The practice of representing things by means of symbols or of attributing symbolic meanings or significance to objects, events, or relationships.

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What is the significance of the inverted pentagram symbols on the LDS Temple in Salt Lake City?

The Temple in Salt Lake has several inverted pentagrams as decorations. (To see a few, just google "lds temple salt lake inverted pentagrams" and click on images. Or click here) According to ...
11
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3answers
228 views

What is the reason for the absence of the Cross as a symbol in the LDS Church?

As I was looking at some references for this question dealing with the usage of the inverted pentagram in the LDS Church and particularly on the Temple in Salt Lack City, I came across an article that ...
11
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4answers
3k views

Why the difference in depiction of the cross between Catholics and Protestants?

As I understand it, Roman Catholic crosses have Jesus hanging on them, but Protestant crosses do not. I understood that Protestant crosses do not because they want to focus on the Resurrection, not ...
11
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3answers
877 views

Should protestants not make the sign of the Cross?

I'm not a Catholic, but I've been aware since I was little that Catholics will "Cross" themselves. Early on I felt like I shouldn't copy it as it always had been portrayed in tv/film as something ...
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2answers
1k views

Why are thighs important?

I know it sounds like a silly or weird question, but I'm serious. Genesis 24:2 One day Abraham said to his oldest servant, the man in charge of his household, “Take an oath by putting your ...
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2answers
143 views

Can indirection bring us closer to Christ?

Peter's excellent blog posting pointed to a movement I'd never heard of before: Militia of the Immaculata (MI). In the process of figuring out what it might be, I read this important qualification: ...
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3answers
174 views

What's the deal with oil?

If you look across the Bible, there are many instances where oil is used. The anointing of Saul and David; Jacob pouring oil over the rock where he had his dream of the staircase to heaven(?); Maria ...
6
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1answer
123 views

What symbols have represented Christianity through the years? [closed]

Today the cross is the primary icon of Christianity, but I'm aware of a few others, such as the Ichthys. What symbols have represented the faith through the centuries?
5
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1answer
281 views

Counterarguments to “Numerology”?

Background: I am interested in learning more about numerology. In this post I am specifically interested in the arguments used by those who reject this doctrine. My current impression of what ...
5
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4answers
73 views

Relevance of the word 'ICTHUS'

I would like to know the meaning and the importance of the word 'ICTHUS' among Christians. I have learned that this is some sort of symbol. Can anyone help me on this?
5
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3answers
175 views

What does INRI stand for?

On the crucifix there is sometimes a plate above Jesus' head that has the letters INRI. What does INRI mean or stand for? Why is it there?
5
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1answer
122 views

How widely used is “beehive” imagery?

The LDS church uses the imagery of a beehive to represent the way the church [should] function. Notably lacking any sign of the cross or other usual Christian symbology in the temple, the main pulpit ...
4
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2answers
158 views

The unicorn as a Christological figure

This isn't so much a question about theology or denominational teachings as Church history. In an answer to a question on another StackExchange site, someone posted this: I am an Art Historian, ...
4
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1answer
72 views

Why is the fish often used as a symbol of Christ?

In the United States, you've probably seen it. Many Christians like to put a fish on their cars to show their faith. What is the origin of this symbol?
4
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1answer
137 views

Sybils and Prophetesses in the Sistine Chapel

For what purpose did Michelangelo add each Sybils or Prophetesses to the ceiling of the Sistine chapel? This is an explanation to why they're there in the first place. The latter, although ...
3
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1answer
40 views

Does purgatory have a symbol?

I haven't found it on the internet. Are there any symbol for purgatory, or related to purgatory?
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2answers
110 views

Do Christians have secret handshakes?

Did Christians ever come up with "secret" ways of knowing who other Christians were? I don't mean exactly a handshake, because I get that sometimes people don't (or can't) shake hands. Seems like it ...
0
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2answers
135 views

Was the serpent in the wilderness a foreshadowing of Jesus?

The Lord sent fiery serpents among the people and they bit the people, so that many people of Israel died. So the people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned, because we have spoken against the ...