Symbols of the Apostles

Symbols of the Apostles

Andrew: Since he was crucified on an X-shaped cross (which is called "Saint Andrew's cross) this is one of his symbols and a symbol of two crossed fish has also been applied to Andrew, because he was formerly a fisherman.

Bartholomew: Because he was flayed alive with knives his apostolic symbol is three parallel knives.

James, the Elder, Son of Zebedee and Salome: His symbol is three shells, the sign of his pilgrimage by the sea.

James, the Lesser or Younger, son of Alpheus and Mary: Because his body was sawed in pieces, the saw became his apostolic symbol.

John, Son of Zebedee and Salome: It is said that an attempt was made on his life by giving him a chalice of poison from which God spared him. A chalice with a snake in it is his symbol.

Judas Iscariot, the traitor: His apostolic symbol is a hangman's noose or a money purse with pieces of silver falling from it.

Jude, Thaddeus, or Lebbeus, son of Alpheus or Cleophas and Mary: The chosen symbol for him is the ship because he was a missionary thought to be a fisherman.

Matthew, or Levi, son of Alpheus: The apostolic symbol of Matthew is three money bags which remind us that he was a tax collector before Jesus called him.

Matthias: Chosen to take the place of Judas among the Apostles. His symbol is the lance. It is an old tradition that Saint Matthias was martyred in southern Asia with such a weapon.

Simon Peter, son of Jonas: Peter was martyred on the cross. Peter requested that he might be crucified head downward for he was not worthy to die as his Lord had died. His apostolic symbol is a cross upside down with crossed keys. The keys represent Peter as holder of the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven.

Philip: The symbol of Philip is a basket, because of his part in the feeding of the five thousand. It is he that stressed the cross as a sign of Christianity and victory.

Simon, The Zealot: His apostolic symbol is a fish lying on a Bible, which indicates he was a former fisherman who became a fisher of men through preaching.

Thomas: He was killed with a spear as a martyr for his Lord. His symbol is a group of spears, stones and arrows.

	Andrew: Since he was crucified on an X-shaped cross (which is called "Saint Andrew's cross) this is one of his symbols and a symbol of two crossed fish has also been applied to Andrew, because he was formerly a fisherman.
	Bartholomew: Because he was flayed alive with knives his apostolic symbol is three parallel knives.
	James, the Elder, Son of Zebedee and Salome: His symbol is three shells, the sign of his pilgrimage by the sea.
	James, the Lesser or Younger, son of Alpheus and Mary: Because his body was sawed in pieces, the saw became his apostolic symbol.
	John, Son of Zebedee and Salome: It is said that an attempt was made on his life by giving him a chalice of poison from which God spared him. A chalice with a snake in it is his symbol.
	Judas Iscariot, the traitor: His apostolic symbol is a hangman's noose or a money purse with pieces of silver falling from it.
	Jude, Thaddeus, or Lebbeus, son of Alpheus or Cleophas and Mary: The chosen symbol for him is the ship because he was a missionary thought to be a fisherman.
	Matthew, or Levi, son of Alpheus: The apostolic symbol of Matthew is three money bags which remind us that he was a tax collector before Jesus called him.
	Matthias: Chosen to take the place of Judas among the Apostles. His symbol is the lance. It is an old tradition that Saint Matthias was martyred in southern Asia with such a weapon.
	Simon Peter, son of Jonas: Peter was martyred on the cross. Peter requested that he might be crucified head downward for he was not worthy to die as his Lord had died. His apostolic symbol is a cross upside down with crossed keys. The keys represent Peter as holder of the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven.
	Philip: The symbol of Philip is a basket, because of his part in the feeding of the five thousand. It is he that stressed the cross as a sign of Christianity and victory.
	Simon, The Zealot: His apostolic symbol is a fish lying on a Bible, which indicates he was a former fisherman who became a fisher of men through preaching.
	Thomas: He was killed with a spear as a martyr for his Lord. His symbol is a group of spears, stones and arrows.