Term
|
Definition
PNCC SYMBOL
Polish National Catholic Church
Book=revealed word of God; Sun=religious freedom and fervor; Cross=suffering and consecration for others; Palm=well-earned peace. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
WELS CROSS
Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod
The rings represent the good news spreading from the cross throughout the world. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
AWEN
Druidry
Awen is the spark of creative of divine inspiration. Three is a sacred number in druidry. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
MALTESE CROSS
Order of St. John,
Knights Hospitaller
To the Knights Hospitaller, the eight points represent their eight obligations or aspirations. The Order of St. John attributes them to the Beatitudes or eight traits of a good first aider. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
GYE NYAME
African Ancestral Traditionalism
Andikra symbol meaning “unless God allows it to happen”. Represents God’s omnipotence. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
SACRED HEART
(or MOST SACRED HEART OF JESUS)
Catholicism,
also Anglicanism and Lutheranism
Represents Jesus’ long-suffering and compassion. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
TORII
Shinto
Literally “bird abode” symbolically represents the transition from the mundane to the sacred. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
MENORAH
Messianic Judaism
Used as a symbol of Israel |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
POMEGRANATE
Immortality, resurrection, unity. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
CHURCH OF GOD LOGO
Church of God
Pentecostal denomination based in Tennessee. Features a cross and the flame of the Holy Spirit encircling the world. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
SANDHILL CRANE
Same-sex marriage
Chosen by Linda Campbell to represent her marriage to Nancy Lynchild. There’s was the first same-sex marriage recognized by the VA. Symbolizes wisdom, protection, and happy marriage. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
UNIFICATION SEAL
Unification Movement
(or the “Moonies”)
Korean movement started by Sun Myung Moon. The center circle symbolizes God, truth, life, and light. These reach out in twelve directions to fill the cosmos. The outer circle represents giving and receiving. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
MJÖLNIR
(or HAMMER OF THOR)
Heathenry (or Heathenism or German Neopaganism)
New religion based on pre-Christian Iron Age/Medieval beliefs. Thor’s hammer is an instrument of blessing, consecration, and protection. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
NAZARENE LOGO
Church of the Nazarene
Evangelical Christian denomination. The dove and flame symbolize the Holy Spirit; Bible represents the faith’s values. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
FOUR DIRECTIONS
Native American heritage/belief systems |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
|
Term
|
Definition
LUTHER ROSE
Lutheranism
According to Martin Luther, the white rose represent faith, joy, comfort, and peace. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
FIVE-POINTED STAR
Islam (or Muslims)
Represents the Five Pillars. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
INFINTY SYMBOL
(or LEMNISCATE)
Infinity Philosophy |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
MEDICINE WHEEL
(or SACRED HOOP)
Native American heritage/belief systems
Symbol includes the Four Directions, which mean different things to different tribes. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
CROSS AND CROWN
Christian Science;
Freemasonry;
Bible Student Movement; Jehovah’s Witnesses
The crown represents victory over death |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
CATHOLIC CELTIC CROSS
Irish heritage/Catholicism
Irish (sometimes British) cross with a nimbus |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
KOHEN HANDS (or COHEN HANDS)
Judaism
Symbolizes a priestly blessing by a Kohen (or Cohen) who puts his hands in this formation. The Vulcan salute is based on this. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
CROSS IN THE STAR OF DAVID
Messianic Judaism
Combines the most common symbols of Christianity and Judaism. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
FARAVAHAR (or FAROHAR)
Zoroastrianism (Mazdayasna)
Religion of ancient Iran. The Faravahar symbolizes good thoughts, words, and deeds. The image os of the angel Fravashi. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
ARMENIAN CROSS
Armenian Christianity (Armenian Apostolic Church)
Cross with floral elements. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
CELTIC CROSS
Irish heritage/Christianity
Irish (sometimes British) cross with a nimbus |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST SYMBOL
Seventh-day Adventist Church
Christian cross; open bible; flame of the Holy Spirit, upward momentum represents the lead to the Second Coming, three lines represent three angels of Revelation 14 circling the globe. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
NAC CROSS LOGO
New Apostolic Church
Cross; ten sunbeams represent the Ten Commandments; waters of baptism (note the NAC practices baptism for the dead). |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
LCMS CROSS LOGO
The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (or Missouri Synod)
Three-in-one cross (Trinity); reaching up to heaven, and down to earth; four corners of the earth; twelve sections=tribes of Israel/apostles. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| PENTACLE (or PENTAGRAM) Wicca (Pagan Witchcraft) Represents Spirit, Air, Earth, Water, and Fire. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
KHANDA
Sikhism
The ☬ is an amalgam of three types of weapons which represent both spiritual and temporal sovereignty. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
8-PETALED LOTUS
Soka Gakkai International (“Value Creation Association”)
Buddhist organization. The stylized lotus flower signifies the Lotus Sutra, an important text. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
IZUMO TAISHAKYO SYMBOL
Izumo Taishakyo Mission of Hawaii
Shinto shrine in Honolulu |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
SEAL OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Presbyterianism
Incorporates the cross, dove, scripture, flames, lectern, Trinity, ichthys, chalice, etc. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
HAPPY HUMAN (or HAPPY MAN)
Secular Humanism (American Humanist Association) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
CROSS TRIUMPHANT
(CROSS OF VICTORY)
United Church of Christ
The orb divided in three refers to Jesus’ command to witness in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and all the earth. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
FOURFOLD GOSPEL SYMBOL
Christian and Missionary Alliance (“The Alliance”)
The symbols all represent different aspects of Christ: cross=Savior, pitcher=healer, laver=sanctifier, crown=coming king |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
CHALICE WITH CROSS OF SAINT ANDREW
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
The chalice symbolizes the communion; the cross is a reminder of the importance of evangelism. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
EK SYMBOL
Eckankar (the Path of Spiritual Freedom)
Dharma-influenced new religious movement. “EK” is short for Ek omkar, “God is one essence”. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
AGNUS DEI with FLAG OF VICTORY
Moravian Church
(formally Unitas Fratrum) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
CROSS AND TRIANGLE
Christian Reformed Church (of North America)
The cross represents Christ’s sacrifice; the triangle symbolizes the Trinity |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
TEACHING SYMBOL
(Circle with V)
Science of Mind,
Religious Science
New Thought movement. The symbol shows how the spirit descends into body through Soul. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
IZUNOME CROSS
世界救世教 - Church of World Messianity,
Izunome Association
Japanese-based new religion. The cross represents physical and spiritual balance. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
SEICHO-NO-IE BADGE
生長の家 - Seicho-no-Ie (House of Growth)
Japanese New Thought group. The badge incorporates elements symbols of Shinto (sun), Buddhism (swastika, moon), and Christianity (cross, star) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
PLUM BLOSSOM IN CIRCLE MON
天理教 - Tenrikyo
(or Tenriism)
Originally the family crest of Japanese founder Miki Nakayama |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
WINGED HEART EMBLAZONED WITH THE NUMBER 1
Sufism Reoriented
Represents the transformative power of divine love. The number 1 refers to the one God. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
CHILD WITH LAMB AND LION
Community of Christ
(formerly the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, RLDS)
Refers to the Millenium when a child, the lamb, and the lion will be at peace with one another. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
CREST OF KONOKYO
Konkokyo
Japanese/Hawaiian religion related to Sectarian Shinto. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
OM (or AUM)
Hinduism
Refers to Atman (soul, self within) and Brahman (ultimate reality, entirety of the universe, truth, divine, supreme spirit, cosmic principles, knowledge). |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
STAR AND CRESCENT
Islam
(Muslims) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
ATOMIC WHIRL
Atheism,
American Atheists |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
9-POINTED STAR
Bahá’í Faith
The number nine is associated with unity and perfection. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
GREEK CROSS
Church of Greece |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
SERBIAN ORTHODOX CROSS
Serbian Orthodox Church |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
TIPI INSIGNIA
Native American Church (of North America) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
ANGEL MORONI
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormonism)
An important figure in Mormon theology. Moroni provided the book of Mormon to Joseph Smith. Also represents the angel which will usher in the Second Coming of Christ. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
EMBLEM OF THE AARONIC ORDER
House of Aaron
(also called the Aaronic Order or The Order of Aaron)
a small offshoot of the LDS Church, founded in 1942. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
CROSS AND FLAME
United Methodist Church
Combines symbols of Christ (cross) and the Holy Spirit (flame). The “tongues of flame” refer to the Pentacost; two tongue for the two churches that merged to form the United Methodist Church in 1968. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
FLAMING CHALICE
Unitarianism,
Unitarian Universalism |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
EPISCOPAL CROSS
Episcopal Church |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
LUTHERAN CROSS
Lutheranism
Latin cross with Luther seal/rose |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CROSS
(or SUPPEDANEUM CROSS)
Russian Orthodoxy |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
PRESBYTERIAN CROSS
Presbyterianism
type of Celtic cross |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
STAR OF DAVID
(or SEAL OF DAVID)
Judaism |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
DHARMACHAKRA (WHEEL OF RIGHTEOUSNESS)
Buddhism
Represents Buddha’s dharma, the ability to cut through all obstacles and illusions. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
LATIN CROSS
Christianity
Represents the cross on which Jesus died for the sins of the world. |
|
|
