Christian symbolism - Symbols drawn from outside

Christian symbolism is the use of actions or objects to represent the truths of the Christian faith, either as a reminder of those truths or as a way of spiritually connecting with the underlying truth or act. Christian symbolism - Sacraments. The most important symbols in the Christian church are the sacraments. These rites, which vary between denominations but may include holy communion, baptism, ordination and marriage, are commonly described as an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual g ...

Including:

• Christian symbolism - Sacraments
• Christian symbolism - Other Symbols
• Christian symbolism - Symbols drawn from outside
• Christian symbolism - Diverse influences and meaning illustrated
• Christian symbolism - Examples

Read more here: » Christian symbolism: Encyclopedia - Christian symbolism

Also common in most Christian religious symbolism are emblems, figures or ideas drawn from the cultures which Christianity has superseded, so that symbols existing in those cultures have been adopted but imbued with Christian meaning. The phoenix standing for the Resurrection, or the Egg representing rebirth, are examples of this incorporation of pagan symbols, for use in Christian art and customs. Often a pagan symbol was given a Christian meaning allowing incorporation of traditional practices into the faith of the new converts. Christ ...

See also:

Christian symbolism, Christian symbolism - Sacraments, Christian symbolism - Other Symbols, Christian symbolism - Symbols drawn from outside, Christian symbolism - Diverse influences and meaning illustrated, Christian symbolism - Examples

Read more here: » Christian symbolism: Encyclopedia II - Christian symbolism - Symbols drawn from outside

Symbols were widely used by the early Christian church. Symbols were inscribed on Christian tombs from the earliest days. One of the most widely used in the early church was that of the fish, which derived from a Greek acrostic Jesus Christ, God's Son, Saviour. Interestingly the cross (which is today one of the most widely recognised symbols in the world) was not commonly used as a symbol until later. In Eastern Orthodo ...

See also:

Christian symbolism, Christian symbolism - Sacraments, Christian symbolism - Other Symbols, Christian symbolism - Symbols drawn from outside, Christian symbolism - Diverse influences and meaning illustrated, Christian symbolism - Examples

Read more here: » Christian symbolism: Encyclopedia II - Christian symbolism - Other Symbols

The most important symbols in the Christian church are the sacraments. These rites, which vary between denominations but may include holy communion, baptism, ordination and marriage, are commonly described as an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace or, as in the Catholic system, "outward signs and media of grace." In other words, at the very least, the rite is a symbol of the spiritual change or event that takes place within the participant. For example in communion the bread and wine are, at the least, symbolic o ...

See also:

Christian symbolism, Christian symbolism - Sacraments, Christian symbolism - Other Symbols, Christian symbolism - Symbols drawn from outside, Christian symbolism - Diverse influences and meaning illustrated, Christian symbolism - Examples

Read more here: » Christian symbolism: Encyclopedia II - Christian symbolism - Sacraments