half lions, half eagles. With sharp claws and snow-white wings. Their eyes are like flames. Initially, Satan was depicted in the image of a griffin, luring human souls into a trap; later this animal became a symbol of the dual (divine and human) nature of Jesus Christ. Thus, the griffin also became the enemy of snakes and basilisks.
• Goose - in the Gnostic tradition, the goose is the embodiment of the holy spirit, a symbol of forethought and vigilance. There is a famous legend about the Capitoline geese that saved Rome from the invasion of the Gauls. But in the Middle Ages in Europe they believed that geese were mounts for witches.
• Dolphin - in Christian art, the dolphin can be found much more often than other sea inhabitants. He became a symbol of resurrection and salvation. It was believed that the dolphin, the strongest and fastest of sea creatures, carried the souls of the deceased across the sea to the next world. A dolphin, depicted with an anchor or a boat, symbolizes the soul of a Christian or the Church, which Christ leads to salvation. In addition, in stories about the prophet Jonah, a dolphin is often depicted instead of a whale, which led to the use of the dolphin as a symbol of the Resurrection, and also, although much less often, as a symbol of Christ.
• The Dragon - one of the most common mythological creatures - a winged serpent, which, however, represented a combination of elements of other animals, usually the head (often several heads) and the body of a reptile (snake, lizard, crocodile) and the wings of a bird or something similar bat; sometimes the image also included elements of a lion, panther, wolf, dog, fish, goat, etc. It is one of the guises of the devil. But despite the fact that the dragon was also an image water element, he was often represented as breathing fire (a combination of the opposing symbols of water and fire). In the Bible this is a symbol that is highlighted; It is interesting to note that Herod's anagrams in Syriac - ierud and es - mean "fire-breathing dragon." A vivid description of the dragon as the enemy of God was given in the Revelation of John the Theologian. “And there was a war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought against them, but they did not stand, and there was no longer a place for them in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, the ancient serpent, called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world, was cast out to the earth, and his angels and wives were cast out with him.”
• Woodpecker symbolizes heresy and the devil in the Christian tradition, which destroys human nature and leads a person to damnation.
• Unicorn - in antiquity was associated with the cult of the Virgin Mother goddess and early Christian theologians began to associate it with the virginity of Mary and the Incarnation of Christ. A biblical symbol of power and strength, it is used as such in the coat of arms of Britain. In the “Mirror of the Sacraments of the Church,” Honorius of Otensky wrote: “A very fierce animal, having only one horn, is called a unicorn. To catch it, a virgin is left in the field; then the animal approaches her and is caught, for it lays on her womb. This animal represents Christ , the horn is his invincible strength. He, lying on the Virgin’s bosom, was caught by the hunters, that is, found in human form by those who loved him.”
• Rod - the club is a symbol of strength and authority, therefore each bishop is given a staff during consecration. “The bishop’s rod,” says Archbishop Simeon of Thessalonica, “denotes the power of the Holy Spirit, the establishment and management of people, the power to govern, to punish the disobedient, and to gather those who have gone away together.” The bishop's staff is crowned with two snake heads and a cross. Snake heads are a symbol of wisdom and archpastoral power, and the cross should remind the bishop of his duties to shepherd his flock in the name of Christ and for His glory.
• Vicious circle - a symbol of eternity. The circle of the sky expressed in the Middle Ages the idea of ​​eternity, infinity and perfection.
• Star - The wise men went to the birthplace of Jesus after seeing a sign - a star in the east, as Matthew says, and it was clear to them whose star they saw - “His star.” In the Proto-Gospel of James there is no direct reference to the star, but only speaks of an extraordinary light in the cave where Christ was born. And if this source was the basis for many other iconographic motifs, then it is quite reasonable to assume that it also explains the image bright light in a cave using a traditional image - a star.
• Serpent in Christian symbolism is the main antagonist of God. This meaning comes from the Old Testament story of the Fall of Adam. God cursed the serpent in the following terms: "... because you have done this, you are cursed above all cattle and above every beast of the field; you will go on your belly, and you will eat dust all the days of your life." Asp in Christianity also symbolizes evil, poison. The snake by the tree in paradise, which seduced Eve into disobedience, appears in medieval Jewish legend under the name Samael (corresponding to the prince of darkness Lucifer). The following thoughts are attributed to her: “If I talk to a man, he will not listen to me, since it is difficult to break a man. Therefore, I would rather first talk to a woman who has a lighter disposition. I know that she will listen to me, because a woman listens to everyone!"
• Ibis - a symbol of carnal desire, impurity, laziness. The early Christian text "Physiologus", as well as the medieval "Bestiary", notes that the ibis cannot swim and therefore devours dead fish near the shore. He brings the latter for food to his cubs. “Like ibises, those carnivorous-minded people who greedily consume the deadly fruits of their deeds as food, and even feed their children with them, to their damage and destruction” (Unterkircher). “This ibis is the worst of all, for its shoots are sinful from sinners” (“Physiologus”).
• Calendar - a person’s memory of his roots and his origin.
• Stone in hand - a symbol of penance imposed on oneself, and thus, a sign that penance was carried out. One Pope of the Renaissance, looking at the image of a saint, allegedly said: “It’s good that he holds a stone, this sign of the penance he voluntarily accepted, because without this he would hardly be considered a saint.”
• Keys - gold and iron symbolize the gates of heaven and hell.
• Goat symbolized voluptuousness. In the form of a goat, Satan tempted St. Antonia. In the Gospel of Matthew, the goat is an emblem of sin and curse (“and he will put the sheep on his right hand, and the goats on his left”). In traditional ideas, dating back to myths, the black goat was associated with the “lower” world. According to legends, Satan was present at the Sabbaths in the guise of a black goat. In Christian symbolism, the goat is a “smelly, dirty, constantly seeking satisfaction” creature, which at the Last Judgment is doomed to eternal punishment in hell. Directly associated with the scapegoat - a symbol of shifting one's own guilt onto someone else. Hence the traditional meaning of the goat as an infiltrator and its sinister association with the devil.
• A spear is one of the instruments of the Lord's passion. The Gospel of Nicodemus says, and then repeats in the Golden Legend, that the name of the warrior who pierced Christ with a spear was Longinus. He was blind and, according to the Golden Legend, he was cured of blindness miraculously - by the blood flowing from the wound he inflicted on Christ. Subsequently, according to legend, he was baptized and suffered martyrdom. As a rule, he is depicted on the “good” side of Christ. The artists made it clear to the viewer in different ways that Longinus is blind: the spear that he seeks to thrust into the body of Christ can be directed by a warrior standing nearby, or Longinus specifically points his finger at his eyes, turning to Christ and as if saying: heal me if You are the Son of God ! In addition to the spear, Longinus’ attribute is the monstrance, into which, as legend tells (the Gospel says nothing about this), he collected drops of the holy blood of Christ.
• Cat - symbolizes the ability to see both day and night. Because of its habits, the cat has become a symbol of laziness and lust. There is also a legend about the “Madonna’s cat” (gatta del la. Madonna), which tells that before Christ was born, the cat lambed in the same manger. This cat is usually depicted with a cross-shaped mark on its back. When the cat was wild, it was considered one of the most ferocious animals in its environment.
• red lily - symbol of the martyr's Holy Blood of Christ.
• Red sardonyx meant Christ, who shed his blood for people.
• Jug and fake l indicate sexual moderation: water extinguishes the fire of lust.
• Font - a symbol of the virgin’s immaculate womb, from which the initiate is born again.
• Lamp - lamp of knowledge. Since ancient times, lamps have been lit to dispel physical darkness - the darkness of the night. With the beginning of the new school term, the lamp of science is lit again to put an end to ignorance and spiritual darkness. The light of true art and useful knowledge should burn brightly in our world. There is another kind of darkness. This is spiritual darkness - the darkness of unbelief, renunciation of God and despair. Christian education of all kinds leads disciples to Jesus Christ, the Light of the world. The means used for spiritual enlightenment is the Word of God. The psalm says: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” The Gospel that shines from the pages of Holy Scripture does not just teach us how to live in this world - it shows us the way to Heaven through faith in Jesus Christ. “How precious is the inspired Book! Like a lamp, her teachings light our way to Heaven.” In the Old Testament, the Lord commands Moses “to keep the lamp burning at all times.” The lamp burning in the tabernacle symbolized the constant presence of the Lord among His people. Today, undying lamps in some churches remind us of the presence of Christ through the Word and Sacraments. This suggests that Christians, gathered around the Word, serve God always and everywhere. “Incarnate Word of God, O Supreme Mind, O Truth eternal and unchanging, O Light in darkness, we glorify you, shining from the sacred pages, illuminating our paths with eternal light.”
• Shack (dilapidated building) - it symbolized the Old Testament, which Christ appeared in the world to replace with the New.
• A lion, like the eagle, an animal. symbolizing dominance, often appears in heraldry and is characterized in fables as the “king of beasts.” A symbol of vigilance and vigilant and spiritual strength - since it was believed that he sleeps with his eyes open. A sentinel who maintains the foundations of the church. A symbol of resurrection, because It was believed that the lion breathes life into lion cubs that are born dead. Therefore, the lion began to be associated with the resurrection from the dead and made it a symbol of Christ. The early Christian text “Physiologus” talks about the amazing circumstances of the birth of lion cubs: “When a lioness gives birth to a cub, she gives birth to it dead and stays awake near the body until the father comes on the third day and begins to blow on its face.. . (the lioness) sits opposite him for three whole days and looks at him (at the cub). But if she looks away, he will not be revived." The male lion awakens him by blowing the breath of life into his nostrils. The lion becomes the emblem of Jesus Christ (cf. also the Lion as the emblem of the Old Testament Judas, from whose family Jesus Christ comes) and many saints (Mark, Jerome, Ignatius, Hadrian, Euphemia, etc.). In the Old Testament, Judas, Dan, Saul, Jonathan, Daniel and others are compared with Leo, and Leo himself is characterized as “a mighty man among the beasts.”
• Left and right - By right hand It is customary to place the righteous on Christ, and sinners on the left. The unrepentant is always at the left hand of the Savior. When the Son of Man comes in His glory and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory, and all nations will be gathered before Him; and will separate one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; and He will put the sheep on His right hand, and the goats on His left. Then the King will say to those on His right side: Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for us from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry, and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger and you accepted Me; I was naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me. Then the righteous will answer Him: Lord! when did we see you hungry and feed you? or to the thirsty and gave them something to drink? when did we see you as a stranger and accept you? or naked and clothed? When did we see You sick, or in prison, and came to You? And the King will answer them, “Truly I say to you, just as you did it to one of the least of My brothers, you did it to Me.” Then He will also say to those on the left side: Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: for I was hungry, and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty, and you gave Me no drink; I was a stranger, and they did not accept Me; I was naked, and they did not clothe Me; sick and in prison, and they did not visit Me. Then they too will answer Him: Lord! When did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not serve You? Then he will answer them, “Truly I say to you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.” And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into everlasting life.
• Fox - a symbol of greed and cunning, wickedness and deceit. As a traditionally established symbol of cunning and deceit, the fox has become a symbol of the devil. Images of foxes often appeared in medieval sculpture; during the Renaissance, the fox became the main character in book illustrations. The reddish color of its fur resembles fire, which (along with the lynx and squirrel) ranks it among the rump (retinue) of the devil. The negative assessment of the fox is also expressed in medieval books about animals, for example when we're talking about that he, as a deceiver and cunning animal, is unsurpassed. “When he’s hungry and doesn’t find anything to eat, he digs in the red clay until he looks like he’s bloody, stretches out like a dead man, and cuts to the sides. The birds see how he supposedly bled to death and his tongue fell off, and they think, that they died on him, and he then catches them and eats them. That’s how the devil is: before the living he pretends to be dead until he lures them into his calculations and even seduces them” (Unterkircher). “A fox on coats of arms. Whether on banners generally signifies an evil mind, and among such, if they are erected on coats of arms, word and deed are one in essence.”
• Boat is a symbol of the church through which one can be saved; the net is a Christian doctrine, and the fish are people (“humans”) converted to the Christian faith. Many of Jesus' disciples were fishermen before they were called to apostolic ministry. Jesus may have called them “fishers of men,” as if alluding to their former profession. Who is he comparing the Kingdom of Heaven to a net thrown into the sea and capturing fish? various kinds. One day, when the people were crowding towards Him to hear the word of God, and He was standing by the lake of Gennesaret, He saw two boats standing on the lake; and the fishermen, leaving them, washed their nets. Having entered one boat, which was Simon's, He asked him to sail a little from the shore and, sitting down, taught the people from the boat. When he had stopped teaching, he said to Simon, “Sail out into the deep and let down your nets to catch.” Simon answered Him: Master! We toiled all night and caught nothing, but at Your word I will let down the net. Having done this, they caught a great many fish, and even their net was broken. And they gave a sign to the comrades who were on the other boat to come help them; and they came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink. Seeing this, Simon Peter fell at the knees of Jesus and said: Depart from me, Lord! because I am a sinful person. For horror seized him and all those who were with him from this fishing of fish they caught; also James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were Simon's companions. And Jesus said to Simon: Do not be afraid; From now on you will catch people. And, having pulled both boats ashore, they left everything and followed Him.
• moon and sun - the moon symbolizes the Old Testament, and the sun - the New Testament, and just as the moon receives its light from the sun, so the Law (Old Testament) becomes understandable only when illuminated by the Gospel (New Testament). Sometimes the sun was symbolized by a star surrounded by flames, and the moon by a woman's face with a sickle. There are also explanations of the figures of the sun and moon as indicating the two natures of Christ, or as symbols of Christ himself (sun) and the church (moon).
• Copper washbasin and towel symbolize virgin purity.
• Sword - a symbol of justice. St. Paul himself explains this symbol to us in his Epistle to the Ephesians: “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.”
• Monkey - among Christians early Middle Ages- a symbol of the devil and a designation of paganism rather than human sinfulness. In the Gothic era, the monkey was usually depicted with an apple in its teeth, as a symbol of the fall of Adam and Eve. In Christian art, the monkey is a symbol of sin, malice, deceit and lust. It can also symbolize the negligence of the human soul - blindness, greed, a tendency to sin. Sometimes Satan is depicted in the guise of a monkey; scenes with a chained animal could mean the triumph of true faith. Sometimes in scenes of the worship of the Magi, the monkey is present along with other animals.
• Deer - deer are usually depicted near springs. This is a symbol of the soul that longs for God. The psalmist says: “As a deer longs for streams of water, so does my soul long for You, O God.”
• Eagle , ascending to the sun - a symbol of ascension. The eagle is a symbol of the soul that seeks God, as opposed to the snake, which symbolizes the devil. The eagle is usually considered a symbol of the Resurrection. This interpretation is based on the early idea that the eagle, unlike other birds, flying near the sun and plunging into water, periodically renews its plumage and regains its youth. This interpretation is further revealed in Psalm 103:5: “...thy youth is renewed like the eagle.” In addition, the eagle often serves as a symbol of the new life that began with the baptismal font, as well as the soul of a Christian, which grows stronger thanks to virtue. “But those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles...” The eagle is able to soar in the air, rising so high until it is out of sight, and also to gaze intently at the scorching midday sun. For this reason, it has become a symbol of Christ. More generally, it symbolizes justice or virtues such as courage, faith and religious reflection. Less often, when the eagle is depicted as a sacrifice, it personifies the demon that captivates souls, or the sin of pride and worldly power. The Evangelist John is rightly compared to an eagle, he, as someone wrote, “soars from the beginning to the end of his Gospel.” eagle's wings to the very Throne of the Lord." In a more general sense, the eagle became a symbol of the inspiring idea of ​​the Gospels. It was based on this interpretation that the lecterns from which the Gospels were read were often made in the shape of an eagle spreading its wings.
• Pelican - according to the ancient legend transmitted by Pliny the Elder, the pelican, in order to save its chicks, poisoned by the poisonous breath of the snake, from death, feeds them with its blood, which it exudes from a wound inflicted on its chest with its beak. The pelican feeding children with its blood is a symbol of the sacrificial death of Christ. So the pelican became a symbol of Jesus Christ, who in the Eucharist feeds us with His Body and Blood.
• Hourglass traditionally symbolize the transience of time and the mortality of all things.
• Whip in hand - a three-knot whip - a symbol of the weapon with which Ambrose scourged the heretic Arius and his followers (Arians); three knots - symbol of St. Trinity.
• Transparent beryl , transmitting light - the image of a Christian illuminated by the light of Christ.
• Fifteen Angels - fifteen is the number of virtues: four “cardinal” - courage, wisdom, moderation, justice, three “theological” - faith, hope, love and seven “basic” - humility, generosity, chastity, self-satisfaction, temperance, calmness, hope. And two more - piety and repentance. There are sixteen in total, but moderation and abstinence are essentially the same thing. Thus, there are only fifteen different virtues. Thirty-three angels correspond to the number of years Christ lived.
• Hands folded crosswise on the chest - a gesture of deep reverence and reverence.
• Fish - in the New Testament, the symbolism of fish is associated with preaching; Christ calls the former fishermen, and after the apostles, “fishers of men,” and likens the Kingdom of Heaven to “a net thrown into the sea and capturing fish of all kinds.” In the first centuries of Christianity, people wore glass, mother-of-pearl or stone fish around their necks - future pectoral crosses. The Eucharistic meaning of fish is associated with the educational gospel meals: the feeding of the people in the desert with loaves and fishes, the meal of Christ and the apostles on Lake Tiberias after the Resurrection, which is often depicted in the catacombs, converging with the Last Supper. In Scripture, Christ says: “Is there such a person among you who, when his son asks him for bread, would give him a stone? And when he asks for a fish, would give him a snake?” According to interpreters, the image of a fish refers to Christ as the true Bread of Life, as opposed to the snake, which symbolizes the devil. The image of a fish is often combined with the image of a basket of bread and wine, and thus the symbol of the fish is associated with Christ Himself. We wrote above that this correlation is also facilitated by the graphic appearance of the Greek name for fish. The symbolism of the fish turns out to be connected with the sacrament of Baptism. As Tertullian says: “We are little fish, led by our ikhthus, we are born in water and can only be saved by being in water.” This is an important and frequently used symbol by the early Christians. Fish was for them, firstly, a symbol of rebirth from water - St. baptism. The water intake where the baptism took place was called pistina in Latin, which means fish pool. And that cat, when baptized, was immersed in it, and was called a fish, in Greek ihtis. “We are fish,” says Tertullian, “and we cannot escape otherwise than in the water” - i.e. through baptism. The Greek word ihtis (fish) was also a symbol of Christ because each letter in the Greek language makes up the words Jesus Christ, God's Son the Savior. (Isus Christos Teu Ius Soter). Obviously, the symbol of the Fish was a sign by which early Christians found and recognized each other, especially during times of persecution. Scratched on a wall, on the floor of a market square, or near a fountain, in crowded places, it allowed wandering Christians to find out where their brothers in faith were gathering.
• Fish with a coin in its mouth - a symbol of the Miracle performed by Jesus Christ. When they came to Capernaum, the collectors of didrachms approached Peter and said: Will your teacher give didrachms? He says yes. And when he entered the house, Jesus warned him and said: What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth take duties or taxes? from your own sons, or from strangers? Peter says to Him: from strangers. Jesus said to him: So the sons are free; but, so that we don’t tempt them, go to the sea, throw a fishing rod, and take the first fish that comes along, and when you open its mouth, you will find a statir; take it and give it to them for Me and for yourself. He performs a miracle: if Jesus knew that in the mouth of the fish that Peter would first come across would be the coin it had swallowed, He is omniscient. If He created this coin in her mouth, He is omnipotent.
• Candle in a candlestick should read: "The Mother supports the Son as a candlestick supports a candle."
• Pig (Boar ) - serves as the personification of the demon of sensuality and gluttony, and therefore it is often one of the attributes of Anthony the Great, who defeated this demon. Gluttony, selfishness, lust, stubbornness, ignorance, but also motherhood, fertility, prosperity and luck. The positive attitude towards pigs in most myths contrasts with their largely negative symbolism in the world's religious traditions.
  Christian paintings often depict the scene of the exorcism of demons from a possessed person. Jesus allowed them to enter a herd of 2,000 pigs, which then jumped off a cliff into the sea. In Christian art, the pig symbolizes gluttony and lust (usually trampled upon by the allegorical figure of Chastity), as well as laziness. The parable of Jesus casting out two possessed demons, who then entered a herd of pigs (Gospel of Matthew), symbolizes a person’s desire to be cleansed of sensual excesses.
• Seven bells (flowers) - have a double symbolic meaning: firstly, they hint at the seven sorrows of the Virgin Mary and, secondly, they point to the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: “And the Spirit of the Lord will rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and strength, the spirit of knowledge and piety; and will be filled with the fear of the Lord.”
• Heart . Found in images dating back to the 15th century. Often emits tongues of flame (“fiery heart”), which symbolizes spiritual combustion.
• Net - Christian doctrine.
• Scorpion - indicates the life of a hermit in the desert. Scorpio, biting with its tail, embodied deceit. Scorpio is one of the symbols of evil. The sting at the end of a scorpion's tail contains poison, and a person stung by a scorpion experiences terrible agony. It is often mentioned in the Bible: “...and its torment is like the torment of a scorpion when it stings a man” (Rev. 9:5). Because of its treacherous way of stinging, the scorpion became a symbol of Judas. Scorpio, as a symbol of betrayal, was present on the flags and shields of the soldiers who participated in the crucifixion of Christ. Because of its treacherous, often fatal bite, it is a symbol of Judas. IN medieval art- a sign of mortal betrayal, sometimes envy or hatred. Scorpio is also found as an attribute of the allegorical figure of Africa and Logic (perhaps as a symbol of the last argument).
• Dog - Early Bible commentators had a low opinion of the dog as a symbol of wickedness. Later church fathers, and then other medieval authors, changed their attitude towards it. During the Renaissance, the dog in portraits of humanist scientists and religious figures became a symbol of devotion to the truth. Hunter's dogs (there are usually four of them) personify four virtues, as evidenced by the Latin inscriptions related to them: “Misericordia” (mercy), “Justitia” (justice), “Pax” (peace), “Veritas” (truth).
• Ostrich, laying eggs in the sand and forgetting to hatch them is an image of a sinner who does not remember his duty to God.
• Arrow or beam piercing the heart. This is an allusion to the words of St. Augustine from the Confessions concerning Divine love: “Sagittaveras tu cor nostrum caritatr tua et gestabamus verba tua transfxa visceribus” (“Thou hast wounded our heart with Thy love, and in it we have kept Thy words that pierced our womb”). Three arrows piercing the heart symbolize Simeon's prophecy. At the first sacrifice of Jesus in the Temple, Simeon was present, a righteous and pious man, looking forward to the consolation of Israel. By the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, he came to the Temple and, taking the Child in his arms, sang his last song, “Now You Let Go,” and prophesied to His surprised Mother: “Behold, this One lies for the fall and for the rising of many in Israel and for the subject of controversy - and A weapon will pierce your soul, so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” There are three predictions in this prophecy, each of them referring to one person: Jesus (“This One”), Israel and Mary.
• Three nails became one of the symbols of the Holy Trinity. In art up to the 15th century, Christ was depicted nailed with four nails - one nail for each hand and foot. Later, Western European artists depict three nails: the legs are nailed crosswise with one nail. Our sins are destroyed because God “nailed [them] to the cross.”
• Shoes kicked off your feet - a symbol of the holiness of the place where the event takes place. This interpretation is based on the words of God addressed to Moses, who appeared before the burning bush: “Take off your sandals from your feet; for the place on which you stand is holy ground.”
• Triumph flag - white banner with a red cross. This image appears in the so-called Rathmann Missal from the mid-12th century (Hildesheim Cathedral). Christ takes a decisive step, stepping over Front edge sarcophagus; he holds a cross with a banner attached to it; from that time on, the flag - a sign of his victory over death - became characteristic feature all subsequent images of the Resurrection of Christ. As an emblem of the Good Shepherd, a banner with a cross was sometimes depicted, attached to a shepherd's staff.
• Bread and Wine - “And while they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed it, broke it, gave it to them, and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” And He took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, and they all drank from it. And He said to them: This is My Blood of the New Testament, which is shed for many."
• Bread depicted in the form of ears of corn (sheaves symbolize the meeting of the Apostles), or in the form of communion bread. In the catacombs of early Christians, you can see an image on the walls: a fish carries on its back a basket of bread and a bottle of scarlet wine - this is how Christ was depicted then carrying the sacrament. The basket is an image of a huge pie from which everyone will get, as during it thousands of people were fed with several loaves and fishes (Jesus Christ feeding five thousand people with five loaves).
• Flowers - symbolize new life: the Lord came to earth - and flowers bloomed. Flowers were a common decoration on the tombs of martyrs in the catacombs as a symbol of passing human life. In the book of Job we read: “The man who is born of a woman is short-lived and full of anxiety. He grows like a flower, and withers, and runs like a shadow without stopping.” St. Apostle Peter teaches: “For all flesh is like grass, and all the glory of man is like the flower of the grass; the grass withered, and its flower fell.”
• A bowl from which a snake emerges. The origin of this attribute goes back to a medieval legend, according to which the priest of the pagan temple of Diana in Ephesus gave John a poisoned cup to drink in order to test the strength of his faith. John, having drunk, not only remained alive, but also resurrected two others who drank from this cup before him. Since the Middle Ages, the cup has become a symbol of the Christian faith, and the snake - of Satan.
• Scull - as a symbol of the victory of the spirit over the flesh. A symbol of the mortality of all things, usually depicted in scenes of death and burial. Another reason for the presence of a skull is the inclusion of the Memento mori motif (Latin - Remember death) in the picture.
• Beads - a symbol of piety and a symbol of service to the Church and people. The rosary is an extremely simple and at the same time extremely capacious and impressive model of time. On the one hand, in the rosary we see that the beads - they are connected by one thread - are a kind of continuum. On the other hand, there are also temporary corpuscles.
• Four women