Religious Signs and Symbols

1. Sign and symbolSign and symbol

2. A SignA Sign
 Communicate meaning.Communicate meaning.
 Can be a word, a drawing, an object or anCan be a word, a drawing, an object or an
action, which communicates a piece ofaction, which communicates a piece of
information.information.
 Conveys a simple, agreed message orConveys a simple, agreed message or
meaning.meaning.

3.  We experience signs everyday.We experience signs everyday.
 When people see a sign and recognise itsWhen people see a sign and recognise its
meaning they decide whether to act on themeaning they decide whether to act on the
information the sign has given or not. E,ginformation the sign has given or not. E,g
STOP sign.STOP sign.

5. A SymbolA Symbol
 Is an object, gesture or action that helpsIs an object, gesture or action that helps
people express something abstract such aspeople express something abstract such as
feelings or ideas that are difficult to put intofeelings or ideas that are difficult to put into
words – a handshake, a rose, a wink maywords – a handshake, a rose, a wink may
help someone communicate feelings suchhelp someone communicate feelings such
as friendship or love.as friendship or love.
 Can have more than one meaning.Can have more than one meaning.

6.  A sign usually has only one meaning, aA sign usually has only one meaning, a
symbol can have more than one meaning.symbol can have more than one meaning.
 Symbols have the power to produce aSymbols have the power to produce a
reaction in a person.reaction in a person.

8. Religious symbolReligious symbol
 Is an object, gesture or action that helpsIs an object, gesture or action that helps
people to give expression to their religiouspeople to give expression to their religious
beliefsbeliefs

12. Blessed Trinity iconBlessed Trinity icon
Icon – a sacred imageIcon – a sacred image
of Jesus, Mary or theof Jesus, Mary or the
saints used as an aidsaints used as an aid
to worship, mainly into worship, mainly in
the orthodoxthe orthodox
Churches.Churches.
See pages 424 – 427See pages 424 – 427
in your text book forin your text book for
more information onmore information on
IconsIcons

13. MusicMusic
 Music can be symbolic when it is written +Music can be symbolic when it is written +
performed to praise and express belief inperformed to praise and express belief in
God.God.
 The music used can either be:The music used can either be:
– Solemn + dignified or cheerful + livelySolemn + dignified or cheerful + lively
– Instrumental or sung or a combinationInstrumental or sung or a combination

14. HymnsHymns
 Hymns are usually inspired by a passageHymns are usually inspired by a passage
from the Bible.from the Bible.
 Classical music written for worshipClassical music written for worship
– The St Matthews Passion by BachThe St Matthews Passion by Bach
– The Messiah by HandelThe Messiah by Handel

15.  Some Christians dance in their worship toSome Christians dance in their worship to
show the presence of the Holy Spirit.show the presence of the Holy Spirit.
 Others, eg Quakers worship in silence.Others, eg Quakers worship in silence.