Maria

Monogram of the Blessed Virgin.

The Crown of Thorns

One of the emblems of the Passion and the Crucifixion of Christ.

The Descending Dove

The symbol of the Holy Ghost.

The Candlestick

Christ the Light of the world. Also symbol of Devotion.

The Fleur-de-Lys

Used as a symbol of the Blessed Virgin, and as a symbol of the Holy Trinity.

The Broken Column

The symbol of Sorrow and a broken life.

The Arch

The symbol of Triumph. Broken; Ultimately Death. The passing from this world to Eternal Life.

The Gate

The Gate may signify death and departure from life in this world, and the entrance into Heavenly Paradise.

The Rosary

Devotion to the Virgin Mary. This devotion consists of a series of meditations and prayers centering about events in the life of Christ and of the Virgin. The Rosary is divided into the Joyful, Sorrowful and Glorious mysteries. The prayers of the Rosary are counted on a string of beads – chaplet consisting of five decades.

There is a language for these experiences. It is a simple and beautiful language which man has known and used since the beginning of time. It is called the language of the sign and the symbol, the outward and visible form through which is revealed the inward and invisible reality that moves and directs the soul of man. These signs and symbols are the language of the soul.

Floral Affusion

Loveliness and Beauty.

Christmas Rose

Nativity of our Lord.

Daisy

The Christ Child’s Innocence. Youth. The sun of Righteousness.

Dogwood

Regeneration – Divine sacrifice and triumph of eternal life.

Christmas. Passion of Christ.

Laurel

Triumph, Eternity and Chastity. Reward and Victory.

Oak Leaf

Because of its Solidity and Endurance, the Oak is the symbol of the Strength; of Faith and Virtue, and of the Endurance of the Christian against adversity.

Anemone

Immortality, Resurrection.

Cultivated Rose or American Beauty Rose

The flower of Venus goddess of love. Symbol of our Lady and of love, and indicative of Heavenly Joy.

Calla Lily

Majestic beauty, Marriage.

Wild Rose

Love and the love of the Lord.

Bluebell

Constancy. Sorrowful Regret.

Pansy

Remembrance and Meditation.

Lily of the Valley

Advent of Christ. Purity and Humility.

Hollyhock

Ambition; Fecundity.

Lily

Purity, Innocence, Virginity, Heavenly bliss, The Virgin, The Annunciation, Our Lord’s human nature.

Shamrock

Trinity and St. Patrick.

Tulip

Charity and the Declaration of Love.

Poppy

Fertility, Sleep, Rest and Peace.

Iris

Eloquence; A Message; Protection. Taken as an illusion to the sorrow of the Virgin at the Passion of Christ.

Evening Primrose

Lasting Love; Memory; Youth and Sadness.

Grape & Vine

Our Lord and his followers, The Church and Unity.

Gladiolus

Incarnation.

Clematis

Mental Beauty.

Acanthus

Heavenly Gardens.

Narcissus

The Triumph of Divine Love, Sacrifice, and Eternal Life over Death, Selfishness and Sin.

Ivy

The Ivy has always been closely identified with Death and Immortality. Fidelity and Eternal Life and Undying Affection.

Passion Flower

Christ, Christ’s Passion and Death; Redemption; Crucifixion.

Thistle – Scotland

Earthly Sorrow and Sin.

Morning Glory

Resurrection; Morning; Youth; Bonds of Love.

The Alpha and Omega

The first and last letters of the Greek alphabet meaning that Jesus is the beginning and the end of all things.

The Celtic Cross

Known as the Irish Cross and the Cross of Iona. It is a very ancient from having been used by the early Celtic Christmas. At the junction of the vertical and horizontal arms, the Cross is hollowed out in four places, and a circle representing Eternity, placed about it.

Chi Rho

The monogram of the first two letters, Chi (X) and Rho (P), of the Greek word for Christ.

Cross with Winding
Sheet
Representing descent from the Cross.

The Cross in Glory Latin Cross, behind which is a rising sun,
sending forth rays of light.

The Cross and Crown

Symbol of the Sovereignty of our Lord.

The Crucifix

A Cross with a figure of our Lord upon it is called a Crucifix. It is a symbol of the Passion and the Atonement.

The Graded Cross

This is a Latin Cross, with three steps, representing Faith, Hope and Charity.

IHS

The IHS are the first three letters (Iota, eta, sigma) of the Greek spelling of Jesus.

INRI

A scroll bearing the letters I.N.R.I. meaning “Jesus, Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum,” (“Jesus of Nazareth, King of Jews”) is a common Passion symbol referring to the Crucifixion.

Latin Cross

This form of the Cross is recognized the world over and may be used by any religious body whose doctrines include a confession of the Lord Jesus Christ and his atoning death. It is a symbol of the Christian faith.

Latin Cross Fleuree The ends of the Cross terminate wth
fleurs-de-lys. Symbolic of the Holy Trinity.

The Passion Cross

This is a Cross whose ends are cut to points. It represents the suffering of the Lord.

The Eastern Cross (Orthodox Russian Cross)

Used only by the Eastern Church. Signifies that the congregation is a member of the Eastern Orthodox Church. It is a Latin Cross with two extra arms. The upper arm represents the inscription over the head of our Lord. The bottom arm, exact length of the top arm, represents the foot rest.

The Star of David (Jewish)

Divine Protection. The most familiar symbol used in Jewish commemorative art. It is formed by two interlaced equilateral triangles.

The Yartzeit (Jewish)

The basin filled with oil upon which the lighted wick floats is a traditional commemorative ritual observed by the Jewish People.

The Menorah (Jewish)

Symbol and reminder that the Light is the Torah and the soul of man. Symbol of the State of Israel’s Independence.

The Lamp

The word of God. Good Works, Truth, Divine Inspiration, Enlightenment and Knowledge.

The Book

The Book of Wisdom, the Bible, Divine Authorship.