SYMBOLS WE USE

A

• Aesculapian Rod: A serpent and staff thought by many to be the proper symbol for doctors instead of the winged Caduceus.
• Anchor: Hope; Jesus the anchor of the soul, traditional maritime symbol
• Axe: A vow, consecration, defense
  

B

• Banner: Triumph, victory
• Beads: Prayer
• Bell: Invitation, call to worship
• Birds: Human souls
• Bishop's Staff: Pastoral authority
• Book: The Bible, Divine authorship, knowledge, scripture
• Broken Column: Death
• Butterfly: The Resurrection
  

C

• Caduceus: Symbol of the medical profession (There are many variations depending upon the area of specialty.)
• Candle: Jesus Christ the Light of the World, also the symbol of devotion
• Candlesticks (two): Jesus’ qualities as both God and man
• Candlesticks (three) or Three-Branched Candelabrum: The Holy Trinity
• Candlesticks (five) or Five-Branched Candelabrum: The five wounds of Christ
• Candlesticks (six) or Six-Branched Candelabrum: The six days of creation or the six hours spent by Jesus on the cross
• Candlesticks (seven) or Seven-Branched Candelabrum: The Church, the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, or the Seven Sacraments
• Circle: Eternity, completeness, perfection
• Crossed Keys: St. Peter, Gates of Heaven
• Crown: Rank, sovereignty, royalty
• Crown of Thorns: The Suffering Savior, a Passion symbol
• Cross: Christ and His atoning death, Christ’s redemption of fallen humanity
  

D

• Dove: Peace, purity, meekness, modesty, humility, the Holy Ghost, divine inspiration, innocence
  

E

• Eagle: Christ, Holy Baptism, St. John
  

F

• Festoon: Memory
• Fire: Martyrdom, zeal, inspiration, youthful fervor, hell, purgatory, sacrifice, purification
• Fish: Jesus
• Fish/Three: The Trinity
• Five-Pointed Star: The wounds of Christ, the Star of Jacob, Divine guidance and protection
• Flaming Sword: Expulsion from Eden, with shield: St. Michael
  

H

• Hand: Issuing from clouds: the Father
• Harp: Joy, music, symbol of St. Cecilia patron saint of musicians, associated with David and worship, worship in heaven
• Heart: Christian charity, surmounted by a flame: intense zeal or devotion
  

L

• Lamb: Innocence, purity, sacrifice, Christ
• Lamp: Knowledge, truth, enlightenment, Word of God, good works, Divine inspiration
  

P

• Pastoral Staff: Authority
• Pierced Heart: With a lance or spear, a Passion symbol
• Plenty, Horn of: The Lord's bounty, Thanksgiving
• Pomegranate: The Resurrection, immortality, royalty, fertility, The Church
• Pyramid: Light, strength
  

R

• Rainbow: Promise
• Ram: Sacrifice
• Rod: Official power, also a Passion symbol
• Rope: A Passion symbol, Judas' death
• Rosary: Prayer
• Rose: Love, Christ, The Nativity.
• Rosette: An ornament in the form of a conventional rose or other design of circular form, used as a decoration
  

S

• Scallop Shell: Baptism, the Baptism of Christ, Christian pilgrimage, and marine affairs
• Scythe: Death
• Serpent: Death, wisdom
• Seven Golden Candlesticks: The Seven Churches of Asia Minor
• Seven-Branched Candlestick: The Church, The Seven Churches of Asia Minor, The Seven Angels of the Apocalypse, The Seven Gifts of the Sheep, Christians
• Twelve Sheep: The Twelve Apostles, sheep and goats: the redeemed and the lost
• Shield: Faith, protection
• Shells: Christianity
• Shepherd’s Crook: Authority, Dominion
• Staff: Religious jurisdiction, kindness, shepherd-like qualities/responsibilities
• Star: Christ, life
• Sword: Power, justice, authority, martyrdom
  

T

• Triangle: Trinity
• Trumpet: Call to worship, call of the Holy Spirit, Judgment Day, resurrection
  

A

• Apple: The fall of man, sin, Eve, discord, Virgin Mary
• Apple Blossom: Fame
• Azalea: Temperance
  

C

• Calla Lily: Sympathy, zeal
• Clover: Industry
• Cornucopia/Horn of Plenty: Bounty, blessings, Thanksgiving
• Cultivated Rose: Everlasting love
  

D

• Daisy: The Christ Child's innocence, youth, righteousness, innocence
• Dogwood: Crucifixion
  

E

• Easter Lily: Resurrection
  

G

• Grape: Charity
• Grape Vine: The Eucharist, The Church, unity, Christ and his followers
  

H

• Holly: Christmas
  

I

• Iris: God-like qualities, eloquence, a message, protection
• Ivy: Memory, remembrance, faithfulness, friendship, (often seen with oak)
  

L

• Laurel Wreath: Triumph, victory, distinction, reward, good report
• Lily: Easter, resurrection, the Virgin Mary, purity
• Lily of the Valley: The Virgin Mary, humility, purity, return of happiness
  

M

• Morning Glory: Resurrection, youth, promise, bonds of love and affection
  

O

• Oak: Strength, virtue, character, eternity, endurance, forgiveness, independence (often seen with ivy)
• Olive Branch: Peace, victory
• Orange Blossom: Matrimony, chastity, purity
  

P

• Palm: Victory, eternal peace, heavenly reward, success, righteousness, martyrdom, victory over sin and death
• Papyrus: Love
• Passion Flower: Crucifixion, Passion of Christ
• Pine: Eternity, everlasting life
• Pineapple: Friendship, hospitality
• Pine Cone: Fertility, regeneration, healing
• Poinsettia: Christmas, birth of Hope
• Pomegranate: Resurrection, immortality, royalty, eternity, The Church
• Poppy: Sleep, consolation, rest
  

R

• Rose: Love, Christ, Nativity, joy, martyrdom
• Rosette: Decorative form of rose in a circle
  

S

• Sunflower: Adoration, glory, the soul turning to Christ
  

T

• Thistle: Independence, austerity, sin, the fall of man
• Tulip: Love, charity, declaration of love, ardent affection
  

V

• Violets: Modesty, humility, graciousness, affection, faithfulness, sweetness, loyalty
  

W

• Wheat: Riches, thanksgiving, life, bread of life, Body of Christ
• Wheat/Broken: Death
• Wheat/Bundle: Harvest, bounty
• Wild Rose: Love, Christ, Messianic promise