Severian Posted June 18, 2007 Share Posted June 18, 2007 I know that the Cross is more or less the de facto symbol of Christianity, but I also know that in the early church, a fish was used.I was just thinking: What about a loaf of bread (preferably a baguette) and a jug of wine as a symbol? It just seems so... symbolic in a Eucharistic kind of way.Anyway, I was wondering what ideas you may have.... Link to comment
Ray Agostini Posted June 18, 2007 Share Posted June 18, 2007 I know that the Cross is more or less the de facto symbol of Christianity, but I also know that in the early church, a fish was used.You mean like your.....avatar? Link to comment
maklelan Posted June 18, 2007 Share Posted June 18, 2007 I know that the Cross is more or less the de facto symbol of Christianity, but I also know that in the early church, a fish was used.I was just thinking: What about a loaf of bread (preferably a baguette) and a jug of wine as a symbol? It just seems so... symbolic in a Eucharistic kind of way.Anyway, I was wondering what ideas you may have....A lot of mosaics and frescos had fish with bread and wine on them. It wasn't really a symbol so much as a popular thing to depict. Link to comment
Scottie Posted June 18, 2007 Share Posted June 18, 2007 I guess you could go with a halo or a sun. Link to comment
maklelan Posted June 18, 2007 Share Posted June 18, 2007 I guess you could go with a halo or a sun.This is true. For a while a halo/sun was depicted behind the head of Christ with seven rays coming out from behind it. That symbol was borrowed from pagans. Lambs weren't ever really looked at as symbols of anything, though, as far as I know. Link to comment
Scottie Posted June 18, 2007 Share Posted June 18, 2007 This is true. For a while a halo/sun was depicted behind the head of Christ with seven rays coming out from behind it. That symbol was borrowed from pagans. Lambs weren't ever really looked at as symbols of anything, though, as far as I know.Interesting that there were 7 rays. I wonder why not 12? That seems to be a significant number in Christianity. Link to comment
Doctor Steuss Posted June 18, 2007 Share Posted June 18, 2007 Interesting that there were 7 rays. I wonder why not 12? That seems to be a significant number in Christianity.Seven is G-d's number. Link to comment
thesometimesaint Posted June 18, 2007 Share Posted June 18, 2007 * Shepard's Crook. * Chi-Rho * Anchor Symbol * Good Shepherd * Fish Symbol (Ichthus) * Peacock * Dove * Orante * Cross * Ship * Palm Branches * Vine and Branches, Grape Clusters * IHS * Miscellaneous Early Christian Art * Early Christian Symbols in the CatacombThe early Church also used a lot of Jewish symbols, and that's just the Old World. It is unknown what any early Churcn New World symbols would look like. Link to comment
Mike Reed Posted June 18, 2007 Share Posted June 18, 2007 Lambs weren't ever really looked at as symbols of anything, though, as far as I know.Lamb of God?Paschal Lamb?http://nickerson.icomos.org/porec/u/uh.jpg Link to comment
Doctor Steuss Posted June 18, 2007 Share Posted June 18, 2007 Lamb of God?Paschal Lamb?http://nickerson.icomos.org/porec/u/uh.jpgSome of those octograms appear to be inverted... Mike, do you know the dating of that mosaic? Link to comment
maklelan Posted June 18, 2007 Share Posted June 18, 2007 Lamb of God?Paschal Lamb?http://nickerson.icomos.org/porec/u/uh.jpgI've never seen that mosaic. Interesting. Nonetheless, their use as an actual symbol is quite rare.Interesting that there were 7 rays. I wonder why not 12? That seems to be a significant number in Christianity.It was borrowed from Mithraic symbolism. Link to comment
Severian Posted June 18, 2007 Author Share Posted June 18, 2007 * Shepard's Crook.* Chi-Rho* Anchor Symbol* Good Shepherd* Fish Symbol (Ichthus)* Peacock* Dove* Orante* Cross * Ship* Palm Branches* Vine and Branches, Grape Clusters* IHS* Miscellaneous Early Christian Art* Early Christian Symbols in the CatacombThe early Church also used a lot of Jewish symbols, and that's just the Old World. It is unknown what any early Churcn New World symbols would look like. I really like the dove symbol. The peacock is interesting (wonder how it ties in?), but it might be trademarked by NBC TV. What is an Orante? Link to comment
Doctor Steuss Posted June 18, 2007 Share Posted June 18, 2007 [...]What is an Orante?It's a woman with outstretched arms (and I believe palms up). Link to comment
Ron Beron Posted June 19, 2007 Share Posted June 19, 2007 The anchor was also used as well as the Egyptian ankh. I have read elsewhere that the cross was a far older pagan symbol used variously by believers in Thor where it represented the hammer and others have used as a solar symbol which is reminiscent of Mithraism. Link to comment
Ron Beron Posted June 19, 2007 Share Posted June 19, 2007 It's a woman with outstretched arms (and I believe palms up).It is, but not necessarily a woman, but anyone in supplication. Link to comment
Mike Reed Posted June 19, 2007 Share Posted June 19, 2007 Mike, do you know the dating of that mosaic?It comes from San Vitale, Ravenna and dates to the 6th century. Link to comment
Mike Reed Posted June 19, 2007 Share Posted June 19, 2007 I've never seen that mosaic. Interesting. Nonetheless, their use as an actual symbol is quite rare.Material depictions of symbols in GENERAL were quite rare. BTW... the symbolic identification of Jesus as the Lamb of God and Good Shepherd has scriptural basis. The earliest identified representation of Jesus comes from a Fresco in the Catacomb of Domitilla, Rome, dating to the mid-second cent, where he is identified as the good shepherd, carrying a lamb on his shoulders. "One of the most popular early Christian motifs was that of Jesus as a shepherd tending his flock..." J.R. Porter, Jesus Christ: The Jesus of History, the Christ of Faith, p. 198.It was borrowed from Mithraic symbolism.Nearly every symbol one could mention can be traced back to paganism: whether pentagrams, compasses, squares, spires, all-seeing eyes, beehives, crosses, doves, fish... whatever. In your attempt to trace a linear migration of the symbol, you would have to pass through scripture... as (again) the New Testament identifies Jesus as both the Good Shepherd and the Lamb of God. Link to comment
Anijen Posted June 19, 2007 Share Posted June 19, 2007 I find this topic fascinating. I have always loved symbolism. I eagerly strive to get my hands on all the books I can find.Some symbolism I have noticed around;Graduations robes (I think of Brother Nibley's pray at every graduation)Graduation tassels what they do with it when they graduate, it goes from left to rightBoy Scouts has a lot such as crossing bridges to symbolize obtaining a higher level.What I have mentioned is easy symbolism but there are thousands, some quite complex even more hidden symbolism in dancing (the rain dance, the hoki poki etc).food for thought....Anijen Link to comment
Severian Posted June 20, 2007 Author Share Posted June 20, 2007 What I have mentioned is easy symbolism but there are thousands, some quite complex even more hidden symbolism in dancing (the rain dance, the hoki poki etc).Anijen Priesthood holders need to be careful doing the Hokey Pokey lest they bring the dusting one's loafers curse down on some city or hamlet. Talk about complex symbolism! Link to comment
Mike Reed Posted June 22, 2007 Share Posted June 22, 2007 It [the fish] wasn't really a symbol so much as a popular thing to depict.I am not sure that I am following you here. Please explain. Link to comment
Mike Reed Posted June 22, 2007 Share Posted June 22, 2007 I am not sure that I am following you here. Please explain.bump. Link to comment
jadams_4242 Posted June 23, 2007 Share Posted June 23, 2007 I know that the Cross is more or less the de facto symbol of Christianity, but I also know that in the early church, a fish was used.I was just thinking: What about a loaf of bread (preferably a baguette) and a jug of wine as a symbol? It just seems so... symbolic in a Eucharistic kind of way.Anyway, I was wondering what ideas you may have.... To me it always seemed kinda funny that the cross is being used? Does not the cross represent Christs death. Whatever happened to his ressurection, Shoulndt his ressurection be the symbol? Link to comment
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