cross, the principal symbol of the Christian religion, recalling the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ and the redeeming benefits of his Passion and death. The cross is thus a sign both of Christ himself and of the faith of Christians.
Three important symbols are the cross, fish, and the Greek letters alpha and omega.
The Greek letters for ichthus (meaning “fish”, pronounced “ICK-THOOS”) became an acronym: I=Jesus; X=Christ; O=God's; Y=Son; E=Savior. Today, the person who displays the fish symbol has accepted the same New Testament teaching that these early Christians accepted: that Jesus Christ is their Lord and Savior.
The fish is based on the first letters of the Greek words for Jesus Christ. The Greek word for fish is 'Ichthus', which is also an acronym for Jesus. The Greek, 'Iesous CHristos THeou Uios Soter' translates in English to, 'Jesus Christ, Son of God, Saviour'.
With the story of the birth of Christ coinciding with this date, many Christian symbols for Christ use the astrological symbol for Pisces, the fishes. The figure Christ himself bears many of the temperaments and personality traits of a Pisces, and is thus considered an archetype of the Piscean.
History of Christian symbols
The original symbol of the early Christians was not the cross, but the monogram of Christ XP (first letters Chi and Rho of the Greek orthography ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ "Christ"). Moreover, at that time the followers of Jesus used a stylised fish as a secret sign to identify themselves as Christians.
The first two letters of the name of Jesus in Greek, iota (Ι) and eta (Η), sometime superimposed one on the other, or the numeric value 18 of ΙΗ in Greek, was a well known and very early way to represent Christ. This symbol was already explained in the Epistle of Barnabas and by Clement of Alexandria.
Alpha and Omega: Represents God, the beginning and the end. Three interwoven circles: Represents the Trinity. A circle has no beginning or end, so it signifies the eternal nature of God. The interweaving of the three circles symbolizes the equality among God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.
Jesus' name in Hebrew was “Yeshua” which translates to English as Joshua.
The Lion and the Lamb
The scriptures refer to Jesus Christ as both the Lamb and the Lion (Isa. 31:4; Hosea 5:14; Rev. 5:5). That is to say, Jesus Christ has qualities that remind us of these two animals.
cross, the principal symbol of the Christian religion, recalling the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ and the redeeming benefits of his Passion and death. The cross is thus a sign both of Christ himself and of the faith of Christians.
The star is one of the most recognizable symbols of the holiday. It represents the star that appeared in the sky when Jesus Christ was born. Five years before Jesus was born, Samuel the Lamanite prophesied of the signs of the Savior's birth, including the appearance of a bright new star (see Helaman 14:5).
In early Christian history, the ichthys symbol held "the most sacred significance." It has been claimed that Christians used it to recognize churches and other believers during a time when they faced persecution in the Roman Empire.
The story of the Star of Bethlehem appears only in the Book of Matthew. The gospel tells us that a bright star appeared in the eastern sky when Jesus was born, famously seen by a group of wise men. These biblical “Magi,” sometimes called kings, now adorn nativity scenes around the world.
CANDLES AND CHRISTMAS LIGHTS: Candles and Christmas lights represent Christ, the Light of the World. Candles and Christmas lights also remind us that we are to be light to others, to show them the way to Christ. BELLS: Bells were part of the Jewish high priest's garb.
The date of birth of Jesus is not stated in the gospels or in any historical sources, but most biblical scholars generally accept a date of birth between 6 BC and 4 BC, the year in which King Herod died.
Today, the cross is the universal symbol of Christianity. It was not always so. In the early centuries after the time of Jesus Christ, there were other symbols: a dove, a ship, an anchor and a lyre.
The initialism INRI (Latin: Iesus Nazarenus, Rex Iudaeorum) represents the Latin inscription (in John 19:19), which in English translates to "Jesus the Nazarene, King of the Jews", and John 19:20 states that this was written in three languages—Hebrew, Latin, and Greek—during the crucifixion of Jesus.
The cross is a universal symbol for the Christian faith and a reminder of Christ's death and resurrection.
Often the first symbols we relate to faith are the cross, angel, or Star of David; however, there are many lesser known symbols. Below is a list of other sacred and thoughtful symbolic gift ideas that bring faith and blessing to any occasion.
A symbol is a token or sign. While the word symbol does not appear in the Bible, both the Old and New Testaments are rich in symbolism and symbolic language whether it be through colours, numbers, actions, or objects. The universal and supreme symbol of the Christian faith is the cross, an instrument of execution.
Why is Jesus called Lion of the tribe of Judah? Jesus is often referred to as the Lion of the tribe of Judah by those that follow the Christian religion because it is believed that he is a great leader and he will come back a second time to gather his followers.
The Christ-lion, the Lion of Judah, is a beacon of light, courage, bravery, agility and dignity. And he is a fighter, symbolic of the line of David and of Kings. Jesus descended from the tribe of Judah and is mentioned as being the Lion of Judah in Revelation. The role of the Lion of Judah links to the destiny of man.
Jesus is called the Lion of Judah who has triumphed. Jesus has triumphed over temptation and sin, over pain and suffering, over fear, over death and even over the Devil himself. Jesus is the Lion who retreats before nothing!