Christian Symbols Today
Christian symbols are often used today to affiliate somebody generally or specifically with the church. For example, the symbol of the fish is often seen today most commonly in the form of a magnet on the back of a car, or a key chain, and is used to symbolize one’s affiliation with the church. This is thought today to be because fish are mentioned positively many times throughout the scripture. Mark, Matthew, Luke, and John mention fish in their writings, and Corinthians mentions fish in its teachings, as well. There are many reasons why the fish became a Christian symbol when it was first used, though it may be primarily because it was easy to draw, and was used as a code description during the Roman persecution.
Another Christian symbol commonly seen today, though many do not realize it, is the anchor. People use it most often to symbolize the U.S. Navy, and most recently it has taken on new life in the form of tattoos that represent not being held down by your goals. Arguably, this is ironic, because an anchor’s only job is to sink, and hold something in place. Regardless, an anchor is a Christian symbol, and is seen in many places today, though rarely for religious reasons. Historically, it is mentioned in Hebrews, and it displayed with a crossbar, resembling a cross itself.
A circle, also a Christian symbol, is seen in many places today. The places in which a circle is seen are actually innumerable, though perhaps we see them most often in classrooms, teaching small children their shapes, or in mathematics classrooms, teaching older children geometry and algebra. In Christianity, the symbol stands for eternity, but today that has been replaced by the infinity symbol, which is simply the number “8” turned on its side. We see the infinity symbol everywhere, in the form of tattoos, stickers, jewelry, drawings, and other places, but rarely do we see the circle, unless one thinks of a wedding ring, which is often a Christian and religious ceremony, including rings. The rings are circles, meant to symbolize eternity.
The cross is, of course, the most popular of all Christian symbols, and it is still used prominently today for Christian purposes. We can see it everywhere in many different forms. There are statues of the cross inside and outside of churches. There are photos of it on signs for religious purposes. It comes in the form of jewelry so that Christians may identify one another. It is also printed on clothing, and branded or monogrammed onto other items. People paint it onto wooden furniture and knit patterns of it. It is a popular symbol and its origins are well known. Jesus was crucified on a cross, and it signifies the beginning of one of the greatest sacrifices in all of Christianity. Whether it means this or not anymore remains to be seen. We seem to only see it in an effort to attract a congregation or make money, rather than remind people to be kind and avoid sin.
Works Cited
"Early Christian Symbols." 2014. The Effect. Electronic. 27 July 2016.
