Dutch Book of Prayers from the mid-fifteenth century showing a group of five saints, with their emblems: Saint James the Great (wearing a pilgrim's hat); Saint Joseph; Saint Ghislain (holding a church); Saint Eligius (bishop with a crosier, holding a hammer); Saint Hermes (with the armor and the sword)
Symbolism of Christian saints has been used from the very beginnings of the religion.[1] Each saint is said to have led an exemplary life and symbols have been used to tell these stories throughout the history of the Church.[2] A number of Christian saints are traditionally represented by a symbol or iconic motif associated with their life, termed an attribute or emblem, in order to identify them. The study of these forms part of iconography in art history.[3] They were particularly used so that the illiterate could recognize a scene, and to give each of the Saints something of a personality in art.[2] They are often carried in the hand by the Saint.
Attributes often vary with either time or geography, especially between Eastern Christianity and the West. Orthodox images more often contained inscriptions with the names of saints, so the Eastern repertoire of attributes is generally smaller than the Western.[c] Many of the most prominent saints, like Saint Peter and Saint John the Evangelist can also be recognised by a distinctive facial type. Some attributes are general, such as the martyr's palm.[4] The use of a symbol in a work of art depicting a Saint reminds people who is being shown and of their story. The following is a list of some of these attributes.
Contents
Four Evangelists
The Twelve Apostles
Mary, mother of Jesus
Saints listed by name
See also
References
External links
^ This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). "Symbolism". Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company.
^ abMayernik, David T. (2018). "A Vast, Immeasurable Sanctuary: Iconography for Churches". Sacred Architecture Journal. 5: 22.
^"Eastern Orthodox and Catholic teaching about Icons".
^Hassett, M. (1911). "Palm in Christian Symbolism". The Catholic Encyclopedia.
Symbolism of Christian saints has been used from the very beginnings of the religion. Each saint is said to have led an exemplary life and symbols have...
Christian symbolism is the use of symbols, including archetypes, acts, artwork or events, by Christianity. It invests objects or actions with an inner...
the Nazi regime, government bodies were encouraged to remove religious symbolism from their heraldry. Few German councils actually changed their often...
people, particularly virgins and saints. Christian symbolism Arma Christi Animals in Christian art Saintsymbolism Gast, Walter E. (2000). "Symbols in...
The punk subculture has also had a close association with anarchist symbolism. The red banner, which has always stood for liberty, frightens the executioners...
Assisi Saints portal Patron saints of ailments, illness, and dangers Patron saints of places Patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary Saintsymbolism Dart,...
Fascist symbolism is the use of certain images and symbols which are designed to represent aspects of fascism. These include national symbols of historical...
Christianity portal Christian Cross Crosses in heraldry Christian symbolismSaintsymbolism Crucifixion in the arts Cultural, political, and religious symbols...
of Lancaster Rod of Asclepius Rub el Hizb Sacred Chao Sacred Heart Saintsymbolism Scientology symbols Shield of the Trinity Sigil Sigillum Dei Sigil...
earlier Abrahamic myths as a symbol for the seductive draw of wisdom. This symbolism is reflected in various stories and parables, such as the tale of the...
canonizations by date Calendar of saints Doctor of the Church Patron saint Martyrology Roman Martyrology Saintsymbolism List of beatified people List of...
same way was Philip the Apostle. The cross of Saint Peter has also been used for non-Christian symbolism. A 19th-century occult leader Eugène Vintras [fr]...
art Christian icons Christian music Christian poetry Christian symbolismSaintsymbolism Crucifixion in the arts God the Father in Western art Holy Spirit...
Although the flag utilises the colours of the Pan-Africanist movement, the symbolism behind them is interpreted differently. The three islands later became...
with the divine names and attributes. Other well-known examples of rose symbolism in Sufism include: The Sufi master Jilani is known as "the Rose of Baghdad"...
cycle by Rubens Ivan Rutkovych Hindu iconography Urban iconography Saintsymbolism Metanarrative Eiland, Murray (2023-04-30). Picturing Roman Belief Systems:...
Horse symbolism is the study of the representation of the horse in mythology, religion, folklore, art, literature and psychoanalysis as a symbol, in its...
Ayyavazhi symbolism Baháʼí symbols Buddhist symbolism Christian symbolism Jewish symbolismSymbolism in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Symbols...
released an expansion kit containing more complex rules for adults. Saintsymbolism Icon Andachtsbilder Hasinoff, Erin L. (2011-11-22). Faith in Objects:...
images depicting Saint Sebastian have been adopted by the LGBT community. A combination of his strong, shirtless physique, the symbolism of the arrows penetrating...
Lotman in his chapter, 'The Symbolism of Saint Petersburg' in Universe and the Mind, these writers were inspired by symbolism from within the city itself...
Global Information
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). "Symbolism". Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company.
