The candelabra symbol, Christ and His church, the light of true doctrine, with seven branches, references the seven Churches in the Book of Revelation.
Scriptural References for Seven Candles in Chrismons:
"You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put
it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house." Matthew 5:14-15 (NIV)
"But if we live in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship
with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, cleanses us from all
sin. If we claim to be already free from sin, we lead ourselves astray and the truth has no place in our hearts.If we confess our sins, He is so faithful and just that He forgives us our sins and cleanses us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:7-9 (WNT)
"Where can I go to escape Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? If I go up to heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, You are there. If I live at the eastern horizon or settle at the western limits, even there Your hand will lead me; Your right hand will hold on to me. If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me, and the light around me will be night"-- even the darkness is not dark to You. The night shines like the day; darkness and light are alike to You." Psalm 139:7-12 (HCSB)
"to open their eyes, so they may turn from darkness to light and from the
power of Satan to God. Then they will receive forgiveness for their
sins and be given a place among God's people, who are set apart by faith
in me.' Acts 26:18 (NLT)
'But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people
for God's own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you
out of darkness into His marvelous light." 1 Peter 2:9 (BSB)
"I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and
patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos
because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. On the Lord's Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet,which said: "Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven
churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia
and Laodicea." Revelation 1: 9-11 (NIV)
A traditional Jewish Menorah.
The original menorah was made for the Tabernacle, and the Bible records it as being present until the Israelites crossed the Jordan river. When the Tabernacle tent was pitched in Shiloh (Joshua 18:1), it is assumed that the menorah was also present. However, no mention is made of it during the years that the Ark of the Covenant was moved in the times of Samuel and Saul. There is no further mention of the menorah in Solomon's temple, except in (1 Kings 7:49) and (2 Chronicles 4:7)
as he creates ten lampstands. These are recorded as being taken away to
Babylon by the invading armies under the general Nebuzar-Adan (Jeremiah 52:19) some centuries later.
An ancient Christian oil lamp with the initials of
Christ (Chi-Rho) and two fish sculpted on it's surface.
An oil lamp is an object used to produce light continuously for a
period of time using an oil-based fuel source. The use of oil lamps
began thousands of years ago and continues to this day, although not
commonly anymore. Here there are two ancient oil lamp illustrations that you may use for Chrismon patterns. They are actual drawings of early Christian lamps.
Early oil lamps were often used by Christians to symbolize the wisdom, enlightenment and spiritual knowledge gained by exposure to Christ's teaching.
This ancient lamp depicts a shepherd with a lamb over his shoulders
and grapes surrounding the vignette. Both are examples of early
Christian art in Rome.
Antique bronze oil lamp with the "Chi Rho",
a Christian symbol (replica)
Scripture References for Lamp Chrismons:
"Thy word is a lamp to my feet, And a light to my path." Psalm 119:105 (NASB)
"the people who sat in darkness saw a great light, to those who sat in the region and shadow of death, to them light has dawned." Matthew 4:16 (WEB)
"Then Jesus spoke out again, "I am the light of the world. The one who
follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of
life." John 8:12 (NET Bible)
"Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. " Ephesians 5:14 (KJB)
"And I have seen that wisdom excels folly as far as light excels darkness." Ecclesiastes 2:13 (Jubilee Bible 2000)
The sun is a favorite emblem of the middle ages, doubtless intended to show our LORD as the Sol Justitiae. Very frequently the Sun appears, surrounded by stars, on a vault or ceiling. On either side of the Crucifixion the sun and moon usually appear, more often than not with human faces.
The characteristics of the sun, as distinguished from the star, are the larger centre, and almost universally the alteration of straight and waved rays. The exception to this rule may be seen in the roses en soleil, which are drawn with straight rays.
Scripture References for the Sun Symbol Chrismon:
"All who confess that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God." 1 John 4:15 (NKT)
"For God so loved the world that He gave the only begotten Son, so that
everyone believing in Him should not perish, but should have eternal
life" John 3:16 (BLB)
"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will
be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty
God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6 (NIV)
