Questions tagged [symbolism]
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 reason and meaning of the symbols on the garments worn by Temple-worthy LDS members?
I understand that the sacred garments worn by temple-worthy LDS members include symbols of 1) the square, 2) the compass, and 3) the navel mark, and 4) the knee mark. I know that some of the symbols ...
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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?
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Why do Popes have seven candlesticks on the altar at Mass?
Why is it that Popes have seven candlesticks on the altar when they pontificate a Solemn Mass? This is something that I have noticed at several Papal Masses. Sometimes the candlestick is set next to ...
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Why is beating one's breast used to show sadness and guilt? [closed]
According to the Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary & Thesaurus definition:
Beat your breast/chestTo show how sad or guilty you feel in an obvious or public way
I understand what is meant ...
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When did the "upside down cross" become a symbol of anti-Christianity?
When did the "upside down cross" become a symbol of anti-Christianity? I can find no mention of it in the Bible. However there is, in Christian history, the story of Peter's execution – which really ...
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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 "...
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What is the biblical basis of the "goats are evil" trope?
Having spent some time cuddling and playing with goats, which are delightful creatures, I have to ask:
What is the biblical basis of the association, common even among Christians, of goats with Satan ...
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What is the meaning of 'the Sun and the Moon' in Joseph's dream?
And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it to his brethren, and
said, Behold, I have dreamed yet a dream: and, behold, the sun and the
moon and eleven stars made obeisance to me. And he told it ...
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Is the beast of Revelation 13 the same as the beast of Daniel 7? [closed]
There are several similarities between the Beast described in Revelation chapter 13 and the one described in Daniel chapter 7.
Rev 13:1 and 2 KJV
And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw ...
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What does the diagonal line near the bottom of the Eastern Orthodox Cross symbolize?
Notice the bottom of the cross, with the diagonal line. What does it represent/symbolize (if anything)?
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Besides St. Casimir, are any other saints portrayed with three hands in iconography?
Other than the icon of St. Casimir in Vilnius (below), are there other examples of saints with three hands? Does a third hand make up part of the iconography of St. John the Evangelist?
Image by ...
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In Catholic art imagery, how is hell symbolized?
In Catholic art and imagery how is hell symbolized? If a symbol does exist for it, why was this particular symbol chosen?
In other words, does hell have a symbol?
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The rules on how and when people can wear a cross [closed]
Which principles govern the wearing of crosses? Do some denominations require that it touch the skin, or that it never be removed? Will a cross hung on the neck and one on an ear have different ...
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What was the difference between Berengar's view of the Eucharist and that of Zwingli?
Berengar of Tours played a major role in the Second Eucharistic Controversy, which took place in the 11th century. He opposed the increasing acceptance of proto-transubstantiation doctrines, arguing ...
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Why did Magdalena use her hair to dry Jesus' feet? [closed]
I don't really understand this part of the story in Luke 7:38. Why would Mary Magdalena use her hair to dry Jesus' feet? I have some clues, but I don't want to guide the replies.
I'd like to know both,...
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What symbols are unique to the various denominations? [closed]
In reading the meta discussion about what logo should be used for Christianity.SE, I got to wondering what symbols are unique to various denominations. Note: I'm not looking for symbols which are ...
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Why do Catholics portray Jesus on the Cross?
On the Crosses in Parishes, Cathedrals, Rosaries, and any other place that there is a Catholic image of a Cross, you will find Jesus on the cross. But this is not true for Eastern Orthodox or ...
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Why are babies dressed in white during a Roman Catholic christening?
Why are babies dressed in white during a Roman Catholic christening (aka baptism)? Is the color symbolic or anything? Can any other color be worn? Similarly, are there some sort of color restrictions ...
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What is the significance of the donkey Jesus rode on Palm Sunday?
I'm working on different symbols of Palm Sunday. Has anyone done work on the significance of the donkey Jesus rode on?
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Blessings of objects by the Priest
Is there an official list of objects that must be blessed by a priest for a variety of purposes?
General Example: religious coins, saint necklaces, anniversary gifts given to or from someone etc.
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Do Christians have "secret" (handshakes for example) ways of knowing who other Christians were?
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 ...
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What did the Earliest Church Fathers teach about the Woman of Revelation 12?
This question is a rephrase of a different question asking if any early church fathers believed that Revelation 12:1-5 is about the Virgin Mary. It may be clearer and easier to find out what they ...
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Is there a Christian equivalent of Mandala (word or symbol)?
During a recent visit to Canterbury Cathedral particular circular patterns on the floors (pictured) reminded me of the circular patterns of Mandalas.
I was wondering if these are simply 'for ...
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Why are many protestants hesitant of the reappropriation of symbols?
There are many symbols in Christianity that were, well, borrowed from paganism. Over the last 200 years the history is rich with the reappropriation of pagan symbols to have Christian meanings and ...
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Which denominations have official flags?
Which denominations have official flags?
Catholics have the papal flag of Vatican City
The flag of Vatican City was adopted on 7 June 1929, the year Pope Pius XI signed the Lateran Treaty with Italy, ...
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Do the ancient churches built by the Portuguese have a statue of mermaid on the façade?
My parish church (St Mary's Forane Church, Muttom, Cherthala, Kerala ) in southern India, believed to have been built by the Portuguese in the 16th Century has, among other images, two built-in ...
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Was it common in Biblical and Early Church times to use sports for illustrating sermons and lessons (as Pope Francis and Paul did)?
The Ancient Olympic Games were a very famous event in ancient times. Taking advantage of their popularity, Paul used them (specifically, the Stadion/200 metres and boxing games) in 1 Corinthians 9:24-...
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What is the origins of Popes wearing a white soutane with other articles of clothing such as mozzetta in red?
What is the origins of Popes wearing a white soutane with other articles of clothing such as mozzetta in red?
Most sources say that the pope wears a white soutane since the time of Pope Pius V.
That ...
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Which denominations regulate how a cross is worn on the body? [closed]
In public and private, people wear many different crosses in many manners. Which denominations hold any principles, explicit or implicit, that govern the display of crosses on the body?
Speculating, ...
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What is the origin and meaning of this symbol?
The symbol in the attached photo is on the side of a 1940s motorcycle purchased from a police vehicle auction. The symbol in question is mounted on the frame near the rear axle. Can anyone shed light ...
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Could the intentional killing of civilians in primarily Christian Ukraine be included in symbolism within the book of Revelation?
On the English Wikipedia page for Ukraine, the following demographics are presented:
Since the country is 87.3% Christian, the intentional targeting of civilians constitutes the intentional targeting ...
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What symbols are preferred among certain denominations more than others?
I am compiling a list of common themes or symbols to be used for decoration around the different denominations or to be given as gifts for members of that church. I am in the USA and only interested ...
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What Do the Seven Heads of the Beast Represent?
In Revelation 13:1-3, the Beast is described as having seven heads, with one of them appearing to have a "deadly wound" that is later healed:
Revelation 13:1-3 (KJV):
"And I stood upon ...
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What is the purpose of the rosary and why do some differ in the amount of beads they contain?
Should a Rosary be made of six or twelve beaded sections?
Does it symbolize something specific or is it simply an object created to reflect something in the Catholic religion?
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Was it possible for Catholics to express their faith openly in England during the time of persecution?
Was it possible for Catholics to express their faith openly (if at all) in Britain during the time of the of English persecutions (April 29, 1559)-(April 13, 1829)?
On 29 April 1559, the English ...
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Meaning of cross with Jesus on both sides
I have a necklace that is a cross charm with Jesus Christ on the cross but on both sides. What's the meaning of this symbol?
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Ancient imagery beasts used in Christian symbolisms?
Ancient imagery beasts used in Christian symbolisms?
We have all heard of unicorns!
The unicorn is a legendary creature that has been described since antiquity as a beast with a single large, ...
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Is literary symbolism blasphemy?
C.S. Lewis is widely known to have been a devout Christian. In Narnia, the lion Aslan seems to symbolize Jesus. He is executed in the first book in a manner not entirely unlike crucifixion and ...
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Why did Protestants think Revelation's "Mother of harlots" represented the Roman Church but didn't recognize themselves as the "harlot daughters"? [closed]
Revelation 7 describes a woman (symbolizing a church):
3 … and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.
4 And the woman was ...
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What does the symbology in this painting of the Trinity mean?
This image is in a Catholic hospital in Spokane, WA. I understand the Father/Son/Holy Spirit symbology, the ABBA reference, and the initials of the Christ. But three things in this image I cannot ...
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To what extent do those who hold to a 'literal' account of Genesis 1-11, such as YECs, hold there are symbolic elements in Genesis 1-3?
YECs (Young Earth Creationists) often hold their views because of a 'literal' view of Genesis, and in particular the use of 'day' in the Genesis creation account.
Are there aspects of Genesis that '...
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Chimera Image on my leather jacket?
I have a leather jacket that just picked up from a girl who was selling it and I didn’t notice that it had a Chimera on its back.
Truthfully, the image disturbs me a bit. I don’t want to curse my ...
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What is this symbol of the (Anglo-Catholic) Society of the Faith?
The Society of the Faith charity (Wikipedia entry) uses the following symbol. What is it?
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Do the angels in Ezekiel 1:10 represent the 4 aspects of creation according to evangelicals?
Ezekiel 1:10 tells of the heavenly creatures with the faces of humans, eagles, lions, and oxen:
As for the likeness of their faces, they four had the face of a man,
and the face of a lion, on the ...
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Origin and meaning of this Christian symbol (Christus Rex)
On the cover of Charles Hartshorne's Creative Synthesis and Philosophic Method published by SCM Press (London 1970) there is this symbol
A Google image search suggests that this is called a Christus ...
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Are the numbers in the Book of Revelation symbolic?
There are some strange numbers in Revelation. For example:
The seven Spirits of God (Rev 4:5);
Exactly 12,000 are sealed from each of the 12 tribes of Jerusalem (Rev 7:4).
The blood flows out of the ...
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Was there a special significance in God's choice of ravens for supply of provisions to prophet Elijah?
We read in 1 King 17:2-6:
Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah: “Leave here, turn eastward and hide in the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan. You will drink from the brook, and I have directed ...
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Why is Green Martyrdom green?
I'd heard of green martyrdom a few times on the radio, but never gave it much thought
Three kinds of martyrdom that are counted as a cross to man, i.e. white martyrdom, green martyrdom, and red ...
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Why are a Catholic bishop's Coat of Arms green and not purple?
Why are a Catholic bishop's Coat of Arms green and not purple?
The Canadian Conference of Bishops tell us that the galero and tassels on the Coat of Arms for a bishop are green. Cardinals' galero and ...
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Overview: which denominations teach that the trees in Eden were symbolic vs literal?
In a comment to another question, someone commented that the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil are "clearly" symbolic and not actual trees. I was surprised by that ...
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