Christian Symbols & Meanings

[sparklekaz]

Christians have used symbols throughout history as a way to identify with each other. Here are the meanings of those symbols. They tell a story of how people throughout history have stood by their beliefs and pointed others to God.

Ichthus - Fish Symbol

This is one of the most popular symbols used in Christianity. It was first introduced as a way for people to know that you were a Christian. Say you lived a long time ago and saw someone walking around a marketplace. If you went up to that person and said, "Ichthus," they would either point you to a fish merchant or they would say "Ichthus!" back to you. If they said the word back to you, you then knew it was safe to have a conversation pertaining to Christian matters. The fish symbol was also used to let Christians know about a Bible study that was going to happen, if they saw the symbol above a household entrance.

Christian Colour Symbols

Blue: Heaven, wisdom
Pink: Joy
Red: Blood or love depending in which context it is used
White: Purity, cleanliness
Black: Sorrow
Gold: Wealth, importance

Cross Symbol

Reminds us of how Jesus died on the cross to save us all from sin. Sometimes you will see a plain cross or a cross with Jesus hanging upon it, which is called a "crucifix." It is believed that there are approximately 400 different forms of the cross, and that at least 50 of them are related to Christianity. Some forms pertaining to Christianity include:

Adorned Cross: Decorated with flowers, especially lilies. Very popular at Easter.

Anchor Cross: Symbol of faith and hope in Jesus Christ. We will not be moved from our beliefs in Him.

Aiguisee Cross: The pointed cross symbols Jesus' suffering.

Celtic Cross: A highly decorated cross used by Christians in Great Britain, Ireland, and other places. Once used to separate Protestants from Roman Catholics.

Animal Symbols

Animals are used throughout the Bible with literal and symbolic meanings. Some of the symbolism represented through animals includes:

Ant: A symbol of dedication and hard work. Ants cooperate to get a job done, like Christians work together for a common goal of spreading the Good News.

Birds: A symbol of the human spirit. The Dove is often connected with things pertaining to God's direct interaction with humans.

Butterfly: A symbol of the resurrection. It represents a Christian life: caterpillar - life, cocoon - death, butterfly - resurrection. It is also a reminder that God made all things by making two separate creatures out of one. We are one with Christ, though separate in physical being.

Donkey: A symbol of prophecy fulfilled.

Sheep: A symbol of Christians. We are the sheep, Jesus is the Good Shepherd who takes care of us all.

[jessiethecorgi]

Several weeks ago a dove flew straight at me and quickly turned around at the point where my neck was the most comfortable looking up at it. i knew that God had taken me into his bosom. This happened a few hours after i was chatting about changing my identity to a dove on the chat room. Thank you God and thank you Godlight.

[holistichealer]

Kaz:

Another variation on the Fish symbol I heard was the following:

When two people approached each other and stood across from each other, one would casually draw a curved line with the toe of his or her foot in front of them. (If you can imagine a line drawn like, "Don't cross this line in the sand.", kind of line, but curved instead of straight, so that the curve, curves around them slightly.)

If the second person was Christian, they would know to respond in kind, drawing a curved line in front of themselves, but one that was beyond, or inside of the first, forming a symbol similar to a fish as they did.