Liturgical Symbols
What do all the symbols mean?
Font:
Central placement at entrance of the nave: Symbolizes your baptismal entrance into Christ’s Church (Romans 6).
8 sides: Symbolizes the 8 souls saved on Noah’s Ark, which foreshadowed how baptism brings you safely through the waters into the holy ark of the Church (I Peter 3:20-21).
8th Day: Symbolizes the day after the creation week, which begins the new creation in Christ (Galatians 6:15). The 8th day was also the day of Old Testament circumcision, which foreshadows baptism (Colossians 2:11-12). The 8th day was the day that Jesus was circumcised and named in the temple (Luke 2:21).
Shell with 3 Drops of Water: Symbolizes the triune name of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, into which you are baptized (Matthew 28:19).
Font:
Central placement at entrance of the nave: Symbolizes your baptismal entrance into Christ’s Church (Romans 6).
8 sides: Symbolizes the 8 souls saved on Noah’s Ark, which foreshadowed how baptism brings you safely through the waters into the holy ark of the Church (I Peter 3:20-21).
8th Day: Symbolizes the day after the creation week, which begins the new creation in Christ (Galatians 6:15). The 8th day was also the day of Old Testament circumcision, which foreshadows baptism (Colossians 2:11-12). The 8th day was the day that Jesus was circumcised and named in the temple (Luke 2:21).
Shell with 3 Drops of Water: Symbolizes the triune name of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, into which you are baptized (Matthew 28:19).
Altar:
Central placement in the chancel area: All eyes are drawn to the central focus and climax of the Divine Service--the place where we drink from the cup of salvation and receive its benefits (Psalm 116:12-13).
-Symbolizes the altar of sacrifice where Christ has been sacrificed once and for all for the sins of the world and now offers us His body and blood (Hebrews 10:10). The altar is shaped as a casket, but it is empty, symbolizing the risen Christ who takes away the sting of death (I Corinthians 15:55).
-Carved cross on altar front: Vertically, from top to bottom, the symbols depict the Trinity, descending from the Father’s hand, through His Son laid out on the cross to fulfill all righteousness, by the Holy Spirit’s power, symbolized by the dove. The horizontal symbols are connected by the same Son, the Word made flesh, whose extended arms point to the means of grace--shell, chalice, and host--which bring us His real presence.
-ICXC: Greek Christogram with letters IC and XC, the first and last letters of Jesus and Christ, respectively.
-Two altar candles: Symbolize the two natures of Christ, divine and human, which both were necessary for salvation to be accomplished (I Timothy 3:16). It is from the altar where the full Christ, both God and Man, comes to His people (I Corinthians 10:16). When lit, they symbolize that the Eucharist will be distributed in the service.
-Eternal flame/altar lamp: Represents the never-ending presence of God with His people (Exodus 27:20).
-Paschal candle/Christ candle: Symbolizes Christ as light of the world in the midst of His people (John 8:12). Lit during the Easter season and for baptisms, it always is the largest candle in the worship space.
Central placement in the chancel area: All eyes are drawn to the central focus and climax of the Divine Service--the place where we drink from the cup of salvation and receive its benefits (Psalm 116:12-13).
-Symbolizes the altar of sacrifice where Christ has been sacrificed once and for all for the sins of the world and now offers us His body and blood (Hebrews 10:10). The altar is shaped as a casket, but it is empty, symbolizing the risen Christ who takes away the sting of death (I Corinthians 15:55).
-Carved cross on altar front: Vertically, from top to bottom, the symbols depict the Trinity, descending from the Father’s hand, through His Son laid out on the cross to fulfill all righteousness, by the Holy Spirit’s power, symbolized by the dove. The horizontal symbols are connected by the same Son, the Word made flesh, whose extended arms point to the means of grace--shell, chalice, and host--which bring us His real presence.
-ICXC: Greek Christogram with letters IC and XC, the first and last letters of Jesus and Christ, respectively.
-Two altar candles: Symbolize the two natures of Christ, divine and human, which both were necessary for salvation to be accomplished (I Timothy 3:16). It is from the altar where the full Christ, both God and Man, comes to His people (I Corinthians 10:16). When lit, they symbolize that the Eucharist will be distributed in the service.
-Eternal flame/altar lamp: Represents the never-ending presence of God with His people (Exodus 27:20).
-Paschal candle/Christ candle: Symbolizes Christ as light of the world in the midst of His people (John 8:12). Lit during the Easter season and for baptisms, it always is the largest candle in the worship space.
Word:
The lectern: God’s Word is read to His people. Shaped like the bow of a ship, symbolizing the Ark of the Church.
-tyfarb (Barasheet): Hebrew for “in the beginning” (Genesis 1); shows the importance of God speaking to His people from the beginning.
The pulpit: Christ’s forgiveness is proclaimed by ordained ministers who speak in the stead of Christ (John 20:23). Octagonal shape connects to the font, from which Christ’s forgiveness flows.
-'o logos (Logos): Greek for “the Word,” which connects back to Genesis and equates Jesus as the eternal, living Word of God (John 1). From the pulpit, the living Word of Christ still speaks to His people.
Four Evangelists
The Four Evangelists carvings: The euangelion (evangelion), Greek for “the good news,” delivered by Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, is still delivered from the pulpit. Each evangelist is remembered for his unique focus and is represented by the following symbols, which originate from the four living creatures (Ezekiel 1; Revelation 4).
-Winged Man: Matthew starts with the genealogy from Abraham, representing Jesus’ incarnation and humanity.
-Lion: Mark starts with John the Baptist preaching like a roaring lion, and so, too, Mark boldly proclaims Jesus.
-Bull: Luke starts with Zacharias sacrificing in the temple and presents most clearly Christ as sacrifice.
-Eagle: John starts with an eternal overview of Christ in lofty words, thus the eagle, the highest figure of the sky.
The lectern: God’s Word is read to His people. Shaped like the bow of a ship, symbolizing the Ark of the Church.
-tyfarb (Barasheet): Hebrew for “in the beginning” (Genesis 1); shows the importance of God speaking to His people from the beginning.
The pulpit: Christ’s forgiveness is proclaimed by ordained ministers who speak in the stead of Christ (John 20:23). Octagonal shape connects to the font, from which Christ’s forgiveness flows.
-'o logos (Logos): Greek for “the Word,” which connects back to Genesis and equates Jesus as the eternal, living Word of God (John 1). From the pulpit, the living Word of Christ still speaks to His people.
Four Evangelists
The Four Evangelists carvings: The euangelion (evangelion), Greek for “the good news,” delivered by Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, is still delivered from the pulpit. Each evangelist is remembered for his unique focus and is represented by the following symbols, which originate from the four living creatures (Ezekiel 1; Revelation 4).
-Winged Man: Matthew starts with the genealogy from Abraham, representing Jesus’ incarnation and humanity.
-Lion: Mark starts with John the Baptist preaching like a roaring lion, and so, too, Mark boldly proclaims Jesus.
-Bull: Luke starts with Zacharias sacrificing in the temple and presents most clearly Christ as sacrifice.
-Eagle: John starts with an eternal overview of Christ in lofty words, thus the eagle, the highest figure of the sky.
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Christ
Bronze crucifix: Depicts the risen Christ, called in Latin the Christus Rex, Christ the King. Jesus is depicted as risen from the dead, clothed in the white linens of the Resurrection. Because of His resurrection, Christ reigns from His cross as the message of Christ crucified and risen for sinners is spoken into our ears and gives us life and salvation (I Corinthians 1).
Processional crucifix: Symbolizes Jesus’ real presence in the Divine Service to serve His people through Word and Sacrament. Christ leads us into worship where He serves us, and He leads us out into the world, where we serve our neighbor.
Bronze crucifix: Depicts the risen Christ, called in Latin the Christus Rex, Christ the King. Jesus is depicted as risen from the dead, clothed in the white linens of the Resurrection. Because of His resurrection, Christ reigns from His cross as the message of Christ crucified and risen for sinners is spoken into our ears and gives us life and salvation (I Corinthians 1).
Processional crucifix: Symbolizes Jesus’ real presence in the Divine Service to serve His people through Word and Sacrament. Christ leads us into worship where He serves us, and He leads us out into the world, where we serve our neighbor.