Early Christians used a wide variety of symbols to express their faith. At times, these symbols provided a sort of secret language among believers. When a Christian met a stranger, he could draw one-half of the ichthys or "fish” and wait to see if the stranger would complete the drawing. Christian symbols include the Chi-Rho, Alpha and Omega, anchor, fish, cross, dove, six-point star, pelican and others.
Butterfly
The butterfly is not mentioned in scriptures, but the metamorphosis that a caterpillar goes through is a perfect illustration for the story of the Christian life and resurrection. The butterfly starts life as a caterpillar; then enters a stage so dormant that it appears lifeless in a tomb-like cocoon; finally, a beautiful winged creature appears. Christians lead a life on earth, enter death, and will see eternal life through Jesus Christ. "For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed." - 1 Corinthians 15:52
*Mary Helen Marigza is a lifelong United Methodist, a past missionary with the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society, and a current member of Belmont United Methodist Church in Nashville, Tennessee. Marigza created a set of Christian Symbols out of recycled church window glass to tell people about the meaning behind common religious symbols.
Learn more: UMC.org/ChristianSymbols
This video was produced by United Methodist Communications in Nashville, TN.
Contact is Joe Iovino.
This video was first posted on April 1, 2021.
