Symbols Of Our Faith - Digging Deeper Into The History Of Christianity

Do you ever find yourself wondering if there are deeper meanings behind the symbols in our faith? The letters on the altar, the stained glass windows, even the fish symbol- what do they all mean? There's so much history and richness to our faith, and many of us know only a small part of it.

The symbols we see in our church or the churches around us can remind us of who we are and what God has done. They can inspire us to live our lives in ways that reflect our faith. Each symbol holds meaning and significance, which means each one tells an important story. By taking the time to learn about the symbolism in our church, we can deepen our understanding of our faith and its history.

So if you’re ready to delve deeper into your faith and discover the hidden meanings along with the beauty that lies within some of the symbols, keep reading.

1.  The Agnus Dei- This symbol is based on the saying of John the Baptist: “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29). When you see the Lamb of God, know that your sins can be forgiven and your life can be transformed.

2.  The Chi Rho- The Chi Rho is one of the earliest forms of Christogram, it is formed by superimposing the first two (capital) letters, chi, and rho (ΧΡ), of the Greek word ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ (Christos). Alpha (Α or α) and omega (Ω or ω) are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, and a title of Christ; He is the first and the last, there has neither been one like him nor will there ever be one like him. He is all you need right now and all that you would ever need in the future, the alpha and omega, the beginning and the end.

3.  The Ascension- Ascension, in the Christian belief, is the ascent of Jesus Christ into heaven on the 40th day after his Resurrection (Luke 24:50). Jesus left the glory of heaven to come live among us and atone for our sins on the cross. He accomplished what He had set out to do and then went back to heaven as an advocate who intercedes on our behalf.

4.  The Ichthus - The image of the Ichthus fish is often used as a symbol of Christianity. But when you look into the meaning, it resonates even deeper. The acronym ICHTHUS stands for; I=Jesus, Ch=Christ, Th=Theou (God's), U=Uios (Son), S=Soter (Saviour). Jesus Christ is God’s Son and He is our Savior, today, tomorrow and forever.

5.  The IHS- The IHS (also known as IHC) is a monogram or symbol for the name Jesus. It is actually a contraction of the Greek word for Jesus, which in Greek is spelled IHΣΟΥΣ. This symbol is a reminder of the strength and hope that Jesus brings into our lives!

6.  The Pelican and Her Young - The pelican and her young is a powerful symbol of Christ's sacrifice for mankind. The selfless act of feeding its young with its own blood is a moving reminder of Christ's ultimate sacrifice for us. When we see the pelican in Christian art, we are reminded of the great love that Christ has for us.

7.  The Empty Tomb - A triumphant exit from the tomb. Jesus Christ is finishing His final step toward a new day, after rising from the dead on the morning of the Third Day. The stone is rolled away and the achievement is crowned forever. He is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. The empty tomb is a reminder of that fact.

These symbols are not just a part of our history but also a part of our present. They remind of who Jesus is and how much He loves us. They also form a beautiful picture of the body of Christ and the perspective of different denominations in different eras all with one goal in mind - to know Christ and to make Him known.

We’ve created a Crowned Collection that consists of all 7 of the Christian symbols mentioned in this article. You can get them in gold or silver pendants. Each symbol also features a crown above it symbolizing the fact that Jesus is the true King of Kings and Lord of Lords. It was, is, and always will be all about Him.

Interested in getting one? Click here tocheck out the collection or click directly on the name of the symbol above to view that specific pendant.

Bradley Kellie creates Christian Jewelry to help you share your story, and tell HIS.