The symbol of penitence. On Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, ashes are placed on the forehead express the penitential nature of the season. The ashes are from the Palm Sunday. Represents the death of the human body and symbolises the shortness of life
CARBUNCLE
The deep blood-red of the carbuncle signifies the blood and suffering. Five carbuncles are sometimes shown on the cross to symbolise the five wounds received by Christ during crucifixion
CLOUDS
Clouds in the heavens are the natural veil of the blue sky, the symbol of the unseen God. A hand emerging from a cloud is the most common symbol of Divine Omnipotence
CORAL
Is used to charm against the ‘evil eye’ and commonly hung about the neck of children. Protects against evil
DARKNESS
Physical darkness is the symbol of spiritual darkness. The devil is the Prince of Darkness, In his realm, all is dark; while in the realm of God all is light
DAWN
Symbol of the Blood of Christ. Through the shedding of His Blood, the darkness of sin was overcome and the dawn of eternal salvation made the world light. Symbol of Advent of Christ
EARTH
Produces plants and trees and furnishes a habitation for man.
EAST
East, being the direction in which the sunrise appears, is symbolic of Christ, the Sun of the Universe
FIRE AND FLAMES
Fire and Flames are symbolic of both martyrdom and religious fervor. Flames of fire on the heads of the Apostles signify the presence of the Holy Ghost. Also signify the torments of Hell
FOUNTAIN
The attributes of the Virgin Mary, who was regarded as ‘the fountain of living waters’
GARDEN
The enclosed garden is a symbol of the Immaculate conception of the Virgin Mary
GOLD
The precious metal, gold is the symbol of pure light, the heavenly element in which God lives, also the symbol of worldly wealth and idolatry
HARBOR
Symbol of eternal life and the ships making for the harbour are likened to souls in search of Heaven
HONEY
Purity and sweetness of honey have made it a symbol of the work of God and the ministry of Christ
IVORY
Has two qualities, The whiteness of its colour and the firmness of its texture, symbolises purity and moral fortitude
LIGHT
Symbolic of Christ, ‘eternal light’
NORTH
The region of cold and night, The altar facing the North
OIL
Symbol of Grace of God, used in sacraments of baptism, confirmation, ordination and unction
PEARL
‘Most precious jewel’ symbol of salvation ‘The Kingdom of Heaven’
PITCH
Due to its colour and clinging quality, symbol of evil. ‘Black as pitch’ is a familiar phrase used to denote a sinful state or condition
RAINBOW
Symbol of union as it appeared after the flood; also of pardon and of the reconciliation given to the human race by God
RIVERS
According to ancient tradition there were four sacred rivers; the Pison, the Gihon, the Tigris and the Euphrates, and are believed to be the four rivers of paradise and the symbol of the four gospels flowing from Christ
ROCKS
Symbol of the Lord, derived from Moses as he smote the rock from which a spring burst forth to refresh his people.
SALT
Symbol of strength and superiority and the protection from evil
SILVER
Due to its whiteness and because of its precious metal tested by fire, silver has become a symbol of purity and chastity. Also the symbol of eloquence of the evangelist
SMOKE
Suggests vanity and all that is fleeting because it rises into the air only disappear. Symbolically a reminder of the shortness of this life and futility of seeking earthly glory.
SOUTH
Is the cardinal points, the seat of light and warmth
STAR
The star lighting the darkness of the heaven at night, is a symbol of divine guidance or favour. The star of the East guided the wise men to Bethlehem
STONES
Symbol of firmness
SUN AND MOON
The sun is Symbolic to Christ, The sun and moon are used to attributes of the Virgin Mary, referring to the ‘woman clothed with the sun and the moon under her feet’.
WATER
Symbol of cleansing and purifying.
WELL
The well or fountain is the symbol of baptism, of life and rebirth. The flowing fountain symbolises the waters of eternal life. The sealed well or fountain is a symbol of virginity of Mary (fountain)
WEST
The four cardinal point, west signifies the seat of darkness and the abode of demons.
WINGS
Are the sign of divine mission, that is why the angels, archangels, seraphim and cherubim have wings. The emblems of the four evangelists, the Lion of St. Mark, the Ox of St. Luke, the Man of St. Mathew, and the Eagle of St. John are all depicted winged creatures
