Conference lgp30::christian-perspective

    The Jerusalem cross consists of 4 tau crosses joined at the
    bases to form one large cross and 4 smaller crosses set within
    the adjoining spaces:     _______
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    Traditionally, the 5 crosses represent the 5 wounds suffered by
    Jesus during his crucifixion.
    
    Richard

    RE: .1 Actually I have heard a number of explanations of the
    Jerusalem Cross. One is that the central cross stands for Jesus
    and the other 4 for the 4 gospels. Or for the 4 corners of the
    earth.

    My own opinion is that someone designed it and explanations came
    later. None the less it is a beautiful cross and that fact that it
    lends itself to a number of interpretations (and sermon fodder :-))
    only adds to that beauty.

    Also, unlike many symbols named for a place, the Jerusalem Cross
    can actually be seen adorning quite a few Christian buildings in
    Jerusalem.

    			Alfred

   
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			              X
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				   Chi Rho
                                           _    _
                              (pronounced Ki - Ro)

       The design for this symbol consists of the first two letters of the
                           Greek word meaning Christ.


Richard

    The Chi Rho is a very ancient symbol of Christianity. As is the
    use of just the Chi. IN fact the Chi and the Chi Rho are both
    found on the walls of the catacombs of Rome dating from the times
    when Christians in Rome only dared meet in secret. 

    The use of X in Xmas derives from the use not of X but of Chi.

    I've run into Israeli Christians who use the Chi Rho as their
    primary symbol because the use of a cross sometimes upsets their
    neighbors. They also tend to use the term "Believer" rather then
    "Christian" because "Christians" have something of a bad name for
    many Israelis.

    				Alfred

Does anyone have information on the Swastika?  My office dictionary says "An 
ancient symbol formed by a cross with the ends of the arms bent at right 
angles."

Also, of course, it was taken as the emblem of Nazi Germany, but I recall 
hearing that before that it was used in many cultures, from European 
(Scandinavia, I think) to Native American, and possibly more.

Is there any Christian context, being that it is a form of a cross?

Is it present in any other cultures?  (Playtoe, is there any African 
background symbology you might share?)  Any other cultural contexts?

Thanks.

Jim

p.s.  I realize that symbols can be Very powerful things, and the swastika in 
particular may be seen to represent the slaughter of millions of innocent 
people.  I do not intend to offend anyone, I do not mean to popularize it's 
use, I only seek greater understanding of its use as a symbol.

Peace,

Jim

    The fish is an other ancient symbol of Christianity. It derives
    from the Greek initials (someone will have to give them I forget)
    for Jesus Christ Son of Man (or is it Son of God I forget). In
    any case those letter spell the Greek word for fish. The obvious
    allusions to "I will make you fishers of men" and we believers
    being those "fish" are appropriate.

    The symbol of the fish was also used as a recognition sign. One
    might meet someone of the street and draw a flat half circle. If
    the other person drew the bottom half to create a fish symbol you
    had each identified the other as a fellow believer.

    			Alfred

    RE: .5 The swastika is indeed old. It is used in India I believe.
    It is also used by American Indians, though the Amerind version
    goes the other way from the Nazi one, as a symbol of good. I don't
    know of any use by Christians but that doesn't mean there haven't
    been any.
    
    			Alfred

	
	            , - - - - - - - - .                         ,
	        , '                     ` .                 , '
	    , '                             ` .         , '
	. '                                     ` . , '
	  ` .                                   , ' ` .
	      ` .                           , '         ` .
	          ` .                   , '                 ` .
	              ` - - - - - - - '                         `

			    ICTHUS

More info?

I remember learning that early Christians would scratch various variations of 
this fish pattern in the dirt to identify themselves to one another at times 
when it was dangerous to be too open regarding their beliefs.

I can't quite remenber what the letters ICTHUS stand for.

Thanks,

Jim

re: Note 221.6 by Alfred "Which side did you say was up?" 

Notes collision, thanks for the added background!  Also for .7.

Jim

    There's little doubt in my mind that the sign of the fish meant more
    than a code-word for "Jesus Christ Son of God Savior".  In fact, I rather
    imagine that interpretation came after the first extensive usage of the
    sign.
    
    In astrological terms, Jesus was the Avatar of the Piscean Age (Pisces
    means "fish"), the age we are now leaving.  One can see that he was
    well aware of the significance of fish for himself, since at least four
    of the disciples were fishermen, whom he called to be "Fishers of Men". 
    In addition, there are several incidents in the gospels associated with
    fish, including the last scene in John's gospel, wherein Jesus is
    pictured with fish cooking on a fire - foreshadowing, perhaps, the
    disciples' baptism with fire on Pentecost.
    
    If you think this reference to astrology is far-fetched, remember that
    Jesus instructed the two disciples looking for the upper room to follow
    a man carrying a pitcher.  That is exactly the symbol for the next age,
    the Aquarian Age, which we are entering now.  Moreover, Jesus referred
    to astrological ages when he said, "Lo I am with you always, even to
    the end of the age."
    
    DR
    
    

DR,

Sounds to me like you're fishing.  :-)

Collis

    One man's fish is another man's poisson.
    
    DR

The parallels that can found between the accounts of the life of Jesus, the
symbols used by the early church and ancient teachings of the orient are
amazing and astounding.

While it is not necessary to ascribe to such teachings, I believe that such
knowledge has the effect of affirming, reinforcing and deepening the belief
of the believer.

Peace,
Richard
Certified Ic-Theologist ;-}

    What was the earliest known symbol representing the church?

.....press RETURN for the answer.

Peace,
Richard



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