Chrismons

by Pat Lerch

What is a Chrismon? ‘Chrismon” is a combination of parts of two word: CHRist and MONograms. A chrismon is just that – a monogram of Christ. A Chrismon may be a monogram, a sign, a symbol, a type, or a combination of such figures. The one requirement is that it refer primarily to our Lord and God. All Chrismons are made in combinations of white and gold. White, the liturgical color for Christmas, refers to our Lord’s purity and perfection; gold, to His majesty and glory. We point to the Christ as the Light of the world by using tiny white lights on the tree.

CORNERTONE – This block of Styrofoam will have different symbols on each side.

“the very stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner.” Mark 12:10

“…. Christ Jesus himself being the chief cornerstone.” Ephesians 2:20

CROSS ATOP ORB – Artist often depict our Lord holding an orb, the world and the heavens around it, topped with the cross to symbolize His dominion over the earth.

IOTA CHI – The Lota, is the first letter of our Lords’s given name Jesus in Greek. This name means “the promised one”. The Chi (X) is the first letter of His Greek title, Christ. The Greek word for Christ, Christos (XPISTOS), is the translation of the Hebrew “Messiah”, which means “the one anointed by God”. When these two letters are superimposed, they become our Savior’s cipher, the symbolic interweaving of initials that some people call a star.

CIRCLE with MONOGRAMS, CROSSES, & OTHER SYMBOLS – The dominant feature of this group of Chrismons is the white foam circle. Because it is endless, the circle can symbolize eternity and by extension, God, the only eternal One. In some instances the circle may also suggest eternal life with God. The circle itself may be decorated with different symbols; if four clusters (earth) of three balls (Trinity) the meaning would be - eternal life with Him Who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit in a world without end.

SUN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS – “But for you who fear my name the sun of righteousness shall rise, with healing in his wings.” Malachi 4:2. A circle symbolizes eternity; God, the only eternal one, or eternal life with God.

GREEK CROSS – When all extensions of a cross are of equal length, it is called a Greek Cross   regardless of the shape of the arms the designs on their ends. The formal balance of the Greek Cross facilitates its use with other figures in Christian art.

EIGHT – POINTED STAR – This pre-Christian figure, an eight-pointed star drawn without lifting the tool from the surface, was adopted by Christians as a “concealed” Chrismon during the Roman persecutions. The crossing lines reveal Chi’s, Rio’s and crosses to the initiate. When this design is used, one remembers that it was not always easy to be a Christian, not even in name alone.

In Christian symbolism, the eight-pointed star refers to regeneration through Holy Baptism. 1 Peter 3:20, 21.

CROSS AND CHI – The Greek Chi (X), the first letter of Christ, combines with the cross. The Christ and the cross-can we ever separate them? Only when we understand both the Christ and the cross can we begin to see the measure of God’s love.

TRIQUETRA AND CIRCLE –             The Trinity in Eternity!

                                                            The Eternal Triune!

                                                            The Eternal One!

The endless circle suggests eternity, God – the only eternal One, or eternal life with God. The TRIQUETRA, a complete figure which is composed of three separate and equal arcs, symbolizes the one God who showed Himself th man in three separate and distinct Persons. These ideas may be combined to proclaim a variety of truths.

EPHPHANY (Five–Point) STAR & ROSE – The symbolism of the rose is derived from Isaac’s prophecy of Zion’s glory. “The desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose”. (Isaiah 35:1, K.J.V.) Because some people interpret this as a Messianic promise, the flower has come to symbolize the Messiah. In addition, the rose is a widely used  figure for our Lord’s mother Mary. This association led to its also becoming a symbol for Christ’s human birth and His humanity.

On the other hand, the star points to Jesus’ divinity. “Epiphany” is derived from a Greek word which means the appearance or revelation of a god. The Epiphany Star has five points; it specifically refers to the revelation or showing of our Savior as the Son of God. (Numbers 24:17; Matthew 1; Revelation 22:16). Thus, a combination of the rose and the five-point star in one design is a portrayal of the two natures of the Chris: He is true God,  and He is true Man.

THREE ENTWINED CIRCLES – A symbol for the Holy Trinity, one God in three Persons, Each eternal, All ONE.

STYLIZED FISH – Early Christians used the fish widely as an easily made and recognized secret sigh. During the times of the persecution of the church, Christians could find each other by using the simple password. To the outsider, the fish was a mere decoration; the Christians, it was an affirmation of faith in the Christ.