Christians began to use symbolic images in the days of the catacomb church. It is believed that the characters played the role of secret signs by which co-religionists could recognize each other. But each of these signs is full of meaning.
Instruction manual
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Christian symbols are associated with Jesus Christ, the crucifixion (atonement), the sacrament of the Eucharist. In addition, there are images denoting the Church, faith, immortality, purity and other concepts.
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One of the varieties of symbols associated with the Savior is the monogram of Christ. These are signs represented by several letters (usually fancifully connected) designating Jesus. Ihtis and Hi-Ro are the most famous of them. At the same time, the word "ichthys", translated from Greek as "fish", was often replaced by a picture. Later, monograms appeared, composed of letters of the Latin alphabet.
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The Savior is also symbolized by images. The most popular of them is the Good Shepherd. In the Gospel of John, Christ allegorically describes his role as a teacher with the words: "I am the good shepherd." Just as a shepherd takes care of a flock, so the Lord takes care of believers.
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The Lamb is also a symbol of the Son of God. This image is associated with representations of the cross sacrifice made by the Savior. Later, the image of the lamb was replaced by the image of the crucified Christ.
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In the modern world, the main Christian symbol is the cross. In the Roman Empire, a cross-shaped structure was used to execute slaves. Jesus suffered a martyrdom, suffered innocently for the sins of mankind. In memory of this event, believers wear a crucifix on their chest.
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Vine (bowl) and bread (spike) - images associated with the sacrament of the Eucharist, symbolize the blood and flesh of Christ. In addition, the vine denotes the Church. "I am the vine, and you are the branches
", - Jesus tells the disciples in the Gospel of John.
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Among the Christian symbols there are many "bird": pigeon, phoenix, peacock and rooster. The dove means the Holy Spirit, the phoenix means the resurrection, the victory over death, the peacock means immortality (before people believed that the body of the peacock does not decompose), the rooster means the awakening to life, the resurrection.
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Purity in Christianity is symbolized by lilies. There is a legend that on the day of the Annunciation, the Archangel Gabriel appeared to the Blessed Virgin with this flower. The rose is also associated (in the Catholic tradition) with the Virgin.
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Anchor is a symbol of stability, fortress of faith. An anchor prevents the ship from breaking, and faith does not allow a person to leave the path of salvation.
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The ship in Christianity is associated with the Church of Christ. It helps the believer to survive in the sea of busy life. Temples often look like ships.
