Christian Symbolism: Jesus, Mary and the Saints
Spoon, unknown maker, 1650-1710. Museum no. 186-1869
Jesus Christ
Jesus is the central figure in Christian teaching. Many images show the major events in his life, for example, his birth and his death on the cross. Usually the focal point of the scene, Jesus can be shown with or without a beard and often wears a halo.
Christ Crucified
The image of Christ crucified recalls his suffering and sacrifice. It acts as a powerful focus for prayer. Christ is often shown at the moment of his death. The body usually is nailed to the cross through the hands and feet. There may also be the spear wound in his side.
The Last Judgement
The Last Judgement is the moment promised in the Bible when Christ will return in glory to judge the living and the dead. It can be shown in a number of ways. For instance, with Christ seated between the Virgin Mary and St John, and below, the dead rise out of the ground. Other images show the saved, on the right of Christ, being taken to heaven and the damned, on his left, being dragged to hell.
Sacred Heart
The Sacred Heart is a focus for prayer. In Catholic belief it is a doorway to heaven that encourages the worshipper to contemplate Christ's love for humankind. Sometimes an arrow goes through the heart, the wound representing the sins of the world.
The Virgin and Child, window, unknown maker, about 1595. Museum no. 293:1, 2-1874
The Virgin Mary
As the mother of Jesus, the Virgin Mary is considered particularly holy in the Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches. Loyal, gentle, pure, she is revered as both a virgin and a mother. The Virgin is shown in different ways and often features in scenes that describe her life or that of Christ. Often these depictions are meant as a channel for personal worship and prayer. She may be dressed in blue, the colour of the sky, and wear a crown as the Queen of Heaven.
The Virgin and Child
Scenes showing the Virgin Mary and the Christ Child are central to Christian teaching. The images often combine a mother's love for her child with Mary's joy at the birth of Jesus and her fear for his future. They also reflect the belief that Christ is God made flesh.
Sorrow over Christ's Death
Mary is often shown in a scene known as the 'Pietà' (from the Italian for 'pity'). She holds the body of Christ in her arms and weeps for his painful and humiliating death. The scene shows Mary as a mother, grieving for her child. Yet, even in grief she obeys God's will.
Lily
The lily is a symbol of the Virgin Mary. Its white colour represents her purity and virginity. Lilies are often shown in a vase in scenes of the Annunciation, in which the Archangel Gabriel tells the Virgin Mary that she will bear a son named Jesus.
Book of Gospels, 1703. Museum no. A.M.122-1878
Matthew, Mark, Luke and John
Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are the writers of the Gospels, the first four books of the New Testament that tell the events of Christ's life, death and Resurrection. Each has his own symbol. For example, St Matthew begins his account with the ancestry of Christ and focuses on his human nature and kindness. His symbol is, therefore, a winged man or angel. The four saints or their symbols are often grouped together, for example, around a cross. The saints may also be shown holding books or scrolls, to represent the four Gospels.
St Mark
In his opening lines, St Mark describes a voice crying in the wilderness. He later emphasises the royal ancestors of Christ. His symbol is therefore a lion, since the lion is a creature of the open plains and the king of beasts.
St Mark is believed to have been the first bishop of Alexandria in Egypt. He died there but later his body was taken to Venice. The lion then became the symbol of the city.
St Luke
The symbol of St Luke is a winged ox. The ox was a sacrificial animal and the second chapter of St Luke's Gospel refers to a sacrifice. The Bible says that Luke was a 'physician', but he was also believed to have been a painter. He is therefore the patron saint of both doctors and painters, and is sometimes shown making a portrait of the Virgin.
St John
The Gospel of St John begins with the Word of God and emphasises the holiness of Christ. The symbol of St John is therefore an eagle, as it can fly higher than any other bird and so nearest to heaven. St John is also the author of Revelation, the last book of the Bible. He shown either young and beardless as the author of the Gospel, or white-haired and bearded as the author of Revelation. Sometimes he holds a cup with a snake. This refers to the legend that St John was forced to drink a cup of poison to prove his faith. He drank and survived.
Martyrdom of Saint Peter, panel, about 1525-1530. Museum no. 2209-1855
Saints
Saints are men and women who are officially recognised by the church as being particularly holy due to their miracles and their lives. They are usually identified by a halo and often carry objects specifically linked to their life and death. St Francis of Assisi, for example, is often shown with birds and animals. A sword or palm branch may indicate that the saint was a martyr, someone who died for the faith.
St Peter
St Peter was the leader of the twelve Apostles, the followers that were closest to Jesus. He plays an important part in the events related in the New Testament and went on to found the first Christian community in Rome. Christ described Peter as the rock on which he would build the church and promised him the keys of heaven. Keys are therefore St Peter's main symbol. Peter was crucified upside down as he said he was not worthy to be crucified in the same way as Christ.
St Christopher
St Christopher, the patron saint of travellers, is not mentioned in the Bible and instead is a figure of legend. He is often shown carrying the infant Jesus and a staff. The story went that Christopher was a large man who carried travellers across a river. A child asked to be carried but became heavier with each step. The child then revealed that he was Christ, and said Christopher had just carried the weight of the world on his shoulders. He gave Christopher a staff, which flowered the next day.
St Michael
St Michael is the leader of the archangels in heaven. Revelation, the last book in the Bible, describes how he and the archangels wage war against the devil and defeat him. Depictions of St Michael show him with wings, armour and a sword or spear, sometimes killing the devil in the form of a dragon or serpent. St Michael's other duty is to weigh souls at the Last Judgement to see whether they are worthy of salvation. The scales are often shown with naked humans representing those that are being judged. Sometimes demons try to tip the scales.
Become a V&A Member
V&A Members enjoy a wealth of benefits, including free entry to exhibitions, previews, exciting events and the V&A Members’ Room. In addition, you will be supporting the vital work of the V&A.
Buy or Renew Membership OnlineShop online
Quant by Quant: The Autobiography of Mary Quant
Originally published in 1966, Quant by Quant is the hugely entertaining story of Mary Quant’s early career and life with husband and busines…
Buy nowEvent - Imperial Wardrobe in China
Thu 13 June 2013 13:00
GALLERY TALK: This talk will offer an introduction to the imperial wardrobe in China during the late Qing dynasty (1644-1911).
Book online
