Sword Symbols in Chrismons

Sword and scripture of St. Paul symbol based upon Ephesians 6:17.

       The Sword, in general sense, is the symbol of violent death or martyrdom. It is also the emblem of the soldier of Christ, who wields the "Sword of the Spirit."

Crossed swords of St. Paul. Two crossed swords mean that the soldier is ready
for a battle. If the swords are pointed down, it means that the battle has finished.

Pierced heart represents the presentation in the temple. ( or Candlemas).
The act of Divine love and service requires the sword to bear truth under
 all circumstances. This truth for Christ meant that He had to be made a living
 sacrifice. Jesus, is both King of angels and men and in being so his heart became
pierced with truth, purity and love. The wings are a reference to his
 kingship in Heaven.

Simple sword symbol.

Scripture References for Sword Chrismons:

• "Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." Ephesians 6:17 (NIV)
• "For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places." Ephesians 6:12 (NLT)
• "The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds." 2 Corinthians 10:4 (NIV)
• "From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty." Revelation 19:15 (ESV)
  

The Heart Symbol for Chrismons

Add a favorite scripture to the banner wrapped heart.

       The heart shape in its metaphorical or symbolic sense as the center of emotion, including affection and love, especially (but not exclusively) romantic love.

       The combination of the heart shape and its use within the heart metaphor developed at the end of the Middle Ages, although the shape has been used in many ancient epigraphy monuments and texts. With possible early examples or direct predecessors in the 13th to 14th century, the familiar symbol of the heart representing love developed in the 15th century, and became popular in Europe during the 16th. Before the 14th century, the heart shape was not associated with the meaning of the heart metaphor. The geometric shape itself is found in much earlier sources, but in such instances does not depict a heart, but typically foliage: in examples from antiquity fig leaves, and in medieval iconography and heraldry typically the leaves of ivy and of the water-lily.

Scripture References for Heart Chrismons:

• "But be very careful to keep the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you: to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to keep his commands, to hold fast to him and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul." Joshua 22:5 (NIV)
• "Blessed are those who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart." Psalm 119:2 (NIV)
• "Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord." Psalm 31:24 (NIV)
• "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV)

The Sacred Heart Symbols

       There are two Sacred Heart symbols here, on top is the symbol standing for Jesus. His heart is embraced by a thorny crown. This crown is an illusion to the crown of suffering worn by him during his humiliation before the cross. The flames coming from the heart symbolize Christ's passion for his people and The passion story relating to the last days of his life on Earth. 

       The sacred heart below belongs to Mary the mother of Jesus. We know this because of the lily that blooms through it's top and the crown of roses that encircle it's heart shape. Roses are often used in Christian symbolism to represent Mary. Lilies are symbolic of the Annunciation. Both symbols are distinct to Catholicism. 

The devotion to the Sacred Heart (also known as the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Sacratissimi Cordis Iesu in Latin) is one of the most widely practiced and well-known Roman Catholic devotions, taking Jesus Christ's physical heart as the representation of his divine love for humanity. Read more...

Scripture References for Sacred Heart Chrismons:

• "As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart." Proverbs 27:19 (NIV)
• "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." Psalm 51:10 (NIV)
• Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ Matthew 22:37 (NIV)
• "Blessed are those who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart." Psalm 119:2 (NIV)

Luther's Rose From 1530

Luther's Rose is always depicted as snow white or
 as having very pale shades of color reflected into it.

        The Luther rose was the seal that was designed for Martin Luther at the behest of Prince John Frederick, in 1530, while Luther was staying at the Coburg Fortress during the Diet of Augsburg.

In a July 8, 1530 letter to Lazarus Spengler, Luther interprets his seal:

Grace and peace from the Lord. As you desire to know whether my painted seal, which you sent to me, has hit the mark, I shall answer most amiably and tell you my original thoughts and reason about why my seal is a symbol of my theology. The first should be a black cross in a heart, which retains its natural color, so that I myself would be reminded that faith in the Crucified saves us. "For one who believes from the heart will be justified" (Romans 10:10). Although it is indeed a black cross, which mortifies and which should also cause pain, it leaves the heart in its natural color. It does not corrupt nature, that is, it does not kill but keeps alive. "The just shall live by faith" (Romans 1:17) but by faith in the crucified. Such a heart should stand in the middle of a white rose, to show that faith gives joy, comfort, and peace. In other words, it places the believer into a white, joyous rose, for this faith does not give peace and joy like the world gives (John 14:27). That is why the rose should be white and not red, for white is the color of the spirits and the angels (cf. Matthew 28:3; John 20:12). Such a rose should stand in a sky-blue field, symbolizing that such joy in spirit and faith is a beginning of the heavenly future joy, which begins already, but is grasped in hope, not yet revealed. And around this field is a golden ring, symbolizing that such blessedness in Heaven lasts forever and has no end. Such blessedness is exquisite, beyond all joy and goods, just as gold is the most valuable, most precious and best metal. This is my compendium theologiae [summary of theology]. I have wanted to show it to you in good friendship, hoping for your appreciation. May Christ, our beloved Lord, be with your spirit until the life hereafter. Amen.

Scripture Reference for Luther's Rose:

• "for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation." Romans 10:10 (NAS)

More About The Lutheran Rose:

• See the Lutheran Clip Art Index