Christian Symbolism  i to N

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Iconostasis: (Gr. eikonostasion, eidonostasis, picture screen, from eikon, image, picture, and histemi, place), the chief and most distinctive feature in all Greek churches,  whether Catholic or Orthodox. It may be said to differentiate the Greek church completely from the Roman in its interior arrangement. It consists of a great screen or partition running from side to side of the apse or across the entire end of the church, which divides the sanctuary from the body of the church, and is built of solid materials such as stone, metal, or wood, and which reaches often (as in Russia) to the very ceiling of the church, thus completely shutting off the altar and the sanctuary from the worshipper. It has three doors: the great royal door in the middle (so called because it leads directly to the altar upon which the King of kings is sacrificed), the deacon's door to the right, and the door of the proskomide (preparation for Liturgy) upon the left, when viewing the structure from the standpoint of a worshipper in the body of the church.  See Rood and Veil. .........................Return to Index

Iris: The shape of this flower gives it the name "Sword Lily."  As with the Lily, this flower is associated with the Virgin Mary.  And, again, as the Lily which signifies purity will appear with other saintly figures (such as St. Joseph) so also the Iris will pop up whenever the topic of steadfastness must be conveyed.    ...................... ......Return to Index

Israel:  Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, (Gen.32:28) ... There he set up an altar and called it El Elohe Israel. (Gen.33:20).... your name will be Israel. So he named him Israel.(Gen.35:10) Israel - although this is controversial - is a word with no other root than from the mouth of God. According to Abarim Publications' Biblical Name Vault the name Israel means God Strives, or God Persisteth, God Persevereth. And although God renames Jacob to Israel, by all views Israel is a nation of people, presumably Jewish people (again that is arguable.) You need only draw the Israeli flag and your symbol is complete because the presence, power and position of this nation had everyone's attention even for the thousands of years it was not even a country. But when looked at from strictly a Christian eye, Israel denotes a suspicious love-hate relationship between the two cultures. And it started out very early. It is a bit ignorant to say that it all began at the crucifixion because the followers of Christ were in fact Jewish. And as such did not view the doctrines of Jesus as anything other than the latest Rabbi's truths. But as Gentiles joined the ranks crazy talk about Jews being "Christ-Killers" started a divide, and when you push a Jew, they don't turn no cheeks. In Acts 28:20 the Jewish faithful hammer away at Paul: , "Men of Israel, help us! This is the man who teaches all men everywhere against our people and our law and this place. And besides, he has brought Greeks into the temple area and defiled this holy place." (They had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with Paul and assumed that Paul had brought him into the temple area.) But, as in Acts 13:16 Paul tries to create a bond between the cultures: Standing up, Paul motioned with his hand and said: "Men of Israel and you Gentiles who worship God, listen to me!"  And things have been rough ever since. ........................Return to Index

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Key: The natural symbol for having access to something which is behind or out of reach of others without such permission.  "Woe to the lawyers! (the literalists is who Jesus spoke of - who are also lawyers) for you have taken away the key of knowledge." (Luke 11:52) Among the Saints the key is an attribute of St. Peter following the recognition by Jesus as his representative on earth: "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be lossed in heaven." (Matt. 16:15-20)  See also: Door. ......................................Return to Index

King: The obvious symbol for the supreme ruler over his kingdom and the symbol of spiritual and/or temporal lordship. The King of Kings would be God Himself. That guy over there is Elvis - king of Rock 'n' Roll.   As with most images shown in this library, if you click on them they will bring you to the page where MyDrawingBoard posts the files for you. Members Only  ................................. .....Return to Index

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LABYRINTH

Labyrinth: Labyrinths are not mazes. The difference is in the construction. Depict a labyrinth as different from a maze by building it of natural materials. Design the maze with artifical constructs and less multicursal. A maze as a symbol has undergone a major shift in Christianty. Once a sign of the bondage (entanglement) of man's spirit in the material realm.  Because of the difficulty to transverse any maze, a labyrinth depicts this entanglement as tortuous.  By the 14th century the maze became a symbol of the "path" to God's truth. The labyrinth represents the traveller guided by divine instinct - such as when Theseus was guided by a golden thread through his labyrinth to go and kill the evil Minotaur. They are also traditionally regarded as symbolic substitutes for pilgrimage.  See also: Maze and Pilgrimage  ................................. ......Return to Index

MAZE

Ladder: The communication between heaven and earth.  The image comes from Jacob's dream: 'And he dreamed that there was a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven; and behold, the angels of God were ascending and descending on it!' (Gen. 28:12)  Closer to Catholic symbolism: the ladder took on the type of the Virgin Mary during the Middle ages who, through the Incarnation, brought about the union of heaven and earth - the divine and the human.  Or as I depict on your left from one age into another.  ....................... ......Return to Index

Lamb: The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world - the Agnes Dei. "Behold, the Lamb of God." (John 1:36)  The Passover Lamb commemorated the Jews deliverance from Egypt; their salvation was assured by the blood of a lamb painted on their doorways. (Ex. 1:1-13).  So the salvation of all men is made possible through the blood shed in the sacrifice of Christ, the new Paschal Lamb, on the Cross.  '...the lamb who was slain...'(Rev. 5:12)  The earthy image of Jesus carrying a lamb represents the Good Shepherd caring for his fold. ............................Return to Index

Lamp: The Divine Light. Depicts Wisdom and Knowledge - a lamp is the ancient light bulb; and what do our best cartoonist use for a 'bright idea?'  It is also a symbol of Christ, though seldom employed: 'And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine upon it, for the glory of God is its light, and its lamp is the Lamb.' (Rev. 21:23) See also: Eye and Light.  ...........................Return to Index

A Large M:  Mary, Mother of God.    ...........................................................................................................Return to Index

Leaven: This is yeast which is placed into dough to make bread; leaven bread. It doesn't have a great rep in the Bible. Jesus who is called the Bread of Life warns his followers, "Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy." (Luke 12:1) Because leaven permeates the dough Jesus and St. Paul (and a host of others) use this analogy as corruption permeates man's soul.  Leaven also puffs up and St. Paul says, "Your boasting is not good.  Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?  Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. (1 Cor. 5-6)  See also Unleaven.  ...................... .....Return to Index

Light: For the artist there just isn't any other symbol, right? Leaning toward Christendom, however, the symbolism is obvious.  Light was the very first creation (Gen. 1:1) Its very presence enforces the notion that darkness is nothing at all - but the absence of light.  Once shed, light illuminates its subject.  Thus Jesus is the "Light of the World."  "...who will bring to light the things now hidden ... and will disclose the purposes of the human heart.." (1 Cor. 4:5)  The Bible also suggests that heavenly light has character beyond that of ordinary light which is beyond the comprehension of mere mortals; until the time spoken in Corinthians, that is. Then, "I shall light in your heart the lamp of understanding, which shall not be put out..." (2 Esdras 14:25)  Use light as a symbol of God, its most common understanding. You'll find it difficult to portray Light as illumination or Light on its own.  The most popular is the rays from the Hand of God Cleaver use can be seen on many Gate Of Heaven designs and such imagery leans toward the "Light of the World" symbol.  The Virgin Mary is considered the 'Light-bearer' because of the star (star, not light) which herald the birth of Christ.  See also: Eye and Lamp.  ................ ......Return to Index

Lily: The white Madonna Lily is the symbol of the state of purity and chastity of the Virgin Mary.  But don't fall back on that too much.  The lily can be seen in the arms of St. Joe - and not because Mary should be there also - as well as along side several other saints and emblems as well.  Use the lily as a symbol of purity.  Purity need not harbor chastity, yet it often implies it. For example in almost every painting of the Archangel Gabriel, God's heavenly messenger who announced to Virgin Mary that she would be the mother og God, you'll find a lily.  Which denotes, of course, that what Gabriel says is 'straight and true.'  ..........................Return to Index

Lion: This carries 3 (among hundreds) of meanings. (A)The 'king of beasts' also depicts Jesus as the Messianic king. "...the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.' (Rev. 5:5 and also Gen. 49:9-10)  (B) The symbol is of the Resurrection because, according to legend, all lions are still-born and brought back to life by the breathing of life into them from their mothers.  (C) The lion is also the symbolic attribute of St. Mark. As with most images shown in this library, if you click on them they will bring you to the page where MyDrawingBoard posts the files for you. Members Only!  ................... ......Return to Index

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Magi: The 'Three Wise Men' and/or 'The Three Kings.'  A Magi is a Magician of the ancient definition meaning pontiff. So the next time you see the 3 Wise men remember that they were not just some clever fellows but highly venerated people of great position. That is why tradition has drifted from the use of Magi over to King.  The exact number is likely dubious also.  The symbol of the Magi in art is to tell the story of man's submission to the birth of Christ.  Three Kings fills the need for the three-fold dimensions of man: mind, body and spirit.  When you employ the Magi in adoration you represent Christ's manifestation or Epiphany to mankind.  ................... ......Return to Index

Man: A winged man is the symbol for St. Matthew.  A caricature of a man will represent just any man.  A specific man, of course his himself.  The Son of man (capitol S) is Jesus Christ.  When you are attempting to say something through your art while using the image of a man consider the value of garments and dress codes.  No one will ever mistake my little caveman on the left for a saint or a business man.  However, change nothing but the club to a cross and you have Saint Peter or Jesus himself - I would add a crown of thorns for the Lord.  And get rid of that silly smirk while I'm at it.         ......................Return to Index

Mandorla: See Vesica piscis and Fish. It is the very symbol you see on the left.  Common during the Middle Ages and is one of the sacred geometric symbols.  ......................Return to Index

Manna: Bread from Heaven which suggests God's Grace.  It originates from Exodus.  Each morning bread appeared for the wandering Jews in the desert.  The name comes from the Jewish expression: man hu which means 'What is it?'  Which is what the people said the first morning manna appeared to them. Moses told them it was bread and to eat it. (Ex. 16:15) Jesus added, "I am the living bread which came down from heaven." (John 6:51) So you can intermix the symbol of Manna (bread) with that of the Eucharist. But, keep in mind that Manna is strictly speaking food - any food considered appreciated to find.  ................... .....Return to Index

Marriage: Not what you would think, but makes sense - the union of man and woman is seen in Christendom as a joining of opposites. Science has claimed that men and women are (not opposites but) different species within the same species.  Doesn't that make sense also?  I don't know, but it seems to me that all scientists really should have been priests and all priests should have listened to Paul Davies more; and thus become scientists. Anyway, whenever Christendom throws a curve at us regular folk we turn our heads toward the Word of the Bible and there we find Church and God as bride and Bridegroom, lover and beloved as man and God's relationship.  Or what most artists employ the symbol for - Marriage.  ............ ......Return to Index

Maze: See Labyrinth. The difference is that a maze is considered less tortuous.  A maze is often depicted in a carnival setting while a Labyrinth would be its bigger, more serious brother. A maze as an item or "real" thing would likely be represented in wood, metal or housed in a fashion. Labyrinths are often large, formidable and made of giant shrubs; think of labyrinth in Stephen King's 'The Shinning.'  See also: Pilgrimage  ..........................Return to Index

Milk: "like newborn babies, long for the spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up to salvation." (1 Peter 2:2)  That speaks for itself -and is a mouthful  .................... ......Return to Index

Mill / Millstone: When you're put through the mill (or stomped in the winepress - see Winepress) you are experiencing the wrath of God.  Which by all accounts is far worse than the wrath of woman - and that's no fun; period.  .................... ......Return to Index

MITER At first, it was only used by the pope the miter is the proper liturgical headdress for all bishops of the Latin rite, including the pope. The word comes from the Greek word mitra, meaning "turban." It consists of two stiffened flaps of material joined by a headband with two fringed strips hanging from the back base of the miter. The miter developed from the conical head-covering worn by the pope that appeared in the tenth century.  .................... ......Return to Index

Mirror: What we 'thoroughly modern superior Beings' take for granted such as a polished mirror - in fact we have dropped the adjective: polished - was a highly prized possession before the Industrial Revolution. So the average fellow well understood when St. Paul said: "For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face." (1 Cor. 13:12) It's like saying today: 'It's just a Black Hole robbing you of the vision of the entrance to the multi-dimensional aspects of our world.' Or perhaps, Paul Davis and John Gibbons isn't your cup of tea, we'll say: 'Clean that computer screen!'  For, as it says in Wisdom 7:26: "...is a reflection of eternal light, a spotless mirror of the workings of God, and an image of His goodness..'  I can't say how much your soul is reflected in your computer screen, but whatever the value, God did call it good.  ..........................Return to Index

Moon: The feminine, passive and receptive principle.  Before Ra, Salem and other "Sun gods" there was Nana the Moon goddess.  I'd have to guess that ancient ... way ancient ... man dreaded the hot, and all-seeing light of the sun.  Until he got around to farming and having bigger and better weapons then the animals around him. Then the moon was the signal for rest, peace, and intimacy.  And far better for determining a schedule than the never changing sun due to its cycles. So when Christendom was staring down paganism with its love of sun worship and other lunacy (had to say it..) the early Fathers gently bestowed the moon as a symbol of the Virgin Mary.  To be kind, of course.  But flatly they proclaimed - in verse so the average pagan illiterate couldn't read it, of course: "And the City of heaven has no need of sun or moon to shine upon it, for the glory of God is its light." (Rev. 21:23)   .......................Return to Index

Mountain: A symbol of spiritual elevation.  Unless you incorporate it with say, the Ten Commandments, or Jacob's sacrifice, there just is no other meaning; save BIG.  .................... ......Return to Index

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Net: When you're not scanning images, downloading from MyDrawingBoard.com and yelling at your computer screen, you might enjoy the sport of fishing or trapping.  Fun, right?  Not before the Industrial Revolution it wasn't.  How often I've seen cute images in all those catechisms of a spanky-clean fisherman casting his net into the crystal waters filled with fish just waiting to be drawn into God's heavenly arms. Stop by any fishing waft and put your hands on a real fishing net.  Or rig up one to capture a wild animal.  Trust me, I'd rather repair all of  my 18 servers with a butter knife than sit in a brush waiting for a pheasant to find my net (especially if the prey is silently watching me all along!) The Net is an ambivalent symbol representing both the binding and snares of the earth and the dubious net of salvation. Think about what's being said between the lines when Proverbs 1:17-18 says: 'For in vain is a net spread in the sight of any bird; but these men lie in wait for their own blood, they set an ambush for their own lives.'  Having said all this, I have often wondered what to think of the Apostles; to admire or to disdain them when Jesus said to them: "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." (Matt 4:19-20) And, presumably we have to admire them, then fall aghast when Matthew says, 'The kingdom of heaven is like a net which was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind.' (Matt. 13:47)  Oh, man, does that mean I have to sit at God's right side along with all my ex-wives too?!?!?  Also see Fish, Veil and Woven.  ..........................Return to Index

Nimbus: Is the symbol of God but employed as 'annointed by God.'  It's use is popular to point out the saint in a crowded painting.  It is a circular halo such as you see around St. Pete's head on the left.  Having St. Pete enclosed in a circular niche holds dual symbolism. In fine art the Nimbus is usually a full body aura.     Also see Circle.    ............Return to Index