The Children's Jesse Tree Index

Above are a few sample ornaments from my collection below.

       The practice of crafting a Jesse tree for the purpose of sharing the family of Christ with young children began in the Medieval Era. Many stained glass windows and illuminated texts still survive with detailed illustrated Jesse trees depicted in them. 

• The Jesse Tree a depiction in art of the ancestors of Christ
• Looking for the Chrismon ornament index? 

       Jesse trees are taken from two biblical records of Jesus's genealogy. Although those Jesse trees used in classrooms and homes to teach young children are shortened versions of the biblical records. The first is from Joseph's side of the family in The Gospel of Matthew. The second, from Mary's family genealogy (Calmet;Watson) in The Gospel of Luke. Both of Jesus's Earthly parents were from the house of David and they share 34 common forefathers out of 75 generations. (Allen, below)

• The common ancestry of Mary and Joseph from The Royal Seed by Allen 
• And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary... Benson Commentary
• The Genealogy of the Messiah by Fruchtenbaum
• Joseph's Relationship to Mary 
• Messianic Generations of Joseph and Mary
• Why the disciple took Jesus' mother unto his own home? 
• Christ's Genealogy According to The Gospels 

Jesse Tree from a Folio, 1529.

       I have included below a template for how traditional Jesse trees are taught, practiced, and developed. Hopefully this model will help people to understand why Jesse trees look a bit different from church to church and publisher to publisher. 

       Among Orthodox Christians, there is a day of introduction, two weeks of telling stories about David's ancestral lineage which is the same as Christ's, a third week is spent telling the story of the Nativity and the last week, is devoted to the "O" Antiphons, Dec. 17 - 23. 

       Many Protestant denominations stretch out the telling of Old Testament stories for three weeks and simply end the last week of December with the Nativity story.

       If you should develop a calendar that covers only one person or story a day, you will soon discover that many characters get eliminated. If your church follows the Orthodox Liturgy, you will begin to see that their Jesse trees sometimes reflect a rotation of Old Testament ancestors and stories that compliments a three year liturgical calendar.

       Modern Jesse trees often include women from the family of Christ. This is not a new idea; The Gospel of Matthew includes women in Jesus' family tree from the very start. Some scholars have noted that these four: Tamar, Rehab, Ruth and Bathsheba are introduced to readers in Matthew's gospel because they were Gentiles. 

      Sarah, Rebekah and Leah were also ancestors of Jesus yet they are seldom seen on modern Jesse trees for some strange reason. Some folks have begun to practice the inclusion of couples in their daily readings around their Jesse tree. As long as the practice is in keeping with basic doctrine, you may construct your own Jesse tree using as many symbols and characters from the ancestors of Jesus as you like.
       The symbols associated with the characters generally have scriptural references and are often included in artworks about those persons depicted in: illuminated manuscripts, paintings, stained glass windows, sculptures, reliefs etc... throughout all of Christendom.
       In the near future, I intend to include links to those Jesse tree symbols and patterns from my blogs for personal or non-profit use through the listing below. Each of these posts will also list the scriptures used to teach each symbol and photos of completed ornaments.

"And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD" Isaiah 11:1-2

Day of Introduction: The Sunday Prior to December 1rst:

• The Root of Jesse: tree stump

The Old Testament Characters Wait for Jesus: First 2 Weeks of December: If you are following a calendar, you will need to pick and choose stories to include or exclude. The characters below are typically included on many trees of Jesse at this present time. Not all of the ancestors of Jesus are included in this listing. More names and symbols will be added over time. Many characters have optional symbols associated with their lives.

1. God The Creator: planets, stars, creation elements, Earth, garden, animals, sun
2. Adam The First Man/Men: spade, tree, apple with snake, man, apple
3. Eve The Mother of All Humanity: tree, apple, apple with snake, woman
4. Seth Remembered God: mirror 
5. Noah Who Obeyed God: ark, animals, dove, rainbow
6. Shem Son of Noah: grapes for wine
7. Abraham Our Spiritual Father: torch, sword, mountain, sacrificial ram,  empty sandals
8. Sarah Mother to A Nation: angel visitors (*suggested)
9. Isaac Accepted The Sovereignty of God: bundle of wood, altar, ram in bush, ram
10. Rebekah a Woman With Godly Character: camel, fighting twins (*suggested)
11. Jacob Father of 12 Tribes: kettle, ladder, staircase 
12. Rachel The Favored Wife: surrounded by children (*suggested)
13. Joseph Protector of Israel: bucket, well, silver coins, tunic or colorful coat
14. Moses Saved His People from Slavery: baby in basket, river and rushes, burning bush, sandals
15. Israelites The People of God: sheep
16. Joshua "Jesus son of Naue": ram's horn trumpet, walls of Jericho (no wife listed)
17. Rahab The Brave: red rope
18. Gideon a Great Warrior: clay water pitcher, fleece
19. Samuel Dedicated to The Temple: lamp, temple
20. Ruth Faithful and Devoted: wheat, basket, wedding rings
21. Boaz The Kinsman Redeemer: shoe (*suggested)
22. Obed The Father of Jesse: seed (*suggested)
23. Jesse Son of Obed and Father of King David: crimson robe, shepherd's staff
24. David Son of Jesse and Anointed King of Israel: slingshot, 6-pointed star  - star of David, David's crown
25. Solomon Wise Among Men: scales of justice, temple, two babies and sword
26. Elijah Who Will Return: stone altar, fiery chariot
27. Hezekiah Held Fast to The Lord: empty tent
28. Esther Rescued Her People: scepter
29. Isaiah Preached The Coming of Messiah: fire tongs with hot coal, an "I" scroll, saw (martydom by being sawed in two)
30. Jeremiah The Weeping Prophet: tears of the prophet, a "J" scroll, stones (martyrdom by stoning)
31. Ezekiel Had Millennial Temple Visions: an "E" scroll and turreted gateway
32. Habakkuk Waited On The Lord: stone watchtower
33. Nehemiah Rebuilt God's Defenses: city wall
34. Jonah Special Delivery by God: whale, fish , cotton batting version of whale and prophet

The Nativity Story Week: The Third Week in December: The third week's ornaments represent both the family of Jesus, the story of his birth and those who are related to Christ spiritually, i.e. the descendants of Abraham.

1. Joseph Protector of The Messiah: hammer, saw, chisel, angle, carpenter's tools or the tools of a stone mason, L square
2. Mary The Virgin Mother: lily, crown of stars, pierced heart, white lily, simple heart
3. Bethlehem the City Where Jesus Was Born: city or village buildings
4. Elizabeth Mother of The Baptist: holding infant St. John, pregnant elderly woman, a mother and child 
5. Zechariah The Lord Has Remembered: temple building, holding a stone with eye on each of its faces, pencil and tablet
6. John the Baptist and The Voice Crying Out in The Desert: shell, shell with water, river 
7. Magi Represent Gentile Kings/Nations: gold, frankincense, myrrh, gold star
8. Shepherds The Keepers of God's Flock: sheep, shepherd's staff
9. Baby Jesus God's Gift of Mercy: manger, swaddled babe, natal star
10. Angels Messengers From God: angels

The Jesus Is Week: The Fourth Week in December: The symbolic ornaments crafted for the fourth week of December are typically made from Chrismon patterns.

1. Jesus is Wisdom: oil lamp, open book
2. Jesus is Lord: burning bush, stone tablets
3. Jesus is the Flower of Jesse: flower, plant with flower
4. Jesus is Key of David: key, broken chains
5. Jesus is the Radiant Dawn: sun rising or high in sky
6. Jesus is King of Gentiles: crown, scepter
7. Jesus is Emmanuel: tablets of stone, chalice and host
8. Jesus is Light of the World: candle, flame, sun, Epiphany star or natal star

 (*suggested) - No visual emblem or symbol found or visual emblems not identified in historical art works, only literary symbols 

Many of  The Sample Ornaments are Made From Baker's Clay       

       I will be making a set of Jesse ornaments from baker's clay to illustrate the collection above. The recipe I am using includes: 4 cups of flour, 1 cup of salt and 1 1/2 cups of hot water. Dissolve most of the salt in boiling water or as much as you can, before adding in the flour. Knead the dough thoroughly before rolling it out and cutting around the patterns provided for each symbol above. The ornaments should be approximately 1/4 inch thick. Dry the ornaments out in a low temp. in your oven. (This takes two to three hours.) If the oven gets too hot the clay will puff up.

       Once the ornaments have dried completely, spray these with a clear matte finish. Then the surface will be ready for painting. I will use acrylic, water based paints to decorate my Jesse tree ornaments, and afterwards spray the finished ornaments with another layer of clear matte finish.

       Don't forget to either prick a small hole into the clay or add a small hook into the side of the ornament in order to hang your ornament!

Mixing the essential baker's clay by curiosity show.

• Jesse Tree Ornaments from ReFrame Media
• Jesse Tree Ornaments from Fairhope United Methodist
• Jesse Tree & Symbols
  

Angels by Benozzo Gozzoli

 

Description of Illustration: Group of Angels by Benozzo Gozzoli, Chapel of the Riccardi Palace, Florence, below a detail from his "Paradise" painting at the Riccardi Palace, greyscale photographs

 

 

       Benozzo Gozzoli (c. 1421 – 1497) was an Italian Renaissance painter from Florence. He is best known for a series of murals in the Palazzo Medici-Riccardi depicting festive, vibrant processions with fine attention to detail and a pronounced International Gothic influence. He is considered one of the most prolific fresco painters of his generation. While he was mainly active in Tuscany, he also worked in Umbria and Rome. Read more...
 

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.

The Seven Candles Symbol

        The candelabra symbol, Christ and His church, the light of true doctrine, with seven branches, references the seven Churches in the Book of Revelation.

• The Seven Churches at Blue Letter Bible
• Letters to Seven Churches by Professor Walter J. Veith, PhD
• Seven Churches in Revelation at All About... Archaeology
• Explain the meanings of the messages to the seven churches in 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)

• A stained glass window depicting the Seven Golden Candlesticks from Revelation 1:9-11.

•  "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.

• History in Sevens from Teachinghearts
• The Mystery of the Menorah
• Hanukkah Menorah: The mystery and the Messiah

A fancier looking candle stand.

The Everlasting Gospel Window

Description of Illustration: An angel kneels before the throne of God. In his hands is the Bible with God the Father's Monogram on it - Alpha Omega. wings, flames, stairs, radiant halos, stained glass clip art, transparent background

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.

The Creator of Souls Chrismon

        Little Naked Bodies are the symbols of the souls of men, and are seen in pictures of St. Michael and when he is represented as the Introductor of souls. They are also placed in the hand which symbolizes God the Father.

       Before the twelfth century there were no portraits of God the Father, and the symbol used to indicate his presence was a hand issuing from the clouds.

Scripture References for the Creator of Souls Chrismon:

• "Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it." Ecclesiastes 12:7 (KJB)
• "Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn't we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever?" Hebrews 12:9 (NLT)
• "The burden of the word of the LORD concerning Israel. Thus declares the LORD who stretches out the heavens, lays the foundation of the earth, and forms the spirit of man within him,..." Zechariah 12:1 (NASB)
• "This is what the true God, the LORD, says--the one who created the sky and stretched it out, the one who fashioned the earth and everything that lives on it, the one who gives breath to the people on it, and life to those who live on it..." Isaiah 42:5 (NET Bible)

Souls of The
Righteous Symbol

The Divine Three in One

       Representations of the Divine Three in One were employed in art from its earliest ages. It was symbolized by the combination of three triangles, three circles, three fishes, and many other representations more obscure in their meanings. In later art the three persons of the Trinity have been represented by three human figures, each with its special attribute, that of the Holy Ghost being the dove. Another mode represents the Father and Son with the dove between them ; in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries the dove was often seen hovering between the first and second persons of the Trinity, with the tips of the wings touching the lips of each. This representation is called the double procession of the Spirit; illustrative of the words of the Nicene Creed, "proceeding from the Father and the Son." This representation belongs to the Latin Church. In these representations, when the locality is heaven, the figures are always seated. There is a device called the Italian Trinity, which was popular from the twelfth to the seventeenth century. In this the Father holds a crucifix by the ends of the transverse beam, the figure of Christ hanging between his knees ; the dove proceeds downwards from the lips of the Father, and touches the head of the Son, or is merely sitting on the cross.

• Trinity scriptures here and here for teaching children while making Chrismons
• The Trinity Symbols by E. Goldsmith
• See also Holy Trinity Clip Art (Christian Symbolism)

Seraphim in The Throne Room...

Thrones. Fiery Two Winged Wheels.

       The following is the most complete illustration that we are acquainted with of the winged and fiery wheels spoken of by the prophet Ezekiel, "full of eyes round about." It (above) comes from a little church at Athens, now probably destroyed, but which, at the date of it's recording as a drawing 1839. (from a mural)

In biblical tradition seraphim and cherubim are interchangable.
Both refer to the pure and holy angels surrounding God's throne.
However, in western culture cherubim are given symbolic "infant"
 bodies because we associate purity with the innocence of babies.

        "In a representation on the imperial dalmatic now preserved in the treasury of St. Peter at Rome, the feet of Jesus Christ rest on two wheels which exactly resemble the above. This magnificent vestment is of Byzantine origin, and indeed throughout all the ancient empire of Byzantium, angels are found of this wheel form, intended to bear the figure of God the Father or of Jesus Christ. 

       These wheels, specially assigned to the order of Thrones by the Byzantines, but attributed by Ezekiel to all angels in general are various forms. At Chartres, they have neither flames, nor wings, nor eyes; they rather affect the more material form of a chariot wheel." Didron

Sculptured Angel, Chartres, XIII. Cent.

      "The Latins, more rational than the Easterns, have preferred representing angels under human form. As regards the ideal, Latin nations are divisible into two classes: ultramontane or Italian, and western. Italians, nearest to that Greece who planted her foot among them at Venice, at Ravenna, and throughout all Sicily." Didron

Scripture Resources for Winged Wheels Chrismon:

• "Now as I beheld the living creatures, behold one wheel upon the earth by the living creatures, with his four faces. The appearance of the wheels and their work was like unto the color of a beryl: and they four had one likeness: and their appearance and their work was as it were a wheel in the middle of a wheel." Ezekiel 1:15-16 (KJB)
• "The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle." Revelation 4:7-8 (NIV)
• "Attending him were mighty seraphim, each having six wings. With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. Attending him were mighty seraphim, each having six wings. With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew." Isaiah 6: 2-3 (NLT)

The illuminating lamp light...

"This is why it is said: "Wake up sleeper, rise from the dead, and
Christ will shine on you." Ephesians 5:14 (NIV)

Description of the illustration: black and white, table lamp, light on, four scriptures, illuminated scriptures

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the
Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."
 James 1:17 (NIV)

"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."
 John 1:5 (NIV)

"Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path." Psalm 119:105 (NIV)

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.

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)
  

Chalice Pattern No.1 for Chrismons

drawing of a chalice

        A chalice (from Latin calix, mug, borrowed from Greek kalyx, shell, husk) is a goblet or footed cup intended to hold a drink. In religious practice, a chalice is often used for drinking during a ceremony or may carry a certain symbolic meaning. 

       The ancient Roman calix was a drinking vessel consisting of a bowl fixed atop a stand, and was in common use at banquets. In Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodoxy, Anglicanism, Lutheranism and some other Christian denominations, a chalice is a standing cup used to hold sacramental wine during the Eucharist (also called the Lord's Supper or Holy Communion). Chalices are often made of precious metal, and they are sometimes richly enameled and jeweled. The gold goblet was symbolic for family and tradition. Read more...

simple chalice shape

• Scripture References for Holy Communion

The Fish Symbol or ICHTHYS

       The ichthys or ichthus (/ˈɪkθəs/), from the Greek ikhthýs (ἰχθύς 1st cent. AD Koine Greek [ikʰˈtʰys], "fish") is a symbol consisting of two intersecting arcs, the ends of the right side extending beyond the meeting point so as to resemble the profile of a fish. Now known colloquially as the "sign of the fish" or the "Jesus fish". 

       According to tradition, ancient Christians, during their persecution by the Roman Empire in the first few centuries after Christ, used the fish symbol to mark meeting places and tombs, or to distinguish friends from foes:

"According to one ancient story, when a Christian met a stranger in the road, the Christian sometimes drew one arc of the simple fish outline in the dirt. If the stranger drew the other arc, both believers knew they were in good company. Current bumper-sticker and business-card uses of the fish hearken back to this practice."

— Christianity Today, Elesha Coffman, "Ask The Expert"

       There are several other hypotheses as to why the fish was chosen. Some sources indicate that the earliest literary references came from the recommendation of Clement of Alexandria to his readers (Paedagogus, III, xi) to engrave their seals with the dove or fish. However, it can be inferred from Roman monumental sources such as the Cappella Greca and the Sacrament Chapels of the catacomb of St. Callistus that the fish symbol was known to Christians much earlier. Another probable explanation is that it is a reference to the scripture in which Jesus miraculously feeds 5,000 people with fish and bread Matthew 14:15-21, Mark 6:30-44, Luke 9:12-17, and John 6:4-13). The ichthys may also relate to Jesus or his disciples as "fishers of men" (e.g., Mark 1:17). Tertullian, in his treatise On Baptism, makes a pun on the word, writing that "we, little fishes, after the example of our ΙΧΘΥΣ Jesus Christ, are born in water." Still another explanation could be the reference to the sign of Jonah. Just like he was in the belly of a big fish, so Christ was crucified, entombed for three days, and then rose from the dead.

The ICHTHYS with lettering.

ΙΧΘΥΣ, or also ΙΧΘΥϹ with lunate sigma (Ichthys) is a backronym/acrostic for "Ἰησοῦς Χριστός, Θεοῦ Υἱός, Σωτήρ", (Iēsous Christos, Theou Yios, Sōtēr) contemporary Koine [ie̝ˈsus kʰrisˈtos tʰeˈu (h)yˈjos soˈte̝r], which translates into English as "Jesus Christ, Son of God, Saviour."

• Iota (i) is the first letter of Iēsous (Ἰησοῦς), Greek for "Jesus".
• Chi (ch) is the first letter of Christos (Χριστός), Greek for "anointed."
• Theta (th) is the first letter of Theou (Θεοῦ), Greek for "God's", the genitive case of Θεóς, Theos," Greek for "God."
• Upsilon (y) is the first letter of (h)yios (Υἱός), Greek for "Son".
• Sigma (s) is the first letter of sōtēr (Σωτήρ), Greek for "Savior."

       This explanation is given among others by Augustine in his Civitate Dei, where he notes that the generating sentence " Ἰησοῦς Χριστὸς [sic] Θεοῦ Υἱὸς Σωτήρ" has 27 letters, i.e. 3 x 3 x 3, which in that age indicated power. (This suggestion is obviously spurious, resulting from Augustine's ignorance of Greek.) Augustine quotes also an ancient text from the Sibylline oracles whose verses are an acrostic of the generating sentence.
       A fourth century A.D. adaptation of ichthys as a wheel contains the letters ΙΧΘΥΣ superimposed such that the result resembles an eight-spoked wheel.

Scripture References for ICHTHYS Chrismons:

• "Jesus called out to them, "Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!" Mark 1:17 (NLT)
• "Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying "Teacher, we wish to see a sign from You." And answering He said to them, "An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, and no sign will be given to it, except the sign of Jonah the prophet. For just as Jonah was in the belly of the great fish three days and three nights, so the Son of Man will be in the heart of the earth three days and three nights. The men of Nineveh will stand up in the judgment with this generation and will condemn it." Matthew 12: 38-42 (BLB)
• "You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this." Acts 3:15 (NIV)

The fish with realistic dimension. 

An Inhabited Cross Chrismon

Inhabited Cross, Florentine, 1491. All inhabited crosses have one of the
following depicted on them: people, animals and/or villages/cities.
Inhabited crosses look different depending on the culture of the artist
who designs the cross. The above is one of many types.

       The inhabited cross is an ancient variety of this symbol, described by Dante in his Divina Commedia, printed in Florence in 1491. This cross is resplendent with a glory far more radiant then the suns and constellations of every kind which blaze around it. Arriving with Beatrice in the planet Mars, the poet exlaims:

"For with so great a lustre and so red

Splendors appeared tome in twofold rays,

I said: "O Helios who dost so adorn them!"

Even as distinct with less and greater lights

Glimmers between the two poles of the world

The Galaxy that maketh wise men doubt,

Thus constelled in the depths of Mars,

Those rays described the venerable sign

That quadrants joining in a circle make.

Here doth my memory overcome my genius;

For on that cross as levin gleamed forth Christ,

So that I cannot find ensample worthy:

But he who takes his cross and follows Christ,

Again will pardon me what I omit,

Seeing in that aurora lighten Christ.

From horn to horn, and 'twixt the top and base,

Lights were in motion, brightly scintillating

As they together met and passed each other"

       Among the twelve little figures inhabiting the cross, representing the souls of valiant warriors, Dante gives the names of eight who occupy the arms of the cross, beginning from left to right. These are Joshua, Judas Maccabaeus, Charlemagne, and Roland in the left arm; and the right, William the Conqueror, Richard Coeur de Lion, Godfrey de Bouillon, and Robert Guiscard. Cacciaguida, and ancestor of the poet, is one of the four souls, not named, who are kneeling in the stem, and upper part of the cross. 

"This cross does not contain the Crucified in person, and yet Dante declares that there Christ shone resplendent; in fact, as has been said, the Cross is the symbol of Christ. Iconographically considered, the Son of God is in the Cross, as He is in the Lamb, and in the Lion; He is there hidden under the semblance of the instrument of punishment on which He died. The second Person of the Trinity is figured by an infinite number of different objects: three alone, the Lamb, the Lion, and the Cross, are symbols of our Lord. Even the Fish does not rise to the dignity of a divine symbol." (Didron, Christ. Ion., vol. i., p. 405.)

Scriptural References for Any Inhabited Cross Chrismon:

• "Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, In the city of our God, His holy mountain. Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth, Is Mount Zion in the far north, The city of the great King. God, in her palaces, Has made Himself known as a stronghold." Psalm 48:1-3
• "And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband." Revelation 21:2
• "But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them." Hebrews 11:16

Lamp Symbolism for Chrismons

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)

Amy Grant's song "Thy Word" is 

based upon Psalm 119:105 text.

The Savior's Anchor Symbol

       As the Greek word for a fish, ΙΧΘΥΣ, contained the initials of the name and titles of Christ, "Ἰησοῦς Χριστός, Θεοῦ Υἱός, Σωτήρ", Jesus Christ the Son of God, the Savior, the figure of a fish was one of the earliest Christian symbols.

Scripture References for The Savior's Anchor Chrismon:

• "But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water. Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, "Teacher, don't you care that we're going to drown?" When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Silence! Be still!" Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. Then he asked them, "Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?" The disciples were absolutely terrified. "Who is this man?" they asked each other. "Even the wind and waves obey him!" Mark 4:37-41(NLT)
• "Where is your faith?" He asked. Frightened and amazed, they asked one another, "Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him!" Luke 8:25 (BSB)
• "And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed." Deuteronomy 31:8 (KJB)

Anchor of the soul in medallion.

The Divine Hand of Christ Chrismon

       The Divine Hand of Christ or The Divine Hand of Jesus rests on a Cruciform Nimbus. He is giving the blessing holding up two fingers which is symbolic for The Second Person of The Holy Trinity. This particular Chrismon or Christian Symbol comes from an Italian sculpture of the XII century: in the porch of the Cathedral of Ferrara.

Scriptural References for the Divine Hand of Christ Chrismon:

• "Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens." Ephesians 1:3 (HCSB)
• "He'll love you and increase your numbers. He'll bless the fruit of your womb, the fruit of your land (the grain, new wine, and oil), the offspring of your herds, and the lambs of your flock, in the land that the LORD promised your ancestors he would give you." Deuteronomy 7:13 (ISV)
• "The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace." Numbers 6: 24-26 (KJB)
• ""Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this," says the LORD of hosts, "if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows." Malachi 3:10 (NASB)

Latin Form - Hand of God

The Cross of Glory Chrismon

      The Cross of Glory chrismon/symbol is always depicted with precious stones or gems and some kind of floral motif.

Scriptural References for The Cross of Glory Chrismon:

• "But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus." Romans 3:21-26 (KJB)
• "Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?" John 11:40 (KJB)
• "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1:14 (ESV)
• "Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can't see--such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him." Colossians 1:15-16 (NLT)

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)
  

The Virgin Holding Baby Jesus Chrismon

Mary is pictured: seated on a throne that is carved like a church, on her lap is the baby Jesus, on her head is a crown of honor for her sacrifices, she is handing to Jesus a piece of fruit that is symbolic for the tree of knowledge. This symbolism refers to the task that Jesus must accomplish: to replace Adam, Romans 5: 12-21.

The Scripture Reference for the Christian Chrismon Above:

• "Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned—for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law. Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come. But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man’s trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many. And the free gift is not like the result of that one man’s sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification. For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ. Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous. Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 5:12-21 (ESV)

More Scriptural Resources for Crown Images in Chrismons:

A Crown, in Christian art, is the symbol of sovereignty, victory, and of the glory of martyrdom. It is assigned in five instances. The scripture that you teach and/or include along with that Chrismon is dictated by it's visual or traditional representation:

1. It is given to Deity, to Jesus who is the only one who has paid the blood sacrifice for the sin of mankind and who is also the second person of The Holy Trinity. "God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood--to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished--he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus." Romans 3:26 (NIV)
2. Traditionally the Catholic church has also assigned a crown to Mary because she bore Jesus into the world against the enemies of the air and she was also was one of the first woman to receive the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. She is ranked high with the 12 apostles. "She gave birth to a son who was to rule all nations with an iron rod. And her child was snatched away from the dragon and was caught up to God and to his throne." Revelation 12:5 and "When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers." Acts 1:13-14 (NIV)
3. As the symbol of victory and the glory of martyrdom, it is given to saints and martyrs that have been canonized by Christian Orthodox Churches.
4. Crowns are also assigned to all people who believe on the basis of their faith as described in Revelations, this being the traditional perspective held by Protestant Christendom. These people toss their crowns at the feet of King Jesus in the end times. "the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying“Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” Revelation 4: 10-11 (gotquestions.org)
5. And lastly, crown symbols are assigned to ruling monarchs on Earth.

  "Oh My Soul" by Casting Crowns
Web interview about how "Oh My Soul" was written.

The Descending Dove or Divine Dove Symbol

       The Holy Ghost, the dove appears in most of the early representations of scenes in Christ's life-- most frequently, perhaps, in pictures of his baptism, literally rendering the words from the Gospel of John "I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove." Chapter 1:32

This Divine Dove, in a radiating aureole is from a French Miniature.

  

Dove typifying grace of the Holy Spirit descending upon Christ
in his baptism. (From a painting, "Baptism of Verrocchio," in
 Florence.)

Scriptural Reference for The Descending Dove Chrismon:

• "As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him." Matthew 3:16 (NIV)
• "For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body--whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free--and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. "1 Corinthians 12:13 (NIV)
• "What are you waiting for? Get up and be baptized. Have your sins washed away by calling on the name of the Lord.' Acts 22:16 (NLT)
• "For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ."  Galatians 3:27 (ESV)

Combined Triangle, Trinitarian, Dove Symbol - Many Trefoils

This trefoil shape also includes a descending dove; a reference to Christ's Baptism.

       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.

       Trefoil is a term in Gothic architecture given to the ornamental
foliation or cusping introduced in the heads of window lights,  tracery,
 panellings, etc., in which the center takes the form of a three-lobed leaf
(formed from three partially overlapping circles). One of the earliest
examples is in the plate tracery at Winchester (1222–1235). The fourfold
 version of an architectural trefoil is a quatrefoil.

       A simple trefoil shape in itself can be symbolic of the Trinity,
 while a trefoil combined with an equilateral triangle was also
 a moderately common symbol of the Christian Trinity
during the late Middle Ages in some parts of Europe.

Scripture Reference for The Trinity Symbol With Dove:

• "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you."John 14:26 (ESV)
• "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:27 (NIV)
  

Above and below, more Trefoil Triangle verions.

The Open Bible Chrismon

I've posted a simple interpretation of this Chrismon here.

 

       The Open Bible symbol reminds us all that God's word should always be made available to everyone and that it should be free for all to study, contemplate and share.

Scriptural Reference for the Open Bible Chrismon:

• "Then Jesus came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. As was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath. And when He stood up to read, the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. Unrolling it, He found the place where it was written: "The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim deliverance to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."Luke 4:16 (Berean Study Bible)

The open Bible suspended in the clouds with cross.

The open Bible with a dove symbol above it.

Babe In The Manger Symbol

       The baby in the manger serves to remind us of how Jesus first came to earth, fragile and small, through humble beginnings.

       Little Jesus was descended from the house of David, Malkhut Beit David (מלכות בית דוד) – "Kingdom of the House of David" Both Joseph and Mary were from this same house.

       The Holy Babe was also born of a virgin; he was conceived in the womb of his mother Mary through the Holy Spirit without the agency of a human father and born while Mary was still a virgin. The New Testament references are Matthew 1:18-25, Luke 1:26-38 and Isaiah 7:14.

       He was wrapped in swaddling an age-old practice of wrapping infants in blankets or similar cloths so that movement of the limbs is tightly restricted. 

       Baby Jesus was laid in a manger filled with hay, a structure used to hold food to feed animals. The word manger originally referred to a feed-trough, but it may also be used to refer to a water-trough when this is not being used. Mangers are generally found at stables and were made of either stone or wood at that time.

       His birth took place in Bethlehem, Hebrew: בֵּית לֶחֶם‎ Bet Lehem, [bet ˈleχem], "House of Bread". Biblical scholars believe Bethlehem, located in the "hill country" of Judah, may be the same as the Biblical Ephrath, which means "fertile", as there is a reference to it in the Book of Micah as Bethlehem Ephratah. The Bible also calls it Beth-Lehem Judah, and the New Testament describes it as the "City of David". It is first mentioned in the Tanakh and the Bible as the place where the matriarch Rachel died and was buried "by the wayside" (Gen. 48:7). 

Scriptural Resources for The Babe In a Manger Chrismon:

• "And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel." Genesis 3:15 (NIV)
• "Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign: behold, the young woman shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." Isaiah 7:14 (JPS Tanakh 1917)
• ""Now muster yourselves in troops, daughter of troops; They have laid siege against us; With a rod they will smite the judge of Israel on the cheek. "But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Too little to be among the clans of Judah, From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, From the days of eternity." Micah 5:1-2 (NASB)
• "In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn." Luke 2:1-7 (ESV)
• ''For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Music About The Birth of Christ:

• Handel's Messiah - full concert from Academy of Ancient Music

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)