Early Christians used a wide variety of symbols to express their faith. At times, these symbols provided a sort of secret language among believers. When a Christian met a stranger, he could draw one-half of the ichthys or "fish” and wait to see if the stranger would complete the drawing. Christian symbols include the Chi-Rho, Alpha and Omega, anchor, fish, cross, dove, six-point star, pelican and others.
Cross and Crown
The cross and the crown together is also known as the symbol of Christ the King. The cross passing through a crown symbolizes the reward in heaven (the crown) coming after the trials in this life (the cross). The crown is a symbol of honor and power. The cross always represents Jesus. “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” - Revelation 2:10
*Mary Helen Marigza is a lifelong United Methodist, a past missionary with the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society, and a current member of Belmont United Methodist Church in Nashville, Tennessee. Marigza created a set of Christian Symbols out of recycled church window glass to tell people about the meaning behind common religious symbols.
Learn more: UMC.org/ChristianSymbols
This video was produced by United Methodist Communications in Nashville, TN.
Contact is Joe Iovino.
This video was first posted on April 1, 2021.
