Download these Symbol Patterns
and their meaning
Below is my complete collection of Christian symbols. There are certainly more possibilities. These ancient Christian symbols are often seen in church worship design, including *Chrismons, needlepoint, embroidery, posters, wall hangings, etc. These are a free download. I do not make them available in printed form.
If you find this list of Christian symbols to be helpful, consider sending a small donation to me (suggested $10.00) -- Paul G. Donelson, 37273 S. Woodsman Trail, De Tour Village, MI 49725. Making these available took me a lot of time and money doing the research, drawing the symbols, putting them into files, paying my Internet Service Host, and putting them on the Internet for you. Your support is appreciated.
Suggestion: To use a symbol -- download the graphic file and then bring it up into a graphics program on your computer. Size it to the size you want and then print it out on your printer. Take the printout and lay it over the material you will use to make your design, like Styrofoam. Attach the printout with pins or tacks and then, using an Exacto knife, cut through the pattern and through the material underneath.
Click on the following links to:
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Three Fish-- One of the early signs of Christendom was the fish. The Greek word for fish is IXTHUS. This is an acrostic for the Greek words for Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior. |
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The Eight Pointed Star symbolizes regeneration and baptism. |
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Angels heralded the birth of our Savior. |
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Celtic Cross--This cross is seen quite often. |
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Celtic Cross #2--This cross is the same as above, but more decorative. |
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Chi Rho--Two Greek letters which are the first letters in the Greek word for Christ. |
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The Circle--Symbolizes the world, God's wholeness, and eternity. The butterfly, of course, is the symbol of the resurrection. |
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Circle Variations--The top circle is superimposed with the Greek letter chi (X) and a small oblong circle at the top to represent a halo on the Baby in the manger (Christ coming into the world). The bottom circle is superimposed with the Greek letter iota (I) and a chi (X), the first letters of the Greek words for Jesus and Christ (IHSEUS XPISTOS). |
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Shepherd's Crook--The symbol of the Good Shepherd (Jesus) and also for the shepherds who visited the manger in Bethlehem. |
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Cross and Chi--Two Greek letter chi's (X) superimposed upon one another. The chi in it's normal position, represents Christ (chi is the first letter in the Greek word for Christ). The chi in the position of the cross represents Christ's crucifixion. Together, they remind us of what the baby in the manger came to earth to do. |
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Crown -- Jesus is the King of kings and Lord of lords. |
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Crown of Thorns--A crown of thorns was placed on the Savior's head before the crucifixion. |
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The Cross and the Crown--We are reminded that if we would have the crown of eternal life, we must take up the cross of Christ. The Letters "NIKA" spell out the Greek word for "victor." |
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Corner Stone--Christ is the stone that the builders rejected, but which has turned up to be the most important in the construction of God's eternal Temple. It may be decorated with various other symbols of the faith (anchor-cross, Chi-halo, etc). This is often just made out of a block of Styrofoam. |
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Eastern Cross--This cross is often seen on or in Eastern Orthodox Churches. |
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Emmanuel in the Manger with Mary--Emmanuel means God with us. The rose is the symbol of Mary. The Chi is a manger (Chi is the first letter in the Greek word for Christ). This is inside a square (symbol for the earth) made of circles (symbol for eternity). |
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Eternity--The cross is inside a circle composed of circles. Circles represent eternity. We are reminded that to have God's gift of eternal life means being committed to the way of the cross. |
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--The Eye of God--We are reminded that God can see even into the depths of the human heart. |
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Faith Ball--We are reminded that faith leads to eternal life (the circle represents eternity). |
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Fish and Bread--We are reminded of the breakfast on the beach to which Jesus called his disciples following his resurrection. Also, Jesus fed the multitudes with loaves and fishes. |
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Fish--IXTHUS is the Greek word for fish. Used as an acrostic in Greek it stands for Jesus Christ, God's Son, Savior. |
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Fusileea--Fused Alpha and Cross. We are reminded that Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega. Jesus stands at the beginning and the end. The Alpha stands for the beginning. |
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Fusileew--Fused Omega and Cross. We are reminded that Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega. Jesus stands at the beginning and the end. The Omega stands for the end. |
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Greek Cross--The Greek Cross has arms of equal length. This particular symbol has circles on the arms, representing eternity. |
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Iota and Chi in a Circle-- Iota and chi are the first letters in the Greek for Jesus Christ. The two letters in the circle (the symbol for eternity) remind us that Christ offers us eternal life. |
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Jesus Christ, Victor--IC (iota and sigma) are the first and last letters in the Greek word for Jesus. XC (chi and sigma) are the first and last letters in the Greek word for Christ. NIKA (nu, iota, kappa, alpha) is the Greek word for victor. Jesus is the victor! |
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Iota, Eta, Sigma in a Circle--These are the first three letters in the Greek word for Jesus. These letters in the circle (the symbol for eternity) remind us that Jesus gives us eternal life. |
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Iota, Eta, Sigma --These three Greek letters on the cross (see ihscrcl ) remind us that Jesus died for us on the cross. |
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Iota-Chi--The first letters in the Greek words for Jesus Christ |
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Iota, Chi and Lilies--The first letters in the Greek words for Jesus Christ. The lilies are the symbol of the resurrection. We are reminded that Jesus Christ rose from the dead. |
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The Greek word for fish. This is an acrostic for the Greek words meaning Jesus Christ, God's Son, Savior. |
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Jerusalem Cross--The crusader's cross. This cross was worn by the crusaders going to Jerusalem. |
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John 14:7--Jesus telling the disciples that if they know him they have met God. |
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Latin Cross with Iota, Eta, Sigma--The three Greek letters are the first three in the Greek word for Jesus. We are reminded that Jesus died on the cross for us. |
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Latin Cross with Chi, Rho--The two Greek letters are the first two in the Greek word for Christ. We are reminded that Christ died on the cross for us. |
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Latin Cross--We are reminded that Christ died on the cross for us. This cross has roses on it (Flower of Mary) The top of the cross is a shepherd's crook. The triangle is a symbol of the trinity. The triangle is also an Alpha. What looks like a "M" at the bottom of the cross is an Omega. |
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Latin Cross with Alpha and Omega--We are reminded that Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, who died on the cross for us. |
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Luke 11:5-14--The parable of how God provides for us through prayer. |
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Luke 12:24--God feeds even the birds of the air. |
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Matthew 22:1--Jesus used parables to talk to people. The butterflies (messages of life) are in the shape of an eight pointed star (kingdom of heaven), laid on a circle (symbol of the world). |
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Orb and cross--The orb (symbol of the earth) has a cross over it. We are reminded that the world needs Christ |
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Palm branches--We are reminded of Jesus triumphant entry into Jerusalem and the shouts of Hosanna (Save Us!) that the people cried. |
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patee.gif--The Gospels and the Cross--We are reminded of the Good News. |
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The Serpent Lifted Up--A sign of salvation coming from the Old Testament, and mentioned in John 3:14. |
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The Southern Cross--A constellation seen only in the Southern Hemisphere. |
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Triangle and Trinitarian Symbol--Both are symbols of the Trinity. |
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Three circles interposed symbolize the unity of the Trinity, yet the separate Persons thereof.
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Triquetra and Circle--Triquetra is symbol of the trinity. Circle is symbol of eternity. |
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Triumphant Church--The world (as seen by the latitude and longitude lines) with the cross on top, reminds us that Christ is triumphant over the challenges presented by living in the world. |
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Wheat and Grapes--We are reminded of the wheat and grapes which make up the bread and wine of the Lord's Supper. |
Collected by Paul G. Donelson
Paul G. Donelson, 37273 S. Woodsman Trail, De Tour Village, Michigan 49725
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*Ascension Lutheran Church, Danville, VA, holds the copyright on the word "Chrismons". It was given to them by Mrs. Frances Spencer, who originated the concept and brought it to fruition in that church in 1957. Please note that this web site (www.umcs.org) is not related to the one at the Ascension Lutheran Church of Danville, VA in any way. Their web site has books and DVDs for sale about Chrismons. I suggest you go there for the first and last word on Chrismons.