Palm in Christian Symbolism

Palm in Christian Symbolism
Palm in Christian Symbolism
A Christian symbol of victory

Catholic Encyclopedia. . 2006.

Palm in Christian Symbolism
    Palm in Christian Symbolism
     Catholic_Encyclopedia Palm in Christian Symbolism
    In pre-Christian times the palm was regarded as a symbol of victory (Aulus Gellius, "Noct. Att.", III, vi). It was adopted b the early Christians, and became a symbol of the victory of the faithful over the enemies of the soul. The palm, says Origen (in Joan., XXXI), is the symbol of victory in that war waged by the spirit against the flesh. In this sense it was especially applicable to martyrs, the victors par excellence over the spiritual foes of mankind; hence the frequent occurrence in the Acts of the martyrs of such expressions as "he received the palm of martyrdom." On 10 April 1688 it was decided by the Congregation of Rites that the palm when found depicted on catacomb tombs was to be regarded as a proof that a martyr had been interred there. Subsequently this opinion was acknowledged by Mabillon, Muratori, Benedict XIV and others to be untenable; further investigation showed that the palm was represented not only on tombs of the post-persecution era, but even on pagan tombs. The general significance of the palm on early Christian monuments is slightly modified according to its association with other symbols (e.g., with the monogram of Christ, the Fish, the Good Shepherd). On some later monuments the palm was represented merely as an ornament separating two scenes.
    MAURICE M. HASSETT
    Transcribed by Christine J. Murray

The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume VIII. — New York: Robert Appleton Company. . 1910.


Catholic encyclopedia.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать курсовую

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Palm branch (symbol) — Palm fronds A palm branch (or palm frond or palm stem), usually refers to the leaves of the Arecaceae (sometimes known by the names Palmae). The palm branch was a symbol of triumph and victory in pre Christian times. The Romans rewarded champions …   Wikipedia

  • Symbolism — • The investing of outward things or actions with an inner meaning, more especially for the expression of religious ideas Catholic Encyclopedia. Kevin Knight. 2006. Symbolism     Symbolism …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • Palm Sunday — is a Christian moveable feast which always falls on the Sunday before Easter. The feast commemorates an event reported by all four Canonical Gospels , and and Matthew quotes this passage from Zechariah when narrating the story of Jesus entry to… …   Wikipedia

  • SYMBOLISM —    has been divided into two kinds, symbolism of colour and symbolism of form. Of colours, BLACK typifies grief and death; BLUE    hope, love of divine works, divine contemplation, piety, sincerity;    PALE BLUE power, Christian prudence, love of …   The Nuttall Encyclopaedia

  • Religious symbolism in the United States military — Insignias (left to right) for Christian, Muslim and Jewish chaplains are shown on the uniforms of three U.S. Navy chaplains, 1998. (These were the only insignias in use at that time.) Religious symbolism in the United States military includes the …   Wikipedia

  • number symbolism — Introduction       cultural associations, including religious, philosophic, and aesthetic, with various numbers.       Humanity has had a love hate relationship with numbers from the earliest times. Bones dating from perhaps 30,000 years ago show …   Universalium

  • Early Christian inscriptions — form, as non literary remains, a valuable source of information on the development of Christian thought and life in the early Church. They may be divided into three main classes: sepulchral inscriptions, epigraphic records, and inscriptions… …   Wikipedia

  • Early Christian Inscriptions —     Early Christian Inscriptions     † Catholic Encyclopedia ► Early Christian Inscriptions     Inscriptions of Christian origin form, as non literary remains, a valuable source of information on the development of Christian thought and life in… …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • Crucifixion of Jesus — The Crucifixion , by Vouet, 1622, Genoa The crucifixion of Jesus and his ensuing death is an event that occurred during the 1st century AD. Jesus, who Christians believe is the Son of God as well as the Messiah, was arrested, tried, and sentenced …   Wikipedia

  • Buddhism and Christianity — The French artist Paul Ranson s Christ et Buddha (1880) juxtaposes the two figures There is speculation concerning a possible connection between both the Buddha BC 623 BC 543 and the Christ, and between Buddhism and Christianity. Buddhism… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”