Saint symbolism

Last updated

Dutch Book of Prayers from the mid-fifteenth century showing a group of five saints, with their emblems: Saint James the Great (wearing a pilgrim's hat); Saint Joseph; Saint Ghislain (holding a church); Saint Eligius (bishop with a crosier, holding a hammer); Saint Hermes (with the armor and the sword) Saints withtheiremblems.jpg
Dutch Book of Prayers from the mid-fifteenth century showing a group of five saints, with their emblems: Saint James the Great (wearing a pilgrim's hat); Saint Joseph; Saint Ghislain (holding a church); Saint Eligius (bishop with a crosier, holding a hammer); Saint Hermes (with the armor and the sword)

Symbolism of Christian saints has been used from the very beginnings of the religion. [1] Each saint is said to have led an exemplary life and symbols have been used to tell these stories throughout the history of the Church. [2] A number of Christian saints are traditionally represented by a symbol or iconic motif associated with their life, termed an attribute or emblem, in order to identify them. The study of these forms part of iconography in art history. [3] They were particularly used so that the illiterate could recognize a scene, and to give each of the Saints something of a personality in art. [2] They are often carried in the hand by the Saint.

Contents

Attributes often vary with either time or geography, especially between Eastern Christianity and the West. Orthodox images more often contained inscriptions with the names of saints, so the Eastern repertoire of attributes is generally smaller than the Western. [c] Many of the most prominent saints, like Saint Peter and Saint John the Evangelist can also be recognised by a distinctive facial type. Some attributes are general, such as the martyr's palm. [4] The use of a symbol in a work of art depicting a Saint reminds people who is being shown and of their story. The following is a list of some of these attributes.

Four Evangelists

The symbols of the four Evangelists are here depicted in the Book of Kells. The winged man, lion, eagle and bull symbolize, clockwise from top left, Matthew, Mark, John, and Luke. KellsFol027v4Evang.jpg
The symbols of the four Evangelists are here depicted in the Book of Kells. The winged man, lion, eagle and bull symbolize, clockwise from top left, Matthew, Mark, John, and Luke.
SaintSymbol [5]
Matthew winged man or angel
Mark winged lion
Luke winged bull
John eagle

The Apostles

SaintSymbol
Andrew St. Andrew's cross [a] , discalced, with fish or a rope
Bartholomew the Apostle knife, bears his own skin in hand [a]
James, son of Zebedee pilgrim's staff, scallop shell, key, sword, pilgrim's hat, astride a white charger, Cross of Saint James [a]
James, son of Alphaeus/James the Just square rule, halberd, club, saw [a]
John evangelistary, a serpent in a chalice, cauldron, eagle [a]
Jude sword, square rule, club, ship [a]
Judas Iscariot thirty pieces of silver [a]
Matthew angel, evangelistary [a]
Peter Keys of Heaven, boat, fish, rooster, pallium, papal vestments; crucified head downwards on an inverted cross, holding a book or scroll, with a bushy beard and hair. [a]
Philip column; holding a basket of loaves and a Tau Cross [a]
Simon boat; cross and saw; fish (or two fishes); lance; being sawn in two longitudinally; oar [a]
Thomas placing his finger in the side of Christ, axe, spear, carpentry tools [a]

Mary, mother of Jesus

Mary is often portrayed wearing blue. Her attributes include amongst many others a mantle (often in blue or very large to cover the faithful), crown of 12 stars, serpent, sun and/or moon, heart pierced by sword, Madonna lily, roses, and rosary beads. [6]

TitleSymbol
Black Madonna of Częstochowa Black Madonna in Hodegetria form, Infant Jesus, fleur-de-lis robes, slashes on right cheek
Immaculate Heart of Mary Burning bloodied heart, pierced with a sword, banded with roses, and lily flowers
Our Lady of Aparecida In traditional form of Immaculate Conception [ citation needed ]
Our Lady of Camarin Mary on crescent moon[ citation needed ]
Our Lady of Candelaria Black Madonna with candle in one hand, and Infant Jesus in the other hand. Jesus carries a small bird in his hands.[ citation needed ]
Our Lady of Charity Carrying the Christ child and holding a crucifix atop an inverted crescent moon, with triple cherubs, encrusted with jewels and golden crown and aureole halo, embroidered gold mantle with the Cuban flag[ citation needed ]
Our Lady the Garden Enclosed Statue of Our Lady of Sorrows holding a white handkerchief, gold crown and jewelry, richly embroidered mantle[ citation needed ]
Our Lady of Copacabana Blessed Virgin Mary, Inca dress and crown, Infant Jesus, straw basket, pigeons, baton, gold Quechua jewelry[ citation needed ]
Our Lady of Cotoca white embroidered mantle, gold crown and jewelry, scapuler[ citation needed ]
Our Lady of Fátima dressed in white, giving out rays of clear and intense light [7]
Our Lady of Good Counsel with the Infant Jesus, in their touching halo appear the words SS. Mater Boni consilii, ora pro nobis Jesum filium tuum
Our Lady of Guadalupe pregnant, eyes downcast, hands clasped in prayer, clothed in a pink tunic robe covered by a cerulean mantle with a black sash, emblazoned with eight-point stars; eclipsing a blazing sun while standing atop a darkened crescent moon, a cherubic angel carrying her train
Our Lady of Humility Mary seated low to the ground, usually holding the baby Jesus[ citation needed ]
Our Lady of Itatí in prayer, with blue embroidered mantle, solar crown, veil[ citation needed ]
Our Lady of Lebanon Blessed Virgin Mary with outstretched hands, bronze crown[ citation needed ]
Our Lady of Lourdes dressed in a flowing white robe, with a blue sash around her waist [8]
Our Lady of Luján in prayer, with a golden crown, embroidered blue mantle over white robe, sliver of moon[ citation needed ]
Our Lady of Navigators held by angels, with mantle, jewelry, crown, halo of stars; the Infant Jesus is holding an anchor [ citation needed ]
Our Lady of Peace Blessed Virgin Mary, Infant Jesus, olive branch, dove[ citation needed ]
Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage dark complexion, enlarged iris, unbound hair[ citation needed ]
Our Lady of Peñafrancia halo with Circle of 12 stars, Crown, Holy Child, Mantum [ citation needed ]
Our Lady of Piat dark complexion, the Child Jesus, rosary, crown, flowers[ citation needed ]
Our Lady of San Juan de los Lagos in prayer, with golden crown, white gown, blue mantle, silver banner held by angels[ citation needed ]
Our Lady of Sorrows in mournful state, tears, bleeding heart pierced by seven swords [b]
Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary, Queen of the Caracol with the Infant Jesus in a royal regalia, rosary and baton [ citation needed ]
Our Lady of the Rosary of Chiquinquirá standing on a crescent moon, blue cloak, white veil, holding the Infant Jesus. With bird, rosary, scepter, accompanied by Saints Anthony of Padua and Andrew [ citation needed ]
Our Lady of the Rosary with the Infant Jesus, crown, rosary [ citation needed ]
Our Lady of the Visitation of Guibang ivory statue [ citation needed ]
Our Lady of Vendôme with the Infant Jesus [ citation needed ]
Our Mother of Sheshan standing on top a Chinese dragon, with the Infant Jesus in cruciform gesture[ citation needed ]
Rosa Mystica with a rose[ citation needed ]
Queen of Heaven with a crown of stars, flowers [a]
Virgen de los Remedios de Pampanga The Blessed Virgin Mary encrusted with jewels, golden crown, aureole and moon.[ citation needed ]
Virgen del Valle Mary in a white dress[ citation needed ]
Virgin of Mercy sheltering people under her mantle[ citation needed ]
Virgin of Miracles Gothic carving of Mary with a baby in alabaster[ citation needed ]
Virgin of Montserrat Statue painted in polychrome of Mary with a baby seated on the Throne of Wisdom holding an orb of the earth in her right hand [9]
Virgin of the Thirty-Three assumpted into heaven, white robe, blue cloak, golden bejeweled crown, sliver of moon held by cherubs[ citation needed ]
Our Lady of Mount Carmel dressed in the colors of the Carmelite habit, wearing the mantle of the Carmelite habit, holding a brown scapular, sometimes handing it to Saint Simon Stock

Saints listed by name

Saints (A–H)

Saints (I–P)

Saints (Q–Z)

See also

Notes

  1. "List of saints". Catholic Online. Your Catholic Voice Foundation.
  2. Stracke, Richard (October 20, 2015). "Iconography". Christian Iconography.
  3. Rabenstein, Katherine (April 1999). "Saint of the Day Master Index". St. Patrick Catholic Church. Archived from the original on April 20, 2018.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Icon</span> Religious work of art in Eastern Christianity

An icon is a religious work of art, most commonly a painting, in the cultures of the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, and Catholic churches. They are not simply artworks; "an icon is a sacred image used in religious devotion". The most common subjects include Christ, Mary, saints and angels. Although especially associated with portrait-style images concentrating on one or two main figures, the term also covers most of the religious images in a variety of artistic media produced by Eastern Christianity, including narrative scenes, usually from the Bible or the lives of saints.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John the Evangelist</span> Name traditionally given to the author of the Gospel of John

John the Evangelist is the name traditionally given to the author of the Gospel of John. Christians have traditionally identified him with John the Apostle, John of Patmos, and John the Presbyter, although this has been disputed by most modern scholars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Madonna (art)</span> Artistic representation of Mary, either alone or with her child Jesus

In art, a Madonna is a representation of Mary, either alone or with her child Jesus. These images are central icons for both the Catholic and Orthodox churches. The word is from Italian ma donna 'my lady' (archaic). The Madonna and Child type is very prevalent in Christian iconography, divided into many traditional subtypes especially in Eastern Orthodox iconography, often known after the location of a notable icon of the type, such as the Theotokos of Vladimir, Agiosoritissa, Blachernitissa, etc., or descriptive of the depicted posture, as in Hodegetria, Eleusa, etc.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Christian art</span> Art with subjects from Christianity

Christian art is sacred art which uses subjects, themes, and imagery from Christianity. Most Christian groups use or have used art to some extent, including early Christian art and architecture and Christian media.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Four Evangelists</span> Authors of the Gospels in the New Testament

In Christian tradition, the Four Evangelists are Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, the authors attributed with the creation of the four canonical Gospel accounts. In the New Testament, they bear the following titles: the Gospel of Matthew; the Gospel of Mark; the Gospel of Luke; and the Gospel of John. These names were assigned to the works by the early church fathers in the 2nd century AD; none of the writers signed their work.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Our Lady of Sorrows</span> Name of Virgin Mary in relation to sorrows in her life

Our Lady of Sorrows, Our Lady of Dolours, the Sorrowful Mother or Mother of Sorrows, and Our Lady of Piety, Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows or Our Lady of the Seven Dolours are names by which Mary, mother of Jesus, is referred to in relation to sorrows in life. As Mater Dolorosa, it is also a key subject for Marian art in the Catholic Church.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Columba of Sens</span> Nun from northwestern Spain

Columba of Sens, was a virgin and nun who was born to a noble pagan family in northwestern Spain. She left Spain for France as a child to avoid being denounced as a Christian and received the baptismal name Columba, meaning "dove" in French. She settled in Sens, France, where the Roman emperor Aurelian noticed her and tried to force her to marry his son. When she refused, he imprisoned her. She was protected from being burned alive by a female bear and a miraculous rain shower, but was finally beheaded. Columba was venerated throughout France; a chapel was later built over her relics and the Abbey of Sens, which at one time was a pilgrimage site in her honor, was eventually built there.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Christ in Majesty</span> Theme in Christian iconography

Christ in Majesty or Christ in Glory is the Western Christian image of Christ seated on a throne as ruler of the world, always seen frontally in the centre of the composition, and often flanked by other sacred figures, whose membership changes over time and according to the context. The image develops from Early Christian art, as a depiction of the Heavenly throne as described in 1 Enoch, Daniel 7, and The Apocalypse of John. In the Byzantine world, the image developed slightly differently into the half-length Christ Pantocrator, "Christ, Ruler of All", a usually unaccompanied figure, and the Deesis, where a full-length enthroned Christ is entreated by Mary and St. John the Baptist, and often other figures. In the West, the evolving composition remains very consistent within each period until the Renaissance, and then remains important until the end of the Baroque, in which the image is ordinarily transported to the sky.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coronation of the Virgin</span> Subject in Christian art

The Coronation of the Virgin or Coronation of Mary is a subject in Christian art, especially popular in Italy in the 13th to 15th centuries, but continuing in popularity until the 18th century and beyond. Christ, sometimes accompanied by God the Father and the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove, places a crown on the head of Mary as Queen of Heaven. In early versions the setting is a Heaven imagined as an earthly court, staffed by saints and angels; in later versions Heaven is more often seen as in the sky, with the figures seated on clouds. The subject is also notable as one where the whole Christian Trinity is often shown together, sometimes in unusual ways. Crowned Virgins are also seen in Eastern Orthodox Christian icons, specifically in the Russian Orthodox church after the 18th century. Mary is sometimes shown, in both Eastern and Western Christian art, being crowned by one or two angels, but this is considered a different subject.

A religious image is a work of visual art that is representational and has a religious purpose, subject or connection. All major historical religions have made some use of religious images, although their use is strictly controlled and often controversial in many religions, especially Abrahamic ones. General terms associated with religious images include cult image, a term for images, especially in sculpture which are or have been claimed to be the object of religious worship in their own right, and icon strictly a term for Eastern Orthodox religious images, but often used more widely, in and outside the area of religion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Catholic art</span> Art produced by or for members of the Catholic Church

Catholic art is art produced by or for members of the Catholic Church. This includes visual art (iconography), sculpture, decorative arts, applied arts, and architecture. In a broader sense, Catholic music and other art may be included as well. Expressions of art may or may not attempt to illustrate, supplement and portray in tangible form Catholic teaching. Catholic art has played a leading role in the history and development of Western art since at least the 4th century. The principal subject matter of Catholic art has been the life and times of Jesus Christ, along with people associated with him, including his disciples, the saints, and motifs from the Catholic Bible.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marian art in the Catholic Church</span> Iconographic depiction of Virgin Mary in Catholic Churches

Mary has been one of the major subjects of Western Art for centuries. There is an enormous quantity of Marian art in the Catholic Church, covering both devotional subjects such as the Virgin and Child and a range of narrative subjects from the Life of the Virgin, often arranged in cycles. Most medieval painters, and from the Reformation to about 1800 most from Catholic countries, have produced works, including old masters such as Michelangelo and Botticelli.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Virgin of Mercy</span> Depiction of the Virgin Mary sheltering a group using her outspread cloak

The Virgin of Mercy is a subject in Christian art, showing a group of people sheltering for protection under the outspread cloak, or pallium, of the Virgin Mary. It was especially popular in Italy from the 13th to 16th centuries, often as a specialised form of votive portrait; it is also found in other countries and later art, especially Spain and Latin America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">God the Father in Western art</span> Artistic representations of God the Father

For about a thousand years, in obedience to interpretations of specific Bible passages, pictorial depictions of God in Western Christianity had been avoided by Christian artists. At first only the Hand of God, often emerging from a cloud, was portrayed. Gradually, portrayals of the head and later the whole figure were depicted, and by the time of the Renaissance artistic representations of God the Father were freely used in the Western Church.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ascension of Jesus in Christian art</span>

The Ascension of Jesus to Heaven as stated in the New Testament has been a frequent subject in Christian art, as well as a theme in theological writings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Archangel Michael in Christian art</span>

Archangel Michael may be depicted in Christian art alone or with other angels such as Gabriel or saints. Some depictions with Gabriel date back to the 8th century, e.g. the stone casket at Notre Dame de Mortain church in France. He is very often present in scenes of the Last Judgement, but few other specific scenes, so most images including him are devotional rather than narrative. The angel who rescues Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from the "fiery furnace" in the Book of Daniel Chapter 3 is usually regarded in Christian tradition as Michael; this is sometimes represented in Early Christian art and Eastern Orthodox icons, but rarely in later art of the Western church.

<i>The Immaculate Conception</i> (Tiepolo) Painting by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo

The Immaculate Conception is a painting by Italian painter Giovanni Battista Tiepolo (1696–1770). The painting was one of seven altarpieces commissioned in March 1767 from Tiepolo by King Charles III of Spain for the Church of Saint Pascual in Aranjuez, then under construction. This was originally an Alcantarine (Franciscan) monastery that was later assigned to the Conceptionist nuns.

Saint symbolism has been used from the very beginnings of the religion. Each saint is said to have led an exemplary life and symbols have been used to tell these stories throughout the history of the Church. A number of Christian saints are traditionally represented by a symbol or iconic motif associated with their life, termed an attribute or emblem, to identify them. The study of these forms part of iconography in art history. They were particularly used so that the illiterate could recognize a scene, and to give each of the Saints something of a personality in art. They are often carried in the hand by the Saint.

References

  1. Wikisource-logo.svg This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain : Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). "Symbolism". Catholic Encyclopedia . New York: Robert Appleton Company.
  2. 1 2 Mayernik, David T. (2018). "A Vast, Immeasurable Sanctuary: Iconography for Churches". Sacred Architecture Journal. 5: 22.
  3. "Eastern Orthodox and Catholic teaching about Icons".
  4. Hassett, M. (1911). "Palm in Christian Symbolism". The Catholic Encyclopedia.
  5. Saint Jerome; St. Jerome (December 2008). Commentary on Matthew (The Fathers of the Church, Volume 117). CUA Press. p. 55. ISBN   978-0-8132-0117-7.
  6. Kugeares, Sophia Manoulian (1991). Images Of The Annunciation Of The Virgin Mary Of The 13th, 14th And 15th Century.
  7. Arcement, Katherine (October 13, 2017). "Our Lady of Fatima: The Virgin Mary promised three kids a miracle that 70,000 gathered to see". Washington Post.
  8. Harris, Ruth (1999). Lourdes: Body and Spirit in the Secular Age. Penguin Books. p. 43. ISBN   0-71-399186-0.
  9. Roccosalvo C.S.J., Joan L. (Spring 2012). "Elegance Personified: The Black Madonna of Montserrat". Sacred Architecture Journal.

Further reading