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 Winged Creature with the Head of an Eagle, John (click for full size image)
The high soaring eagle represents John because in his narrative he rises to loftiest heights in dealing with the mind of Christ.
 Gospel, Barnabas (click for full size image)
Included among the apostles, although like Paul he was not of the Twelve. Tradition says he was especially successful as a preacher, hence the Gospel in the symbol.
 Winged Creature with a Lion's Face, Mark (click for full size image)
The winged lion represents Mark because his Gospel narrative begins with, "The voice of one crying in the wilderness", and this suggests the roar of a lion.
 Keys, Peter (click for full size image)
The crossed keys recall Peter's confession and our Lord's gift to him of the keys of the kingdom. See Matt. 16:18,19.
 Sheep, The Twelve Apostles (click for full size image)
The apostles have been symbolized as a group as well as individually. In one place, twelve doves are used; in another, twelve men are shown, each with a sheep. Some very early carvings represent the apostles as twelve sheep.
 Andrew's Cross (click for full size image)
Tradition says that while Andrew was preaching in Greece he was put to death on a cross of this type.
 Ship, Jude (click for full size image)
This apostle traveled far on missionary journeys, hence the ship.
 Chalice, John (click for full size image)
Early writers state that John once drank from a poisoned chalice and was unharmed.
 Twelve Pointed Star, Star of the Apostles (click for full size image)
From a Christian perspective, represents the 12 apostles. Search for STAR to see all star symbols.
 Bread, Philip (click for full size image)
A cross and two loaves of bread, because of Philip's remark when Jesus fed the multitude. John 6:7.
 Knives, Bartholomew (click for full size image)
Bartholomew is said to have been flayed alive, hence he is usually represented by three flaying knives.
 Shell, James (the greater) (click for full size image)
The scallop shell is the symbol of pilgrimage and stands for this apostle's zeal and missionary spirit.
 Purses, Matthew (click for full size image)
Symbolized by three purses, referring to his original calling as a tax collector.
 Bible with Ax, Matthias (click for full size image)
Chosen to take the place of Judas, he is symbolized by an open Bible and double bladed battle-axe. He is said to have been beheaded after his missionary work.
 St. Andrew's Cross (click for full size image)
The form of cross traditionally associated with the crucifixion of the apostle Andrew, who supposedly requested a form of cross unlike that of his Lord.
 Carpenter's square and a spear, Thomas (click for full size image)
A carpenter's square and a spear, because this apostle is said to have built a church with his own hands, in India. Later, he was persecuted there and was killed with a spear by a pagan priest.
 Winged Creature with the Head of an Ox, Luke (click for full size image)
The winged ox (an ox being an anumal of sacrifice) represents Luke, who stresses the atoning sacrifice of Jesus.
 Saw, James (the lesser) (click for full size image)
Represented by a saw, since it is said his body was sawn asunder after a terrible martyrdom.
 Bible, Paul (click for full size image)
Referred to as the "Apostle to the Gentiles," but not one of the twelve apostles. Symbolized by an open Bible with the words "Spiritus Gladius" (sword of the Spirit), and behind the Bible the sword of the Spirit itself.
 Winged Creature with a Man's Face, Matthew (click for full size image)
The winged man represents Matthew because his Gospel narrative traces Jesus' human genealogy.
 Book on Fish, Simon the Zealot (click for full size image)
This symbol is a book upon which rests a fish, because through the power of the Gospel Simon became a great fisher of men.
 Nimbus (halo) (click for full size image)
The nimbus has come to be emblematic of sanctity and to denote a person recognized for unusual piety, such as, apostles, martyrs, and saints.
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Chalice and Cross
Crown of Thorns and Nails 1
Crown of Thorns and Nails 2
Winged Creature with the Head of an Eagle, John
Jesus as a Palestinian
Gospel, Barnabas
All-Seeing Eye
Fallen idol, St. Cornelius
Prayer, St. Mary, wife of Cleophas (Cleopas)
Sheet music, St. Ambrose
Eight Pointed Star, Star of Regeneration
Nine Pointed Star, Star of the Fruits of the Spirit
Spoon, St. Raphael
Five Pointed Star, Epiphany Star, Star of Jacob 2
Five Pointed Star, Epiphany Star, Star of Jacob 1
Ship, St. Thaddaeus
Winged Creature with a Lion's Face, Mark
Grapes
Keys, Peter
Lamb Standing with the Banner of Victory
Lily, St. Gabriel
Greek Cross
Scroll, St. Theodore of Canterbury
Pen and sword, St. Alban
Censer
Circle
Sheep, The Twelve Apostles
Ascension
Andrew's Cross
Crucifix, St. Katherine (Catherine) of Sienna
Scale, St. Michael
St. George
Fish, Icthus and Cross
Upside down L with dots
Seven Pointed Star, Star of the Gifts of the Spirit
Arrows, St. Giles of Provence
Infant on Bible, St. Anthony of Padua
Elijah's Chariot of Fire
Celtic Cross, Cross of Iona
Dagger, St. Edward the Martyr
Chalice, St. Oswald
Animals, St. Francis
Eagle, St. Wenceslas
Ship, Jude
Fleur de Lis
Urn, St. Bede
Pillars, St. Athanasius
Bible, St. Denis (Dionysius) of Paris
Maltese Cross
IHS heart, St. Ignatius
Taoism
Sikhism
Chalice, John
Tau Cross
Twelve Pointed Star, Star of the Apostles
Crown and palm, St. Dorothy
Daisies, St. High of Grenoble
Souls of the Righteous
Jesus and Children
Shinto
Sword and Bible, St. Boniface
Ox, St. Antipas
Angel, female 2
Angel, female 1
Greek ruins, St. Titus
Stars with Orb, Star of the 12 Tribes
Bursting Pomegranate
Fire, St. Uriel
St. Augustine
Six-Pointed Star, Star of Creation, Star of David 1
Coins, St. Nicholas
Monk, St. Ansgarius (Anskar)
Open Bible
Bread, Philip
Knives, Bartholomew
Iron bed, St. Lawrence
Freemasonry
Stag, St. Eustace
Christmas Rose
Skull and Crossbones
Shell, James (the greater)
Calvary
Peacock
Scissors, St. Agatha
Bible, St. Martin
Pelican
Cross of Triumph
IHS ancient form
Scepter, St. Gregory
Purses, Matthew
Bible with Ax, Matthias
Crown, St. Louis
Anchor Cross
Butterfly
St. Andrew's Cross
Snakes, St. Hilda
Burning Torch
Jainism
Triquetra
Ax and crown, St. Olaf
Chi Rho
Circle and Triangle
Spiked wheel, St. Katherine (Catherine) of Alexandria
Purse, St. Cyril of Jerusalem
Horn, St. Hubert
Snake and shamrock, St. Patrick
Stag, St. Aidan
Hand of God 2
Hand of God 1
Carpenter's square and flowers, St. Joseph
Three-Rayed Nimbus
Beehive, St. Chrysostrum or Chrysostom
Arrows, St. Edmund
Mother and child, St. Elizabeth
Cannister, St. Mary Magdalen
Phoenix
Ax, St. Cyprian
Daisy
Bahai
Islam
Wheat
I.N.R.I.
Fish, Icthus 4
Fish, Icthus 1
Fish, Icthus 3
Fish, Icthus 2
Horse, St. Theodore Tyro
Candlestick
Shepherd boy, St. Cuthbert
Hat, St. Roch (Rocco)
Michelangelo's God
Ladder Crossed with Reed and Sponge
Stool, St. Mary of Bethany
Seamless Coat
Shepherd
Easter Eggs
Monastery, St. Gerald of Auriliae
Mountain, St. David
Alpha and Omega
Equilateral Triangle
Crown and Cross
Three Intertwining Circles
Tree, St. Bride (St. Bridget)
Lighthouse, St. Christopher
Carpenter's square and a spear, Thomas
Indigenous
Winged Creature with the Head of an Ox, Luke
Archangel Gabriel
Flowers, St. Mary
Anchor, St. Clement
Saw, James (the lesser)
Book, St. Bernard
Aureole
Bible, Paul
Palm Leaf
Shamrock, St. Gerald
Scroll, St. Asaph
Knives, St. Nathaniel
Buddhism
St. Faith
Six Pointed Star, Star of Creation, Star of David
Chi Rho with Alpha and Omega in a Circle
IHS modern form
Eleven Pointed Star, unknown origin
Hinduism
Coat and stones, St. Stephen
Pen, St. Cyril of Alexandria
Winged Creature with a Man's Face, Matthew
Shield of the Trinity
Escallop Shell with Drops of Water
Celtic cross, St. Columba (St. Colum)
Pillar, St. Simeon
Harp, St. Cecilia
Book on Fish, Simon the Zealot
Fylfot, Swastika
Latin Cross
Confucianism
Coat, St. John the Baptist
Aspergillum and cup, St. Martha
Jerusalem Cross, Crusader's Cross
Dragon, St. Margaret
Russian Orthodox Cross
Club and stones, St. Timothy
Rope on cross, St. Julia
King, St. Charles (King Charles I)
Five Pointed Star, Pentacle
Lamb, St. Agnes
Flame of the Holy Ghost
Book, St. Chad
Book, St. Anne
Coat, St. Vincent
Cornerstone
Christ's cross, St. Helena (Helen)
Pincers, Dunstan
IHS, St. Monica
Cliff, St. Sylvanus
Pen, St. Hilary of Poitiers
Nimbus (halo)
Four Pointed Star, Bethlehem Star, Epiphany Star
Jesus Christ, Conqueror
Easter Bunny
Archangel Michael
Washing feet, St. Lioba
Dove with Branch
Zoroastrianism
Snail, shell, St. Lydia
Ship, St. Wilfrid (Wilfred)
No More Coat Hangers
Hawk, St. Basil
Dog with torch, St. Dominic
Cross on the Rock
Heart, St. Valentine
Baptism of Jesus
Dove
Bell
Cock
Lily
Lamb
Lamp
Rope
Ship
Three-Step Cross, Graded Cross
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