Matthew 2:9 by Koch

“When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.” Matthew 2:9 King James Version

 Rudolf Koch's "Life of Jesus"

1 you are on page 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28

Chrismons About Christ's Birth:

• Babe In The Manger Symbol
• Epiphany Star Pattern For a Chrismon Tree
• The Virgin Holding Baby Jesus Chrismon

Isaiah 64:1 by Koch

“Oh that thou wouldest rend the heavens, that thou wouldest come down, that the mountains might flow down at thy presence,” Isaiah 64:1 King James Version

 Rudolf Koch's "Life of Jesus"

you are on page 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28

Point of Grace "When Love Came Down"

Rudolf Koch's "Life of Jesus"

Rudolf Koch at work.

About Rudolf Koch

       Rudolf Koch  was born on November 20, 1876  and died on April 9th, 1934. Koch was a German type designer. He was also a master of lettering, calligraphy, typography and illustration. Commonly known for his typefaces created for the Klingspor Type Foundry, his most widely used typefaces include Neuland and Kabel.

       Koch spent his teenage years working in Hanau as an apprentice in a metal goods workshop, whilst also attending art school, where he learned to draw, and soon after went to the Academy of Fine Arts, Nuremberg. Between 1897 and 1906 he worked for various businesses in the book trade in Leipzig, illustrating and designing book covers in the Art Nouveau style that was popular at the time. In 1906 Koch began working for the Rudhard Type foundry in Offenbach, later known as the Klingspor Type foundry. Other notable designers who worked for the foundry include Otto Eckmann and Peter Behrens. Koch was deeply spiritual and a devout Lutheran, spending much of his time working on religious publications and manuscripts, of which he completed nearly a hundred in his lifetime. Koch viewed the alphabet as humanity's ultimate achievement. He died prematurely of a heart attack in 1934, aged 59.

       Koch greatly admired William Morris. Speaking at a meeting in London, he expressed his disbelief that Morris was not of German descent: "I feel such a closeness to him that I always have the feeling that he cannot be an Englishman, he must be a German."

       The teachings of Morris and the Arts and Crafts Movement are evident in Koch’s use of hand-lettering and wood-cutting techniques. At the same time, his book illustrations are evocative of Art Nouveau. Koch prized craftsmanship in his type design and printing methods, a principle deeply rooted in the Arts and Crafts Movement. Yet Koch was working in a period of rapid development in print technology, which saw the invention of the Linotype machine in 1886, the Monotype System in 1887, and the offset press in 1907, all of which were antithetical to his artisanal ethos.

Koch lectured at the Arts and Crafts School in Offenbach. In 1918, after World War I, he opened a workshop training students in typography, calligraphy, wood-cutting, and other crafts. Best known for his calligraphic talent he built upon the calligraphic tradition by creating an original, simple expression from his materials.

       Many of Koch’s blackletter typefaces, such as Kochschrift and Willhelm Klingspor Gotisch, were greatly influenced by hand-written manuscripts and Gothic letterforms, a style that originated in Germany. Known also for his nationalistic ideology, he wrote in Der Deutsche, "Even as a boy I wanted to become a proper real German. I hated anything that was foreign, and even as I was growing up I felt this was a sign of true loyalty."

       Koch frequently defended Germanic blackletter script in the journals and publications he contributed to. He also held exhibitions with his group Offenbach Schreiber, which promoted hand lettering and calligraphy, and in these he expressed the revival of traditional lettering. Koch's dedication to Gothic script may have limited his recognition in English-speaking countries. Koch wrote a book containing 493 old-world symbols, monograms and runes entitled The Book of Signs.

Designs by Rudolf Koch and cut on wood by Trude von Guldenstubbe: "The Life of Jesus"

Left, "Rudolph Koch of Offenbach, perhaps the foremost exponent of Christian
art in the modern world, published a collection of early Christian symbols
 in 1932. The present series is drawn from this reservoir. Koch's touch
has revealed their ageless form."  Devin-Adair

Below, An old set of Koch's symbols from the web, including scripture 
references and additional links to more information.

1. Isaiah 64:1
2. Matthew 2:9
3. Luke 2:46,47
4. Mark 1:9-11
5. Matthew 4:3 
6. Mark 1:13
7. John 2:1-3
8. Luke 6:13
9. Matthew 5:3-11
10. Mark 6:41-44
11. Matthew 25:1
12. Luke 15:4
13. Mark 14:22
14. John 13:12
15. Mark 14:32
16. Matthew 26:16
17. Mark 14:46-48
18. Mark 15:15
19. Matthew 27:29
20. Matthew 27:35
21. Mark 15:36,37
22. John 19:30
23. John 19:40
24. Ephesians 4:10
25. Luke 24:5,6
26. Luke 24:51
27. Matthew 24: 29-30
28. 1 Corinthians 15:57

Christian Symbols drawn by Rudolf Koch in collaboration with Fritz Kredel: Including Scripture References and Links to Similar Symbols

• Koch's symbols from The Old Testament
• Koch's symbols from The New Testament
• The Lion Symbols of Rudolf Koch
• Angels by Rudolf Koch
• Koch Redraws Christian Monograms
• Koch Draws Symbols from The Life of Christ
• Koch's versions of The Cross
• Koch's Animal Symbols Found in The Bible
• Redrawn Graphic Images by Koch 
• The Eagle is The Gospel of St. John's Symbol 
• The Ox is The Gospel of St. Luke's Symbol
• The Man With Wings is The Gospel of St. Matthew's Symbol
• The Lion is The Gospel of St. Mark's Symbol 
   

The Lion is The Gospel of St. Mark's Symbol

       "St. Mark's is the Gospel for the Romans, the Gospel of incident, the anecdotal Gospel, the Gospel which represents Christ as the Son of God and Lord of the world." 

       His emblem is the lion: expressing courage, dignity, and energy.

Scriptural Resources for The Gospel of St. Mark's Symbol - A Lion:

• "The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God." Mark 1:1 (ESV)
  
• "and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel." Mark 1:15 (ESV)
  
• "In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased." Mark 1:9-11 (ESV)
• "Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him." Mark 1:16-20 (ESV)
• "And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins." One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grainfields, and as his disciples walked along, they began to pick some heads of grain. The Pharisees said to him, "Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?" He answered, "Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need? In the days of Abiathar the high priest, he entered the house of God and ate the consecrated bread, which is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions." Then he said to them, "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath." Mark 2:22-28 (NIV)
  
• "At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens." Mark 13:26-27 (NIV)

The Symbol for The Gospel of Mark is a Lion.

 

St. Mark's Gospel by Rudolf Koch. To see more lion symbols by Rudolf Koch click here.

 

 

The Man With Wings is The Gospel of St. Matthew's Symbol

Winged man with star for Matthew's Gospel.

       "St. Matthew's is the Gospel for the Jews, the Gospel of the past, the Gospel which sees in Christianity a fulfillment of Judaism, the Gospel of discourses, the didactic Gospel, the Gospel which represents Christ as the Messiah of the Jew."
       His emblem is the man: expressing the kingly and human characteristics of Christ.

Rudolf Koch's Gospel of St. Matthew.

Scriptural Resources for The Gospel of St. Matthew's Symbol - A Winged Man:

• "The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham." Matthew 1:1(KJB)
• "Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost." Matthew 1:18-20 (KJB)
• "Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us." Matthew 1:23 (KJB)
• "From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." Matthew 4:17 (BSB)
• ""In Bethlehem in Judea," they said, "for this is what the prophet wrote: 'And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah, are not least among the ruling cities of Judah, for a ruler will come from you who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.'" Matthew 2:5-6 (NLT)
• "Then what was spoken through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: "A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and refusing consolation, because they are no more." Matthew 2:17-18 (BSB)

 

St. Matthew's Gospel, winged man in medallion.

The Ox is The Gospel of St. Luke's Symbol

Ox symbol with wings and star.

 

      "St. Luke's is the Gospel for the Greeks, the Gospel of the future, the Gospel of progressive Christianity, of the universality and gratuitousness of the Gospel, the historic Gospel, the Gospel of Jesus as the Good Physician and Savior of Mankind." 

       His emblem is the ox: expressing power and sacrifice, Christ's priestly and mediatorial office.

Scriptural Resources for The Gospel of St. Luke's Symbol - An Ox:

• "But Jesus was saying, "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing." And they cast lots, dividing up His garments among themselves." Luke 23:47 (NIV)
• "But Jesus was saying, "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing." And they cast lots, dividing up His garments among themselves." Luke 6:27 (NLT)
• "And He withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and He knelt down and began to pray, saying, "Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done." Luke 22: 41-42 (NASB) 
• "But Jesus was saying, "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing." And they cast lots, dividing up His garments among themselves." Luke 23:34 (NASB)

The above Gospel of St. Luke is by Rudolf Koch.

 

St. Luke's Gospel, ox inside a medallion.

 

More About The Ox:

• The Ox Symbol without wings...

The Eagle is The Gospel of St. John's Symbol

Eagle head with halo.

      "St. John's is preeminently the Gospel for the church, the Gospel of eternity, the spiritual Gospel, the Gospel of Christ as the Eternal Son, and the Incarnate Word." His emblem is the eagle: because "he soars to heaven above the clouds of human infirmity, and reveals to us the mysteries of the God-head, and the felicities of eternal life, gazing on the light of immutable truth with a keen and steady ken."

Scriptural Resources for The Gospel of John's Symbol - An Eagle:

• Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am." John 8:58
• The crowd then answered Him, "We have heard out of the Law that the Christ is to remain forever; and how can You say, 'The Son of Man must be lifted up'? Who is this Son of Man?" John 12:34
• "The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain forever." John 8:35 

 

St. John's symbol, the eagle, by Rudolf Koch.

Gospel of John, eagle medallion

Jesse Tree Ornament: The "I" Scroll

"Therefore my people go into exile for lack of knowledge; their honored men go hungry, and their multitude is parched with thirst." Isaiah 5:13 (NSV)

and/or

"But the people have not returned to rely on him who struck them, nor have they sought the LORD of the Heavenly Armies." Isaiah 9:13 (ISV)

       The regard in which Isaiah is held is so high that the book is frequently called "the Fifth Gospel", the prophet who spoke more clearly of Christ and the Church than any others. Its influence extends beyond the Church and Christianity to English literature and to Western culture in general, from the libretto of Handel's Messiah to a host of such everyday phrases as "swords into ploughshares" and "voice in the wilderness".
       The Gospel of John quotes Isaiah 6:10 and states that "Isaiah said this because he saw Jesus’ glory and spoke about him." Isaiah makes up 27 of the 37 quotations from the prophets in the Pauline epistles, and takes pride of place in the Gospels and in Acts of the Apostles. Isaiah 7:14, where the prophet is assuring king Ahaz that God will save Judah from the invading armies of Israel and Syria, forms the basis for Matthew 1:23's doctrine of the virgin birth, while Isaiah 40:3–5's image of the exiled Israel led by God and proceeding home to Jerusalem on a newly constructed road through the wilderness was taken up by all four Gospels and applied to John the Baptist and Jesus.
       Isaiah seems always to have had a prominent place in Jewish Bible use, and it is probable that Jesus himself was deeply influenced by Isaiah. Thus many of the Isaiah passages that are familiar to Christians gained their popularity not directly from Isaiah but from the use of them by Jesus and the early Christian authors – this is especially true of the Book of Revelation, which depends heavily on Isaiah for its language and imagery.

A baker's clay version of a "I" scroll, symbolic for the prophet Isaiah. Both ends are rolled toward each other with the inside text made invisible to the reader.

"For unto us a child was born..." Handel's Messiah

Jesse Tree Ornament: The "J" Scroll

"For the time is coming," says the LORD, "when I will raise up a righteous descendant from King David's line. He will be a King who rules with wisdom. He will do what is just and right throughout the land." Jeremiah 23:5 (NLT)

Jeremiah also foreshowed the miraculous conception of Christ, (Jer. 31:22) the virtue of his atonement, the spiritual character of his covenant, and the inward efficacy of his laws, Jer. 31: 31-36. 33:8.

• Messiah Revealed

A baker's clay version of a "J" scroll. Symbolic for the prophet Jeremiah. The bottom end is rolled to the front of the scroll  and the top end is rolled to the back side of the scroll.

Jesse Tree Ornament: The "E" Scroll

"And I will make a covenant of peace with them, an everlasting covenant. I will give them their land and increase their numbers, and I will put my Temple among them forever." Ezekiel 37:26

Ezekiel was also a contemporary of Jeremiah, and like him he was also of the sacerdotal race.

       Sacerdotalism is the belief that propitiatory sacrifices for sin require the intervention of a priest. That is, it is the belief that a special, segregated order of men, called the Levitical Priesthood, are the only ones who can commune directly with God or the gods. This system of priesthood is exemplified by the Aaronic priests in the Old Testament.
       The term sacerdotalism comes from the Latin sacerdos, priest, literally one who presents sacred offerings (from sacer, "the sacred", and dare, "to give"); offerer of sacrifices. The related Latin term sacerdotium refers to the earthly hierarchy (of priests, bishops, etc.) whose primary goal is the salvation of the soul.

Right, A baker's clay version of the "e" scroll, symbolic for the prophet Ezekiel. This is basically an open scroll with two ends rolled slightly out but facing inward. The text would be revealed.

Jesse Tree Ornament - The Ram

"And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son. And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen." Genesis 22:13-14 (KJB)

Patterns for crafting a ram symbol for your Jesse tree.

       In Judaism, the qorban is any of a variety of sacrificial offerings described and commanded in the Torah. The most common usages are animal sacrifice (zevah זֶבַח), zevah shelamim (the peace offering) and olah (the "holocaust" or burnt offering). A qorban was an animal sacrifice, such as a bull, sheep, goat, deer or a dove that underwent shechita (Jewish ritual slaughter). Sacrifices could also consist grain, meal, wine, or incense.

       The Hebrew Bible says that Yahweh commanded the Israelites to offer offerings and sacrifices on various altars. The sacrifices were only to be offered by the hands of the Kohanim. Before building the Temple in Jerusalem, when the Israelites were in the desert, sacrifices were offered only in the Tabernacle. After building Solomon's Temple, sacrifices were allowed only there. After the Temple was destroyed, sacrifices was resumed when the Second Temple was built until it was also destroyed in 70 CE. After the destruction of the Second Temple sacrifices were prohibited because there was no longer a Temple, the only place allowed by halakha for sacrifices. Offering of sacrifices was briefly reinstated during the Jewish–Roman wars of the second century CE and was continued in certain communities thereafter.

A painted salt clay ornament of a ram for the Jesse Tree.

• Return To The Jesse Tree Index

Jesse Tree Ornament - The Fish

"Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee." Jonah 3:2 (KJB)

Two patterns for the Jesse Tree fish symbol.

   
       "As early as the days of the Church in the Catacombs we find the Holy Sacrament of Baptism symbolically represented. The most frequent symbol is a fish: it frequently appears upon the tombs of the departed Christians, indicating that they who are buried were baptized into the Church of Christ by water, the only element in which fish can exist.
       From these early times, and throughout the whole of the Middle Ages, the Fish retained its signification and continued to be used.
        Sometimes three fishes were represented entwined in a triangular fashion: doubtless this was intended to symbolize Baptism under the immediate sanction and blessing of the Divine Trinity." Audsley.
        The Fish most often used on a Jesse Tree, however, is symbolic for the great fish that carried the prophet Jonah to a distant city called, Nineveh. Modern Christian's often prefer the depiction of a whale as being the creature to secure Jonah's passage through the sea. 

Color suggestion for painting the fish symbol.

A baker's clay version of a fish pattern above.

• Return To The Jesse Tree Index

Defeated in battle...

"For Your arrows have sunk deep into me, And Your hand has pressed down on me." Psalm 38:2

Description of Illustration: a Medieval knight perishes on top of his horse, stabbed! exhausted horse, armor, giving up, giving in

"Remove Your plague from me; Because of the opposition of Your hand I am perishing." Psalm 39:10

"The cords of death encompassed me And the terrors of Sheol came upon me; I found distress and sorrow." Psalm 116:3

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.

Prepare For Battle!

"This command I entrust to you, Timothy, my son, in accordance with the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you fight the good fight." 1 Timothy 1:18

 Description of Illustration: black and white, soldiers facing one another, shields ready and swords drawn, armor helmets, transparent backgrounds and black text

"Proclaim this among the nations: Prepare a war; rouse the mighty men! Let all the soldiers draw near, let them come up!" Joel 3:9

 "Thus says the Lord GOD concerning Edom - We have heard a report from the LORD, And an envoy has been sent among the nations saying, 'Arise and let us go against her for battle" Obadiah 1:1

"The horse is prepared for the day of battle, But victory belongs to the LORD." Proverbs 21:31

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.

Nursery care baby illustration

Description of Illustration: black and white, baby in a blanket, wave hello, shadow
 
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.

Engagement quotes, vintage proposal cartoon

"Grow old with me! The best is yet to be." Robert Browning

Description of Illustration: white tie, tuxedo, tails, engagement ring, bride-to-be, future groom, black and white only, engagement quotes

"All things do go a-courting,
In earth, or sea, or air,
God hath made nothing single
But thee in His world so fair."
Emily Dickinson

"Two souls, one heart."

"My heart to you is given:
Ohm do give yours to me;
We'll lock them up together,
And throw away the key."
by Frederick Saunders

"My whole heart for my whole life."

  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.

Trespassers Will Be Prosecuted!

Description of Illustration: apple tree, tall fence, snake in the garden, sign text reads "Garden of Eden Trespassers Will Be Prosecuted" and scripture reads "I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. For I promised you to one husband to present you as a pure virgin to Christ. I am afraid, however, that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent's cunning, your minds may be led astray from your simple and pure devotion to Christ. For if someone comes and proclaims a Jesus other than the One we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit than the One you received, or a different gospel than the one you accepted, you put up with it way too easily..." 2 Corinthians 11:3

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.

Jaffa Harbor

Description of Illustration: monochromatic colors: navy and blue-grey, tan and brown, fishing boats, village in the harbor, water, sea

Jaffa or Yafo (Hebrew: יפו‎‎,  Yāfō (help·info); Arabic: يَافَا‎‎, also called Japho or Joppa), is the southern and oldest part of Tel Aviv-Yafo, an ancient port city in Israel. Jaffa is famous for its association with the biblical stories of Jonah, Solomon and Saint Peter as well as the mythological story of Andromeda and Perseus, and later with oranges. 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.

Falling Sorrows

"In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials." 1 Peter 1:16

Illustrated Scriptures Described: transparent backgrounds, white text, fall leaves in amber colors: red, orange and yellow, leaf stems

"Some devout men buried Stephen, and made lout lamentation over him." Acts 8:2

"Hear, O LORD, and be gracious to me; O LORD, be my helper." You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have loosed my sackcloth and girded me with gladness, " Psalm 30: 10-11

"The LORD is near to the brokenhearted And saves those who are crushed in spirit." Psalm 34:18

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 Pilgrim's Hymn.
University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Aim And Shoot!

"Cain said to his brother Abel, "Let's go out to the field." and while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him" Genesis 4:8 plus "Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he slay him?..." 1 John 3:12

Description of Illustration: Gangsters from the 20s or 30s, gun, cigarette, text "--selling calls for healthy nerves, too, Mr Marksman!" scriptures about murder and violence, vintage film, bullet holes, leather gloves

"Whoever takes a human life shall surely be put to death." Leviticus 24:17 plus "But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgement..." Matthew 5:22

"Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God man he made." Book of Genesis "Ruben answered them, saying, "Did I not tell you, 'Do not sin against the boy'; and you would not listen? Now comes the reckoning for his blood." plus "Put your sward back in its place, Jesus said to him, "For all who draw the sword will die by the sword." Matthew 26:52

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.

Sheet Music Frame

Description of Illustration: music notes, sheet music, banner for announcements, fill it in with your own information, announce concerts, recitals, classes, special events and even music lessons, comes in black and white only

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.

"Please tell me what is wrong dear!

Description of Illustration: couple, speech bubble, sermon starter, 1930s, sitting on lap, text "Please tell me what is wrong dear!", greyscale, vintage photograph

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.