Symbols of Christ

• This is the most common of all Christian symbols. It reminds us that Jesus died to bring us new life. Empty, it is a sign of Jesus’ Resurrection and of our hope for eternal life.

• This is one of the oldest symbols for Christ. It combines the first two Greek letters of the word “Christ”.

• These call to mind the story of Jesus’ feeding of the five thousand. They also remind us that Jesus is the Bread of Life.

• These Latin letters stand for the notice that Pilate ordered placed on Jesus’ cross: “Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum” – Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.

• Alpha and omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. They refer to the eternal nature of Christ.

• This five-pointed symbol appeared over Bethlehem. It is shaped roughly like a human being and represents the birth of the Son of God as a human baby.

• These call to mind the story of Jesus’ feeding of the five thousand. They also remind us that Jesus is the Bread of Life.

• These are symbols of royal authority, and are often used to represent Christ, the King, who reigns over all creation.

• These Latin letters stand for the notice that Pilate ordered placed on Jesus’ cross: “Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum” – Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.

• This is the most common of all Christian symbols. It reminds us that Jesus died to bring us new life. Empty, it is a sign of Jesus’ Resurrection and of our hope for eternal life.

• Alpha and omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. They refer to the eternal nature of Christ.

• This symbol calls to mind Jesus’ words, “I am the light of the world”. Christians are also called to be the light of the world.

• This sacred monogram is formed from three letters of the Greek word for “Jesus” (IHC). Sometimes IHS is used instead.

• This symbol comes in different forms. Standing with a banner, it represents the risen Christ who triumphs over death. Standing with a cross and bleeding from a wound in its side, it represents the suffering and death of our Lord. Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

• These are a reminder of Jesus’ teaching that he is the true vine. Christians get their life and fruitfulness from Christ, in the same way that grapes grow well on a healthy vine.

• This symbol is named after the father of King David, Jesus’ famous ancestor. The shoot growing from the stump is a symbol for Jesus, the Messiah foretold by the prophet Isaiah.

• This symbol calls to mind Jesus’ words, “I am the light of the world”. Christians are also called to be the light of the world.

• Alpha and omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. They refer to the eternal nature of Christ.

• These Latin letters stand for the notice that Pilate ordered placed on Jesus’ cross: “Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum” – Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.

• This is the most common of all Christian symbols. It reminds us that Jesus died to bring us new life. Empty, it is a sign of Jesus’ Resurrection and of our hope for eternal life.

• Alpha and omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. They refer to the eternal nature of Christ.

• This is one of the oldest symbols for Christ. It combines the first two Greek letters of the word “Christ”.

• These Latin letters stand for the notice that Pilate ordered placed on Jesus’ cross: “Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum” – Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.

• This sacred monogram is formed from three letters of the Greek word for “Jesus” (IHC). Sometimes IHS is used instead.

• This five-pointed symbol appeared over Bethlehem. It is shaped roughly like a human being and represents the birth of the Son of God as a human baby.

• This symbol comes in different forms. Standing with a banner, it represents the risen Christ who triumphs over death. Standing with a cross and bleeding from a wound in its side, it represents the suffering and death of our Lord. Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

• These are symbols of royal authority, and are often used to represent Christ, the King, who reigns over all creation.

• Alpha and omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. They refer to the eternal nature of Christ.

• An ancient story told of a beautiful bird that lived in the desert of Arabia. After five hundred years, it set its nest on fire and was destroyed in the flames. After three days, it rose again from the ashes, to live another five hundred years. Early Christians saw in this tale a symbol of Te Aranga.

• These are a reminder of Jesus’ teaching that he is the true vine. Christians get their life and fruitfulness from Christ, in the same way that grapes grow well on a healthy vine.

• This part of the body is a symbol of death, both physical and spiritual. It is often pictured at the foot of the cross on which Jesus was crucified at Golgotha.

• The Gospels tell us that if we knock on this it will be opened for us. Through it, Christ leads us to his Father.

• The first letters of the Greek phrase “Jesus Christ, Son of God, Saviour” form the Greek word “ICHTHUS”. This symbol was used by early Christians in times of persecution as a secret sign of their shared faith. Three of these represent Jesus as a member of the Trinity

• These are a reminder of Jesus’ teaching that he is the true vine. Christians get their life and fruitfulness from Christ, in the same way that grapes grow well on a healthy vine.

• This symbol is named after the father of King David, Jesus’ famous ancestor. The shoot growing from the stump is a symbol for Jesus, the Messiah foretold by the prophet Isaiah.

• The Gospels tell us that if we knock on this it will be opened for us. Through it, Christ leads us to his Father.

• An ancient story told of a beautiful bird that lived in the desert of Arabia. After five hundred years, it set its nest on fire and was destroyed in the flames. After three days, it rose again from the ashes, to live another five hundred years. Early Christians saw in this tale a symbol of Te Aranga.

• This sacred monogram is formed from three letters of the Greek word for “Jesus” (IHC). Sometimes IHS is used instead.

• This symbol is named after the father of King David, Jesus’ famous ancestor. The shoot growing from the stump is a symbol for Jesus, the Messiah foretold by the prophet Isaiah.

• These are a reminder of Jesus’ teaching that he is the true vine. Christians get their life and fruitfulness from Christ, in the same way that grapes grow well on a healthy vine.