Gladiolus Symbol for ''The Word Made Flesh''

The floral family of Iridaceae: Gladiolus,
Iris and Crocus is used to symbolize
the Incarnation.

       Somewhat less common than the lily, the Gladiolus was also a floral symbol used in earlier churches to signify the Incarnation. (according to Webber) Gladiolus sometimes where used in place of the iris because both are Iridaceae. Crocus are also Iridaceae and may be found in the margins of medieval illuminated texts/Bibles as well. All three flowers have three true petals, three sepals and three stamens. So it appears that the repetition of three is of greater significance in the choice of a blossom used to depict the incarnation, because the number three is also a reminder of the trinitarian nature of God.

Scriptures That Reference The Incarnation:

• ''Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life.'' John 3:16
• ''So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father's one and only Son.''John 1:14
• ''Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he created the universe.'' Hebrews 1:1-2
• ''But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children.'' Galatians 4:4-5
• ''All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will Give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means 'God is with us'). Isaiah 7:14
  
• This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: ''Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners'' - and I am the worst of them all. But God hand mercky on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst of sinners. Then others will realize that they too, can believe in him and receive eternal life. All honor and glory to God forever and ever! He is the eternal King, the unssen one who never dies; he alone is God. Amen. 1 Timothy 1: 15-17

The Daisy Symbol for A Chrismon Tree

The daisy reminds us of
the innocence of the
holy child, Jesus.

       ''The daisy symbol, usually shown in a slightly conventionalized form as it is above, is a symbol of the innocence of the Holy Christ Child.'' Webber

Scriptures To Learn In Reference to The Daisy Symbol: How do we know Jesus was born Holy as in consecrated to God? and also wholly as in fully innocent?

1. Isaiah gives prophecy of the Messiah in explicit details chapter 52-53. He says that his virgin mother will call her son Immanuel which means, God with us, quite literally. Isaiah then prophesied what only a holy child of God could even look like or do...

• But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:5

2. The miraculous virgin birth is like no other because Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit and of a human mother. He was born because God planned him to enter the world of the flesh that way. God gave Jesus a unique and original DNA.

• But the angel said to her, ''Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob's descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.'' Luke 1:30-33

3. Elisabeth's unborn child, John the baptist, recognized the Jesus for who he was before he was even born. He leapt for joy in his mother's womb and she, his mother, was filled with the Holy Spirit.

• When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Luke 1:41

4. God planned for him to die for the sins of the world. Only an innocent son could die for sin that belongs to someone else because . . .  he cannot die for sin he does not possess. The transference of guilt takes place. So happens, the blood atonement.

• ''For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.'' Leviticus 17: 11

5. Joseph stands corrected by an angel! God did not allow Joseph, Mary's betrothed to keep believing that her child was ordinary and conceived the way that a fallen Adam and Eve conceived their own offspring.

• But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ''Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.'' Matthew 1:20

6. Herod not acting in fear of evil but in fear of the innocent. Even a sinner like King Herod believed that only a special child would be predicted by the old prophets of scripture, to be born the Messiah. So he was forced to kill innocent babes in order to try and defeat Jesus. 

• When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. Matthew 2:16

7. Only servants of a Holy Child, Jesus, could so boldly preach, participate in miracles and perform signs and wonders successfully. The disciples of Jesus were convinced beyond the shadow of a doubt that their leader could defeat evil in any person, demon or experience they were familiar with.

• ''By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of they holy child Jesus.'' Acts 4:30

Lilium Candidum Symbol of The Annunciation

       Over time many flowers have been used inside the church to designate something, an event or person in scripture. Both medieval scribes, and then much later the Victorians, maintained religious floral symbolism in their liturgical traditions, illuminations and paintings. One of the most consistently used floral symbols still used today is the lily.
       ''The Lilium Candidum'' is a popular symbol of the Annunciation. In many pictures of the Annunciation it is shown, either growing in a pot, or else held in the hand of the Virgin or the Angel Gabriel. As a rule it is stamenless, and my even have a tiny flame of fire resting upon it.'' Webber 

Scriptures To Learn In Reference to The Lily Symbol:

• ''And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin'a name was Mary. And the angel come in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee:blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.'' Luke 1:26-28

The painting of the Annunciation by Leonardo Da Vinci depicts an angel giving to Mary,
mother of Jesus, a lily. This is never described in the Bible, however, it is a very old
symbol designated by Christian artists in the church to symbolize the event. 

 

Three Additional Fleur-De-Lys Patterns for Chrismons...

Description of Clip Art:  heraldic art, christian symbols, spear-heads, iris shapes, French

Have a question about the illustration? Just type it in the comment box and I'll get back to you as soon as possible. I only publish content that is closely related to the subject folks.

Ancient Laurel Crown Symbolism

God The Father presents the victory laurel crown to Christ,
the Holy Spirit symbol is in the center of it.

The Divine Hand presenting a Crown to The Infant Jesus.
This crown is the form of an ancient Roman symbol.

Scripture References for Laurel Chrismons:

• "For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory." Deuteronomy 20:4 (NIV)
• "For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith.
  " 1 John 5:4 (NLT)
• “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Corinthians 15:55-57 (ESV)

The Chi Rho (/ˈkaɪ ˈroʊ/; also known as chrismon) is one of the earliest forms
 of christogram, formed by superimposing the first two (capital)
letters—chi and rho (ΧΡ)—of the Greek word ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ (Christos)
 in such a way that the vertical stroke of the rho intersects the center of the chi.

 

A laurel crown refers to victory. It is an
ancient crown symbol, not as popular as
the medieval Christian crown symbols
depicted in Chrismon trees, but a crown
often attributed to Christ by ancient
 believers in Rome.

         A laurel wreath is a circular wreath made of interlocking branches and leaves of the bay laurel (Laurus nobilis), an aromatic broadleaf evergreen, or later from spineless butcher's broom (Ruscus hypoglossum) or cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus). In Greek mythology, Apollo is represented wearing a laurel wreath on his head. In ancient Greece wreaths were awarded to victors, both in athletic competitions, including the ancient Olympics made of wild olive-tree known as "kotinos" (κότινος), (sc. at Olympia) and in poetic meets; in Rome they were symbols of martial victory, crowning a successful commander during his triumph. Whereas ancient laurel wreaths are most often depicted as a horseshoe shape, modern versions are usually complete rings. Read more...

• Read about the diadem in ancient cultures
• Wreath it's use and meaning in ancient visual culture

 

Lion and Palm Leaves Chrismon

        Lions during the Middle Ages were sometimes used to symbolically represent Jesus' Resurrection (because lions were believed to sleep with open eyes, a comparison with Christ in the tomb), and Christ as king. Although science has proven this idea, lion's sleeping with eyes open, to be a myth, the tradition of associating lions with Christ prevails for a wide variety of reasons that continue to prevail. 

        I've combined this stained glass lion from Heraldry and palms leaves to represent Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem one week prior his crucifixion.

Scriptural References for This Lion and Palm Leaf Chrismon Combination:

• "Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity.  Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD." Psalm 118:25,26 (KJB)
• "And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” Matthew 21:9 (ESV)
  

The Crown of Martyrdom

       The Palm, in Christian art, is the symbol of martyrdom when combined with a crown. It is often found on the tombs of the early martyrs, and belongs to any saint who has suffered death in the cause of Christ. These saints are known to God the Father even if we do not know who they are. There have been many peoples around the world who have suffered this kind of death.

2nd example of the same crown of the martyrs.

Scriptural References for The Crown of Martyrdom:

• "When the Lamb broke the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God, and because of the testimony which they had maintained;" Revelation 6:9 (NASB)
• "They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated..." Hebrews 11:37 (NASB)
• "so that the blood of all the prophets, shed since the foundation of the world, may be charged against this generation, from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the house of God; yes, I tell you, it shall be charged against this generation.'' Luke 11: 50-51 (NASB)
• "'Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life." Revelation 2:10 (NASB)
• ""They will make you outcasts from the synagogue, but an hour is coming for everyone who kills you to think that he is offering service to God." John 16:2 (NASB)
• ""Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name." Matthew 24:9 (NASB)
• "Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him." James 1:12 (ESV)
  

Dove With An Olive Branch Chrismon

 
       Tertullian (c.160 - c.220) compared Noah's dove in the Hebrew Bible, who "announced to the world the assuagement of divine wrath, when she had been sent out of the ark and returned with the olive branch". with the Holy Spirit in baptism "bringing us the peace of God, sent out from the heavens". In his 4th century Latin translation of the story of Noah, St Jerome rendered "leaf of olive" (Hebrew alay zayit) in Genesis 8:11 as "branch of olive" (Latin ramum olivae). In the 5th century, by which time a dove with an olive branch had become established as a Christian symbol of peace, St Augustine wrote in On Christian Doctrine that, "perpetual peace is indicated by the olive branch (oleae ramusculo) which the dove brought with it when it returned to the ark." However, in Jewish tradition there is no reference to an olive branch in the story of the Flood and no association of the olive leaf with peace.

Scripture References for The Dove of Peace:

• "And the dove came to him at eventide; and behold, in her beak was an olive-leaf plucked off; and Noah knew that the waters had become low on the earth." Genesis 8:11 (DBT)
  

Grape Patterns for Chrismon Trees

A greyscale of grapes and a leaf.

              In Christian iconography, the grape vine or vineyard frequently appears in scripture:

• In the Bible, grapes are first mentioned when Noah grows them on his farm (Genesis 9:20–21).
• Instructions concerning wine are given in the book of Proverbs and in the book of Isaiah, such as in Proverbs 20:1 and Isaiah 5:20–25. 
• Deuteronomy 18:3–5,14:22–27,16:13–15 tell of the use of wine during Jewish feasts.
• The parable of the kingdom of heaven likened to the father starting to engage laborers for his vineyard. Matthew 20:1-16
• The vine is used as symbol of Jesus Christ based on his own statement, “I am the vine.” John 15:5
• The vine as symbol of the chosen people is employed several times in the Old Testament. Joel 1:7, Isaiah 5:1-7, Psalms 80:8-11
• The vine and wheat ear have been frequently used as symbol of the blood and flesh of Christ, hence figuring as symbols (bread and wine) of the Eucharist/Communion. Luke 22:15

A simple pattern of grapes and one large leaf.

Scripture References for Grape Chrismons:

• "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed." Isaiah 53:5 (KJB)
• "And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer." Luke 22:15 (ESV)
• "So Jesus said again, "I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you cannot have eternal life within you. But anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise that person at the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. I live because of the living Father who sent me; in the same way, anyone who feeds on me will live because of me. I am the true bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will not die as your ancestors did (even though they ate the manna) but will live forever." John 6:53-58 (NLT)

More About Symbolism of Grapes, Wine and Vineyards:

• The history of Israel under the symbolism of a vine 
• The Symbolism of Vine in Scripture
• Significance of the Vine Motif in John Chapter 15 
• I Am The Vine, You Are The Branches...
• The Vine and the Branches

Olive Branch Chrismon Pattern

The olive-branch is the emblem of reconciliation and peace. Noah was sent an olive leaf by the LORD in the mouth of a dove, after the waters of the Great Flood had receded. Genesis 8:11.

       The olive branch is a symbol of peace or victory and was historically worn by brides and virgins. This symbol, deriving from the customs of ancient Greece, is best known in Western culture. However, it can be found in almost every culture and religion in the Mediterranean basin.
       The olive branch appears with a dove in early Christian art. The dove derives from the simile of the Holy Spirit in the Gospels and the olive branch from classical symbolism. The early Christians, according to Winckelmann, often allegorized peace on their sepulchers by the figure of a dove bearing an olive branch in its beak. For example, in the Catacomb of Priscilla in Rome (2nd – 5th centuries CE) there is a depiction of three men (traditionally taken to be Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego of the Book of Daniel) over whom hovers a dove with a branch; and in another of the Roman catacombs there is a shallow relief sculpture showing a dove with a branch flying to a figure marked in Greek ΕΙΡΗΝΗ (Eirene, or Peace).

Scriptural References About Olive Branch Chrismons:

• "But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God. I trust in the steadfast love of God forever and ever." Psalm 52:8 (ESV)
• "But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree," Romans 11:17 (ESV)
• "his shoots shall spread out; his beauty shall be like the olive, and his fragrance like Lebanon." Hosea 14:6 (ESV)

A Shamrock Chrismon Symbol

       Trefoil (from Latin trifolium, "three-leaved plant", French trèfle, Italian trifoglio, German Dreiblatt and Dreiblattbogen, Dutch klaver, "clover", same as clubs) is a graphic form composed of the outline of three overlapping rings used in architecture and Christian symbolism. The term is also applied to other symbols of three-fold shape.

       Traditionally, shamrock is said to have been used by Saint Patrick to illustrate the Christian doctrine of the Holy Trinity when Christianizing Ireland in the 5th century. The first evidence of a link between St Patrick and the shamrock appears in 1675 on the St Patrick's Coppers or Halpennies. These appear to show a figure of St Patrick preaching to a crowd while holding a shamrock, presumably to explain the doctrine of the Holy Trinity. In pagan Ireland, three was a significant number and the Irish had many triple deities, which could have aided St Patrick in his evangelization efforts. Patricia Monaghan states that "There is no evidence that the clover or wood sorrel (both of which are called shamrocks) were sacred to the Celts". However, Jack Santino speculates that "The shamrock was probably associated with the earth and assumed by the druids to be symbolic of the regenerative powers of nature ... Nevertheless, the shamrock, whatever its history as a folk symbol, today has its meaning in a Christian context. Pictures of Saint Patrick depict him driving the snakes out of Ireland with a cross in one hand and a sprig of shamrocks in the other." Roger Homan writes, "We can perhaps see St Patrick drawing upon the visual concept of the triskele when he uses the shamrock to explain the Trinity".

       The first written mention of the link does not appear until 1681, in the account of Thomas Dineley, an English traveller to Ireland. Dineley writes:

"The 17th day of March yeerly is St Patricks, an immoveable feast, when ye Irish of all stations and condicions were crosses in their hatts, some of pinns, some of green ribbon, and the vulgar superstitiously wear shamroges, 3 leav'd grass, which they likewise eat (they say) to cause a sweet breath."

       There is nothing in Dineley's account of the legend of St. Patrick using the shamrock to teach the mystery of the Holy Trinity, and this story does not appear in writing anywhere until a 1726 work by the botanist Caleb Threlkeld. Threlkeld identifies the shamrock as White Field Clover (Trifolium pratense album ) and comments rather acerbically on the custom of wearing the shamrock on St. Patrick's Day:

"This plant is worn by the people in their hats upon the 17. Day of March yearly, (which is called St. Patrick's Day.) It being a current tradition, that by this Three Leafed Grass, he emblematically set forth to them the Mystery of the Holy Trinity. However that be, when they wet their Seamar-oge, they often commit excess in liquor, which is not a right keeping of a day to the Lord; error generally leading to debauchery."

• Scriptural References for The Holy Trinity here

St. Patrick's Shamrock Symbol.

Sheaves of Wheat for a Chrismon Tree

In the Bible, sheaves of wheat are symbolic for the
 maturing of love or the development of charity.

       A sheaf is a bundle of cereal plant stems bound together after harvesting, or reaping. The sheaves are bound using the stem material and are stacked together in a stook with the stems vertical and the seed heads aligned; this keeps the heads off the ground, allows the grain to dry, discourages vermin, makes the crop easier to pick up and is convenient for winnowing or threshing. Reaping is the cutting of grain or pulse for harvest, typically using a scythe or sickle. Grass for hay was also sheaved and stacked to dry in the field in this way but is now usually mechanically windrowed and baled.
      Sheaves as apposed to singular stalks imply groups, tribes or churches. Singular stalk Chrismons usually are references to the Holy Communion. Just as the sheaves of wheat represented not only Joseph's brothers but their tribes as well in Genesis, so do sheave imagery represent entire groups of faithful believers as apposed to one single, individual believer.

Scripture References for Sheaves of Wheat Chrismon:

• "For, behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and, behold, my sheaf arose and also stood upright; and, behold, your sheaves stood round about and made obeisance to my sheaf.
  " Genesis 37:7 (Jubilee Bible 2000)
• "Thy navel is like a round goblet, which wanteth not liquor: thy belly is like an heap of wheat set about with lilies." Song of Solomon 7:2 (KJV)
• ""Give the following instructions to the people of Israel. When you enter the land I am giving you and you harvest its first crops, bring the priest a bundle of grain from the first cutting of your grain harvest. On the day after the Sabbath, the priest will lift it up before the LORD so it may be accepted on your behalf." Leviticus 23:10-11 (NLT)
• "But now Christ has been raised out from the dead, the firstfruit of those having fallen asleep.
  " 1 Corinthians 15:20 (BLB)
• "And the feast of harvest, the firstfruits of thy labours, which thou hast sown in the field: and the feast of ingathering, which is in the end of the year, when thou hast gathered in thy labours out of the field." Exodus 23:16 (KJV)

Pictured with this wheat are tools for the harvest.

An alternative 'Sheaves of Wheat' design.

Read & Learn More About:

• The Wave Sheaf Offering 
• The Threshingfloor
• Spiritual Meaning of Wheat from Bible Meanings  

A church community comes together to decorate their 

Chrismon tree with handmade ornaments.

Harvest Hymns and Worship Songs:

• Seasons Worship Song
• We See The Fruitful Harvest

The Thistle Symbol

       The Thistle is symbolic for chivalry and long suffering endurance. Over time, the meaning of chivalry has been refined to emphasize social and moral virtues more generally. However, the code of chivalry, as it stood by the Late Middle Ages, was a moral system which combined a warrior ethos, knightly piety, and courtly manners, all conspiring to establish a notion of honor and nobility.

       Understanding this medieval definition of chivalry is very important when interpreting the symbolism behind the thistle. Royal families in both Scotland and France have long associated the symbol with their own heraldry because of it's links to chivalry.

       In origin, the term chivalry means "horsemanship", formed in Old French, in the 11th century, from chevalier (horseman, knight), from Medieval Latin caballārius. The French word chevalier originally means "a man of aristocratic standing, and probably of noble ancestry, who is capable, if called upon, of equipping himself with a war horse and the arms of heavy cavalryman and who has been through certain rituals that make him what he is". In English, the term appears from 1292 (note that cavalry is from the Italian form of the same word).

       The meaning of the term evolved over time because the word chevalier was used differently in the Middle Ages, from the original concrete military meaning "status or fee associated with military follower owning a war horse" or "a group of mounted knights" to the ideal of the Christian warrior ethos propagated in the Romance genre, which was becoming popular during the 12th century, and the ideal of courtly love propagated in the contemporary Minnesang and related genres. Thus, chivalry has hierarchical meanings from simply a heavily armed horseman to a code of conduct.

       The ideas of chivalry originated in three medieval works: the anonymous poem Ordene de Chevalerie, that tells the story of how Hugh II of Tiberias was captured and released upon his agreement to show Saladin (1138-1193) the ritual of Christian knighthood, the Libre del ordre de cavayleria, written by Ramon Lull (1232-1315), whose subject is knighthood, and the Livre de Chevalerie of Geoffroi de Charny (1300-1356), which examines the qualities of knighthood, emphasizing prowess. Based on the three treatises, initially chivalry was defined as a way of life in which three essential aspects fused together: the military, the nobility, the religion.

       The "code of chivalry" is thus a product of the Late Middle Ages, evolving after the end of the crusades partly from an idealization of the historical knights fighting in the Holy Land, partly from ideals of courtly love.

Gautier's Ten Commandments of chivalry are:

1. Thou shalt believe all that the Church teaches and thou shalt observe all its directions.
2. Thou shalt defend the Church.
3. Thou shalt respect all weaknesses, and shalt constitute thyself the defender of them.
4. Thou shalt love the country in which thou wast born.
5. Thou shalt not recoil before thine enemy.
6. Thou shalt make war against the infidel without cessation and without mercy.
7. Thou shalt perform scrupulously thy feudal duties, if they be not contrary to the laws of God.
8. Thou shalt never lie, and shalt remain faithful to thy pledged word.
9. Thou shalt be generous, and give largesse (to pay/make tithes, taxes and charitable contributions) to everyone.
10. Thou shalt be everywhere and always the champion of the Right and the Good against Injustice and Evil.

      Though these ten commandments are often accepted to be what knights would use, they would not necessarily be what a knight actually followed in the medieval era. This code was created by Leon Gautier in 1883, long after the knight had ceased to exist in its traditional form. Chivalry in a historical sense was more of a subjective term, these laws would likely be seen as good code for a clergyman, however others would hold different ideas on what chivalry truly was.

       All of these ideas about codes of conduct and chivalry where directly linked to the persona of Christ by medieval Christendom. Both the thorns of the thistle and the lavender colored crowning top of petals as seen on the flower's bud (head) served as reminders of Jesus' authority in Heaven and on Earth. In fact, Jesus wears both a crown of thorns and a royal purple robe in many of the carvings, stained glass windows, paintings, engravings, etc... depicted in his churches across the Western world.

Scriptural References for the Thistle Chrismon:

1. He answered, "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" Luke 10:27 (NIV)
2. "But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect," 1 Peter 3:15 (NIV)
3. "Blessed are those who have regard for the weak; the LORD delivers them in times of trouble.
   " Psalm 41:1 and "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth." Matthew 5:5 (NIV)
4. "Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops;" Proverbs 3:9 (NIV)
5. "But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you," Matthew 5:44 (NIV)
6. "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Ephesians 6:12 (NIV)
7. "Then Jesus said to them, "Give back to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's." And they were amazed at him." Mark 12:17 (NIV)
8. "You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor." Exodus 20:16 and "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John 8:32 (NIV)
9. "'If any of your fellow Israelites become poor and are unable to support themselves among you, help them as you would a foreigner and stranger, so they can continue to live among you." Leviticus 25:35 and ""Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal." Matthew 6:19-21 (NIV)
10. "Declare what is to be, present it-- let them take counsel together. Who foretold this long ago, who declared it from the distant past? Was it not I, the LORD? And there is no God apart from me, a righteous God and a Savior; there is none but me." Isaiah 45:21 (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

Embroider a Red Rose to Represent Christ's Passion

A Passion Rose on a Chrismon tree, has red petals
 with either gold, white or silver stems and petals.

       During the Middle Ages the rose was cultivated in monastery gardens and used for medicinal purposes. It became a symbol in religious writing and iconography in different images and settings, to invoke a variety of intellectual and emotional responses. The mystic rose appears in Dante's Divine Comedy, where it represents God's love. By the twelfth century, the red rose had come to represent Christ's passion, and the blood of the martyrs.

Scripture Reference for A Red Rose Symbol:

• "While I was with them, I kept them in thy name which thou hast given me: and I guarded them, and not one of them perished, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled." John 17:12 (ASV)
• "And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe." Matthew 27:28 (KJV)
• "Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession." Psalms 2:8 (ESV)

A Tudor Rose Medallion including stem and leaves....

       Rose symbolism attained a deeper complexity when contrasted with the rose's thorns. This contrast inspired the Christian Latin poet Coelius Sedulius, who wrote (between 430-450) a very elaborate comparison between Eve, our first mother, and Mary, the Mother of Jesus our Savior. He illustrated the parallelism already made by Justin Martyr (around 150) and developed it in a deep poetic and doctrinal liturgical teaching in his Easter song, Carmen paschal.

       The rose was a privileged symbol for Mary, Queen of heaven and earth. We see this development later during the Middle Ages, when the rose became an attribute of many other holy women, including Elizabeth of Hungary, Elizabeth of Portugal, Casilda of Toledo, and for the martyrs in general. The rose is even a symbol for Christ himself, as seen in the German Christmas song, "es ist ein 'Rose' entsprungen."

• Scripture References for The Tudor Rose

"The Singers, a choir based in Newcastle upon Tyne, rehearsing the German Christmas carol Es ist ein Rose entsprungen by Michael Praetorius for their Xmas Concerts 2006.
A very happy Xmas and a peaceful and fulfilling 2009 to all."

A Tudor Wild Rose Design

Early Christian writers transferred the imagery of garlands and crowns of roses and violets to the cult of the saints.
Above is a wild rose design typically found in the architecture, stained glass windows and wooden carvings of Christians during the Tudor Period. (1485-1603)

In the Latin West the symbolism of the rose is of Greco-Roman heritage but influenced by and finally transformed through Latin biblical and liturgical texts. In Greco-Roman culture the rose's symbolic qualities represented beauty, the season of spring, and love. It also spoke of the fleetness of life, and therefore of death. In Rome the feast called "Rosalia" was a feast of the dead: thus the flower referred to the next world. Read more....

Scripture Reference to Any Rose Symbolic of Greco-Roman Heritage:

• "Then I heard a voice from heaven saying, "Write: The dead who die in the Lord from now on are blessed."" Yes," says the Spirit, "let them rest from their labors, for their works follow them!" Revelation 14:13 (HCSB)
• "So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body." 1 Corinthians 15:42-44
• "Dearly beloved, we are now the sons of God; and it hath not yet appeared what we shall be. We know, that, when he shall appear, we shall be like to him: because we shall see him as he is."1 John 3:2 (DRB)
• "A good name is better than expensive perfume, and the day you die is better than the day you're born." Ecclesiastes 7:1 (GOD'S WORD translation)

An additional Tudor Rose, Chrismon stencil.

 

A Simple Fleur De Lys

Use this simple Fleur De Lys pattern to
design your own Chrismons.

      The origin of this emblem appears to be lost in the haze of antiquity, whether we regard it heraldically or symbolically.

       Some suppose the common form to have first originated in the spear-head, so far, at least, as it is used as a charge in heraldry.

       Whether this be so or not, there is no doubt that a lily of some sort has usually been intended. A royal flower, even kin the days of Pliny --(flos rosae nobilitate proximus)-- the lily was regarded as a badge of royalty and dominion, whence its assumption by the Frank princes as their badge.

       Clovis, the first Christian king, is credited with its direct reception from heaven by the ministry of an angel; but Louis VII. of France was the first to bear it on his seal, in 1137.

Scripture References for the Fleur De Lys:

• "Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God's sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin." Romans 3:19-20 (NIV)
• "Therefore thou shalt love the LORD thy God, and keep his charge, and his statutes, and his judgments, and his commandments, alway." Deuteronomy 11:1 (KJB)
• "Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love." John 15:9 (ASB)
  

More Patterns:

• Additional Fleur De Lys Templates Here

More About Chrismons:

• Download and print the Chrismon description booklet (PDF) from East Liberty Presbyterian Church

An additional fleur de lys stencil pattern.

A Fleur de lyes drawn with a bit of dimension.

 

free little Fleur-De-Lys cross stitch design