Christian symbols and signs

Visiting temples and opening church books, we come across a large number of all sorts of religious symbols, the meaning of which sometimes is not entirely clear. This is especially noticeable when it comes to viewing icons, as well as frescoes, paintings or engravings, created on biblical subjects many centuries ago. To understand their secret language, we will get acquainted with some of the most frequently used symbols in them and talk about their origins.

The Secret Signs of the First Christians

The earliest Christian symbols are found on the walls of the Roman catacombs, where followers of the teachings of Jesus Christ were secretly performing divine services in the atmosphere of severe persecution by the authorities. These images differ from those that today we are accustomed to see on the walls of our churches. The ancient Christian symbols had the character of a secret record, uniting coreligionists, and yet they already contained a completely certain theological meaning.

Christians of the first centuries did not know the icons in the form in which they exist today, and not the Savior itself was depicted on the walls of the catacombs, but only symbols expressing certain aspects of his essence. With careful study of them, the whole depth of the theology of the early Church is revealed. Among the most common images, you can see the Good Shepherd, the Lamb, the baskets of bread, the vines and many other symbols. Somewhat later, already in the V-VI centuries, when Christianity, from the sect's persecuted authorities, turned into a state religion, the Cross was added to them.

Christian symbols and their meanings, incomprehensible to those who have been announced, that is, people who have not yet been initiated into the meaning of the doctrine and who have not accepted Holy Baptism, were a kind of visual preaching for the members of the Church. They were the continuation of the parable of Jesus Christ, uttered before the crowds of listeners, but the meaning of which he revealed only to a close circle of his disciples.

The first symbolic images of the Savior

One of the earliest symbolic subjects of catacomb painting is the scene of the "Adoration of the Magi". The researchers found twelve such frescoes dating back to the second century, that is, about a century after the events described in the Gospel. They have a deep theological meaning. Oriental sages who came to worship the Savior's Christmas, as if testify to the prophesy of his appearance by the ancient prophets and symbolize the inextricable link between the Old and New Testaments.

Approximately in the same period on the walls of the catacombs there appears an inscription made in Greek letters ΙΧΘΥΣ (in translation - "fish"). In the Russian reading it sounds like "Ihtis". This is an acronym, that is, a steady form of an abbreviation, which has acquired an independent meaning. It is formed from the initial letters of the Greek words, which form the expression "Jesus Christ the Son of God the Savior", and it contains the main symbol of the Christian faith, detailed in the documents of the Nicene Ecumenical Council, held in 325 in Asia Minor. Good Shepherd, as well as Ihtis are considered the first images of Jesus Christ in the art of the early Christian period.

It is interesting to note that in the early Christian symbolism, this acronym, designating the Son of God descended into the world, really corresponded to the image of a fish. Scientists find this a few explanations. Usually point to the disciples of Christ, many of whom were originally fishermen. In addition, they remember the words of the Savior that the Kingdom of Heaven is like a seine in the sea, in which there are fish of all kinds. This includes the numerous evangelical episodes associated with fishing and saturation of hungry hungry.

What is Chrism?

The symbols of the Christian teaching include such a very common sign as "Christma". He appeared, as is commonly believed, even in the apostolic times, but widely received since the IV century, but is an image of the Greek letters Χ and P, which are the beginning of the word ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ, which means the Messiah or the Anointed of God. Often in addition to them, the Greek letters α (alpha) and ω (omega) were placed on the right and left, resembling the words of Christ that he is Alpha and Omega, that is, the beginning and the end of everything.

Images of this sign are often found on coins, in mosaic compositions, as well as on reliefs adorned with sarcophagi. A photo of one of them is given in the article. In Russian Orthodoxy, Chrism acquired a somewhat different meaning. The letters X and P are deciphered as the beginning of the Russian words. Christ was born, which made this sign the symbol of the Incarnation. In the design of modern churches, it is found as often as other well-known Christian symbols.

The cross is the symbol of Christ's faith

Strange as it may seem, the first Christians did not worship the Cross. The main symbol of the Christian faith was spread only in the fifth century. The first Christians did not make his images. However, after its appearance, for a short time it became an indispensable part of every temple, and then with the symbolism of the believing person.

It should be noted that at the most ancient crucifixes Christ was depicted as alive, clothed in clothes, and often crowned with the royal crown. Moreover, as a rule, he was given a triumphant appearance. The crown of thorns, nails, as well as the Savior's wounds and blood appeared only in images dating from the 9th century, that is, during the late Middle Ages.

The Lamb that became an expiatory sacrifice

Many Christian symbols originate from their Old Testament prototypes. Among them is another picture of the Savior, made in the form of a Lamb. It contains one of the fundamental tenets of religion about the sacrifice made by Christ for the redemption of the sins of men. Just as in ancient times the lamb was given to the slaughter for the propitiation of God, so now the Lord himself placed on His altar the only begotten Son for delivering people from the severity of original sin.

In the early Christian times, when the followers of the new faith were forced to abide by the conspiracy, this symbol was very convenient because only the initiates could understand its meaning. For all the others, he remained an innocuous image of a lamb that could be put anywhere, without hiding.

However, at the Sixth Ecumenical Council, held in 680 in Constantinople, this symbol was banned. Instead, it was prescribed in all images to give Christ a purely human form. In the explanation it was said that in this way a greater correspondence to historical truth will be achieved, and also simplicity in its perception by believers will be created. From this day began the story of the iconography of the Savior.

This same council issued yet another decree, which has not lost its force to the present day. Based on this document, it was forbidden to make any images of the Life-Giving Cross on earth. In the explanation it was quite logical and sensible to point out that it is unacceptable to trample on our feet, thanks to which we were all spared from the curse that gravitated over mankind after the original fall.

Lily and Anchor

There are also Christian symbols and signs engendered by Sacred Tradition and Scripture. One of them is a stylized image of a lily. His appearance is due to the fact that, according to legend, the Archangel Gabriel, having appeared to the Virgin Mary with good news of her great destiny, was holding this flower in her hand. Since then, the white lily has become a symbol of the integrity of the Blessed Virgin.

This was the reason that in the medieval iconography it became a tradition to portray a lily in the hands of saints, famous for the purity of their lives. The same symbol goes back to pre-Christian times. In one of the Old Testament books, entitled "Song of Songs", it is said that the temple of the great King Solomon was adorned with lilies, which connected this flower with the image of a wise ruler.

Considering Christian symbols and their meanings, it is also necessary to remember the image of the anchor. It came into use thanks to the words of the apostle Paul from his "Epistle to the Jews." In it, the champion of true faith likens the hope of fulfilling God's promise to a secure and strong anchor that unseenly connects members of the Church with the Kingdom of Heaven. As a result, the anchor has become a symbol of hope for the salvation of the soul from eternal death, and its image can often be found among other Christian symbols.

Image of a dove in Christian symbolism

As already mentioned above, the content of Christian symbols is often to be found among the biblical texts. In this regard, it is appropriate to recall the image of a dove, which has a double interpretation. In the Old Testament he was given the role of the bearer of the good news, when, with an olive branch in his beak, he returned to Noah's ark, letting him know that the flood waters had receded, and the danger had passed. In this context, the dove became a symbol of peace and prosperity in the framework of not only religious, but also universally accepted symbols throughout the world.

On the pages of the New Testament, the dove becomes a visible embodiment of the Holy Spirit, descended on Christ at the time of His baptism in the Jordan. Therefore, in the Christian tradition, its image acquired this very meaning. The pigeon symbolizes the third hypostasis of the one God - the Holy Trinity.

Images that symbolize the four evangelists

To the Old Testament, or rather, to the Psalter, which is one of his books, refers to the image of an eagle symbolizing youth and strength. The basis for this was the words attributed to King David and those imprisoned in the one hundred and second psalm: "Your youth will be renewed like an eagle (like an eagle)." It is no coincidence that the eagle became the symbol of the apostle John - the youngest of the evangelists.

It will also be appropriate to mention the Christian symbols that designate the authors of the other three canonical Gospels. The first of them, the Evangelist Matthew, corresponds to the image of an angel embodying the image of the messianic mission of the Son of God sent to the world for his salvation. Following him goes the evangelist Mark. Next to him, it is customary to depict a lion symbolizing the Savior's royal dignity and power. The third evangelist (the word "Gospel" in translation means "good news") is the evangelist Luke. He is accompanied by a sacrificial lamb or calf, emphasizing the redemptive significance of the earthly ministry of the Son of God.

These symbols of the Christian religion are invariably found in the murals of Orthodox churches. Usually they can be seen placed on four sides of the vault, supporting the dome, in the center of which, as a rule, the Savior is depicted. In addition, they, along with the image of the Annunciation, traditionally adorn the Royal Doors.

Symbols whose meaning is not always clear

Often, the visitors of Orthodox churches are surprised to see the image of a six-pointed star in them - the same as on the state flag of Israel. It would seem, what connection can the Orthodox Christian symbols have with this purely Jewish sign? In fact, there is nothing to be surprised at here - the six-pointed star in this case only emphasizes the connection of the New Testament Church with its Old Testament predecessor, and has nothing to do with politics.

By the way, incidentally, we recall the eight-pointed star, which is also an element of Christian symbolism. In recent years, it often adorns the tops of Christmas and New Year trees. It is designed to portray that Star of Bethlehem, which on Christmas Eve pointed to the magician the way to the cave, in which the Savior was born.

And one more symbol that causes questions. At the base of the crosses, crowning the domes of Orthodox churches, you can often see a crescent moon, placed in a horizontal position. Since in itself it belongs to the Muslim religious attributes, it is often misunderstood such a composition, giving it the expression of the triumph of Christianity over Islam. In reality, this is not the case.

The crescent lying horizontally in this case is a symbolic image of the Christian church, which is given the image of a ship or a canoe carrying believers through the stormy waters of the world's sea. By the way, this symbol also belongs to the number of the earliest, and it can be seen in one form or another on the walls of the Roman catacombs.

Christian symbol of the Trinity

Before talking about this important section of Christian symbolism, we should focus on the fact that, in contrast to the pagan triads, which consisted of three independent and separately "existing" deities, the Christian Trinity represents the unity of its three hypostases, inseparable from each other, But also not merged into a single whole. God is one in three persons, each of which reveals one of the sides of His essence.

Accordingly, beginning with the period of early Christianity, symbols were created for the visual embodiment of this triune. The most ancient of them are images of three interwoven rings or fishes. They were discovered on the walls of the Roman catacombs. The earliest ones can be considered for the reason that the very dogma of the Holy Trinity, which appeared only at the end of the second century, was developed in the following century, and was officially documented in the documents of the Council of Nicaea in 325, mentioned above.

Also to the elements of the symbolism, meaning the Holy Trinity, although it appeared, as it is commonly believed, a little later, it is necessary to include an equilateral triangle, sometimes surrounded by a circle. Like all other Christian symbols, it has a profound meaning. In this case, it emphasizes not only the triune unity of God, but also His infinity. Often inside it is placed the image of the eye, or rather, the eye of God, indicating that the Lord is all-seeing and omnipresent.

The history of the Church also knows the more complex symbols of the Holy Trinity, appearing in certain periods. But always and in all images invariably there were elements that indicate the unity and at the same time the non-merging of the three constituent elements of it. They can often be seen in the design of many current temples - both eastern and Western-related Christianity.