Saint symbolism

Dutch Book of Prayers from the mid-fifteenth century. Group of five saints. From left to right, Saint Joseph, Saint James the Great, Saint Eligius, Saint Hermes, and Saint Ghislain, with their emblems.

Christianity has used symbolism from its very beginnings.[1] Each saint has a story and a reason why he or she led an exemplary life. Symbols have been used to tell these stories throughout the history of the Church. A number of Christian saints are traditionally represented by a symbol or iconic motif associated with their life, termed an attribute or emblem, in order to identify them. The study of these forms part of iconography in art history. They were particularly used so that the illiterate could recognize a scene, and to give each of the saints something of a personality in art. They are often carried in the hand by the saint.

Attributes often vary with either time or geography, especially between Eastern Christianity and the West. Orthodox images more often contained inscriptions with the names of saints, so the Eastern repertoire of attributes is generally smaller than the Western. Many of the most prominent saints, like Saint Peter and Saint John the Evangelist can also be recognised by a distinctive facial type – as can Christ. In the case of later saints their actual historical appearance can also be used; Saint Bernardino of Siena (1380–1444) is one of the earliest whose distinctive appearance was well-known from early prints and is nearly always used by artists. Some attributes are general, such as the palm frond carried by martyrs.

The use of a symbol in a work of art depicting a saint reminds people who is being shown and of their story. The following is a list of some of these attributes.

Contents 

Four Evangelists

The symbols of the four Evangelists are here depicted in the Book of Kells. The four winged creatures symbolize, clockwise from top left, Matthew, Mark, John, and Luke.
Saint Symbol
Matthew the Evangelistwinged man, purse, lance
Mark the Evangelistwinged lion, book
Luke the Evangelistox, book, brush, palette
John the Evangelisteagle, chalice sometimes with a snake in it, kettle, book


The Twelve Apostles

The key as symbol of St. Peter
The Synaxis of the Twelve Apostles. Russian, 14th century, Moscow Museum.
Saint Symbol
AndrewSaltire
Bartholomew the Apostleknife, human skin
James, son of Zebedeepilgrim's staff, scallop shell, key, sword, Pilgrim's hat, astride a white charger, Cross of Saint James
James, son of Alphaeus / James the Justsquare rule, halberd, club, saw
JohnBook, a serpent in a chalice, cauldron, eagle
Judesword, square rule, club, ship
Judas IscariotThirty pieces of silver
MatthewAngel
Saint Matthiasaxe
PeterKeys of Heaven, boat, fish, rooster, pallium, papal vestments; man crucified head downwards on an inverted cross, vested as an Apostle, holding a book or scroll. Iconographically, he is depicted with a bushy white beard and white hair, and wearing a blue robe and yellow mantle.
Philipcolumn; elderly bearded saint and open to God man, holding a basket of loaves and a Tau cross
Simonboat; cross and saw; fish (or two fishes); lance; man being sawn in two longitudinally; oar
ThomasThe Twin, placing his finger in the side of Christ, axe, spear (means of martyrdom), square (his profession, a builder)


Saints listed by name

A

Saint Symbol
Acathius of MeliteneCrown of Thorns
Agatha of Sicilytongs or shears, veil, bells, two breasts on a plate
Agneslamb
Alfred the GreatCodex, crown, orb/scepter
Ambrosebees, beehive, dove, ox, pen
Anne, grandmother of Jesusdoor, book with the Virgin Mary reading, red robe and green mantle
Anthony the Greatmonk's habit, bell, pig, T-shaped cross
Anthony of PaduaChild Jesus, bread, book, lily
Athanasius of AlexandriaBishop arguing with a pagan, bishop holding an open book, bishop standing over a defeated heretic
Augustine of Hippodove, child, shell, pen, book

B

Saint Symbol
Barbaratower, chalice, ciborium, cannon
Barnabaspilgrim's staff, olive branch
Benedictbroken cup, raven, bell, crosier, bush
Benno of Meissenfish with keys in its mouth, book
Bernard of Clairvauxpen, bees, instruments of the Passion
Bernardino of Sienatablet or sun inscribed with IHS, three mitres
Blaisewax, taper (candle), iron comb
Bonaventurecommunion, ciborium, cardinal's hat
Bonifaceoak, axe, book, fox, scourge, fountain, raven, sword
Bridget of Swedenbook, pilgrim's staff
Brigid of Kildarecow, crosier, Brigid's cross

C

The college shield of St Catharine's College, Cambridge, prominently depicting a Catherine wheel.
Saint Symbol
Casimir of Poland and LithuaniaRoyal attire of crown and red robe lined with ermine, lily, cross, rosary; sometimes two right hands
Catherine of Alexandriawheel, crown, sword, book
Catherine of Ricciring, crown, crucifix
Catherine of Sienastigmata, cross, ring, lily
Ceciliaorgan
Cerboniusgeese
Charles Borromeocardinal's robes, communion
Christophergiant crudely dressed, torrent, tree, branch or large staff, Carrying the Child Jesus on shoulder
Clare of Assisimonstrance
Clare of Montefalcocross
Clement anchor, fish, Mariner's Cross
Corbinian saddled bear
Saints Cosmas and Damiana phial, box of ointment
Saints Crispin and Crispinianshoes, millstones
Cyriacusdeacon's vestments

D

Saint Symbol
Daniellion
David of Scotlandking with sword or sceptre
David of Walesdove
Denishead in hands
Dorothea of Caesareaflowers, fruits
Dominicrosary, star, dog with a torch
Dunstanhammer, tongs
Dymphnacrown, sword, lily, lamp, princess with a fettered devil at her feet

E

Saint Symbol
Edmund the Martyrquiver of arrows
Edward the Confessorking crowned with a nimbus and holding a sceptre
Saint Eligius bishop portrayed with a crosier in his right hand, on the open palm of his left a miniature church of chased gold; with a hammer, anvil, and horseshoe; or with a horse
Elijahcave
Elisabeth of Hungaryalms, flowers, bread, the poor, pitcher
Emilianusmonk on horseback
Elizabeth of Aragoncrown
Erasmus of Formiaewindlass
Eric of Swedenking being martyred at mass
Eustacehunting clothes, stag, bull, crucifix, horn, oven

F

An axe, the symbol of the martyrdom of Judas Thaddeus and other saints
Saint Symbol
FaithShield of the Trinity
Felix of Burgundyanchor
Florinus of Remüsbottle, glass of wine
Francis of Assisiwolf, birds, fish, skull, stigmata
Francis Xaviercrucifix, bell, vessel, crab with a cross

G

Saint Symbol
Gabriel is archangel, trumpet, armour, wings, scroll stating “Ave Maria Gratia Plena”
Genesiustheatre mask
Genevievelit candle, bread, keys, herd, cattle
Georgedragon, soldier or knight in armour, often on white horse, especially in the East, Cross of Saint George
Gertrude of Nivellescrown, tapir, lily, mouse
GilesBenedictine habit, hind
Gregory the GreatPapal Tiara, crosier, dove (often portrayed at his ear)

H

A "fiddleback" chasuble from the church of Saint Gertrude in Maarheeze in the Netherlands
Saint Symbol
Helena Wearing a royal crown while supporting a cross
Hippolytus of RomePapal Tiara
Hippolytus the soldiermilitary garb, horse's harness
Honoratus of Amiensbaker's peel or shovel; bishop with a large Host; bishop with three Hosts on a baker's shovel; loaves
Hugh of Lincolnswan

I

Saint Stephen depicted with three stones and the martyrs' palm
Saint Symbol
Ignatius of Antiocha bishop surrounded by lions or in chains
Ignatius of LoyolaEucharist, chasuble with Jesuit-style collar, book often inscribed with "Ad majorem dei gloriam", or the letters AMDG, the letters "ihs" with a cross across the h (traditionally with three nails below the letters, and the letters and nails surrounded by the sun's rays), sword, cross.
Imerius of Immertalhermit's garb and bird of prey
Irene of Tomarpalm of martyrdom
Isidore of Sevillebees, pen, book
Ivo of Kermartindepicted as a lawyer, holding a document, in legal dress.

J

IHS monogram of the name of Jesus
Saint Symbol
Jeromelion, cardinal clothing, cross, skull, books and writing material, stone in hand
Joan of Arcshield, Cross of Lorraine
Saint Joannalamb
John BerchmansRule of Saint Ignatius, cross, rosary
John Chrysostombees, dove, pen
John of Godalms, heart, Crown of Thorns
John the Baptistlamb, head on a platter, animal skin (the camel-skin coat of the Gospels), pointing at Christ or a lamb, often portrayed carrying a long crudely made cross
Joseph, spouse of MaryChild Jesus, lily, rod, plane, carpentry square, purple robe and brown mantle
Juan DiegoTilmàtli
Justin Martyraxe, sword
Justina of Paduapalm frond, knife, unicorn
Juthwararound soft cheese

K

Blackbird
Saint Symbol
Kateri Tekakwithaturtle, lily
Kevin of Glendaloughblackbird
Knut of DenmarkNordic king with royal insignia, dagger, lance or arrow.

L

Saint Symbol
Lambert of Maastrichtpalm of martyrdom
Lawrence of Romecross, Gospel Book, gridiron, palm frond, purse of money, attired as a deacon in a dalmatic, accompanied by a group of poor people.
Leander of Sevillepen
Leonard of Noblaclock, chain, manacles or fetters
Liborius of Le Manspebbles, peacock
Louis IX of FranceRoyal attire of crown and blue robe decorated with golden fleur-de-lis, Crown of Thorns, nails
Lucycord, eyes on a dish, lamp

M

Saint Symbol
Margaret of Scotlandreading
Margaret the Virgindragon in chains
Marthaaspergillum, dragon
Martin of Toursgoose; sharing cloak with beggar
Martin of Porresbroom, a cat, dog and a mouse eating from the same plate
Mary Magdalenejar of ointment, red egg
Matildapurse, alms
MauriceSoldier in armour, banner with red cross
Maurusscales, spade, crutch
Menas of Cretetwo camels
Michaelscales, banner, sword, dragon
Monicagirdle, tears
Mungofish with ring in its mouth, bell, tree, bird

N

Saint Symbol
Nicholasthree purses or balls, anchor, boat, child

O

Saint Symbol
Oda of Scotlanddepicted wearing a long blue gown with one shoulder bare; usually carries a staff or a book; always shown with a magpie on her hand and a crown under her feet
Olaf of Norwayaxe in Norway's coat of arms

P

Baptismal font in Magdeburg Cathedral, Germany.
Saint Symbol
Pancrassword, palm branch
Pantaleonnailed hands
Patrickcross, harp, serpent, baptismal font, demons, shamrock
Paul the Apostlesword, book or scroll, horse; long, pointed beard, and balding backwards from forehead. Green robe, red mantle.
Saint Peter of VeronaDominican with a hatchet in his head or a severe head wound; or writing the words "Credo in unum Deum" as he dies
Petronillaset of keys, dolphin
Philip Nerilily
Philomenaanchor, palm, arrows

Q

Young man with two spits
Saint Symbol
Quentindepicted as a young man with two spits; as a deacon; with a broken wheel; with a chair to which he is transfixed; with a sword; or beheaded, a dove flying from his severed head
Quiteriadepicted with a dog on a lead; depicted with her head in her hands, emerging from the sea.

R

Angel holding the sun at the Bordeaux cathedral
Saint Symbol
Raphaelfish
Richardbishop with overturned chalice
Rita of Casciaroses, roses and figs, crucifix, thorn, sometimes with a wound in her forehead
Rochangel, dog with bread, leg wound, pilgrim's dress
Rose of LimaCrown of Thorns, anchor, city, roses

S

Saint Symbol
Sativolascythe, well
Sava of Serbiabook
Sebastianarrows, crown
Spyridon of CorfuBishop with Gospel; long, pointed beard, and wearing a shepherd's hat
Stanislaus of Szczepanówsword
StephenStone(s)
Stephen of HungaryRoyal attire of crown and robes, and holding orb or sceptre with double cross
Swithunbishop with bridge, broken eggs

T

Neo-Gothic "solar" monstrance at the hermitage church of Warfhuizen.
Saint Symbol
Teresa of Ávilaheart, arrow, book
Teresa of the Andessmall cross, flowers
Theodorecrocodile
Thérèse de Lisieuxroses entwining a crucifix
Thomas Aquinasmonstrance, dove, ox
Thomas Becketsword, and wearing chancellor's robe and neck chain
Thomas Moreaxe
Trudpertaxe
Tudwaldragon

U

Saint Symbol
Urbanportrayed in art after his beheading, with the Papal Tiara near him
Urban of Langresbishop with a bunch of grapes or a vine at his side; a book with a wine vessel on it
Ursicinusbook and Fleur-de-lis
Ursulaarrow; banner; cloak; clock; maiden shot with arrows; depicted accompanied by a varied number of companions who are being martyred in various ways; ship
Ursus of Aostabirds on his shoulder; wearing fur pelisse in a religious habit

V

A traditional biretta
Saint Symbol
Vedastwolf carrying a goose in its mouth; child; bear
Verdianasnakes
Victor of Marseilleswindmill
Vigilius of Trentshoes or clogs
Vincent de Paulchildren
Vincent Ferrerpulpit, cardinal's hat, trumpet, captives
Vituscross, rooster, lion

W

Crosier of arcbishop Heinrich of Finstingen, 1260–1286
Saint Symbol
Wenceslaus of Bohemia crown, dagger
William of Montevergine wolf and pastoral crook
William of York bishop crossing the River Tweed
Winnochand-mill, bridge, grinding corn
Wolfgang of Regensburg a church building with an adze lodged in the roof, a wolf

X

Saint Symbol
Xenia of Saint Petersburg walking stick
Xystus Book, papal tiara, martyr's palm

Y

Mitre of Bishop Sztojkovics, Hungary, ca. 1860, stolen in 1989
Saint Symbol
Yrieix Bishop's Mitre

Z

Saint Symbol
ZacharyMaking peace with King Luitprand. Sometimes he may have an olive branch and a dove over him
Zenobius of Florenceflowering tree; bringing a dead man or child back to life
Zitabag, keys

Further reading

See also

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Saint symbology.

References

  1. Catholic Encyclopedia (1913), article Symbolism