Iconography of the Saints

Here is a list of the saints who were presented by students in class, as well as the symbols associated with them:

• David (Old Testament) (sling)
  
• St. Sebastian (arrow)
  
• Moses (Old Testament) (tablets of the 10 Commandments)
  
• St. Peter (keys to the kingdom of heaven)
  
• Adam and Eve (apple)
  
• St. Stephen (First Martyr, in Acts) (rocks)
  
• Assumption of Mary
  
• Coronation of Mary
  
• St. Mary Magdalen (jar of funeral ointment)

In addition, for our next exam, you should familiarize yourself with the following iconographical symbols, which will help you identify these important saints. Study the images carefully. On the test you will be asked to identify a saint by an image and to explain the origin and meaning of the iconographical symbol.

The Evangelists (these symbols come from the prophecy of Ezechiel 1:10: "And as for the likeness of their faces: there was the face of a man, and the face of a lion on the right side of all the four: and the face of an ox, on the left side of all the four: and the face of an eagle over all the four."):

• Matthew (winged man)
  
• Mark (lion, sometimes with wings)
  
• Luke (ox, sometimes with wings)
  
• John (eagle)

The Apostles (see El Greco's series of paintings, Apostolados):

• Andrew (transverse cross, like an X)
  
• Bartholomew (knife or flayed skin)
  
• James the Greater (shell, or pilgrim's staff)
  
• James the Less (club or a book)
  
• John (snake in a chalice)
  
• Jude (also called Thaddeus) (halberd or ship)
  
• Matthew (purses)
  
• Peter (keys)
  
• Philip (cross in hand, or staff with cross)
  
• Simon (saw, often with a fish on a book)
  
• Thomas (carpenter's square, lance)
  
• Timothy (club and stones)
  
• Matthias (double-bladed ax)
  
• Paul (sword)

The Martyrs (palm as the general sign of martyrdom):

• Agatha (tongs, shears, or breasts)
  
• Agnes (lamb, palm)
  
• Barbara (tower or ciborium)
  
• Catherine (broken wheel)
  
• Cecilia (organ or other musical instruments)
  
• Clement, early pope (anchor)
  
• Cosmas and Damian (a phial or box of ointment: Cosmas was a doctor)
  
• Denis, first bishop of Paris (shown carrying his decapitated head)
  
• Lawrence (iron grill)
  
• Lucy (cord or eyes on a dish)

Other Saints:

• Ambrose (beehive)
  
• Anne, mother of Mary (door)
  
• Augustine of Hippo (shell or pen)
  
• Benedict (broken cup or raven)
  
• Blaise (two candles in cross, or comb)
  
• Francis of Assisi (Franciscan habit, with a wolf or the stigmata)
  
• George (dragon)
  
• Gregory I, the Great (tiara, crozier, dove on shoulder)
  
• Helena, mother of Constantine (cross)
  
• Jerome (lion)
  
• John the Baptist (lamb, animal skin)
  
• Joseph, spouse of Mary (plane or carpenter's square, with lily)
  
• Teresa of Avila (flaming heart)

Other Symbols:

• Pomegranate (Resurrection, bursting like the tomb): Botticelli, Madonna della Melagrana
  
• Peacock (Resurrection, replaces feathers with brighter ones)
  
• Lily (Easter)
  
• Lamp (Word of God)
  
• Daisy (innocence of child Jesus)
  
• Rose (Nativity of Jesus)

For more informtion, see the excellent Patron Saints Index, particularly the Image Galleries of Saints.