40 Symbols of Christianity: What They All Represent
Christian symbols are visual representations used to express ideas and beliefs related to the Christian faith. Before doing this research, I had no idea how many there actually are!
I am sure this is not an exhaustive list of all the symbols used in Christianity, but here are some of the more common Christian symbols and what they represent:
40 Symbols of the Christian Faith
1. The cross: The cross is the most well-known Christian symbol. It represents the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, who is the Son of God and the Savior of the world.
Jesus was crucified on a cross, suffering and dying as a sacrifice for the sins of humanity. Jesus was resurrected from the dead and ascended into heaven, defeating death and offering salvation to all who believe in Him.
The cross is often worn as a symbol of faith and devotion. The cross is a powerful reminder of the love and sacrifice of Jesus, and it is a symbol of hope and salvation for Christians around the world.
2. The fish: The fish symbol, also known as the Ichthys, is a simple drawing of two intersecting arcs that form the outline of a fish. It was used as a secret symbol by early Christians to identify themselves to one another, particularly during times of persecution when it was dangerous to openly practice their faith.
The Greek word for fish, “ichthys,” which is an acronym for “Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior.” It is now used to represent the Christian faith.
3. The dove: The dove is a symbol of the Holy Spirit and is often associated with the story of Jesus’ baptism, when the Holy Spirit descended upon him in the form of a dove.
4. The anchor: The anchor is a symbol of hope and stability, and is often used to represent the Christian faith.
5. The lamb: The lamb is a symbol of Jesus, who is referred to as the Lamb of God in the Bible. It is often used to represent Jesus’ sacrifice for humanity.
6. The alpha and omega: The first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, alpha and omega are often used to represent the beginning and the end, and are used to symbolize the eternal nature of God. Jesus called Himself the Alpha and Omega in the book of Revelation.
7. The crown of thorns: The crown of thorns is a symbol of Jesus’ suffering and death on the cross. It is often used to represent the sacrifice Jesus made for humanity.
8. The chalice: The chalice is a cup that is used to hold the wine during the Christian sacrament of Holy Communion. It is often used as a symbol of Jesus’ sacrifice and the presence of the Holy Spirit in the Eucharist.
9. The empty tomb: The empty tomb represents the resurrection of Jesus Christ. He was laid in a tomb after His crucifixion, but the tomb was found empty on the third day.
10. The Bible: The Bible is often used as a symbol of the Christian faith, as it contains the teachings and stories that form the basis of Christian belief. The Bible is the Word of God.
11. The sacred heart: The sacred heart is a symbol of the love of Jesus for humanity. It is often depicted as a flaming heart surrounded by a crown of thorns, with a cross or cross-shaped wound above it.
12. The lily: The lily is often used as a symbol of purity and innocence, and is often associated with the Virgin Mary.
13. The olive branch: The olive branch is a symbol of peace and is often associated with the story of Noah and the flood, when a dove returned to the ark with an olive branch in its beak, signifying the end of the flood and the start of a new era of peace.
14. The vine: The vine is often used as a symbol of Jesus, who referred to himself as the “true vine” in the Bible. It is also used to represent the Christian community, which is often referred to as the “vineyard of God.”
15. The pelican: The pelican is a symbol of self-sacrifice and is often used to represent Jesus and his sacrifice for humanity. In medieval legends, it was believed that pelicans would pierce their own breasts to feed their young with their own blood.
16. The rose: The rose is a symbol of love and is often associated with the Virgin Mary and the love of Jesus for humanity. It is also used to represent the resurrection of Jesus and the hope of eternal life.
17. The labyrinth: The labyrinth is a complex, winding path that is often used as a symbol of the journey of life or the search for spiritual enlightenment.
In the Christian tradition, the labyrinth is often used as a way to symbolize the journey of the soul towards God, and it is sometimes used as a tool for prayer and reflection.
18. The cross with wings: The cross with wings is a symbol that combines the cross, a symbol of Jesus’ death and resurrection, with wings, a symbol of the ascension of Jesus into heaven.
19. The lamb holding a banner: The lamb holding a banner is a symbol of Jesus, who is referred to as the Lamb of God in the Bible. The banner often bears the inscription “Agnus Dei,” which means “Lamb of God” in Latin.
20. The dove with an olive branch: The dove with an olive branch is a symbol of peace and is often associated with the story of Noah and the flood, when a dove returned to the ark with an olive branch in its beak, signifying the end of the flood and the start of a new era of peace.
21. The fish and loaves: The fish and loaves are a symbol of Jesus’ miracle of feeding the five thousand with just five loaves of bread and two fish.
22. The good shepherd: The good shepherd is a symbol of Jesus, who is referred to as the Good Shepherd in the Bible. It is often depicted as a shepherd carrying a lamb on his shoulders.
23. The rainbow: The rainbow is a symbol of the covenant God made with humanity and the earth, that He would never again flood the earth.
24. The Chi Rho: The Chi Rho is a symbol that combines the Greek letters “chi” and “rho,” which are the first two letters of the word “Christ” in Greek.
25. The dove with a halo: The dove with a halo is a symbol that combines the dove, a symbol of the Holy Spirit, with the halo, a symbol of holiness and divine nature.
26. The Holy Family: The Holy Family is a symbol that represents the family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. It is often used to represent the importance of family in the Christian faith.
27. The nimbus: The nimbus is a circular symbol that is often depicted around the heads of saints and other holy figures in Christian art. It represents the holiness and divine nature of the person depicted.
28. The star of Bethlehem: The star of Bethlehem is a symbol that represents the star that is believed to have appeared in the sky at the time of Jesus’ birth, guiding the wise men to his birthplace. It is often used to represent the birth of Jesus and the hope of salvation.
29. The pelican in her piety: The Pelican in her Piety is a symbol that represents the self-sacrifice of the pelican, which is believed to pierce its own breast to feed its young with its own blood. It is often used to represent Jesus and his sacrifice for humanity.
30. The dove and olive branch: The dove and olive branch is a symbol of peace and is often associated with the story of Noah and the flood, when a dove returned to the ark with an olive branch in its beak, signifying the end of the flood and the start of a new era of peace.
31. The cross and crown: The cross and crown is a symbol that represents the victory of Jesus over death through his death and resurrection on the cross. It is often used to represent the hope of salvation through faith in Jesus.
32. The Jesus fish: The Jesus fish is a symbol that combines the fish symbol, which was used by early Christians to identify themselves to one another, with the name of Jesus. It is often used to represent the Christian faith.
33. The palm branch: The palm branch is a symbol of victory and is often used to represent the triumph of Jesus over death and the hope of eternal life.
34. The shield of faith: The shield of faith is a symbol that represents the protection and strength that faith in Jesus can provide. It is often depicted as a shield with a cross on it.
35. The thumb and fingers: The thumb and fingers is a symbol that represents the five wounds of Jesus, which he suffered during his crucifixion. It is often used to represent the sacrifice Jesus made for humanity.
36. The Trinity knot: The Trinity knot is a symbol that represents the Christian doctrine of the Holy Trinity, which holds that God exists as three persons in one: the Father, the Son (Jesus), and the Holy Spirit.
37. The Jerusalem cross: The Jerusalem cross is a cross with four smaller crosses surrounding it, representing the four gospels of the New Testament. It is often used to represent the spread of the Christian faith from Jerusalem.
38. The wheat and grapes: The wheat and grapes are symbols that represent the Christian sacrament of Holy Communion, in which bread and wine are used to represent the body and blood of Jesus.
39. The shield of David: The shield of David, also known as the Star of David, is a symbol that is associated with the Jewish tradition and is often used to represent the connection between Judaism and Christianity.
40. The lighted candle: The lighted candle is a symbol that represents the light of Jesus and the hope of salvation. It is often used in Christian worship and devotion.
