Look for these symbols in Catholic art and icons.
Help Aleteia continue its mission by making a tax-deductible donation. In this way, Aleteia’s future will be yours as well.
*Your donation is tax deductible!
The Catholic faith has a rich tradition of artistic expression in every medium. For over 2,000 years we have made icons and paintings that depict everything from angels and saints to specific moments from the Bible. Of course, in all media the challenge is how to accurately capture the complexity of biblical moments without words and for that, Catholic artists have turned to symbols, some of which have become deeply ingrained in traditional understanding.
One such symbol is, of course, the crucifix or cross. Then there is the Good Shepherd tending his flock, while a flame of fire is usually representative of the Holy Spirit. These, however, are scriptural representations.
Click “Launch the slideshow” in the image below for a list of Catholic symbols and their meaning:
