Symbols of Lent
Our Christian tradition is rich in
symbols. To name but a few, we
have the star, symbolizing Christ’s
birth; the cross, symbolizing His
life, death and resurrection; the
fish, symbolizing the early
Christians’ faith in Jesus. During
Lent, we use symbols that relate to
the themes of the season - the
themes of repentance, renewal,
hope, and joy. Following are some
of our Lenten symbols:
Ashes symbolize death and grief
as well as the unworthiness and
repentance we feel because we have
not lived up to being the person
God intends us to be. But out of the
ashes of our past we can, with
God’s help, be renewed spiritually
and journey to a new life of faith
and trust. Ash Wednesday marks
the beginning of our journey.
Colors are symbolic. Violet signifies
suffering and sorrow; white,
purity and glory; green, growth and
hope of eternal life; pink or rose,
joy.
A bare branch symbolizes Jesus’
death on a wooden cross. It also
reminds us that out of seeming lifelessness
comes new life, both in nature
and in the resurrection.
The butterfly dramatically symbolizes
new life and is commonly
used to help children begin to
understand the meaning of Easter.
Out of a dead- looking cocoon
emerges a new creation, free and
radiant.
Salt is necessary to sustain life
and is a symbol of wholeness. We
use salt as a preservative to keep
food wholesome. We also use it as a
flavoring that permeates the whole
of whatever is added to it.
Water has always been a symbol
of cleansing and life-giving in the Church and is commonly associated
with Baptism. In Scripture, Jesus
speaks of Himself as the “life-giving
water” (John 4:14), the one who
quenches our spiritual thirst.
Light is a universal religious symbol
which reminds us that Jesus is
the light who shows us the way. “I
am the light of the world,” (John
9:5) Jesus tells us. "He who follows
me will not walk in darkness, but
will have the light of life.” (John
8:12)
Seeds symbolize the emergence of
new life. Seemingly lifeless seeds
grow and flower. Like the emerging
butterfly, the emerging plant symbolizes
the new life that follows
Christ’s death and resurrection.
Palm branches symbolize Jesus’
triumphal entry into Jerusalem the
Sunday before His crucifixion. The
branches remind us that there are
both triumphs and defeats in our
lives but that if we maintain our
friendship with God, we will
ultimately triumph.
The Easter lily, with its waxy
flowers shaped like trumpets, symbolizes
the glory of the risen Lord
and the joy of the faithful who
believe in God’s promise of a new
life.
Young children do not understand
the meaning of symbols. They
do, however, value what we value.
Our attitudes toward the use of
symbols at home and in church
prepare children to seek a deeper
meaning as they grow older.
~February 2015 Concord
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