Malachi 4:2 (ESV)
But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall.
Notes
Symbols are a shared visual language in a culture. Christians also have a unique set of symbols that serve as a common language for us. For Christians, the beauty of Christian Symbolism is that it’s universal.
Our symbols cut across time, social culture, denominations, etc. Once you learn the language, you can walk into a church and understand the stories embedded in that particular church’s architecture and stained glass.
The mandala shown is full of common Christian symbols for Jesus. How many do you recognize?
In the center of the mandala, behind Jesus, is a sun. This Christian symbol refers to the verse above in Malachi, the last book of the Old Testament. The sun is a common Christian symbol, most often seen in Catholic churches. Jesus, the Son, is the sun of righteousness.
Malachi prophecies that Jesus, the light of the world, will come into the world. He will be to
our spirits what the star at the center of our solar system is to the earth. Our hearts are mended and will grow. Our spirits are enabled to walk in his life-giving light.
Symbols
Butterfly – The Resurrection.
Cross – The cross is the central symbol for the Christian Church, reminding us of Jesus’ voluntary blood sacrifice for our sins.
Book with Alpha and Omega – These are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. In Christian symbolism, they refer to the eternal nature of our Lord and his Word.
Good Shepherd – A symbol for Jesus’ I Am statement in John 10:11, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
Lion – Here, I am using the lion as a symbol for Christ, also known as the Lion of the tribe of Judah.
Chalice and Wafer – Used here as a Christian symbol for Holy Communion.
Fish – A Greek acronym. The five Greek letters ΙΧΘΥΣ translates to Fish. These five Greek letters are also the first letters in the Greek phrase, Ο Ιησούς Χριστός, Θεού Υιός, ο Σωτήρας which is Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior.
Crown and Scepter – Royal authority, used here for Christ, the King of Kings.
Agnus Dei – Latin for “The Lamb of God.” Referring to John 1:29, “The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”
Trumpets – Also used as a symbol of the Resurrection and the Last Judgment, I am using Trumpets here as a symbol for a call to worship.
Final Notes
Often, Christian symbols are derived from specific Bible verses. Similar to computer icons think of Christian symbols as visual summaries for the Church. Again, once you learn the basics, you will be able to read the stories embedded in stained-glass windows. Church windows contain a message that was important enough to make a part of the building’s architecture.
For examples from churches around the world, see the blog series http://kerrypierce.com/2014/12/old-school-christian-mandalas-and-christian-symbolism-part-1/.
The Christian Mandalas devotional coloring journal containing this drawing page may be found here:
Christian Mandalas: The Art of Journaling 2: A Devotional Coloring Journal