4.6 Symbolism and Imagery

Question 1

What are some religious symbols used in Christianity?

Answer 1

• The cross
• The crucifix
• The ChiRho
• The Dove
• The Eagle
• The Four Evangelists
• Alpha and Omega
• The fish (Itchus)

Question 2

Why does the cross symbolise?

Answer 2

The cross is a symbol of Christianity but is also a symbol of love and forgivenbess, of Jesus’ sacrifice on a cross

Question 3

What does the crucifix symbolise?

Answer 3

The crucifix is a representation of Jesus on the cross, which of the Passion of Christ, a symbolo of his death for the sins of the world.

Question 4

What does the fish (Itchus) symbolise?

Answer 4

• The fish is used as a symbol for Christianity because fish regularly feature in the Gospels and some of the first disciples were fishermen.
• Also, the Greek for fish forms the first letters of ‘Jesus Christ, Saviour, Son of God, and so is a symbol pointing to deeper truths of Christianity
• Jesus often took fish and blessed it and shared it out, like in the Feeding of the 5000.

Question 5

What does the ChiRho symbolise?

Answer 5

• The ChiRho is a symbol formed from the first two letters of ‘Christ’ in Greek, and sometimes have a circle through them symbolising that Christ has risen from the dead.
• They are not used in worship and devotion today but for decoration in churches - on vestments and always on the Paschal candle, the candle which symbolises the light and life of resurrection.

Question 6

What does the dove symbolise?

Answer 6

• The dove is a symbol for the Holy Spirit, as seen at Christ’s baptism, and in the story of Noah’s Ark when a dove came to Noah holding an olive branch in its mouth to signify the end of the flood.
• “The Spirit comes down and remains in the purified hearts of the baptised….Christian iconography traditionally uses the dove to suggest the spirit” CCC 701

Question 7

What does the eagle symbolise?

Answer 7

• The eagle is a symbol in the scripture of the power and speed of God’s message, and is based on the prophet Isaiah’s cliam that those who wait on the Lord will rise up with wings like eagles.
• Some churches have eagles carved into their lecterns
  * “Those who wait on the Lord they shall renew their strength, and will mount up with wings like eagles” Isaiah 40:31*

Question 8

What do Alpha and Omega symbolise?

Answer 8

• Alpha and Omega are letters in the Greek alphabet and are symbols of Christ. They are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, and symbolise the eternal nature of Christ, as Christ said in Revelation that he was the first and last.

* “Do not be afraid; it is I, the First and Last…I am alive for ever and ever” Revelation 1:18

Question 9

What do the Four Evangelists symbolise?

Answer 9

• The four evangelists are symbolised in religious art as winged creatures carrying the gospels to the four corners of the globe.
• Matthew is symbolised as a winged man as he gospel stresses the incarnation of Jesus - God made man.
• Mark is symbolised as a winged lion, as his gospel shows Jesus as a courageous, miracle-working figure - a lion.
• Luke is symbolises as a winged ox as his gospel stresses the sacrifice of Christ, and oxen used to be offered as sacrifices.
• John is symbolised as a winged eagle. The soaring eagle symbolises God’s word as his Gospel speaks of Jesus as the ‘Word of God’

Question 10

How are symbols used?

Answer 10

• Catholics may display an ICTHUS on their
  car (1). These are the first letters of the
  words: Jesus Christ, God’s Son, Saviour (1)
• Catholics may wear a cross (1) An empty
  cross reminds them that Jesus did not stay
  on the cross but came back to life (1)
• Catholics will use the dove in paintings (1) to
  represent the Holy Spirit (1).