Visual Art and Symbolism
Christians express their faith in things you can see: paintings, icons, sculpture and symbols. Explore Christian visual art, the meaning of the cross and the fish, and why Christians disagree about using images.
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Faith you can see
Christians express their faith not only in words, but in things you can see: paintings, icons, sculpture and symbols. A simple cross or fish can carry deep meaning. This module explores Christian visual art and the symbols that go with it.
Icon and symbol words
Four ideas run through this topic:
What is an icon?
What is a Christian icon?
- A painting of a holy figure used to help prayer
- A map of a church
- A ticket to a service
- A hymn sung at Easter
Images: yes or no?
Christians do not all agree about using images in worship. The Catholic Church teaches, in the Catechism paragraphs 2501 to 2503, that sacred art can lift the mind toward God.
The four writers
- Matthew
- Mark
- Luke
- John
- A winged man or angel
- A lion
- An ox
- An eagle
The Cross
The cross is the most important Christian symbol. It stands for the death and resurrection of Jesus. The letter to the Ephesians, chapter 2, teaches that through the cross Jesus made peace and brought people together as one. Many Christians wear a cross or display one in church and at home.
Where you would meet them
- The cross
- The fish
- An icon
- A sculpture
- Worn at the neck, or raised above an altar
- A quiet sign between believers under Roman persecution
- Kissed in respect, with the prayer itself going to God
- A carved figure standing in a niche or a garden
Spot the symbols
Which THREE are Christian symbols or art?
- The cross
- The fish
- An icon of a saint
- A shop logo
- A road sign
Praying with an icon
Put the steps of praying with an icon in a sensible order.
- Stand before the icon
- Let the image draw your eyes to the holy figure
- Focus your mind in prayer
- See the icon as a window pointing to God
- Offer your prayer to God, not to the picture
Complete the idea
Christians express their faith through visual _____ such as paintings and sculpture. In Orthodox Christianity an _____ is a holy painting used as an aid to prayer, though some Protestants _____ images in worship. A believer who wears a _____ at their neck carries the central Christian sign with them all day. The four Gospel writers each have their own _____.
True or not?
Tap the TWO statements that are TRUE about Christian art and symbols.
- The cross stands for the death and resurrection of Jesus.
- Orthodox Christians use icons as an aid to prayer.
- All Christians agree that images should be used in worship.
- The fish symbol has no link to Christianity.
- An icon is worshipped instead of God.
Why wear one?
A Christian wears a plain cross every day. Asked why, which answer shows they understand the symbol rather than just the shape?
- It reminds them that Jesus died and was raised for people
- It is a traditional piece of jewellery in their family
- It shows which church building they attend on Sundays
- It is a sign that they hold an office in the church
Why the difference?
Use what you have learned to answer each question.
- An Orthodox Christian kisses an icon of a saint. What are they doing?
- A Protestant church has plain white walls and no images. Why might this be?
- A Christian wants a simple symbol to show their faith. Which fits?
Faith in art
Explain how Christians use visual art and symbols to express their faith, and why they do not all agree about using images.
- Give one form of Christian visual art
- Explain what the cross symbolises
- Explain why Orthodox Christians value icons
- Explain why some Protestants reject images