Here’s the symbolism found in the Palm Sunday icon

Jesus' entry into Jerusalem is recorded in all four Gospels and artists have depicted it in a variety of ways over the centuries.

One of the oldest depictions of this biblical event is the icon of "Christ's Triumphant Entry into Jerusalem."

It is an icon featured in Eastern Churches on Palm Sunday, though it can also be found in some Western Churches and in the homes of many Catholics.

Below is a brief explanation behind much of the symbolism found in the ancient icon.

The focal point of the icon is Jesus in the center riding on a donkey. This is a basic part of the narrative, but also highlights the reality that Jesus comes into Jerusalem in peace, on an animal traditionally identified with the Gentiles.

Furthermore, sometimes Jesus is looking backwards, urging his disciples to follow him. He is also holding a scroll, which represents his authority, as well as his fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies.

Often this icon will have children, pictured as small people, climbing the nearby palm tree, or laying out cloaks and palm branches in front of Jesus.

This refers to a liturgical antiphon (in the Roman Rite) on Palm Sunday that is translated as, "The children of the Hebrews, carrying olive branches, went to meet the Lord, crying out and saying: Hosanna in the highest."

The Eastern liturgy has a similar antiphon, "Like the children with the branches of victory, we cry out to Thee, O Vanquisher of Death: Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord!"

It also represents the spiritual principal of becoming like children in our lives of faith, trusting totally in God. Somtimes they even have a white garment on, representing the purity of their baptism. They are in contrast to the disciples, who seem to be murmuring amongst themselves, unsure as to why Jesus is going into Jerusalem to his death.

Jesus is progressing to the city of Jerusalem, which is both a literal depiction of the events, but also a foreshadowing of the heavenly Jerusalem.

There is still more to contemplate in this icon for Palm Sunday, but the above symbols are the primary elements to focus on.