Catholic Symbols or, symbolism, provide clear graphic illustrations which represent people, saints and items of religious significance. Understanding the significance of Catholic Symbols and symbolism enables a fuller understanding of Christian Art and Architecture and what the symbols of faith represent in the Catholic religion.

Catholic Symbols

Flowers as Christian Symbols

Catholic and Christian Symbolism in the Medieval Bestiary - Significance and Representations
A Bestiary was a medieval book (usually illustrated) with allegorical descriptions of real and fabled animals. These descriptions, which included a description of various birds and animals and even plants, were often full of Christian and Catholic symbols and symbolism and contained a moral or religious lesson or allegory. Links are provided detailing the information regarding birds and animals found in the Aberdeen Bestiary.

Catholic Symbols - Information, Meaning and Definition
The following links provide access to the history, facts and information with the origins, meanings and definitions of Catholic Symbols.

Symbols and Icons associated with Saint Peter ( See above Picture)
The image of the Catholic Saint Peter at the top of the page illustrates how symbols and icons are represented in Christian and Catholic Art. Saint Peter is depicted holding keys, the  Keys of St. Peter, a symbol and an emblem of the Catholic Church which represents the divine authority invested in the apostle Peter before the death of Christ. The crossed keys symbol was formerly used as a symbol or an emblem of the ancient Roman God Janis and the Mithraic God Zurvan (Iranian) who were both gods of time and keepers of doorways, and removers of obstacles. The keys were symbols of these ancient gods and then used as an emblem for Saint Peter. This symbolism led to the legend of Saint Peter as the bureaucratic keeper of the "pearly gates."

Symbolism in the Medieval Bestiary - Significance and Representations
The following links provide access to the facts and information about the symbolism and moral, religious lessons and allegories found in the Aberdeen Bestiary: