Y CATHOLIC

Monday

Four-Pointed Star (Star of Bethlehem)

The four-pointed star symbol in Christianity is usually styled to resemble a cross. Also known as the Star of Bethlehem or natal star, this star represents both Jesus' birth and the purpose for which he was born. It is used especially for church decoration during the Advent and Christmas seasons.

Related Bible Verses

I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel. (Numbers 24:17, NIV)

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, "Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage." (Matthew 2:1-2, NRSV)

Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage." When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. (Matthew 2:7-10, NRSV)

Christian Crosses

The cross is one of the earliest and most widely used Christian symbol. In the most broad sense it symbolizes the religion of Christianity (and so appears at the top and left of this page). More specifically, it represents and memorializes Christ's death. A great variety of crosses has developed, some with specific symbolic meaning and others that have simply become culturally associated with certain groups.

	The simplest and most common Christian cross is the Latin cross. It may not have come into use until the 2nd or 3rd century. The empty cross, usually favored by Protestants, reminds Christians of the resurrection, while the crucifix, with the body of Jesus on it, favored by Catholic and Orthodox churches, is a reminder of Christ's sacrifice.
	The Greek cross, with arms of equal length, is the most ancient cross.
	The cross of Calvary or Graded Cross has three steps leading up to it, which can represent the hill of calvary or faith, hope, and love.

	The Celtic cross is distinguished by the circle around the cross bar and intricate designs throughout.
	The Russian Orthodox cross consists of three bars, the lowest bar low and slanted. The top barrepresents the "INRI" sign placed over Jesus' head. The meaning of the slanted bar is not known for sure, but probably represents St. Andrew's cross (which looks like an X). St. Andrew is believed to have introduced Christianity to Russia. The crosses in the above right picture sit atop the domes of the Kremlin. Note that they have a slightly different lower bar.
	The papal cross is the official symbol of the papacy, and may be used only by the Pope. The three bars of the cross most likely represent the three realms of the Pope's authority: the church, the world, and heaven.
	The baptismal cross has eight points, symbolizing regeneration (see Numbers). It is formed by combining the Greek cross with the Greek letter chi (X), the first letter of "Christ" in Greek.
	The budded cross is a common form of the cross. Its trefoils represent the Trinity.
	The conqueror's or victor's cross is the Greek cross with the first and last letters of "Jesus" and "Christ" on top, and the Greek word for conquerer, nika, on the bottom. The lines over the top letters indicate that they are abbreviations.
	The triumphant cross with orb represents Christ reign over the world. It is often shown atop Christ's scepter in Christian art.
	An inverted cross is the cross of St. Peter, who, according to tradition, was crucified upside down because he felt unworthy to die the same way as Christ. As Catholics believe the pope to be a successor of St. Peter, the inverted cross is frequently used in connection with the papacy, such as on the papal throne and in papal tombs. It also symbolizes humility because of the story of Peter. The inverted cross has more recently been appropriated by Satanists as a symbol meant to oppose or invert Christianity.

Sunday

Greek and Latin Symbols

Latin and Greek letters, words and abbreviations are often seen in Christian art. Though not exactly symbols, they are intended to convey a particular meaning significant for Christians.

Alpha and omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, signifying that Jesus is "the beginning and the end," i.e., eternal. (Rev 1:8)

The Chi Rho is a symbol made from the first two letters of "Christ" in Greek. It is said that before an important battle, the Emperor Constantine saw this symbol in the sky and heard the words "By this sign, conquer."

Ecce homo means "Behold the man," which was said by Pilate before Christ's crucifixion.

Ecce agnus Dei is Latin for "Behold the Lamb of God." This phrase is used during Epiphany, which celebrates Christ's manifestation.

INRI is the Latin abbreviation for "Jesus Christ, King of the Jews," the sign placed above Jesus' head on the cross(John 19:19) Though the sign was intended to mock Jesus, Christians view the phrase as a confession of faith.

IXθYΣ or ICHTHUS is the Greek word for "fish" and an acrostic for "Jesus Christ, God's Son, Savior." See Christian Fish Symbol for more information.

IHC or IHS is the first three letters of the Greek word for "Jesus" (iota, eta, sigma).

Colors Used in Liturgical Worship


	Black
	Black is symbolic of death, and as such is used as the liturgical color for Good Friday.
	Blue
	Blue, the color of the sky, is symbolic of heaven. It may also be used to symbolize truth. Blue is gaining acceptance as a liturgical color for Advent.
	Brown
	Brown is the color of spiritual death and degradation.
	Gray
	Gray is the color of ash, and as such is sometimes used to represent repentance and may be used during Lent. As a medium between black and white, it is sometimes used to express the mortality of the body and the immortality of the spirit.
	Green
	Green is the color of plant life, abundant in spring. It is used to represent the triumph of life over death. Green is the liturgical color for the Sundays after Pentecost in some traditions, and may be used during Epiphany in others.
	Purple (Violet)
	Purple is the color for penitence and mourning. It is also the color of royalty. Purple is the liturgical color for the seasons of Advent and Lent.
	Red
	Red is the color of blood, and so is used in the church as the liturgical color for the commemoration of martyred saints. As the color of fire, red is used as the liturgical color for Pentecost.
	White
	White has, since before biblical times, been recognized as a symbol of purity, innocence and holiness. It is the liturgical color for the Christmas and Easterseasons. White is sometimes represented by silver.
	Yellow
	Yellow is a color that serves a dual purpose. As the color of light, yellow may be used to represent divinity. However, because yellow light is not pure white, it may also be used to symbolize corruption and degradation.

Christian Symbolic Numbers

Numbers

Some numbers have taken on specific meanings because of the way in which they are repeatedly used in scripture. It is wise, however, not to attach more meaning to biblical numbers than is permitted by the context of their use.

One

One is the number of singularity or of unity. God emphasized that He is one God to distinguish true worship from the polytheistic worship of the pagans. Jesus prayed that all Christians might be one in unity just as He is one with the Father.

Two

Two is the number of duality. It is often used to represent the material and spiritual, or the human and divine natures of Christ.

Three

Three is most often used as the number for the Trinity - Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Four

The number four is usually used to represent the four Evangelists. It may also be used to represent the four corners of the earth or the four seasons.

Five

Five is symbolic of the wounds Jesus received on the cross. By derivation, it is the number of sacrifice.

Six

Six is the number of creation and the created order because God created everything in six days. Six is sometimes used as the number of imperfection, since it falls short of seven, the number of completion.

Seven

Seven is the number of perfection and rest. The number seven appears many times in scripture. God rested from creating on the seventh day. Paul lists seven gifts of the Spirit. Jesus spoke seven "words" from the cross. There are seven seals on the book of life, and seven churches listed in the Revelation.

Eight

The number eight represents regeneration or resurrection. It is for this reason that many baptismal fonts are eight-sided.

Nine

Nine is the number of mystery or the angels' number because the Bible mentions nine choirs of angels.

Ten

Ten is the number of the Ten Commandments, Ten Plagues, etc., and so is used as a number of completion.

Twelve

Twelve is the number of tribes of Israel and the number of Apostles. It is often used to represent the whole church.

Thirteen

Thirteen is often used as the number of betrayal because there were thirteen at table for the Last Supper. This is probably the reason that thirteen is considered an "unlucky" number - why hotels do not have a thirteenth floor and some hostesses avoid entertaining thirteen guests.

Forty

Forty is used as a number for trial or testing. The Deluge lasted forty days and nights. Israel wandered for forty years in the wilderness. Moses remained on Mount Sinai for forty days. After His baptism, Jesus was tempted for forty days in the wilderness.

One Hundred

As ten times ten, one hundred is the number for completeness or plenitude.

One Thousand

One thousand is often used to represent an incalculably large number or eternity.