Chrismons and Their Meaning

Alpha and Omega

These two letters (which look like an A and an upside down U, put together into one) are the first and last letters in the Greek alphabet. These two letters are used by Christians as a sign of God’s omnipotence (all-powerfulness), “I am the Alpha and the Omega,’ says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty” (Revelation 1:8).

When the Alpha and Omega symbol is used with another symbol for Christ (the cross, the Chi Rho, and so forth), it specifically represents Christ. “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” (Revelation 22:13)

Anchor Cross

After the Latin (Roman) Cross, the Anchor Cross is the oldest design for the Christian cross. Early Christians used the anchor – a sign of boats and sea – like the fish symbol, as a secret message. The true meaning of these signs were hidden to all but other Christians. Where a non-Christian would see only the anchor, a Christian would also see the Cross. The anchor reminds Christians that Jesus died to bring new life. The Anchor Cross is a sign of hope in Jesus Christ. The hope symbolized by the Anchor Cross probably relates directly to Hebrews 6:19, “We have this hope, a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul.”

Budded Cross

The Budded Cross is used as a symbol for either the young or the new Christian. When we see a bud on a tree or flower stem we know that a leaf or flower will soon follow. The buds on the Budded Cross have three parts and represent those young in their faith who are growing daily.

The butterfly is a symbol of both the resurrection of Jesus Christ and eternal life. The butterfly leaves its cocoon in a new form, which symbolizes how we are transformed through Jesus Christ from death to new life.

Celtic Cross

The Celtic Cross dates back to the early days of Christianity. Some of the best examples of the Celtic Cross are found in Ireland; in fact, the cross is often called the Irish Cross. The circle on the Celtic Cross represents eternal life through Jesus Christ, and this cross often is used in cemeteries to show our belief that death is not the end.

Cipher

The first letters of our Lord’s title, Christ, and His name, Jesus, combine to form the cipher. Placing a circle around it symbolizes the eternal nature of the Son of Man.

Circle

The Circle symbolizes eternity.

Cornerstone

This Chrismon symbolizes Christ as the cornerstone of the church. “See I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious… The stone that the builders rejected has become the very head of the corner.”

1 Peter 2: 6-7

Cross and Moon

The cross rises out to the crescent moon, a symbol for Mary, the mother of Jesus.

Cross Chi Rho

The cross from the Chi Rho calls attention to Christ’s divinity while the monogram of his mother Mary suggests his human birth. The triangle represents the Holy Spirit.

Cross of Constantine

The Chi Rho with the X turned to form a cross- Christ the victorious

Cross Triumphant

A world united in Christ, triumph of the Lord over earthly sin.

Crown of Thorns

The Crown of Thorns is a symbol of the humiliation Jesus suffered at the hands of the Roman soldiers when they put a crown of thorns on his head and mockingly “crowned” him “King of the Jews”. This incident is described in Matthew 27:29; Mark 15:17; and John 19:2, 5.

Crown

The crown symbolizes the Kingship of our Lord. It is also the symbol of victory over sin and death and Christ’s place of honor at the right hand of God.

Descending Dove

The descending dove is the best-known symbol of the Holy Spirit. This symbol comes from the stories of Jesus’ baptism. “And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him.” (Matthew 3:16) This event is reported in all four Gospels.

Epiphany Star and Rose

The star is a powerful symbol for all peoples. For Christians, the star symbolizes the promised coming of Christ. The five-pointed star is called the Star of Bethlehem or the Star of Epiphany. The word ‘epiphany’ means “showing forth”. Epiphany is traditionally celebrated twelve days after Christmas, though in worship it is usually celebrated on the Sunday closest to the twelfth day after Christmas. The five-pointed star is not a Christmas symbol but an Epiphany symbol and is used in connection with the visit of the wise men. The rose symbolizes our Lord’s nativity. It refers to his birth when he took on our flesh.

In the early days of the Christian Church, the Roman Empire ruled much of the world. The Romans saw other religions, like Christianity, as dangerous to the state so they persecuted these other religions. The Christians tried to protect themselves by meeting in secret. One way Christians could communicate secretly with each other (and thus avoid arrest) was by drawing the symbol of the fish. Since fish was a food staple of the time as well as a very important commodity, this symbol could be used by Christians without arousing suspicion. Christians chose the fish as a symbol because many of Jesus’ disciples were fishermen, and ICHTHUS, the Greek word for fish, is also an acrostic that uses the first letters of the Greek words that mean Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior.

Greek Cross

A square design with four arms of equal length.

Hand of God

Symbol that suggests the creative act, supportive care, judgment and power of God.

I H S

I H S is perhaps the most widely used monogram to signify the first three initials of the name, Jesus, in Greek.

Jerusalem Cross

The Jerusalem Cross was on the coat of arms of the crusaders who ruled Jerusalem from 1099-1203 A.D. The cross is used as a symbol of missionary work as it spread from Jerusalem to the four corners of the earth. Often, the

Jerusalem Cross has four crosses in each inside angle of the cross.

Lamb of God

Sheep can symbolize numerous things in scripture. Sheep are often used to represent the people.

“We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture” (Psalm 100:3). When Jesus is called the Good Shepherd – “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11) – we are his sheep. When we talk about the Lamb, we are usually referring to Jesus. The Lamb is a symbol of sacrifice. The story of the Hebrews’ escape from Egypt talks about the Hebrews sprinkling the blood of the lamb on their doorposts as protection. Jesus himself is often called the “Lamb” who was “sacrificed” for us.

Latin or Roman Cross

This is the most commonly used form of the cross and the most recognized symbol of Christianity.

While the cross is the symbol of Jesus’ death and suffering, the empty cross also represents the resurrection, the triumph over death. It is often set on three steps which are also symbolic, representing faith, hope, and love.

Lamp

The Lamp represents the Bible, the Word of God. Light symbolizes knowledge and learning and reminds us how the Word of God sheds light on our lives and our world. A primitive-looking oil lamp, one of the oldest lamps we know of, is usually used to represent the Word of God. The lamp symbol probably comes from Psalm 119:105, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

This very beautiful form of the cross is often used for decorative purposes. Each arm is of equal length and broadens out from the center and ends in two points. These eight points symbolize the eight beatitudes and the regeneration of man.

Nativity

The simple reminder of the night of the birth of Christ. The presence of Mary and Joseph, the infant Christ, and the arrival of the lowly shepherds to greet the child. The star represents the sign that the Wise Men would follow until it led them to the Christ Child.

Sand Dollar Sand references in the Bible usually are made to indicate things that cannot be counted. Grains of sand are often used as parallel to the multitude of stars in the heavens and the seeds in the earth – an infinite number, too many to count. The Sand Dollar found in the sand of the beach, has special markings that recall the events in Jesus’s life.

Shepherd’s Cross

The combination of the shepherd’s staff, an ancient symbol for shepherds, and the cross reminds us that Jesus is the Good Shepherd (John 10:11).

The candy cane was made in the shape of the shepherd’s staff, specifically as a symbol of the shepherds who visited Jesus in Bethlehem. However, while the candy cane is strictly a Christmas symbol, the shepherd’s staff is a year-round symbol of the shepherd as a caretaker. With the cross, it is a reminder of the shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep.

Six-Pointed Star

The traditional Star of David, a symbol of Israel, is also called The Creator’s Star. Its six points symbolize the six days of creation.

St. Andrew’s Cross

This cross is pictured as leaning because St. Andrew tradition says that St. Andrew died on a cross of this shape.

Symbols of the Trinity

The triangle, with its three points and three angles, is a symbol for the Trinity. The circle is a symbol of eternity. Having the circles inside of the triangle represents the eternity of the Trinity. The very center of the above symbol forms a triquetra. The triquetra is made by placing arcs of the circles together in a design so that the center of the arcs form a triangle. The arcs are always of equal size, symbolizing the equality of the three parts of the Trinity.

Tau Cross

The Tau Cross is the original form of the cross as a symbol. The name comes from the Greek name for the letter T. In some traditions, this is called the Old Testament Cross.

According to the stories from Exodus, Moses ordered the Israelites to make this sign on their doorposts. This was to signify that the Angel of Death, the last plague on the Egyptians, was to pass over and spare their children.

It is also believed that the pole on which Moses set the bronze snake (Numbers 21:8-9) was in this shape. This gives us a strong connection between Moses’ staff and the Messianic promises.

Other Symbols on the Tree Not Pictured

Christ Child in a Manger – a reminder of the divinity of the Child born in Bethlehem.

Lily of the Valley – a plant that grows low to the ground is used to remind us of Christ's humility.

A special thank you to Alma Jo and Warren Langston for the photography in this booklet.