Christian Art created during the Middle Ages is full of symbolism. From animals and plants to colors and numbers, most every aspect of Medieval Christian art and architecture is symbolic of something.
The following are examples of symbolic colors and their meanings:
* Black: symbolic of death or loss
* Blue: the color of the sky, is symbolic of heaven, may also be used to symbolize truth
* Brown: symbolic of spiritual death and degradation
* Green: the color of plant life, used to represent the triumph of life over death
* Purple: symbolic of penitence and mourning, is also the color of royalty
* Red: the color of blood, symbolic of passion
* White or silver: symbolic of purity, innocence and holiness
* Yellow: symbolic of divinity, may also be used to symbolize corruption and degradation
The following are examples of symbolic animals and their meanings:
*Butterfly: symbolic of the Resurrection
* Cat: symbolic of lust and laziness
* Dove: symbolic of the Holy Spirit, also purity and peace
* Fish: symbolic of Jesus
* Lion: symbolic of Jesus
* Ox: symbolic of strength, service and patience
* Peacock: symbolic of immortality, resurrection
* Stag or deer: symbolic of piety or devotion
*Unicorn: symbolic of purity and of feminine chastity
The following are examples of symbolic plants and their meanings:
* Acacia: symbolic of the soul’s immortality
* Bramble: symbolic of the purity of the Virgin Mary
* Carnation: a red carnation symbolizes love, pink is a symbol of marriage
* Clover: symbolic of the Trinity
* Elm: symbolic of dignity and faithfulness.
* Fern: symbolic of humility in solitude.
* Fig: symbolic of lust or fertility
* Grape: symbolic of the blood of Christ
* Hyacinth: symbolic of prudence and peace of mind.
* Ivy: symbolic of faithfulness and eternal life.
* Laurel: symbolic of victory or triumph, particularly over temptation and trial
* Lily: symbolizes purity
* Olive: symbolic of peace, Olive oil is symbolic of God’s anointing and of the Holy Spirit
* Pear: symbolic of Christ’s love for mankind.
* Reed: symbolic of humiliation
* Rose: a white rose is symbolic of purity, a red rose is symbolic of martyrdom, a wreath of roses is symbolic of heavenly joy
* Strawberry: symbolic of righteousness and good works
* Thistle: symbolic of the curse of sin, particularly the Fall
* Wheat: symbolic of the Body of Christ in the Eucharist
The following are examples of other symbolic objects and their meanings:
* Apple: symbolic of sin
* Bell: symbolic of the call to worship and the proclamation of the gospel to the world
* Daisy: symbolic of the innocence of the Christ Child
* Lamp: symbolic of wisdom or God’s presence
* pearl: symbolic of the kingdom of heaven
* Rainbow: symbolic of God’s faithfulness and of His pardon and reconciliation to the faithful
* Scallop or Cockle Shell: symbolic of baptism, especially that of Christ
* Trumpet: symbolic of the Last Judgment, the resurrection, and the call to worship
The following are examples of symbolic numbers and their meanings:
* One: symbolic of singularity or of unity
* Two: symbolic of duality, often used to represent the material and spiritual, or the human and divine natures of Christ
* Three: symbolic of the Trinity – Father, Son and Holy Spirit
* Four: symbolic of the four Evangelists, also used to represent the four corners of the earth or the four seasons
* Five: symbolic of the wounds Jesus received on the cross
* Six: symbolic of creation and the created order because God created everything in six days
* Seven: symbolic of perfection and rest
* Eight: symbolic of regeneration or resurrection
* Nine: symbolic of mystery or the angels’ number because the Bible mentions nine choirs of angels
* Ten: symbolic of completion
* Twelve: symbolic of the whole church
* Thirteen: symbolic of betrayal
* Forty: symbolic of trial or testing
* One hundred: symbolic of completeness or plenitude since it is ten times ten
* One thousand: symbolic of an incalculably large number or eternity.
