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)

Bell Symbolism in Chrismon Ornaments

This stained glass pattern of a lady musician ringing church bells may be printed and colored in. Hang it on your Chrismon or Christmas tree to remember the symbolism behind bells at Advent.

       A church bell in the Christian tradition is a bell which is rung in a church for a variety of church purposes, and can be heard outside the building. Traditionally they were used to call worshipers to the church for a communal service, and to announce times of daily prayer, called the canonical hours. They are also rung on special occasions such as a wedding, or a funeral service. In some religious traditions they are used within the liturgy of the church service to signify to people that a particular part of the service has been reached. The ringing of church bells, in the Christian tradition, is also believed to drive out demons.

       The traditional European church bell (see cutaway drawing) used in Christian churches worldwide consists of a cup-shaped metal resonator with a pivoted clapper hanging inside which strikes the sides when the bell is swung. It is hung within a steeple or bell tower of a church or religious building, so the sound can reach a wide area. Such bells are either fixed in position ("hung dead") or hung from a pivoted beam (the "headstock") so they can swing to and fro. A rope hangs from a lever or wheel attached to the headstock, and when the bell ringer pulls on the rope the bell swings back and forth and the clapper hits the inside, sounding the bell. Bells that are hung dead are normally sounded by hitting the sound bow with a hammer or occasionally by a rope which pulls the internal clapper against the bell.

       A church may have a single bell, or a collection of bells which are tuned to a common scale. They may be stationary and chimed, rung randomly by swinging through a small arc, or swung through a full circle to enable the high degree of control of English change ringing.

       Before modern communications, church bells were a common way to call the community together for all purposes, both sacred and secular.

Scripture References for Bell Chrismons:

• "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord." Psalm 150:6 (NIV)
• "Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name." Psalm 103:1 (NIV)
• "How great you are, Sovereign Lord! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears." 2 Samuel 7:22 (NIV)
• "Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you." Jeremiah 29:12 (NIV)

The Gospel Cross Chrismon

The word gospel, meaning "good news" or "glad tidings", is derived from the Greek word εὐαγγέλιον, euangelion. The gospel was considered the "good news" of the coming Kingdom of Messiah, and of redemption through the life and death and resurrection of Jesus, the central Christian message. The Greek word euangelion is also the source (via Latinized evangelium) of the terms "evangelist" and "evangelism" in English. The authors of the four canonical Christian gospels are known as the Four Evangelists.This is why there are four books depicted with the Gospel Cross: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

       In Christianity, the Gospel (Greek: εὐαγγέλιον euangélion; Old English: gospel), or the Good News, is the news of the coming of the Kingdom of God (Mark 1:14-15), and of Jesus's death on the cross and resurrection to restore people's relationship with God. It may also include the descent of the Holy Spirit upon believers and the second coming of Jesus.

       The message of good news is described as a narrative in the four canonical gospels. The message of good news is described as theology in many of the New Testament letters. It relates to the saving acts of God due to the work of Jesus on the cross and Jesus' resurrection from the dead which bring reconciliation ("atonement") between people and God.

       Christian theology describes the Good News of salvation in Jesus Christ not as a new concept, but one that has been foretold throughout the Old Testament and was prophetically preached even at the time of the Fall of Man as contained in Genesis. It is called Proto-Evangelion or Proto-Gospel.

The good news can be summarized in many ways, reflecting various emphases. Cambridge New Testament scholar C.H. Dodd (1964 has summarized the Christian good news as taught by the apostle Peter in the Book of Acts (see Kerygma; Acts 2:14-41; Acts 3:11-4:4; Acts 10:34-43):

1. "But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled. Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began. For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people. Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days. Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities." Acts 3:18-26 (KJB) (The Age of Fulfillment has dawned, the "latter days" foretold by the prophets.) 
2.  "Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance. Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. Acts 2:22-31 (KJB) (This has taken place through the birth, life, ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.)
3.  "This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, Until I make thy foes thy footstool. Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ." Acts 2:32-36 (KJB) (By virtue of the resurrection, Jesus has been exalted at the right hand of God as Messianic head of the new Israel.) 
4.  "While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days." Acts 10:44-48 (KJB) (The Holy Spirit in the church is the sign of Christ's present power and glory.)
5.  "And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began." Acts 3:20-21(KJB) (The Messianic Age will reach its consummation in the return of Christ.)
6.  "Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls." Acts 2:37-41 (KJB) (An appeal is made for repentance with the offer of forgiveness, the Holy Spirit, and salvation.) 

Scripture References for The Gospel Cross Chrismon:

• "And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.  "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matthew 28: 18-20 (NASB)
• "I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God's power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God's right hand in the heavenly realms. Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else--not only in this world but also in the world to come. God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself." Ephesians 1: 19-23 (NLT)
• So also, "Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness." Know then that those of faith, these are sons of Abraham. And the Scripture, having foreseen that God justifies the Gentiles by faith, foretold the gospel to Abraham: "All the nations will be blessed in you." So then, those of faith are blessed along with the believing Abraham. Galatians 3:6-9 (BLB)
• "The LORD had said to Abram, "Go from your country, your people and your father's household to the land I will show you. "I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you." Genesis 12: 1-3 (NIV)

"Ain't That Good News!"

Planet Earth Symbol

       The planet symbol for Earth reminds us of our place of origin. Although it is a place where evil can reside, because of the Fall, God has also given us good things here: companionship, love, joy, etc... and most important, He has provided a way for our safe return through Christ.

Scripture References for The Planet Earth Chrismon:

• "This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created, when the LORD God made the earth and the heavens." Genesis 2:5 (NIV)
• "He holds in his hands the depths of the earth and the mightiest mountains. The sea belongs to him, for he made it. His hands formed the dry land, too. Come, let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before the LORD our maker, " Psalm 95:4-5 (NLT)
• "The earth mourns and withers, the world fades and withers, the exalted of the people of the earth fade away. The earth is also polluted by its inhabitants, for they transgressed laws, violated statutes, broke the everlasting covenant. Therefore, a curse devours the earth, and those who live in it are held guilty. Therefore, the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men are left." Isaiah 24:4-6 (NASB)
• "The nations were enraged, and Your wrath has come. The time has come to judge the dead, and to reward Your servants, the prophets and saints, and those who fear Your name, both small and great, and to destroy those who destroy the earth." Revelation 11:18 (BSB)

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.

Cherubim Chrismon Pattern

       A cherub (/ˈtʃɛrəb/; also pl. cherubim; Hebrew: כְּרוּב‎‎ kərūv, pl. כְּרוּבִים‎, kərūvîm; Latin cherub, pl. cherubin, cherubim; Syriac ܟܪܘܒܐ) is one of the unearthly beings who directly attend to God according to Abrahamic religions. The numerous depictions of cherubim assign to them many different roles; their original duty having been the protection of the Garden of Eden. Angelic status is not attributed to cherubim in the Old Testament (at least not explicitly); only in later sources such as De Coelesti Hierarchia are they identified as a hierarchical rank of angels. Read more...

Scripture References for Cherubim Chrismons:

• "After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life." Genesis 3:24 (NIV)
• "Make two cherubim of gold; make them of hammered work at the two ends of the mercy seat." Exodus 25:18 (HCSB)
• "So the people sent to Shiloh and brought from there the ark of the covenant of the LORD of hosts, who is enthroned on the cherubim. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God." 1 Samuel 4:4 (ESV)
• "I looked, and I saw a windstorm coming out of the north--an immense cloud with flashing lightning and surrounded by brilliant light. The center of the fire looked like glowing metal, and in the fire was what looked like four living creatures. In appearance their form was human, but each of them had four faces and four wings." Ezekiel 1:4-6 (NIV)
• "Above the ark were the cherubim of glory, overshadowing the mercy seat. But we cannot discuss these things in detail now." Hebrews 9:5 (BSB)
• "For the cherubims spread forth their two wings over the place of the ark, and the cherubims covered the ark and the staves thereof above." 1 Kings 8:7 (KJB)

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

A Davidic Harp Chrismon Pattern

One etymology of Kinneret, the Hebrew name of the Sea of Galilee, is that it derives from kinnor, on account of the shape of the lake resembling that of the instrument. If this etymology is correct it may be relevant to the question of the shape of the instrument.

Davidic harps are shaped to resemble the Sea of Galilee and are often included on Chrismon trees. Above I have included a simpler version of the pattern below for those of you working with little ones. The complicated design below may be used for embroidery.

Scriptural References for Davidic Harp Chrismons:

• "O sing unto the LORD a new song: sing unto the LORD, all the earth." Psalm 96:1 (KJV)
• "David sang this song to the LORD on the day the LORD rescued him from all his enemies and from Saul. He sang: "The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. He is my refuge, my savior, the one who saves me from violence." 2 Samuel 22:1-3 (NLT)
• "David praised the LORD in the presence of the whole assembly, saying, "Praise be to you, LORD, the God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting." 1 Chronicles 29:10 (NIV)

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 Phoenix Rising as A Christian Symbol

         In Greek mythology, a phoenix (Ancient Greek: φοῖνιξ phoinix; Latin: phoenix, phœnix, fenix) is a long-lived bird that is cyclically regenerated or reborn.

       Associated with the Sun, a phoenix obtains new life by arising from the ashes of its predecessor. According to some sources, the phoenix dies in a show of flames and combustion, although there are other sources that claim that the legendary bird dies and simply decomposes before being born again. According to some texts, the phoenix could live over 1,400 years before rebirth. Herodotus, Lucan, Pliny the Elder, Pope Clement I, Lactantius, Ovid, and Isidore of Seville are among those who have contributed to the retelling and transmission of the phoenix motif.

       In the historical record, the phoenix "could symbolize renewal in general as well as the sun, time, the Empire, metempsychosis, consecration, resurrection, life in the heavenly Paradise, Christ, Mary, virginity, the exceptional man, and certain aspects of Christian life".

Scriptural References for the Phoenix Rising Chrismon:

• "He is not here, but He has been resurrected! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying, The Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men, be crucified, and rise on the third day?" Luke 24:6-7 (HCSB)
• "When they came together in Galilee, he said to them, "The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him, and on the third day he will be raised to life." And the disciples were filled with grief. Matthew 17:22-23 (NIV)
• "Come, let us return to the LORD. He has torn us to pieces; now he will heal us. He has injured us; now he will bandage our wounds. In just a short time he will restore us, so that we may live in his presence." Hosea 6:1-2 (NLT)
• “At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt." Daniel 12:1-2 (ESV)

The phoenix resurrection symbol
depicts the bird emerging from
it's nest of flames.

Three Pelican Chrismon Symbols...

       In medieval Europe, the pelican was thought to be particularly attentive to her young, to the point of providing her own blood by wounding her own breast when no other food was available. As a result, the pelican became a symbol of the Passion of Jesus and of the Eucharist since about the 12th century.

Scripture References for the Pelican Chrismon Symbols:

• "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep. A hired hand will run when he sees a wolf coming. He will abandon the sheep because they don't belong to him and he isn't their shepherd. And so the wolf attacks them and scatters the flock." John 10:11 (NLT)
• "For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance--now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant. In the case of a will, it is necessary to prove the death of the one who made it, because a will is in force only when somebody has died; it never takes effect while the one who made it is living. This is why even the first covenant was not put into effect without blood." Hebrews 9:15-18 (NIV)
• "This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins." Matthew 26:28 (BSB)
• "For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life." Leviticus 17:11 (ESV)

Pelican-in-Her-Piety

The Trinity Fish Symbols

       This trinity fish symbol is very old and not in common use anymore, except for it's use on Chrismon trees. This is because Chrismon trees depict the histories of many people.

       Some sources say that the converted Celtic Christians used this symbol prior to becoming Christians and then transferred it to Trinity worship because it represented the God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit so perfectly. 

       Symbolic language in ancient times did change throughout history. Just as meanings attached to much of our own vocabulary changes over time. This is not a strange phenomena, in fact, it happens all of the time. In order to correctly establish meanings behind symbols, one should contextualize them for the time, place and their use by the people who used them. 

       The Lord brought many gentiles into his church and with this gift came much cultural heritage. This does not mean that every symbol that has former history must be eliminated from our memory. It does require, however, that that history be understood, taught and valuable lessons be learned from it.

• Scriptural References for The Holy Trinity here

       Above and below two more variations of Trinity Fish for visitors to use in Chrismon crafts.

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)

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

The Escallop Sea Shell

 The Escalop-shell, when used in Christian art, signifies two ideas: baptism and pilgrimage. It is both the usual emblem of that Holy Sacrament and the emblem of pilgrims.

Scripture References for the Escallop Sea Shell:

• "those who disobeyed God long ago when God waited patiently while Noah was building his boat. Only eight people were saved from drowning in that terrible flood. And that water is a picture of baptism, which now saves you, not by removing dirt from your body, but as a response to God from a clean conscience. It is effective because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ." 1 Peter 3:20-21 (NLT)
• "Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life." Romans 6:3-4 (NASB)
• "At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove." Mark 1: 9-10 (NIV)
• "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." Romans 10: 9-10 (KJB)
• "Therefore go, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. And look, I am with you every day, even to the end of the age." Matthew 28: 19-20 (NHEB)

Escallop in a medallion.

Hymns - Praise and Worship Music:

• Down To The River To Pray
• Jordan River
• Baptized in Water
• Come To The Water
• Take Me To The Water

Know more baptism hymns? Why not share in the comments below?

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.

 

The Peacock Symbol

 

       The peacock is certainly a religious emblem, and with almost equal assurance we may declare it to belong to our LORD. Martigny says it is an emblem of the Resurrection. S. Augustine says it figures Immortality, because its flesh is incorruptible. This particular peacock version is from the Catacombs. It is seen here to dominate the Globe, and shows the victory that overcometh the world.

Scriptural References for The Peacock Chrismon:

• "And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it." Colossians 2:15 (KJB)
• "for the LORD your God is he who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you." Deuteronomy 20:4 (NHEB)
• "I have spoken these things to you so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation. But take courage; I have overcome the world." John 16:33 (BLB)

The peacock symbol inside a medallion.

The Anchor/Cross Symbol

       The anchor was used in Christian art at a very early period, being frequently found in the catacombs. It is the symbol of steadfast hope, firmness, tranquillity, and patience.

Scripture References for The Anchor Chrismon:

• "We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek." Hebrews 6:19-20 (NIV)
• "For even though I am absent in body, nevertheless I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good discipline and the stability of your faith in Christ." Colossians 2:5

Trinity ring symbols from the catacombs...

Above is the oldest, known symbol depicting the Holy Trinity by Christians in Rome. It was discovered in the catacombs.

       The first place to be referred to as catacombs was the system of underground tombs between the 2nd and 3rd milestones of the Appian Way in Rome, where the bodies of the apostles Peter and Paul, among others, were said to have been buried. The name of that place in late Latin was catacombae, a word of obscure origin, possibly deriving from a proper name, or else a corruption of the Latin phrase cata tumbas, "among the tombs". The word referred originally only to the Roman catacombs, but was extended by 1836 to refer to any subterranean receptacle of the dead, as in the 18th-century Paris catacombs. All Roman catacombs were located outside city walls since it was illegal to bury a dead body within the city, providing "a place…where martyrs tombs could be openly marked" and commemorative services and feasts held safely on sacred days. Read more...

Catacombs are human-made subterranean passageways for religious practice. Any chamber used as a burial place is a catacomb, although the word is most commonly associated with the Roman Empire. Above and below are Holy Trinity symbols found in the Roman catacombs made by early Christians. The symbol directly above was labeled "passim".

Scriptural References for The Above Trinity Rings:

• "May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all." 2 Corinthians 13:14 (NIV)
• "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)
• "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:19 (NIV)