Medieval symbolism 3

Hare

Symbol of helplessness of a man who hopes to Christian salvation. Hares, gnawing grapes, mean residence souls in paradise. Three hare, shown in a circle - a reference to the Trinity.

Snake

Complex ways. Personification of Satan at the same time, it was turned into a snake stick, with which Moses went into the desert.

Centaur
In Christian art - a symbol of unbridled passion and adultery, a heretic and a man who is torn between good and evil. However, it was pointed out in the desert centaur road of Saint Anthony.

Keith

The symbol of the devil, because, according to legend, sailors often took the whale to the island, dropped anchor, and animals fascinated ships under water. Gates of Hell is often portrayed as the open mouth of a whale.

Goat
The condemnation of eternal damnation at the Last Court.

Cat
The symbol of sloth and lust. But the image there is another dimension: the legend of "cat Madonna" cat kittens in the same manger, before Jesus was born. The picture the cat is marked cross.

Crocodile
Crocodile with open mouth, like a whale, a symbol of the gates of hell.

Swan
Sometimes a symbol of hypocrisy, because the beautiful white plumage hides the black flesh.

Bulgarian Hard Lev

Symbol of Christ. In addition, a symbol of vigilance, since, in medieval superstition, the lion sleeps with his eyes open. Winged - the symbol of St. Mark, one of the apocalyptic animals.

Fox

The symbol of the devil, cunning and deceit.

Bear
The symbol of cruelty and adverse effects. But not only. In ancient times it was believed that bear cubs are born shapeless and a bear myself, vylizyvaya, gives them shape. Hence the bear as a symbol of Christianity, transforming people.

Monkey
In the Christian tradition identified with vice and sin and the devil. Often depicted with an apple in his mouth, which means the fall. Monkey in chains - a symbol of victory of virtue over vice.

Deer
It symbolizes piety. As the Bible says, the deer thirsts for water as well as people - faith. Because deer are often portrayed Drinking water from the cross or the baptismal font.

Eagle

The symbol of the resurrection. There is a legend that the eagles, fly around the sun and then swim in the lake, gain immortality. In addition, soaring eagles symbolize the height of ascension. Eagle - one of the four apocalyptic animals, an attribute of the Apostle John.

Peacock

In Christian symbolism a sign of immortality, as in ancient myths of the meat of this bird does not rot. In addition, disbanded peacock feathers - a symbol of human vanity.

Spider
The symbol of greed and the devil, of evil intent. Web means a human frailty.

Pelican

According to one legend, in times of famine a female pelican chicks fed their blood. In Christian art is the voluntary sacrifice of Christ. Often pelican painted on top of the cross.

Cock

One of the symbols of Christ's passion. Crowing rooster - a symbol of Peter's denial. More widely - a symbol of infidelity in the face of danger or persecution. But, as the rooster cries in the mornings, he can be a symbol of vigilance.

Fish

The initial letters of the Greek phrase "Jesus Christ, the Son of God, Savior" - ICHTHUS - means "fish". Symbol used early Christians during the persecution as a secret sign of faith. (One, for example, drew on the sand the arch, and the other its complement.) Three Fish - Jesus as a member of the Trinity.

Pig
Symbol of Satan, gluttony and lust.

m.takzhe cat and crow

Snail
Symbol of sin and sloth, because it eats only what is on the ground.
Plants and fruits


Acacia
Acacia wood is very strong, and because the tree is a symbol of the immortality of the soul.

Anemone
A symbol of sadness and death: red anemones means the blood of Christ. These flowers are often depicted in scenes of the crucifixion.

Pansies
Number of petals, this flower reminds people (as well as 5-pointed star) and symbolizes the thought and memory.

Orange
Fruits and flowers are symbols of purity, innocence and nobility. Often occurs on the canvases depicting the Virgin Mary. Orange flower earlier adorned brides. In scenes of paradise sometimes replaces the apple from the tree of knowledge.

Grapes

The symbol of the holy communion and the blood shed on the cross. Vine - a symbol of Christ and the Christian faith.

Cherry
Sometimes referred to as heavenly cherry berries. Its sweetness symbolizes gentleness of nature a good man. Cherries in the hands of the infant Jesus - a sign of heavenly bliss.

Carnation
Red symbolizes love, pink - marriage.

Garnet
The symbol of resurrection and unification of believers under the authority of the church. It may also be a symbol of chastity and is depicted next to the Virgin Mary.

Pear
The symbol of the love of Christ to all mankind.

Oak
The symbol of strength and endurance. One of the trees that gave the wood for the cross.

Blackberries
Symbol of purity of the Virgin Mary, which gave birth to the flames of divine love, but not burned with desire. Symbol of the Old Testament of the Epiphany: it is a blackberry bush that burned the name of God revealed to Moses - "I am who I am" (Yahweh).

Strawberries
The symbol of righteousness and diligence. Madonna is portrayed sometimes decorated with sprigs of strawberries.

Iva
Symbol of the gospel: how many branches or cut a willow, she continues to blossom.

Iris
Like the lily, is considered a symbol of the Virgin Mary. Perhaps replacing lily iris occurred in some languages because of the confusion in terms of botany. As a symbol first appears in the paintings of Flemish artists, sometimes with lily.

Reed
It grows in abundance near the water, and therefore is a symbol of the crowd of believers, who draw strength from the Christian life-giving source.

Chestnut
Symbol of innocence and virtue, because it is surrounded by thorns, but not damaged them.

Lebanese Cedar
For the majestic views of this tree became a symbol of Christ. Evergreen cedars also represent eternal life and therefore often grow in cemeteries.

Cypress
Symbol of death in a dark color and the fact that the tree does not shoot if it cut.

Clover
The symbol of the Holy Trinity and St. Patrick, who used leaf clover to explain the unbelievers Irish phrase "one God in three persons. Four-- a symbol of the four evangelists.

Lilia
Symbol of purity and chastity of the Virgin Mary. Lily among thorns - the symbol of the Immaculate Conception. Heraldic lily (Fleur de Lys ") - a symbol of royal power.

Mac
Indicates a fatal sleep, indifference and ignorance. Sometimes the red poppy - the symbol of sacrifice.

Almond
Symbol of purity of the Virgin Mary and a symbol of immortality: the Biblical legend, the God revealed his presence, when flowered and gave the fruits of the almond rod of Aaron.

Dandelion
Symbol of sorrow and passion of the Lord, which is associated with bitter leaves of plants. Most can be found in the paintings of the crucifixion.

Olive
Olive branch - a symbol of peace. In the legend of the deluge dove brought it to Noah as a sign that the peace established between God and man.


Aspen
According to legend, only the aspen is not bent in grief after the death of Christ. For this pride leaves her forever doomed to shiver. According to another legend, she made a cross for the crucifixion, and after she hears of it, began to tremble in terror and could not stop.

Palma
Palm branches - a symbol of the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, the victory over sin and death.

Fern
Concealing its beauty in the depths of the forest, this plant symbolize the loneliness, sincerity and humility.

Ivy
Evergreen means eternal life. Ivy, courting the skull - the resurrection victory over death.

Plantain
In the art of the Renaissance - the symbol of pilgrims.

Rosa
General Christian symbol from the XIII century. It represents the birth of Christ, the Virgin Mary (White Rose) or flour (red).

Chamomile
Late (XV century) symbol of the innocence of the infant Jesus.

Pumpkin
The symbol of the resurrection. Depicted next to an apple, it means the antidote to evil and death, which symbolizes the "forbidden fruit". The pictures calabash more like a cucumber.

Violet
The symbol of humility.

Fig
The symbol of lust and fertility, because it contains many seeds. Sometimes used instead of "sinful" apple.

Cyclamen
Flower of the Virgin Mary. Red spot in the center - the sadness, which she carries in her heart.

Thistle
A symbol of sadness and a curse.

Apple
Symbol of sin. But when the apple in his hand painted Christ, it means salvation.


Signs, crosses and stars


Alpha and Omega
 
The first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, symbolize the beginning and end of everything and the eternal nature of Christ. Its shape resembles two alpha range, which means God the Father, and the omega - the torch of the Apocalypse. Alpha, Mu, Omega - the first letters of the Greek words "yesterday, today and forever", refers to the eternity of Jesus and his presence. INRI - inscription Pilate on the Cross: "lesus Nazarenus Rex ludaeorum" - "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews."

Chi Rho
  
One of the most ancient sacred monograms of Christ. It was invented by early Christians as a secret sign of faith. Compiled from the first two letters of the Greek word XPICTOC.

Four-pointed stars
Its shape resembles a cross. This is sometimes portrayed the star of Bethlehem which led the Magi to the newborn Christ. Reminiscent of both the birth of Christ and of his destiny.

The five-pointed, or pentagram
In Christianity, points to the five wounds of Christ on the Cross (the symbol is much older and has a set of values). The upside is associated with a satanic ritual.