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.
Words to know 🔑
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.
Art and symbols 🔀
- The cross
- The fish
- An icon
- A sculpture
- The death and resurrection of Jesus
- An early secret sign of Christians
- A painting used as an aid to prayer
- A carved or moulded figure of a holy person
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 🪜
An interactive activity.
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. The most important Christian symbol is the _____, which stands for the death and resurrection of Jesus. The four Gospel writers each have their own _____.
True or not? 🖍️
An interactive activity.
What the cross means 🙏
What does the cross mainly symbolise for Christians?
- The death and resurrection of Jesus
- Wealth and success
- A love of nature
- A style of music
Why the difference? 🧭
An interactive activity.
Faith in art ✍️
An interactive activity.