Symbols of the Church

What symbol is this?

• Beehive

• Keys

• Ship

• Dove

What symbol is this?

• Flames

• Beehive

• Keys

• Ship

What symbol is this?

• Keys

• Ship

• Dove

• Flames

What symbol is this?

• Beehive

• Ship

• Flames

• Dove

What symbol is this?

• Flames

• Beehive

• Keys

• Dove

What is the meaning/significance of the Beehive symbol?

• This symbol comes from the story of the ark that carried Noah safely through the flood. Jesus’ calming of the storm also helped to make the boat a symbol of safety. St. Ambrose compared the Church to a ship, with the cross as its mast.

• It is a symbol of the Church. Christians, with their different talents and gifts, work to build up the Church just as bees work together to build up their hive.

• Is a symbol of the Holy Spirit. At Jesus’ baptism the Spirit

  descended on him in the form of a dove. The three-rayed halo around its head identifies the Spirit as a member of the Trinity. A dove shown without the halo is a symbol of peace.

• Tongues of flame, especially when shown resting on the heads of the disciples, are symbols of the Holy Spirit and his anointing and power.

What is the meaning/significance of the Keys symbol?

• It is a symbol of the Church. Christians, with their different talents and gifts, work to build up the Church just as bees work together to build up their hive.

• A symbol of the Holy Spirit. At Jesus’ baptism the Spirit descended on him in the form of a dove. The three-rayed halo around its head identifies the Spirit as a member of the Trinity. A dove shown without the halo is a symbol of peace.

• Represent the power of the Church to forgive sin in Jesus’

  name. Two crossed keys symbolise the authority of Saint Peter and the Popes who followed him.

• Tongues of flame, especially when shown resting on the heads of the disciples, are symbols of the Holy Spirit and his anointing and power.

What is the meaning/significance of the Ship symbol?

• It is a symbol of the Church. Christians, with their different talents and gifts, work to build up the Church just as bees work together to build up their hive.

• Tongues of flame, especially when shown resting on the heads of the disciples, are symbols of the Holy Spirit and his anointing and power.

• Represent the power of the Church to forgive sin in Jesus’

  name. Two crossed keys symbolise the authority of Saint Peter and the Popes who followed him.

• This symbol comes from the story of the ark that carried Noah safely through the flood. Jesus’ calming of the storm also helped to make the boat a symbol of safety. St. Ambrose compared the Church to a ship, with the cross as its mast.

What is the meaning/significance of the Dove symbol?

• Is a symbol of the Holy Spirit. At Jesus’ baptism the Spirit descended on him in the form of a dove. The three-rayed halo around its head identifies the Spirit as a member of the Trinity. A dove shown without the halo is a symbol of peace.

• It is a symbol of the Church. Christians, with their different talents and gifts, work to build up the Church just as bees work together to build up their hive.

• Represent the power of the Church to forgive sin in Jesus’

  name. Two crossed keys symbolise the authority of Saint Peter and the Popes who followed him.

• This symbol comes from the story of the ark that carried Noah safely through the flood. Jesus’ calming of the storm also helped to make the boat a symbol of safety. St. Ambrose compared the Church to a ship, with the cross as its mast.

What is the meaning/significance of the Flames symbol?

• Is a symbol of the Holy Spirit. At Jesus’ baptism the Spirit descended on him in the form of a dove. The three-rayed halo around its head identifies the Spirit as a member of the Trinity. A dove shown without the halo is a symbol of peace.

• Tongues of flame, especially when shown resting on the heads of the disciples, are symbols of the Holy Spirit and his anointing and power.

• Represent the power of the Church to forgive sin in Jesus’

  name. Two crossed keys symbolise the authority of Saint Peter and the Popes who followed him.

• This symbol comes from the story of the ark that carried Noah safely through the flood. Jesus’ calming of the storm also helped to make the boat a symbol of safety. St. Ambrose compared the Church to a ship, with the cross as its mast.