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71-665: The Zettenkaiser is a 1,968 m high mountain with a summit cross in the Kaiser Mountains ( Kaisergebirge ) in the Northern Limestone Alps in Austria . It rises to the west of the almost 150-metre-higher Scheffauer , from which it is separated by a col. It is one of the more rarely visited summits in the Kaiser. There are great views south to the main chain of the Alps , north to

142-647: A lily , or holding such a plant. The symbolism may derive from the medieval belief that the Annunciation of Christ and his crucifixion occurred on the same day of the year, March 25. (The lily, in the context of the Annunciation, emphasises the purity of the Virgin Mary .) The rare depictions of a lily crucifix in England include most notably a painting on a wall above the side altar at All Saints' Church , Godshill , Isle of Wight . Other examples include: Christians from

213-465: A dove", with associaions of wealth and good fortune, contrast with misfortune and shame. Ancient Greeks believed that the flesh of peafowl did not decay after death, and so it became a symbol of immortality . Early Christianity adopted this symbolism, and thus many early Christian paintings and mosaics show the peacock. The peacock is still used in the Easter season – especially in the east. The "eyes" in

284-406: A product of the poverty of early Christian communities: the unusual, multileveled, burial chambers were, at surface-level, small plots of land used as entrances to the tiered catacombs below, by early Christians unable to afford large areas of land, nor the corresponding taxes sometimes levied on real estate, by regional authorities. From the second half of the 1st century to the time of Constantine

355-552: A ring adjoining the cross-bar while the other ends in two curved branches or an arrowhead; There are, however, many deviations from this form. In general the anchor can symbolize hope, steadfastness, calm and composure. Traditionally, the shamrock is said to have been used by Saint Patrick to illustrate the Christian doctrine of the Holy Trinity when Christianising Ireland in the 5th century. The legend goes that St. Patrick used

426-511: A symbol like others used in Early Christian art . By about the 5th century the figure more often took on the appearance of the conventional depiction of Christ, as that convention had developed by this time, and was given a halo and rich robes . The dove as a Christian symbol is of very frequent occurrence in ancient ecclesiastical art. According to Matthew 3:16 , during the Baptism of Jesus

497-515: A symbol of the Passion of Jesus and of the Eucharist from about the 12th century. Christians adopted the anchor as a symbol of hope in future existence because the anchor was regarded in ancient times as a symbol of safety. For Christians, Christ is the unfailing hope of all who believe in him: Saint Peter , Saint Paul , and several of the early Church Fathers speak in this sense. The Epistle to

568-458: A windmill that powered light bulbs on the cross. What summit crosses may express can be exemplified by the crosses erected and re-erected on the comparatively insignificant Butte de Warlencourt , a pre-Christian tumulus on the Somme , only some 20m above the surrounding terrain but a scene of intense fighting during World War I, when it was the objective of costly and fruitless British attacks during

639-519: Is 36m high, with its horizontal arms spanning 14m; it has many light bulbs covering its entire face on the Prahova Valley side, and at commissioning it had an electrical generator in its base and its light could be seen from a great distance. Nowadays it is connected to the electrical grid. Under the Communist regime, it was endangered by plans to transform it into a totally different symbol, by removing

710-510: Is composed by a tau ( Τ ) superimposed on a rho ( Ρ ). The Staurogram was first used to abbreviate the Greek word for cross in very early New Testament manuscripts such as P66 , P45 and P75 , almost like a nomen sacrum , and may visually have represented Jesus on the cross. Ephrem the Syrian in the 4th century explained these two united letters stating that the tau refers to the cross , and

781-603: Is likeness that has symbolic meaning for an object by signifying or representing it, or by analogy, as in semiotics . The use of icons, however, was never without opposition. It was recorded that, "there is no century between the fourth and the eighth in which there is not some evidence of opposition to images even within the Church. Nonetheless, popular favor for icons guaranteed their continued existence, while no systematic apologia for or against icons, or doctrinal authorization or condemnation of icons yet existed. Though significant in

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852-541: Is seen as a symbol of the spiritual change or event that takes place. In the Eucharist, the bread and wine are symbolic of the body and shed blood of Jesus , and in Catholic theology, become the actual Body of Christ and Blood of Christ through Transubstantiation . The rite of baptism is symbolic of the cleansing of the sinner by God, and, especially where baptism is by immersion, of the spiritual death and resurrection of

923-636: The Alps , especially in Austria, Switzerland and Bavaria, mountainous regions of Poland, but also in America, in areas with both Protestant and Catholic populations. In Slovenia , summit crosses were traditionally placed on mountaintops as symbols of faith, but their numbers were limited during the communist regime in Yugoslavia . They usually stand on mountains whose summits are above the tree line , but they are also found in

994-644: The Gero Cross and the reverse of the Cross of Lothair , both from the end of the 10th century. Marie-Madeleine Davy (1977) described in great detail Romanesque Symbolism as it developed in the Middle Ages in Western Europe. Among the symbols employed by the early Christians, that of the fish seems to have ranked first in importance. Its popularity among Christians was due principally to the famous acrostic consisting of

1065-592: The Holy Land , as well as 5th century ivory reliefs from Italy. In the early medieval period, the plain cross became depicted as the crux gemmata , covered with jewels, as many real early medieval processional crosses in goldsmith work were. The first depictions of crucifixion displaying suffering are believed to have arisen in Byzantine art , where the S-shaped slumped body type was developed. Early Western examples include

1136-559: The Holy Spirit descended like a dove and came to rest on Jesus. For this reason the dove became a symbol of the Holy Spirit, and in general it occurs frequently in connection with early representations of baptism. It signifies also the Christian soul , not the human soul as such, but as indwelt by the Holy Spirit; especially, therefore, as freed from the toils of the flesh and entered into rest and glory. The Peristerium or Eucharistic dove

1207-615: The Mals Heath , which also acted as a boundary marker, or crosses on the Arlberg , the Gardena Pass or Birnlücke . An early example of a large cross, visible from the valley floor, being set up on a mountain top, occurred during the first successful climb of Mont Aiguille in 1492, when three crosses were put up at the corner of the summit plateau. In the 16th century crosses were erected with increasing frequency on mountain peaks, especially for

1278-621: The Zahmer Kaiser and west into the Inn Valley ; to the east at the foot of the summit is the rock needle known as the Kaindlnadel and then the mighty Scheffauer. The waymarked normal route starts by the privately run Kaindl Hut (1,293m), runs via the Großer and Kleiner Friedhof (two cirques ), up a 3 to 4-metre-high rock step (grade I/II) and gullies in mountain pine terrain in order to reach

1349-502: The battle of the Somme : "this pagan memorial was Christianized by bombardment and large numbers of dead," and claimed with first a British cross (1917), then a German one (1918), the latter being removed during the interwar period and replaced by soldiers of the Wehrmacht, in "a symbolic conflict of ownership fought with cruciform images." The erection of summit crosses experienced a boom in

1420-419: The crucifixion of Jesus , since the early religions, and the act of sacrifice emblemized the death on the cross. Abraham was represented as the symbol of the power of faith and Isaac as the sacrificed redeemer. The ascension of Elijah (english : Elia or Elias) was believed to typify the ascension of Jesus Christ , who was regarded by Christian symbolism as an analogue to Elijah, although this ascension

1491-464: The early Church was characterized by being understood by initiates only, while after the legalization of Christianity in the Roman Empire during the 4th century more recognizable symbols entered in use. Christianity has borrowed from the common stock of significant symbols known to most periods and to all regions of the world. Only a minority of Christian denominations have practiced Aniconism , or

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1562-486: The 10th century. The Celtic cross , now often characterized by the presence of the outline of a circle upon which a cross, stylized in a pre-Medieval Celtic fashion, appears superimposed. The Celtic cross bears strong resemblance to the Christian cross; however, the Celtic cross motif predates Christianity by at least 3,000 years. It appears in the form of heavily sculpted, vertically oriented, ancient monoliths which survive in

1633-515: The 19th century there were several attempts to erect secular symbols such as pyramids, obelisks or flags instead of crosses, usually dedicated to secular rulers. One example was the construction of the so-called Emperor Obelisk on the Ortler in 1888. The 20th century introduced modern materials and technology: a summit cross erected in 1977 on Carrauntoohil , the highest summit in Ireland, originally featured

1704-545: The 4th century, baptisteries began to be built like domed mausoleums and martyriums, which spread in the 5th century. This reinforced the theological emphasis on baptism as a re-experience of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ . The octagon, which is transitional between the circle and the square, came to represent Jesus' resurrection in early Christianity and was used in the ground plans of martyriums and baptisteries for that reason. The domes themselves were sometimes octagonal, rather than circular. Nicholas Temple proposes

1775-558: The 5th and 6th centuries. The Chi Rho is formed by superimposing the first two (capital) letters chi and rho ( ΧΡ ) of the Greek word " ΧΡ ΙΣΤΟΣ", meaning Christ , in such a way to produce the monogram . Widespread in ancient Christianity, it was the symbol used by the Roman emperor Constantine I as vexillum (named Labarum ). The first two letters of the name of Jesus in Greek , iota ( Ι ) and eta ( Η ), sometime superimposed one on

1846-714: The Bucegi mountains of Romania at an altitude of 2291m — the largest construction of this sort in the world (as recognized in 2013 by the Guinness World Records ). Built between 1926 and 1928 to honor the fallen heroes of the First World War, great efforts were put into its construction, the location being so high and so remote. Marie of Edinburgh , Queen of Romania, and King Ferdinand of Romania initiated and supervised its construction, supported by war veterans' associations, local businesses and many local volunteers. The Cross

1917-571: The Christian cross are similar enough in shape, that the former was easily adopted by Irish Catholic culture , following the Christianization of Ireland. The Celtic cross is accurately described as an ancient symbol of cultural significance in pre-Christian, Druidic Ireland. It also is used as a symbolic icon of the interpretation of Christianity, unique to Irish culture in that pre-Christian Celtic tradition and Irish Druidic iconography are hybridized with Christian traditions and iconography (much like

1988-414: The Christian cross iconography associated with the shape of a crucifix (commonly used for torture and execution of criminals and captured enemy prisoners-of-war, by the pre-Christian Roman Empire), the Celtic cross' design origins are not clear. The Celtic cross has nevertheless been repeated in statuary, as a dominant feature of the anthropogenic Irish landscape, for at least 5,000 years. The Celtic cross and

2059-670: The German Central Uplands , for example in the Black Forest on the Herzogenhorn . The concept of a summit cross probably started in early Christian times, possibly linked to pilgrimage and monasticism , albeit unrecorded. By the end of the 13th century, a few large crosses had been erected in passes and on hills. Examples from this period include the Confin Cross in St. Valentin on

2130-577: The Great they buried their dead and celebrated their rites in these underground chambers. The Christian tombs were ornamented with indifferent or symbolic designs p alms, peacocks, with the chi-rho monogram, with bas-reliefs of Christ as the Good Shepherd , or seated between figures of saints, and sometimes with elaborate scenes from the New Testament. Other Christian symbols include the dove (symbolic of

2201-448: The Greek words for Jesus and Christ , i.e. iota Ι and chi Χ , so that this monogram means "Jesus Christ". Another more complicated explanation of this monogram was given by Irenaeus and Pachomius : because the numeric value of iota is 10 and the chi is the initial of the word "Christ" (Greek: ΧΡΕΙΣΤΟΣ [sic]; proper spelling: ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ ) which has 8 letters, these early fathers calculate 888 ((10*8)*10)+((10*8)+8) which

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2272-491: The Hebrews 6:19–20 for the first time connects the idea of hope with the symbol of the anchor. A fragment of inscription discovered in the catacomb of St. Domitilla contains the anchor; it dates from the end of the 1st century. During the 2nd and 3rd centuries the anchor occurs frequently in the epitaphs of the catacombs. The most common form of anchor found in early Christian images was that in which one extremity terminates in

2343-475: The Holy Spirit), the sacrificial lamb (symbolic of Christ's sacrifice), the vine (symbolizing the necessary connectedness of the Christian with Christ) and many others. These all derive from the writings found in the New Testament. Other decorations that were common included garlands, ribands, stars landscapes, which had symbolic meanings, as well. Different colours are used in Christian churches to symbolise

2414-604: The Shamrock; a low-growing, daintily foliaged, dense ground cover plant, which is held as a timeless symbol of Ireland itself; and, which is also symbolic on Ireland, of the Christian Holy Trinity, due to the Shamrock's typical trifoliar leaf structure). Although the cross was used as a symbol by early Christians, the crucifix , i.e. depictions of the crucifixion scene , were rare prior to the 5th century; some engraved gems thought to be 2nd or 3rd century have survived, but

2485-460: The avoidance or prohibition of types of images. These include early Jewish Christian sects, as well as some modern denominations such as Baptists that prefer to some extent not to use figures in their symbols due to the Decalogue's prohibition of idolatry . The shape of the cross, as represented by the letter T , came to be used as a "seal" or symbol of Early Christianity by the 2nd century. At

2556-441: The baptized person. Opinion differs as to the symbolic nature of the sacraments, with some Protestant denominations considering them entirely symbolic, and Catholics , Orthodox, Lutherans, and some Reformed Christians believing that the outward rites truly do, by the power of God, act as media of grace. The tomb paintings of the early Christians led to the development of icons . An icon is an image, picture, or representation; it

2627-509: The dome, drum and apse. The dome was reserved for the Pantokrator (meaning "ruler of all"), the drum usually contained images of angels or prophets, and the apse semi-dome usually depicted the Virgin Mary, typically holding the Christ child and flanked by angels. The influence of Judaism upon Christian symbolism as early as the 2nd and 3rd centuries CE, is apparent both in painting and in sculpture,

2698-609: The earliest Christianity of the first and the last letters of the Greek alphabet , alpha ( α or Α ) and omega ( ω or Ω ), derives from the statement said by Jesus (or God) himself "I am Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End" ( Revelation 22:13 , also 1:8 and 21:6). The Staurogram ⳨ (from the Greek σταυρός , i.e. cross ), also Monogrammatic Cross or Tau-Rho symbol,

2769-512: The early 20th century. After the First World War and even after the Second World War, many new crosses were erected. Communities often organized this sometimes very expensive and logistically difficult task on very high mountain peaks in the memory of the fallen, and war veterans in particular were often involved in their installation. A superlative example is the Heroes' Cross on Caraiman Peak , in

2840-609: The end of Late Antiquity . An early example of the cruciform halo , used to identify Christ in paintings, is found in the Miracles of the Loaves and Fishes mosaic of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo , Ravenna (dated c.  504 ). Instances of the St Thomas cross , a Greek cross with clover leaf edges, popular in southern India, date to about the 6th century. The Patriarchal cross , a Latin cross with an additional horizontal bar, first appears in

2911-567: The end of the 2nd century, it is mentioned in the Octavius of Minucius Felix , rejecting the claim by detractors that Christians worship the cross. The cross (crucifix, Greek stauros ) in this period was represented by the letter T . Clement of Alexandria in the early 3rd century calls it τὸ κυριακὸν σημεῖον ("the Lord's sign") and he repeats the idea, current as early as the Epistle of Barnabas , that

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2982-552: The form of a candle flame, represents both the Holy Spirit and light. These symbols derive from the Bible ; for example from the tongues of fire that symbolized the Holy Spirit at Pentecost , and from Jesus' description of his followers as the light of the world ; or God is a consuming fire found in Hebrews 12 . Compare Jewish symbolism . A lily crucifix is a rare symbol of Anglican churches in England. It depicts Christ crucified on

3053-518: The form. The spread and popularity of the cult of relics also transformed the domed central-type martyriums into the domed churches of mainstream Christianity. The use of centralized buildings for the burials of heroes was common by the time the Anastasis Rotunda was built in Jerusalem, but the use of centralized domed buildings to symbolize resurrection was a Christian innovation. In Italy in

3124-510: The history of religious doctrine, the Byzantine controversy over images is not seen as of primary importance in Byzantine history. "Few historians still hold it to have been the greatest issue of the period..." The Byzantine Iconoclasm began when images were banned by Emperor Leo III the Isaurian sometime between 726 and 730. Under his son Constantine V , a council forbidding image veneration

3195-645: The horizontal arms and adding a red star on top. Another famous example from this period is the cross at the Zuckerhütl , whose construction in 1947 was dramatized on film a year later. Today summit crosses are often put up by the local tourist association or branch of the Alpine Club . Christian symbolism Christian symbolism is the use of symbols , including archetypes , acts, artwork or events, by Christianity . It invests objects or actions with an inner meaning expressing Christian ideas. The symbolism of

3266-447: The imperial reception hall as an additional source of influence on baptisteries, conveying the idea of reception or redemptive passage to salvation. Iconography of assembled figures and the throne of Christ would also relate to this. Portraits of Christ began to replace gold crosses at the centers of church domes beginning in the late eighth century, which Charles Stewart suggests may have been an over-correction in favor of images after

3337-594: The increase. Large summit crosses in the modern sense — that is pieces designed specifically for mountain tops by expert craftsmen — were not really introduced until the end of the 19th century. One known exception is that of the Kleinglockner and Grossglockner , which were given large summit crosses in 1799 and 1800 as part of their first ascent. These crosses, in addition to their religious function, were also used, for example, as lightning conductors , and fitted with meteorological instruments such as barometers . During

3408-414: The initial letters of five Greek words forming the word for fish (Ichthus or Ιχθυς), which words briefly but clearly described the character of Christ and the claim to worship of believers: " Ἰ ησοῦς Χ ριστὸς Θ εοῦ Υ ἱὸς Σ ωτήρ " (Iēsous Christos Theou Huios Sōtēr), meaning Jesus Christ, God's Son, Saviour . This explanation is given among others by Augustine in his Civitate Dei . The use since

3479-709: The liturgical seasons. They are often of clerical vestments, frontals and altar hangings. There is some variation between denominations, but below is a general description: Some of the oldest symbols within the Christian Church are the sacraments , the number of which vary between denominations. Always included are Eucharist and baptism . The others which may or may not be included are ordination , unction , confirmation , penance and marriage . They are together commonly described as an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace or, as in Catholic theology, "outward signs and media of grace." The rite

3550-452: The most frequent motives being those that occur in the Mishnah as formulas for prayer on fast-days. The prayer beginning with the words "Mi she-'anah", which was included in the selihah at an early date, was adopted in the Christian ritual as the litany "Libera domine". This litany was figuratively used in a certain sequence as a symbol, for the sacrifice of Isaac was regarded as a symbol of

3621-456: The number 318 (in Greek numerals , ΤΙΗ) in Genesis 14:14 was a foreshadowing (a "type") of the cross (T, an upright with crossbar, standing for 300) and of Jesus (ΙΗ, the first two letters of his name ΙΗΣΟΥΣ, standing for 18). Clement's contemporary Tertullian also rejects the accusation that Christians are crucis religiosi (i.e. "adorers of the gibbet"), and returns the accusation by likening

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3692-524: The old pagan superstitions associated with thunder, storm and hail. Further layers of Christian imagery as perceived by the Romantic generation made summit crosses a motif favoured by the painter Caspar David Friedrich in more than one of his mystic landscapes. During the 19th century the summits of many mountains were adorned with what were usually simple, wooden crosses during the course of mountaineering expeditions or survey work, both of which were on

3763-479: The other, or the numeric value 18 of ΙΗ in Greek, was a well known and very early way to represent Christ. This symbol was already explained in the Epistle of Barnabas and by Clement of Alexandria . For other christograms such as IHS, see Article Christogram . An early form of the monogram of Christ, found in early Christian ossuaries in Palaestina , was formed by superimposing the first (capital) letters of

3834-464: The peacock was associated with Paradise and the Tree of Life, the bird is again associated with immortality. In Christian iconography, the peacock is often depicted next to the Tree of Life. In medieval Europe, the pelican was thought to be particularly attentive to her young, to the point of providing her own blood by wounding her own breast when no other food was available. As a result, the pelican became

3905-428: The peacock's tail feathers symbolise the all-seeing God and – in some interpretations – the Church. A peacock drinking from a vase is used as a symbol of a Christian believer drinking from the waters of eternal life. The peacock can also symbolise the cosmos if one interprets its tail with its many "eyes" as the vault of heaven dotted by the sun, moon, and stars. By adoption of old Persian and Babylonian symbolism, in which

3976-525: The periods of Iconoclasm in the eighth and ninth centuries. One of the first was on the nave dome of Hagia Sophia in Thessaloniki , and this eventually developed into the bust image known as the Pantokrator . Otto Demus writes that Middle Byzantine churches were decorated in a systematic manner and can be seen as having three zones of decoration, with the holiest at the top. This uppermost zone contained

4047-491: The present day, in various locations on the island of Ireland. A few of the ancient monuments were evidently relocated to stand in some of Ireland's earliest churchyards, probably between 400 CE and 600 CE, as Christianity was popularized throughout much of the island. The heavily-worn stone sculptures likely owe their continued survival to their sheer size and solid rock construction, which coordinate in scale, and in composition, with Ireland's ancient megalith arrangements. Unlike

4118-530: The purpose of marking alpine pasture and municipal boundaries. In the 17th century, especially during the Thirty Years' War , these religious symbols gained importance. The crosses of this period were mostly simple wooden ones hewn from branches found near the site, or house crucifixes . During this time crosses were often made with two cross beams in the form of so-called patriarchal crosses (or Scheyern crosses ). These "weather crosses" were intended to supersede

4189-454: The rho refers to the Greek word "help" ( Βoήθια [sic] ; proper spelling: Βoήθεια ) which has the numerological value in Greek of 100 as the letter rho has. In such a way the symbol expresses the idea that the Cross saves. The two letters tau and rho can also be found separately as symbols on early Christian ossuaries . The Monogrammatic Cross was later seen also as a variation of the Chi Rho symbol, and it spread over Western Europe in

4260-423: The shamrock – a clover with three leaflets, native to Ireland – to illustrate the tripartite form of the Christian deity. Three parts on one plant to represent God the Father , God the Son , and The Holy Ghost . The early Church made wide use of elemental symbols. Water has specific symbolic significance for Christians. Outside of baptism, water may represent cleansing or purity. Fire , especially in

4331-427: The subject does not appear in the art of the Catacombs of Rome . The purported discovery of the True Cross by Constantine's mother, Helena , and the development of Golgotha as a site for pilgrimage led to a change of attitude. It was probably in Palestine that the image developed, and many of the earliest depictions are on the Monza ampullae , small metal flasks for holy oil, that were pilgrim's souvenirs from

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4402-417: The sum of the values of the letters Alpha and Omega , which refer to Christ. In the Bible story of Noah and the Flood , after the flood a dove returns to Noah bringing an olive branch as a sign that the water had receded, and this scene recalled to the Church Fathers Christ who brings salvation through the cross. This biblical scene led to interpreting the dove also as a symbol of peace . The "wings of

4473-406: The very beginning adorned their catacombs with paintings of Christ, of the saints, of scenes from the Bible and allegorical groups. The catacombs are the cradle of all Christian art. Early Christians accepted the art of their time and used it, as well as a poor and persecuted community could, to express their religious ideas. The use of deep, sometimes labyrinthine, catacombs for ritual burials are

4544-456: The western arête at about 1,700 metres. The arête is not particularly difficult (grade I), but is exposed in places however and requires a head for heights and sure-footedness . There is no protection and the waymarks have faded in places (as at 2013); if one leaves the route the ascent becomes markedly more difficult. Summit cross Various other forms of marking or symbol such as cairns , prayer flags or ovoos may be found around

4615-446: The world on passes and hills, in particular on sacred mountains . In the Italian Alps, a Madonna is sometimes placed at the summit instead of a cross. Summit crosses are normally about two to four metres high and are usually made of wood or metal. In April 2010, the world's first glass summit cross was erected on the Schartwand (2,339 m) in Salzburg 's Tennengebirge mountains. Summit crosses are mainly found in Catholic regions of

4686-442: The worship of pagan idols to the worship of poles or stakes. In his book De Corona , written in 204, Tertullian tells how it was already a tradition for Christians to trace repeatedly on their foreheads the sign of the cross . While early Christians used the T-shape to represent the cross in writing and gesture, the use of the Greek cross and Latin cross , i.e. crosses with intersecting beams, appears in Christian art towards

4757-403: Was a number already known to represent Jesus, being the sum of the value of the letters of the name "Jesus" ( ΙΗΣΟΥΣ ) (10+8+200+70+400+200). The image of the Good Shepherd, often with a sheep on his shoulders, is the most common of the symbolic representations of Christ found in the Catacombs of Rome , and it is related to the Parable of the Lost Sheep . Initially it was also understood as

4828-408: Was also taken as a type of the general resurrection from the dead. Job sitting among the ashes was the symbol of patience and of the power of resistance of the flesh; and Hananiah , Mishael , and Azariah in the fiery furnace typified steadfastness in persecution and faith in the aid of God. Christian sarcophagi contained artistic representations of the fall of man, Noah and the ark, scenes from

4899-413: Was enforced again by Leo V in 815. And finally icon veneration was decisively restored by Empress Regent Theodora . Today icons are used particularly among Eastern Orthodox , Oriental Orthodox , Assyrian and Eastern Catholic Churches . The traditional mortuary symbolism of the dome led it to be used in Christian central-type martyriums in the Syrian area, the growing popularity of which spread

4970-402: Was held at Hieria near Constantinople in 754. Image veneration was later reinstated by the Empress Regent Irene , under whom another council was held reversing the decisions of the previous iconoclast council and taking its title as Seventh Ecumenical Council . The council anathematized all who held to iconoclasm, i.e. those who held that veneration of images constitutes idolatry. Then the ban

5041-399: Was often used in the past, and sometimes still appears in Eastern Christianity , as Church tabernacle . However the more ancient explanation of the dove as a Christian symbol refers to it as a symbol of Christ himself: Irenaeus in the 2nd century explains that the number 801 is both the numerological value of the sum in Greek of the letters of the word "dove" (Greek: περιστερά ) and

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