THE DAISY: Originally called the "days eye" because of its appearance, the daisy has become the emblem of Christ's innocence and youth, in Christian iconography it is used for the Virgin Mary.

THE SUNFLOWER: Because of the flowers habit of turning toward the sun, it is emblematic of the soul turning to Christ.

THE VIOLET: Usually found beneath hedges or in the shadow of other plants, the violet is considered a symbol of humility.

THE PASSIONFLOWER: The Spanish believed that this flower grew around the cross, it is emblematic of Christ's suffering. A special meaning has been given to each part of this flower, the ten petals signify the ten apostles who did not deny or betray the Lord, the rays within the flower are the crown of thorns, the five stamens refer to the five wounds of Jesus on the cross, the three styles remind us of the nails, the leaf is shaped like a spear, the tendrils signify the cords with which our Lord was bound.

LILY OF THE VALLEY: Known as the Easter flower because of it's purity and innocence, this flower is most associated with the resurrection of Christ. To the Jewish people it's a symbol of the tribe of Judah (1Peter 2:22).

THE ROSE: More than any other flower, the rose has been used in symbolism through different cultures. It is the symbol of messianic hope, love, and beauty. To Christians the white rose represents water, the red rose represents fire. In Catholicism the rosary was originally made of rose hips strung together hence the name "rosary".

THE LOTUS FLOWER: Since the Lotus lives in muddy waters but raises itself to float on top always clean and pure, this flower is symbolic of how Christians are to rise above all passion and selfish gain. It is highly symbolic in the eastern religions as a sign of birth and rebirth.

THE ORCHID: This beautiful flower is a symbol of perfection, the purple spots on the petals are said to represent the cleansing blood of Christ.

THE PANSY: Linked to thoughtfulness, remembrance and love, because the pansy has three main petals is an emblem for the holy trinity.

THE CROCUS: Also called the meadow saffron, this flower is a symbol of abundance as it grows everywhere, even on rocky surfaces. (Isaiah 35:1-2)

THE IRIS: Adopted during the crusades as a symbol of faith, wisdom and valor, the iris evolved into the fleur-de-lis, this symbol has existed since early Egyptian times as a symbol of royalty.

APPLE: One of the oldest symbols in Christian iconography is the apple, symbolic of the first sin of man. When shown in Christian art in the hand of Christ or the Virgin Mary it is the symbol of the fruit of salvation.

PALM TREE: A symbol of prosperity and beauty. (Song of Sol. 7:7)

ORANGE TREE: A symbol of purity, chastity as well as generosity.

POMEGRANATE: The seeds of the pomegranate represent unity in the church. It's a symbol of fertility, immortality and resurrection.

OAK TREE: A symbol of strength, endurance and adversity.

CEDAR TREE: A symbol of incorruptibility, this is perhaps the type of wood that the cross was made of hence a symbol of Christ's incorruptibility.

CLOVER: Like all trefoils, clover is a symbol of the trinity. The shamrock clover symbolizes the evangelizing of Ireland.

LAUREL TREE: Because it's an evergreen it has become a symbol of eternity.

FIG TREE: A symbol of fruitfulness and good works.

HOLLY: Regarded as an emblem of Christ's crown of thorns, holly is symbolic of Christ's suffering.

IVY: Because of it's ability to grow everywhere and the fact that it is an evergreen, ivy is symbolic of immortality.

GRAPES: We use wine or grape juice to symbolize Christ's blood in communion (john ) so the symbol of grapes or the grapevine is symbolic of Christ's blood and sacrifice.

CHERRIES: A symbol of sweet character and good works.

We are surrounded by color, and it's immediate visual effect on us has powerful overtones. The stained glass, wall hangings, doors, alters, everything in the church has a symbolic color revelation. Though it differs from culture to culture, color symbolism is the most universal language spoken. For centuries almost every culture from the east to the west has associated the color gold for the sun, silver for the moon, blue for the sky, black for death, and white for purity.

WHITE: The universal symbol of the creator, light, purity and innocence. White is a sacred color, sacrificial animals were most often the color white. Because white conceals nothing, this is why spirits and even ghosts are associated with it. White is the color used in signaling a flag of truce or peace.

BLACK: To most black is the color most associated with death.  The color black can also be associated with grief, sorrow and mourning.

PURPLE: The color of royalty and wealth. A regal color purples refers to the triumphal entry of the King of Kings.

VIOLET: Denotes humility , suffering and sympathy.

BLUE: The color is most often associated with heaven and peace. 

RED: Blood, passion, fire, the devil, lust and war are all symbolic of the color red.

ORANGE: Like red orange symbolizes flames, also luxury and spender.

YELLOW: The suns light, and wisdom or the son's light.

GOLD: The glory of God, as well as virtue and wealth.

BROWN: The earth, humility, it is the color most monks wear to symbolize there vow of

PINK: Sensuality

GREEN: The universal color of nature, signifying hope and joy.

EAGLE: The eagle is a powerful symbol, it signifies resurrection and rebirth. A number of species of eagles passed through the Holy land during biblical times, it was revered for the care and protection of it's offspring. God's loving care of the Israelites was compared with that of the eagle. (Deut. 32:11) Because the eagle flies higher than any other bird it's also a symbol of the highest inspiration.

LION: A royal animal.

DOLPHIN:   An ancient symbol of security and joy, pictures of dolphins are common in the catacombs of Rome. The dolphin was used on old tombstones as a symbol betokening "Love reaches even into the depths" .

LEOPARD: The symbol of peace, as it lies with the lamb.

LAMB: The Jewish paschal lamb was adopted by the early church as a symbol of Christ. The lamb is sometimes seen in Christian iconography with a halo, staff and chalice representing Christ's sacrifice. Also a symbol of Christ's followers and purity through Christ.

BEAR: The bears ferocity was used to convey respect and strength. 

HIPPOPOTAMUS: Creative power.

HORSE:  A white horse represents purity, red means war and black means apostasy. Associated with war, it's a symbol of strength and the prevailing spirit of the people.

CAMEL: Few things had a greater impact on life in ancient times than the camel. They are a symbol of stamina.  Because the camel kneels to be loaded it is symbolic of Humility.

WOLF: A predator and hunter the wolf symbolizes fearlessness. 

DOG: The dog is so loyal that the ancient Egyptians even mummified them. A symbol of loyalty and fidelity.

CAT: Worshipped by the Egyptians, it was a crime to kill one and punishable by death! In Christian iconography the cat is symbolized by it's laziness and contempt.

BEE: Beekeeping goes back 4,000 years before Christ. Honey was used for embalming by the Egyptians, and was thought to provide courage. The bee is a symbol of diligence, productivity, and hard work.   The bee also symbolizes sweetness of character and spiritual riches. Because the bee is a-sexual it can be a symbol for  purity.

ROOSTER: Symbolic of passion.

DONKEY:   It was a measure of wealth.

HAWK: God counts the soaring bird among his wondrous creations. A symbol of endurance. 

FALCON: Symbolizes the pagan converted to Christianity.

SPARROW: A symbol of freedom and humility because of it's envied freedom to come and go in the temple. 

OWL: A universal symbol of wisdom.

PELICAN: Myth has it that the pelican was believed to feed it's own babies with it's own blood which the pelican caused to flow by piercing it's own breast. Therefore it became the symbol of the sacrifice of Christ on the cross.

PEACOCK: Because it was once believed that the peacocks flesh was immune to decay, it has become a universal symbol of immortality. The hundred eyes of a peacocks tail are symbolic of the "all seeing church".

ROBIN: Myth has it that when God created the robin redbreast, He told the bird that he must remain plain and grey until he earned his red badge of courage.  The robin is a symbol of courage.

DOVE: Known as the symbol of the Holy Spirit, it also symbolizes gentleness and faithfulness.

BLACKBIRD: A symbol of temptation.

BUTTERFLY: The butterfly is the Greek symbol for the soul. Also a symbol of the life cycle of the Christian, the caterpillar stage represents the natural earthly life; the cocoon, represents death of the body; the butterfly emerging from the cocoon represents the resurrection. Two butterflies symbolize a happy marriage.

LIZARD: In Christian iconography the lizard represents old age and wisdom.

SPIDER: The spider is named as one of the things that are little upon the earth, but are exceedingly wise, they are symbolic of wisdom.

SCORPION: A symbol of treachery because of it's deadly tail.

SNAKE: Usually seen as a symbol of evil (Satan) from Genesis and the garden of Eden. Sometimes used as the symbol for the tribe of  Dan, the snake can represent wisdom  The snake or serpent is also a symbol of renewal because of the shedding of it's skin.

TURTLE: A symbol of chastity.

SWAN: The swan is symbolic of the hypocrite because of it's black flesh beneath the white plumage.

GRASSHOPPER: A symbol of the unbeliever, the grasshopper symbolizes the conversion of pagan nations to Christianity.

FROG: Symbolizes life's worldly pleasures.

SCALLOP SHELL: A symbol of pilgrimage, because it was often worn by returning crusaders from the holy land.

SKULL AND CROSSBONES: The skull and crossbones can symbolize death or they can represent Golgotha (Calvary) the place of the skull.

BEEHIVE: A symbol for unity.

THE CRESCENT: The crescent is a universal symbol for Kings. 

THE SUN: During the Roman Empire the government established an official cult of "SOL INVICTUS" THE CONQUERING SUN. This title was subsequently adopted by Christian Churches and the holy day set aside for worship as the "SUNS DAY" OR SUNDAY. The sun represents Jesus the "son" of God, and a symbol of justice.

FLAMES: A symbol of hell, martyrdom or torture, flames can also represent  Fire used as purification and renewal as well as sacrifice.

 ANCHOR: A symbol of the soul, hope and steadfastness.

THE KNOT: Knot symbols date back to stone age man, it's been found in India, Persia, Egypt, Japan and with the American Indians. The meaning of the knot symbol varies but usually has to do with life. The idea that life in the human family goes on and on from one generation to the next without end.

FEATHERS: Feathers are a symbol of peace, they are used in many religious rituals, the American Indians being the most well known for using feathers.

ARBOROUS: A snake biting it's own tale, symbolizes the eternal return. Because the snake sheds it's skin, this symbol represents birth, death and rebirth, or a new beginning.