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Looking at Christian Symbols
See: Symbols Glossary, Symbolism of Light, Symbolism of Colour, Shape and Symbolism of Church Buildings,
Signs and symbols are all around us as a visual shorthand which points us on to other more complex ideas or beliefs. In order for children to understand the idea of "A stands for B" it would be wise to spend some time looking at symbolism in their own environment; on maps, product logos or road signs, before progressing to the church building itself.
The Main Christian Symbols
Within the church the most obvious symbol to look for is the cross, indeed the building itself may be cross shaped. The cross signifies Christ because of the manner of his death and is a symbol ofsalvation through that death. There are many shapes of crosses, although the one most commonly found is the Latin cross (longer upright than crossbar). You may also discover;
A Greek cross - with four equal arms
A St Andrew cross - X shaped
A Tau cross - T shaped.
If the cross carries a representation of Christ then this is technically called a crucifix. The alternate English name for a crucifix is rood, hence the name "rood screen" given to the large screen at the entrance of the sanctuary which carried a great crucifix. Depending upon the age of the children, you may wish to go on to discuss whether they see any difference between using a cross or a crucifix in church; at a simple level this could evolve into thinking about the story of Jesus' death (the crucifix) and resurrection (the empty cross). Occasionally crosses will carry a representation of the risen Christ.
Classes could practise their mapping skills by plotting every cross they can find on a ground plan of the church, noting of what type of material it was made, Look out too for the slightly more unusual symbols which may be hidden away; consecration crosses on the altar, seasonal symbols on clergy vestments and, if your church uses them, the symbols stamped on the wafers used for the Holy Communion.
If you have a member of the clergy present ask him or her whether they would make the sign of the cross in a service or private devotion, and what it means to them to do so.
A cross is an easy symbol to recognise but in order to appreciate the full extent of the symbolism used in church art it is probably wise to arm yourself with a book of symbols before you undertake a church visit, as there will always be something you do not recognise!
The class could undertake a study of people represented in the church and their symbols. These will probably fall under four main headings:
1 Biblical characters In Medieval times the church walls would have been covered with paintings and the windows with Stained glass which could be used as Bible teaching aids. Few churches still retain their original paintings, but the windows in particular may still be used in this way. Can you find any Bible stories you recognise in your church? Some Victorian windows may include a note of the Bible reference they are meant to represent, but others could leave you guessing - this could prove a good opportunity for Bible work back in the classroom.
There are four Biblical characters who will probably be represented in the church by their symbols. These are the four evangelists or gospel writers and you will normally find them grouped together (unless the building is actually dedicated to one of them alone). The symbols to look out for are; A man with wings (Matthew), a lion (Mark), an ox (Luke) and an eagle (John), It was believed that the eagle could soar far higher than other birds and this is why it is used for John's Gospel which is more contemplative than the other three. For this same reason you may find that your church's lectern is shaped like an eagle, symbolising the soaring spirit and inspiration of the gospels.
2 Saints Saints are usually depicted in art with their symbol which will point to a detail of their life story. Many church dedications are to Biblical saints. Make sure the children know the story of the church's patron saint before they visit the building. Does the saint's symbol form a part of your own school badge? Are there aspects of the saint's life and faith which can be discussed with the children?
3 The Virtues Some Victorian art work includes figures such as justice or chastity with their own symbolic attributes. Beware of these - they can send you off on fruitless hunts for non-existent saints!
4 Benefactors and Memorials Undoubtably the church will contain memorials to the (wealthy) dead, perhaps even hatchments or flags. This could be a jumping-off point for another rich source of symbolism; the study of heraldry. Pupils will normally enjoy designing their own crest or shield which sends a message about themselves, perhaps including a rebus (a wordplay on their own name).
Pupils may enjoy producing their own glossary of symbols which can be used in their local parish church. These could be written up in several different forms such as a guidebook which could be placed in the church for
visitors or a symbol hunt/quiz for younger visitors. Favourite Symbols could be turned into banners and collages, or designs for church furnishings and vestments.
A few of the most common symbols are shown below to begin your symbol search:
Dove A symbol of purity and peace. It can represent the soul, but most commonly is the sign of the Holy Spirit.
Fish A symbol of Christ. This is because the five Greek letters forming the word "fish" form the initial letters of "Jesus Christ God's Son Saviour".
Lamb A symbol of Christ based on the Biblical verses John 1:29 and Revelation 14:1.
Alpha and Omega. The first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, frequently used on a shield or a book, symbolise God the Son, see Revelation 1:8.
Pelican According to legend the pelican stabs its own breast to feed its young on its blood. It became the symbol for the self sacrificial love of Christ and for the Eucharist.
IHS, IHC The first three letters of the name of Jesus in Greek
INRI The four initial letters of "Jesus of Nazareth King of the Jews" in Latin. Taken from the sign Pilate had placed on the cross.
The two Greek letters Chi and Rho, written as a monogram, are the first two letters of the Greek word for Christ.
The Anchor The anchor is the symbol of Christian hope and steadfastness. Based on Hebrews 6:11.
Ship The ship symbolises the Church of Christ. This has several sources; the ark of Noah which safely floated on the flood just as the church floats above the troubles of the world, and the miracle of Jesus calming the storm are two of these. The ship is usually represented so that its mast is a cross.
Light is a potent symbol in many faiths, so much so, that it is possible to build a whole project around this theme in the autumn term when the Christian penitential season of Advent (Advent crown, Christingles, St Lucy's Day) coincides, approximately, with Jewish Hanukkah and Hindu Divali.
Candles are a symbol of the wisdom of God which can illuminate a human soul, they are symbols of purity and cleansing and of the pure light of Christ who called Himself "The Light of the World".
In some churches you could see candles on the altar or communion table, the focal holy point of the building. You may also notice a Sanctuary lamp burning; this will be suspended in front of a cupboard (an aumbry) or altar and shows that bread or wine consecrated at the Eucharist are present. The permanently burning light symbolises the ever present spirit of God.
Candles are frequently used in church services and, if they are available, you could arrange for the children to see some of these eg the taper presented to a child after baptism; the four red and one white candles of the advent crown; the paschal candle which had its own special symbols; processional candles.
You may like to explore the special qualities of light by undertaking simple stilling or meditation exercises using candles.
It may also be appropriate to search for the use of light in art within the church. You may find a halo (circular light behind the head of divine or Sacred personages), a rayed nimbus (three rays of light issuing from the head of one of the Trinity) or an aureole (a fringe of radiance encircling the whole body of one of the Trinity).
It is easy to think of colours which are also symbols in everyday life, although their "message" may change according to their physical situation - for example; the symbolism of a red traffic light is rather different from that of a red carpet!
As a result of the Reformation, English churches lost much of their gaudy brightness, but many still make use of symbolic colours as they pass through the changing seasons of the church's year. Pupils should be capable of investigating this from several- angles including the use of colour to convey mood or as a teaching aid, or by comparing the cycle of the church's year with other cycles they have encountered in the natural world.
In brief, the colours used in this cycle are as follows;
1 Purple, or violet is a sorrowful colour meant to help believers think about personal preparation for the great festivals of the church. It is used in Advent when the church prepares for the coming of Christ at Christmas, but also prepares for the second coming of Christ by thinking on the themes of death, hell, heaven and judgement. Purple is also used during Lent when the faithful prepare for Easter by sharing the lessons of Christ's temptations and sufferings.
2 White has always been the colour of innocence and purity and of light. It is a colour of great celebration and is used for three of the Church's Principal holy days, namely Christmas, Easter and Ascension.
3 Red is the colour of fire and of blood. It is used at Pentecost because it commemorates the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples like fire as recorded in Acts 2. Red is also used on Saints days because so many of the early saints literally shed their blood for their faith
4 Green is a colour of growth and new life, it symbolises the steady growth and teaching periods of the church between the major festivals. Green will be the colour in use from after the first Sunday after Epiphany until Shrove Tuesday (inc) and from after Trinity Sunday until Advent begins. These Symbolic colours will be found in many different places within the church; vestments, altar frontals, on the pulpit and lectern. You may find that they are included in the flower decorations, or that in the penitential periods there are no flowers at all and the church stands bare. Obviously it would be most useful if children could see that the church has four different sets of each of these furnishings, so here again you will need the co-operation of your priest or a knowledgeable member of the congregation during the visit.
You will probably find that these various furnishings are not just plain colours but contain yet more symbols connected with the Festivals for which they are used. This could set you off yet again on another Bible Story and Symbol hunt.
Earliest sources show that Christian worship first took place in ordinary homes. This domestic location probably gave a great sense of hospitality and intimacy which was lost when Christianity became legal and public. Very few of the church buildings of Cambridgeshire and Norfolk could be described as "intimate" nowadays, whether they feel or seem "hospitable" is something which you may wish to discuss with your class.
From the fourth century onwards purpose built churches began to be constructed. The architects simply developed an already well known building type, the Roman law court or basilica. A basilica was a rectangular building with a semicircular apse at one end. In the apse there was a throne for the judge. It is very easy to see that this is the same basic plan as many of our churches, except that it is the altar and clergy who are on the raised platform at the eastern end of the building.
In the Middle Ages several highly specialised types of churches developed, especially monastic and pilgrimage churches. In a monastic church the most important area was the choir stalls where the community sang the daily offices. These elongated choirs became like a church within a church as they were often separated off by large screens from the nave where the laity stood (no pews then). These churches started a great trend and many parish churches developed large screened chancels which were used only by the local clergy and the family of the lord of the manor. The ordinary people, meanwhile, did their best to glimpse the mass that was taking place at the high altar by watching through any gaps in the screen. It is quite possible that the only part of the service they actually heard was the sermon which was delivered from a pulpit in the nave. Your church may still have a chancel screen in place and this will help children appreciate the difficulties the earlier worshippers must have had.
Some churches are built in the shape of a cross by the addition of north-south extensions known as transepts. The symbolism of this shape reminds the worshipper of the manner of Christ's death.
Although the basilica or the cross are the most common shapes in church building you will find several others. Cambridge has an example of a round church; this shape is used because the circle has long been accepted as a symbol of eternity and thus become also a sign for God who is perfect and everlasting. There are also buildings incorporating triangles, another symbol of the Trinity, or even shaped like a fish (an early sign meaning Christ). You could collect postcards and photographs of some of the more unusual churches for your children to think about.
The Symbolism of a Church Building
a) The East-West alignment
Traditionally church buildings are orientated towards the east and the altar is at this end. This faces the rising sun which symbolically represents Christ the Son of God. It reminds the Christian of Christ's resurrection from the dead as the sun also rises out of darkness. You may also hear it suggested that churches point towards Jerusalem, the scene of Jesus' last days on earth.
The West end of a church is obviously the opposite end to the more spiritual east. This is the end where you will find the main door of the Church (although it may be on the north or south side of the building) and it is where the worshippers come out of the material world. Near this door you will find the font where the sacrament of washing away worldly values and rising to new life in Christ takes place.
b) The Nave
The word "nave" comes from the Latin navis, "ship” In some churches the timbers of the nave roof will actually look like an upturned wooden ship perched on the building. The ship has a special symbolic meaning as the Church of Christ. This image also encompasses the story of the Ark of Noah which floated safely on the Flood whilst everything else was destroyed, in the same way the Church of Christ floats on the storms of the world with the saved people inside.