Transcriber’s Note
Italic text displayed as: _italic_
Bold text displayed as: =bold=
[Illustration:
Photo. Alinari
THE MADONNA DEL CARDELLINO.—RAPHAEL
(Uffizi, Florence.)
]
SACRED SYMBOLS
IN ART
BY
ELIZABETH E. GOLDSMITH
_With Fifty-three Illustrations_
_SECOND EDITION, REVISED AND ENLARGED
FOURTH IMPRESSION_
G. P. PUTNAM’S SONS
NEW YORK AND LONDON
The Knickerbocker Press
COPYRIGHT, 1911
BY
ELIZABETH E. GOLDSMITH
COPYRIGHT, 1912
BY
ELIZABETH E. GOLDSMITH
(For Second Edition)
[Illustration]
Made in the United States of America
“Let him [the traveller] not trust to his impressions from his general
reading; there is nothing so treacherous; he may have general reading
enough to sink a ship, but unless he has a cargo taken newly on board
he will find himself tossing without ballast on those billowy slopes of
the Palatine, where he will vainly try for definite anchorage.”
W. D. HOWELLS’s _Roman Holidays and Others_.
PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION
In preparing the first edition the author was strongly influenced by
the belief _qui trop embrasse, mal étreint_. She had in mind primarily
the traveller, who wants his information in a nutshell, is bored by
an explanation of something that explains itself, and bewildered and
confused by long and learned dissertations for which he has not the
time. Thus with a subject so overwhelmingly broad, and a book that to
be useful must necessarily be small, it seemed best to keep rigorously
to that which, in the writer’s opinion, would add the most essentially
to the intelligent enjoyment and appreciation of the more famous works
of Christian art—excluding the too obvious as well as the too remote.
The book has been so cordially received by students and those other
than the traveller, that in this second edition a little additional
matter of more general interest has been added in an appendix, whereby
it is hoped that its value and usefulness will be increased. Certain
suggestions courteously and helpfully extended by some of the reviewers
have been included in this, and to them for their interest, the author
wishes to express her warmest appreciation and thanks.
E. E. G.
NEW YORK, February, 1912.
PREFACE
The visitor who frequents the art galleries and churches of Europe soon
learns to distinguish certain saints in a picture by certain symbols;
but unless he has a knowledge also of the meaning or story that is
conveyed by these symbols, the real beauty and significance of the
early works of art are lost. To arrive at this knowledge, however,
it is necessary to consult so many books that these become a serious
encumbrance to one, going from place to place. It is hoped, therefore,
that this handbook, designed for the use of the student and the
traveller, may supply a genuine need.
A closer study into the meaning of the early works of Christian art
is only another outcome of the keen revival of interest in biblical
history that is everywhere manifesting itself to-day; and indeed one
cannot view those pictured stories of the past, those naïve and lovely
examples of an earlier faith, without a broadening sympathy that
finally deepens into tender reverence the more one comprehends.
Believing that a clearer idea of the whole religious series of pictures
will be obtained, the subjects here considered are treated generically
rather than alphabetically. Thus, the symbols of the Godhead are given
first; then the symbols of the Archangels, the symbols and legends of
the Madonna, of John the Baptist, the Four Evangelists, the Apostles,
and the Four Latin Fathers, and after that follow the legends of
certain saints.
The general symbols and what they expressed in religious art are given;
also when symbols were used as _emblems_, and when they were merely
_attributes_, and what characteristics or incidents in the life of a
saint they expressed.
A considerable portion of the book is devoted to the symbols and
legends of the Madonna and what these were supposed to express in the
Church and in the life of Christ. The subjects of the historical and
devotional pictures in which she appears, with or without her divine
Son, are given as they come in their natural order.
The book includes a brief description of the significance of colours as
employed in the early religious pictures, as well as an account of the
general plan of dress and arrangement that was followed, more or less
arbitrarily, by the artists of a given period. The monastic orders are
given and the habits worn by the members of the different orders are
described, who thus (by their dress) may be readily distinguished in
pictures.
For use and reference in the galleries, an alphabetical list of symbols
is placed in the fore part of the book, followed by an alphabetical
list of all but the more obscure saints, with their distinguishing
emblems. Only the legends of the best known saints, who are constantly
found in art, have been touched upon, the aim being to bring together
in compact form only those facts and legends pertinent to Christian
art. No attempt has been made to locate or describe any of the famous
works of art, except as they are indicated under the illustrations, as
this has been well and ably done in the guide books of Baedeker, Hare,
and Grant Allen.
In preparing this book the works of Mrs. Jameson, Didron’s _Christian
Iconography_, Lord Lindsay’s _Sketches of Christian Art_, and the
_Golden Legend_ in French and English have been largely drawn upon.
E. E. G.
NEW YORK, January, 1911.
CONTENTS
PAGE
I
SYMBOLS OF THE SAINTS 1
II
SAINTS AND SYMBOLS 30
III
HISTORICAL AND DEVOTIONAL SUBJECTS 64
How these may be distinguished in art.
IV
GENERAL SYMBOLS 67
V
COLOURS AS EMBLEMS 76
What colours signified in early art, and how they were
associated with certain personages.
VI
SYMBOLS OF GOD THE FATHER, THE SON, THE
HOLY GHOST, THE TRINITY 78
VII
THE SEVEN ARCHANGELS. THE THREE ARCHANGELS:
ST. MICHAEL, ST. GABRIEL, AND
ST. RAPHAEL 81
VIII
SYMBOLS AND ATTRIBUTES OF THE VIRGIN 86
Also the Seven Joys and the Seven Sorrows of the
Virgin, and the Fifteen Mysteries of the Rosary.
IX
LEGENDS OF THE MADONNA AS REPRESENTED
IN THE HISTORICAL SERIES 91
These follow in regular sequence, beginning with the
Legend of Joachim and Anna; then the Nativity,
the Presentation, and the Marriage of the Virgin;
the Annunciation; the Visitation; the Sibyl Prophesying
to Augustus Cæsar the Coming of Christ;
the Nativity of Christ; the Adoration of the Shepherds;
the Adoration of the Magi; the Purification
of the Virgin; the Presentation and the Circumcision
of Christ; the Flight into Egypt; the Repose
of the Holy Family; the Dispute in the Temple;
the Death of Joseph; the Marriage at Cana;
the Procession to Calvary; the Crucifixion; the
Descent from the Cross; the Deposition; the Entombment;
the Apparition of Christ to His Mother
and to Mary Magdalene; the Ascension; the Descent
of the Holy Ghost; the Death and Assumption
of the Virgin; the Coronation of the Virgin. (How
the Coronation may be distinguished from the
Incoronata.)
X
DEVOTIONAL REPRESENTATIONS OF THE VIRGIN
MARY 122
In these she appears as the Enthroned Virgin without
the child, as type of heavenly wisdom; L’Incoronata,
the type of the Church Triumphant; the Virgin of
Mercy, as represented in the Last Judgment; the
Mater Dolorosa, the Stabat Mater, La Pietà; the
Lady of the Immaculate Conception; the Virgin,
and Child Enthroned; the Mater Amabilis.
XI
ST. JOHN BAPTIST 134
XII
THE FOUR EVANGELISTS 137
Giving their legends and attributes from the earliest
times. ST. MATTHEW, ST. MARK, ST. LUKE, ST.
JOHN.
XIII
THE TWELVE APOSTLES 146
Their legends and attributes. ST. PETER and ST.
PAUL, ST. ANDREW, ST. JAMES MAJOR, ST. PHILIP,
ST. BARTHOLOMEW, ST. THOMAS, ST. JAMES MINOR,
ST. SIMON ZELOTES, ST. JUDE (THADDEUS or LEBBEUS),
ST. MATTHIAS, JUDAS ISCARIOT, ST. BARNABAS.
XIV
ST. MARY MAGDALENE 169
XV
THE LAST SUPPER 175
XVI
THE FOUR LATIN FATHERS 177
Their legends and attributes. ST. JEROME, ST. AMBROSE,
ST. AUGUSTINE, ST. GREGORY.
XVII
THE PATRON SAINTS OF CHRISTENDOM 191
Their legends and attributes. ST. GEORGE, ST. SEBASTIAN,
ST. CHRISTOPHER, SS. COSMO and DAMIAN,
ST. ROCH, ST. NICHOLAS OF MYRA, ST. CATHERINE,
ST. BARBARA, ST. URSULA, ST. MARGARET.
XVIII
THE FOUR GREAT VIRGINS OF THE LATIN
CHURCH 223
Their legends and attributes. ST. CECILIA, ST. AGNES,
ST. AGATHA, ST. LUCY.
XIX
LEGENDS OF THE SAINTS MOST FREQUENTLY
FOUND IN ART 234
ST. STEPHEN PROTOMARTYR, ST. LAURENCE, ST.
VINCENT, ST. ANTHONY HERMIT, ST. BENEDICT,
ST. BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX, ST. FRANCIS OF
ASSISI, ST. CLARA, ST. ANTHONY OF PADUA, ST.
BONAVENTURA, ST. LOUIS OF FRANCE, ST. LOUIS
OF TOULOUSE, ST. BERNARDINO OF SIENA, ST. DOMINICK,
ST. PETER MARTYR, ST. THOMAS AQUINAS,
ST. CATHERINE OF SIENA.
XX
THE MONASTIC ORDERS, AND THE HABITS BY
WHICH THEY MAY BE DISTINGUISHED 275
APPENDIX 281
INDEX 293
ILLUSTRATIONS
PAGE
The Madonna del Cardellino (Raphael). _Uffizi,
Florence_ _Frontispiece_
The Baptism of Christ by St. John (Verrocchio). _Academy,
Florence_ 79
The Three Archangels and Tobias (Botticelli). _Academy,
Florence_ 82
The Presentation of the Virgin in the Temple (Titian).
_Academy, Venice_ 93
The Annunciation (Botticelli). _Uffizi, Florence_ 97
The Visitation (Albertinelli). _Uffizi, Florence_ 99
Sibyl Prophesying to Augustus Cæsar the Coming of
Christ (B. Peruzzi). _Church of the Fontegiusta, Siena_ 101
The Adoration of the Shepherds (Ghirlandajo). _Academy,
Florence_ 104
The Adoration of the Magi (Botticelli). _Uffizi, Florence_ 106
Repose of the Holy Family—“Madonna del Sacco”
(Andrea del Sarto). _Church of the Annunziata,
Florence_ 111
The Crucifixion (Perugino). _Convent of Santa Maria
Maddalena dei Pazzi, Florence_ 115
The Saviour Appears to Mary Magdalene—“Noli me
tangere” (Lorenzo di Credi). _Uffizi, Florence_ 117
Coronation of the Virgin (Fra Filippo Lippi). _Academy,
Florence_ 123
The Madonna Crowned (Botticelli). _Uffizi, Florence_ 124
The Madonna Enthroned (Filippino Lippi). _Uffizi,
Florence_ 127
The Virgin and Child (Fra Filippo Lippi). _Pitti, Florence_ 129
The Madonna del Granduca (Raphael). _Pitti, Florence_ 131
The Adoration of the Child (Perugino). _Pitti, Florence_ 133
John the Baptist in the Desert (Titian). _Academy,
Venice_ 135
Christ and the Four Evangelists (Fra Bartolommeo).
_Pitti, Florence_ 139
Madonna of the Harpies with St. Francis and St. John,
Evangelist (Andrea del Sarto). _Uffizi, Florence_ 143
St. Peter Baptising (Masaccio). _Brancacci Chapel, Santa
Maria del Carmine, Florence_ 149
St. James Major (Titian). _Church of S. Lio, Venice_ 155
La Disputa della Trinità (Andrea del Sarto). _Pitti,
Florence_ 171
The Last Supper (Ghirlandajo). _Ognissanti, Florence_ 175
St. Augustine and St. Jerome (Crivelli). _Academy, Venice_ 179
St. Ambrose (Borgognone). _Certosa, Pavia_ 181
St. Augustine at School (Benozzo Gozzoli). _Church of San
Agostino, San Gimignano_ 185
Miracle of the Brandeum (Andrea Sacchi). _Vatican,
Rome_ 189
St. George (Donatello). _The Bargello, Florence_ 192
St. Sebastian (Sodoma). _Uffizi, Florence_ 195
St. Christopher (Giovanni Bellini). _Church of SS. Giovanni
e Paolo, Venice_ 197
An Episode in the Life of St. Cosmo and St. Damian (Fra
Angelico). _Academy, Florence_ 201
Four Saints.—St. Roch, St. Sebastian, St. Augustine (?),
St. Bernardino of Siena (Carlo Crivelli). _Academy,
Venice_ 202-203
St. Nicholas (Titian). _Church of San Sebastiano, Venice_ 207
St. Catherine (Lucas Cranach). _Dresden Gallery_ 209
St. Barbara (Lucas Cranach). _Dresden Gallery_ 212
Detail from the Martyrdom of St. Ursula (V. Carpaccio).
_Academy, Venice_ 215
St. Margaret (School of Correggio). _Dresden Gallery_ 221
St. Cecilia (Carlo Dolci). _Dresden Gallery_ 224
St. Agnes (Spagnoletto). _Dresden Gallery_ 227
Santa Lucia (Carlo Dolci). _Uffizi, Florence_ 231
St. Anthony with the Fire (Palma Vecchio). _Church of
S. Maria Formosa, Venice_ 239
St. Benedict (Hans Memling.) _Uffizi, Florence_ 245
The Madonna Appearing to St. Bernard (Filippino Lippi).
_Church of the Badia, Florence_ 249
St. Francis (Simone Martini). _Church of S. Francesco,
Assisi_ 251
St. Clara (Simone Martini). _Church of S. Francesco,
Assisi_ 255
St. Anthony (School of Giotto). _Basilica of S. Antonio,
Padua_ 257
St. Bonaventura (A. Bronzino). _Academy, Florence_ 261
St. Dominick. Detail from the Crucifixion (Fra Angelico),
_San Marco, Florence_ 267
St. Peter Martyr (Fra Angelico). _San Marco, Florence_ 269
St. Thomas Aquinas (Fra Angelico). _San Marco, Florence_ 271
St. Catherine of Siena (Vanni). _Church of San Domenico,
Siena_ 273
A Vallombrosan Monk (Perugino). _Academy, Florence_ 276
SACRED SYMBOLS IN ART
Sacred Symbols in Art
I.—SYMBOLS OF THE SAINTS
ANCHOR in his hand, or at his St. Clement, Martyr, A. D.
side, or suspended around 100. Third Bishop of
his neck. Pope’s or Bishop’s Rome.
robes.
ANCHOR. Three balls, or three St. Nicholas of Myra, A. D.
purses. Three children in a 326. Patron saint of Russia,
tub. Bishop’s robes. Ship. Venice, and Freiberg, of
children, sailors, travellers,
etc.
ANGEL or man. Purse, or bag St. Matthew, Apostle and
of money. Book. Pen and Evangelist, Martyr.
ink-horn.
ANGEL. Organ. Musical instruments. St. Cecilia, Virgin Martyr,
Crown of red A. D. 280. Patron saint of
and white roses. Palm. music and musicians.
Scroll of music.
ANGEL holding a book. Benedictine St. Francesca Romana, A. D.
habit. 1440.
ANGEL holding basket with St. Dorothea of Cappadocia,
apples and roses. Crown. Virgin Martyr, A. D. 303.
Palm. Sometimes roses in
her hand or crowned with
roses.
ANGEL with flame-tipped arrow. St. Theresa, A. D. 1582. Patron
Dove. Carmelite saint of Spain. Founder
habit. Heart with I. H. S. of the Scalzi, reformed
Lily. Crucifix. Carmelites.
ANGEL with two captives. St. John de Matha, A. D.
Fetters in his hand, or at 1213. Founder of the
his feet. White habit. Trinitarian Order for the
Blue and red cross upon redemption of captives.
his breast.
ANGEL with pyx. Franciscan St. Bonaventura, A. D. 1274.
habit. Cardinal’s hat at
his feet, or on a tree.
ANGEL holding a shield on St. Clotilda of Burgundy,
which are three fleur-de-lys. A. D. 534.
ANGEL ploughing in the St. Isidore the ploughman,
background. Spade. Found in A. D. 1170.
Spanish art.
ANGELS crowning her with St. Rosalia of Palermo,
roses. Crucifix. A. D. 1160.
ANVIL in hands, or at feet. St. Adrian, Martyr, A. D. 290.
Sometimes lion, sometimes Patron saint of Flanders
sword or axe lying beside and Germany, of soldiers,
anvil. and against the plague.
ANVIL. Blacksmith’s tools. St. Eloy, Lo, or Sant’ Eligio,
Blacksmith’s or Bishop’s A. D. 659. Patron saint of
dress. Crozier. Book. Bologna, blacksmiths,
goldsmiths, and of horses.
ARROW. Crown. Banner with St. Ursula, Virgin Martyr,
a red cross. Dove. Mantle 237 or 383 or 451. Patron
sheltering virgins. saint of young girls, and
teachers.
ARROW, hind pierced by, in St. Giles, Hermit, A. D. 725.
his arms or at his feet. Old. Patron saint of Edinburgh,
Benedictine habit. of woods, cripples, beggars,
and lepers.
ARROW in his hand. Royal St. Edmund, King and Martyr,
robes. Wolf. A. D. 870. Patron
saint of Bury St. Edmunds.
ARROWS, pierced by. Bound St. Sebastian, Martyr, A. D.
to a column. Angel with 288. Patron saint against
crown and palm. pestilence.
ARROWS. Palm. Crown. St. Christina, Virgin Martyr,
Millstone. A. D. 295. Patron saint of
Bolsena, and Venice.
AWL or shoemaker’s knife. St. Crispin and St. Crispianus,
Palms. Two saints together. Martyrs, A. D. 300. Patron
saints of Soissons.
AXE, lictor’s. Two-pronged St. Martina, Virgin Martyr,
fork. Young. A. D. 230.
AXE in his hand. Sometimes St. Proculus, Martyr, A. D.
an angel holds the axe. 303. Patron saint of
Sword. Carrying a head in Bologna.
both hands.
BALLS (three). Bishop’s St. Nicholas of Myra, A. D.
robes. Sometimes three 326. Patron saint of Russia,
purses, or three children in Venice, Freiberg, of children,
a tub. Sometimes ship in school-boys, sailors,
the background. travellers, merchants,
and against thieves.
BANNER, with red cross. St. Ursula, Virgin Martyr.
Crown. Dove. Arrow. Dates uncertain, 237, 383,
Mantle sheltering virgins, or 451. Patron saint of
or surrounded by virgins. young girls, and women
teachers.
BANNER with black Imperial St. Wenceslaus of Bohemia,
eagle. Palm. Royal robes. Martyr, A. D. 938.
BANNER. Young. Richly St. Julian of Cilicia, Martyr.
dressed. Sword. Palm. Patron saint of Rimini.
BANNER, white with a red St. Torpé, Martyr, A. D. 70.
cross. Roman armour. Patron saint of Pisa.
Found only in churches of
Pisa.
BANNER, white with a red St. Reparata, Virgin Martyr,
cross. Crown. Palm. third century. Formerly
Sometimes wears a red patron saint of Florence.
and white mantle.
BEASTS, surrounded by. St. Thecla, Virgin Martyr,
Young. Dark brown or first century. Patron saint
grey mantle. Palm. of Tarragona.
BEEHIVE at his feet. Books. St. Ambrose, A. D. 397. One
Knotted scourge with three of the Four Latin Fathers
thongs. Two human bones. of the Church. Patron
Bishop’s robes. Mitre. saint of Milan.
Crozier.
BEEHIVE. Demon bound. St. Bernard of Clairvaux, A. D.
Three mitres on a book or 1153. Founder of the
at his feet. Pen, papers, Cistercian Order of Reformed
ink-horn. White habit. Benedictines.
BEGGAR, kneeling at his feet. St. Juan de Dios, A. D. 1550.
In his hands a pomegranate Founder of the Hospitallers,
surmounted by a cross. or Brothers of Charity.
Long beard. Capuchin
habit.
BEGGAR at feet, or dividing St. Martin of Tours, A. D.
his cloak with a beggar. 397. Patron saint of
Goose. Bishop’s robes, or Tours, Lucca, and penitent
as a soldier. drunkards.
BEGGAR, or cripple, at her feet. St. Elizabeth of Hungary,
Sometimes three crowns. A A. D. 1231.
lapful of roses. Robes of royalty,
or Franciscan habit.
BEGGAR’S dish. Pilgrim’s St. Alexis, A. D. 400. Patron
habit, worn and ragged. saint of beggars and pilgrims.
Palm. Cross.
BEGGARS, giving alms to. St. Elizabeth of Portugal,
Widow’s veil. Crown. A. D. 1336.
Old. Franciscan habit.
BELL. Sometimes cruse and St. Pol-de-Léon, A. D. 573.
loaf. Driving dragon into
the sea.
BELL. Crutch. Asperges. St. Anthony, Hermit, A. D. 357.
Hog. Skull. Crucifix.
Flames of fire. Monk’s habit.
BLACKSMITH with anvil, hammer, St. Eloy, Lo, or Sant’ Eligio,
tongs and bellows. A. D. 659. Patron saint
Sometimes Bishop’s robes of Bologna, of goldsmiths,
and blacksmith’s tools. locksmiths, blacksmiths,
and horses.
BLOOD flowing from his head. St. Thomas à Becket, A. D. 1170.
Benedictine habit or Bishop’s robes.
BLOOD trickling from his head. St. Peter Martyr, A. D. 1252.
Sometimes with sword or
axe in his head. Palm.
Dominican habit.
BONES, two human. Beehive. St. Ambrose, A. D. 397. One
Knotted scourge. Books. of the Four Latin Fathers.
Bishop’s robes. Mitre. Crozier. Patron saint of Milan.
BOOK stained with blood, or St. Boniface, A. D. 755.
transfixed by a sword. Bishop’s Archbishop of Mayence, and
robes over the Benedictine habit. Apostle of Germany.
BOOKS at his feet. Infant by St. Augustine, A. D. 430. One
seashore. Heart flaming or of the Four Latin Fathers of
transfixed by an arrow. the Church.
Bishop’s robes. Mitre. Crozier.
BOOKS, his magical, trampling St. Cyprian of Antioch, Martyr,
under his feet. Sword. A. D. 304.
Palm. Bishop’s robes
(without the mitre).
BOTTLE on the end of a staff. St. James the Great, Apostle
Cloak. Wallet. Scallop-shell. and Martyr. Patron saint
of Spain.
BOTTLES or Flasks. Loose St. Omobuono. Patron saint
tunic and cap, trimmed with of Cremona, and of tailors.
fur. Giving alms to the (Sometimes difficult to
poor. distinguish from St. Roch.)
BOX or vase of alabaster. St. Mary Magdalene, A. D.
Long fair hair. Skull. 68. Patron saint of
Crucifix. Marseilles, Provence, and of
frail, and penitent women.
BOX of ointment. Surgical St. Cosmo and St. Damian,
instruments. Two men Martyrs, A. D. 301. Patron
together in red robes. saints of medicine,
and of the Medici family.
BRANCH of olive in his hand. St. Bernard of Tolomei, A. D.
White habit. 1319. Founder of the
Order of Olivetani, reformed
Benedictines.
BRANCH, encircling his loins. St. Onofrio, Hermit of Thebes,
Old, wasted, half-naked, fourth or fifth century.
long hair and beard.
BUILDINGS in his hand. Bishop’s St. Petronius, A. D. 430.
robes. Patron saint of Bologna.
CALDRON of oil. Cock. Lion. St. Vitus, Martyr, A. D. 303.
Wolf. Palm. Young and Patron saint of Sicily,
beautiful. Bohemia, Saxony, of actors
and dancers, and against
nervous diseases and late
rising.
CANDLE, lighted. Demon St. Geneviève, A. D. 509.
trying to extinguish it with Patron saint of Paris.
bellows. Book. Basket
of provisions and holding
loaf of bread. Sheep.
Distaff. Spindle.
CANDLE on his head, or in St. Erasmus, or Elmo, Martyr,
his hand. Small wheel. A. D. 296.
Old. Bishop’s robes.
CAPTIVE kneeling at her feet. St. Radegunda, A. D. 587.
Broken fetters in her hands. Protectress of the Order of
Royal crown. Long veil. Trinitarians for the
redemption of captives.
CARDINAL’S HAT, near him St. Jerome, A. D. 420. One
or at his feet. Cardinal’s of the Four Latin Fathers.
robes, or old, ragged, long Founder of Monachism in
beard. Skull. Books. the West. Patron saint of
Lion. Church in his hand. learning, theology,
scholars.
CARDINAL’S HAT on the bough St. Bonaventura, A. D. 1274.
of a tree or at his feet.
Franciscan habit. Pyx.
CARDINAL’S robes (only found St. Bernard degli Uberti, Abbot
with other Vallombrosan of Vallombrosa.
saints).
CARPENTER’S or builder’s St. Thomas, Apostle and Martyr.
square. Patron saint of architects
and builders.
CENSER. Book. Benedictine St. Maurus, A. D. 584.
habit or dressed as a deacon.
Usually with St. Benedict
and St. Placidus.
CHALICE or sacramental cup. St. Thomas Aquinas,
Sun on his breast. Books. A. D. 1274.
Pen. Dove. Dominican habit.
CHECKERED HABIT, Cord of St. Margaret of Cortona,
St. Francis. Dog at her feet. A. D. 297.
CHILD in his arms or at his St. Vincent de Paule, A. D.
feet. Franciscan habit. 1660. Founder of the
Nun kneeling at feet. Sisters of Charity.
CHILD on his shoulders, walking St. Christopher, A. D. 364.
through water. Huge
staff. Monk in background.
CHILD-CHRIST in his arms St. Anthony of Padua,
or on a book. Book. Lily. A. D. 1231.
Crucifix. Flame in his
hand or on his breast.
Mule kneeling.
CHILDREN, three, in a tub. St. Nicholas of Myra, A. D.
Three balls, or three purses. 326. Patron saint of Russia,
Anchor. Bishop’s robes. Venice, Freiberg, school-boys,
Sometimes ship in the background. sailors, travellers,
merchants, and against
thieves.
CHURCH in her hand. Royal St. Cunegunda of Bavaria,
robes. Walking over A. D. 1040.
ploughshares.
CHURCH in his hand. In St. Henry of Bavaria,
armour. Crown. Sword. A. D. 1024.
Orb of sovereignty.
CHURCH with two towers in St. Sebald, A. D. 770.
his hand. Pilgrim’s dress.
Staff. Wallet. Shell.
CLOAK, dividing with a beggar. St. Martin of Tours, A. D.
Beggar at his feet. Goose. 397. Patron saint of
Bishop’s robes, or as a soldier. Tours, Lucca, and of
penitent drunkards.
CLUB. St. James Minor, Apostle and
Martyr.
COMB, iron, Bishop’s robes. St. Blaise, Martyr, A. D. 289.
Patron saint of
wool-combers, wild animals,
and against diseases of the
throat.
CROSS, transversed, shaped St. Andrew, Apostle and Martyr.
thus—❌. Gospel. White Patron saint of Scotland
hair and beard. and Russia.
CROSS. Crutch. Beardless. St. John Gualberto, A. D.
Light grey habit. 1073. Founder of the
Vallombrosan Order of
Reformed Benedictines.
CROSS at the end of a staff or St. Philip, Apostle and Martyr.
crozier, or small cross in his
hand or T-shaped.
CROSS, blue and red, on his St. John de Matha, A. D.
breast. White habit. 1213. Founder of the Order
Angel leading captives. of Trinitarians.
CROSS. Lily. Javelins. Palm. St. Miniato, Martyr, A. D. 254.
Crown. Cross T-shaped. Scarlet robe.
CROSS. Pyx. Lily. Franciscan St. Clara, A. D. 1253. Founder
habit. Black veil. of the Order of Poor
Clares, Franciscan nuns.
CROSS. Dragon under her feet. St. Margaret, Virgin Martyr,
Crown. Palm. A. D. 306.
CROSS, red, on his breast. In St. Maurice, Martyr, A. D.
armour. Sometimes as a 286. Patron saint of Austria,
Moor, or with eagle on Savoy, and Mantua,
banner or shield. and of foot soldiers.
CROSS, large. Robes of royalty. St. Oswald, A. D. 642.
CROSS, large. Royal robes. St. Helena, A. D. 328. Mother
of Constantine the Great.
CROWN and sceptre at his St. Procopius, A. D. 1053.
feet. Doe by his side.
Hermit’s garb.
CROWN and sceptre at his feet. St. Louis of Toulouse,
Young. Beardless. Fleur-de-lys A. D. 1297.
embroidered on
Bishop’s robes. Mitre.
Sometimes Franciscan habit.
CROWN and sceptre at his St. Casimir of Poland,
feet, or by his side. Lily. A. D. 1483.
Royal robes. Young.
CROWN. Palm. In the Benedictine St. Flavia, Martyr, A. D. 540.
groups.
CROWN OF THORNS. Stigmata. St. Catherine of Siena,
Lily. Dominican habit. A. D. 1380.
CROWN OF THORNS in his St. Louis IX., King of France,
hand. Sword. Sceptre. A. D. 1270.
Crown. Franciscan habit
or royal robes.
CROWNS, three, embroidered St. Charlemagne, A. D. 814.
on his robe. Globe. Cross.
In armour. Ermine mantle.
CRUCIFIX wreathed with a St. Nicholas of Tolentino,
lily. Star on his breast. A. D. 1309.
Gospel. Augustine habit.
CRUCIFIX. Sometimes wings. St. Vincent Ferraris,
Dominican habit. A. D. 1419.
CRUCIFIX. Lily. Surplice St. Francis Xavier, A. D. 1552.
over black habit. Patron saint of India.
CRUCIFIX. Pyx. Dominican habit. St. Hyacinth, A. D. 1257.
CRUTCH, sometimes with a St. Anthony, Hermit, A. D. 357.
bell suspended from it.
Hog. Asperges. Flames
of fire in the background.
Skull. Crucifix. Monk’s
habit.
CRUTCH. Long white beard. St. Romualdo, A. D. 1027.
White habit. Founder of the Order of
Camaldolesi, reformed
Benedictines.
CUP, with serpent. Eagle. St. John, Apostle and
Pen. Book. Evangelist.
CUP, or pitcher broken. Thorn St. Benedict, A. D. 543.
bush. Broken sieve. Raven Founder of the Benedictine
with a loaf in its beak. Order.
Asperges. Mitre. Staff.
Black habit.
CUP, broken. Palm. St. Donato of Arezzo, Martyr.
CUP, and sponge with drops St. Pudentiana, A. D. 148.
of blood.
CUP and wafer. Tower with St. Barbara, Virgin Martyr,
three windows. Book. A. D. 303. Patron saint
Sword. Palm. Feather. of Ferrara, and Mantua,
armourers, fortifications,
and against thunder and
lightning.
DATES, cluster of, on palm. St. Ansano, Martyr. Patron
Cross. Young. Richly saint of Siena.
dressed.
DEMON, bound. Beehive. St. Bernard of Clairvaux, A. D.
Pen, papers, ink-horn. 1153. Founder of the
White habit. Three mitres Cistercian Order of Reformed
on a book, or at his feet. Benedictines.
DEMON trying to blow out a St. Gudula, A. D. 712. Patron
lantern. saint of Brussels.
DEMON, holding bellows, and St. Geneviève, A. D. 509.
trying to blow out lighted Patron saint of Paris.
taper. Distaff. Sheep.
Spindle. Book. Sometimes
basket of provisions.
DISH. Pilgrim’s habit, old St. Alexis, A. D. 400. Patron
and worn. Cross. Palm. saint of pilgrims and beggars.
DISH, eyes on. Lamp. Awl. St. Lucy, Virgin Martyr,
Sword or wound in her A. D. 303. Patron saint of
neck from which stream Syracuse and against
rays of light. Palm. diseases of the eye.
DOG, with a torch in its St. Dominick, A. D. 1221.
mouth. Lily. Book. Founder of the Dominican
Star on his forehead. Rosary. Order.
Dominican habit.
DOG. Pilgrim’s habit. Staff. St. Roch, A. D. 1327. Patron
Wallet and cockle-shell. saint of prisoners, and those
Pointing to wound in his stricken with plague.
leg.
DOG at her feet. Checkered habit. St. Margaret of Cortona,
A. D. 1297.
DOVE. Lily. Benedictine habit. St. Scholastica, sister of St.
Benedict, A. D. 543.
DOVE on his shoulder or St. Gregory, A. D. 604. One
close to his ear. Pope’s of the Four Latin Fathers
robes. Tiara. Crozier of the Church.
with double cross. Book.
DRAGON at his feet. In armour. St. George, Martyr, A. D. 303.
Standard. Lance. Palm. Patron saint of England,
Germany, Venice,
soldiers and armourers.
DRAGON, small, its mouth St. Sylvester, Pope, A. D. 335.
bound with threads. Bull.
Holding or pointing to the
portraits of St. Peter and
St. Paul. Pope’s robes.
Mitre. Sometimes triple
tiara.
DRAGON under his feet. In St. Theodore, Martyr,
armour. A. D. 319. Patron saint of
Venice.
DRAGON at his feet. Bishop’s St. Mercuriale, second century.
robes. Bishop of Forli.
DRAGON under her feet. St. Margaret, Virgin Martyr,
Crown. Cross. Palm. A. D. 306.
DRAGON, bound at her feet. St. Martha of Bethany,
Asperges. Pot of holy A. D. 84. Patron saint of
water. Bunch of keys. cooks and housewives.
Skimmer or ladle.
DRAGON, driving into the sea. St. Pol-de-Léon, A. D. 573.
Bell. Sometimes loaf and
cruse.
EAGLE by her side. Lion. St. Prisca, Virgin Martyr,
Palm. A. D. 275.
EAGLE. Sometimes cup with St. John the Evangelist.
serpent. Pen. Book.
EYES, on a dish. Sword or St. Lucy, Virgin Martyr,
wound in her neck. Lamp. A. D. 303. Patron saint of
Palm. Syracuse, and against
diseases of the eye.
EYES, two, on a book. Crozier, St. Ottilia, Martyr, A. D. 720.
or palm. Benedictine habit. Patron saint of Alsace, and
Strasburg, and against
diseases of the eye.
FACE of Christ on a napkin. St. Veronica, Martyr.
FALCON. In armour, or as a St. Bavon, A. D. 657. Patron
hermit praying in a hollow saint of Ghent, and Haarlem.
tree. Huge stone.
FETTERS and chains. Crozier. St. Leonard, A. D. 559. Patron
Book. Deacon’s dress, or saint of prisoners, and
Benedictine habit. captives.
FETTERS and chains in her St. Balbina, A. D. 130. She
hand. Found only in Rome. was the daughter of the
Prefect Quirinus, and
discovered the lost chains
of St. Peter.
FINGER on his lip. Sometimes St. John Nepomuck, A. D. 1393.
with mouth padlocked. Patron saint of
Five stars over his head. bridges, and running water,
of silence, and against
slander.
FIRE near him or in the background. St. Anthony, Hermit, A. D. 357.
Crutch with bell.
Hog. Asperges. Skull.
Crucifix. Monk’s habit.
FIRE, throwing water on a St. Florian, Martyr. Patron
burning house. Millstone. saint of Austria.
FISH. Keys. Cross. Cock. St. Peter, Apostle and Martyr.
FISH with a key in its mouth. St. Benno, A. D. 1100.
Bishop’s robes.
FISH. Bishop’s robes. St. Ulrich, A. D. 973. Patron
saint of Augsburg.
FISH suspended from his crozier. St. Zeno, A. D. 380. Patron
Bishop’s robes. saint of Verona.
FISH at his feet. Bishop’s robes. St. Corentin of Brittany,
A. D. 495.
FLAME OF FIRE in his hand St. Anthony of Padua,
or on his breast. Infant A. D. 1231.
Christ in his arms or on
his book. Lily. Crucifix.
Mule kneeling. Franciscan
habit.
FLEUR-DE-LYS embroidered St. Louis of Toulouse,
on Bishop’s robes. Mitre. A. D. 1297.
Crown and sceptre at his
feet. Young and beardless.
Sometimes Franciscan habit.
FLEUR-DE-LYS embroidered on St. Louis IX., King of France,
royal robes. Crown and A. D. 1270.
sceptre at his feet. Holding
crown of thorns. Sometimes
Franciscan habit.
FLOWERS, three. Swan. Carthusian St. Hugh of Lincoln,
habit. A. D. 1126.
FORK, two-pronged. Lictor’s St. Martina, Virgin Martyr,
axe. A. D. 230.
FOUNTAIN. Sometimes head St. Alban, A. D. 305.
in his hand. Sword. England’s protomartyr.
GLOBE and cross. Three St. Charlemagne, A. D. 814.
crowns embroidered on his
robe. In armour. Ermine mantle.
GOOSE. Dividing his cloak St. Martin of Tours,
with a beggar. Beggar at A. D. 397. Patron saint of
his feet. Sometimes as Tours, and Lucca, and of
soldier, or in Bishop’s robes. penitent drunkards.
GRIDIRON. Deacon’s robes. St. Laurence, A. D. 258.
Sometimes gridiron embroidered Patron saint of Nuremberg,
on his robe. Palm. and Genoa.
HAIR and beard long. Half-naked. St. Paul, the Hermit of
Very old. Sometimes Thebes, A. D. 344.
a raven near.
HALBERD (in Germany). St. Jude or Thaddeus, Apostle
and Martyr.
HARROW. Bishop’s robes. St. Frediano of Lucca,
A. D. 560.
HAT, Cardinal’s, near. Sometimes St. Jerome, A. D. 420. One
Cardinal’s robes. of the Four Latin Fathers
Old. Wasted. Long beard. of the Church.
Books. Skull. Crucifix.
Lion. Church in his hand.
HAT, Cardinal’s, hanging on St. Bonaventura, A. D. 1274.
a tree or at his feet. Angel
with pyx. Book. Cardinal’s
robes, or Franciscan habit.
HAWK. Shield with nine balls. St. Quirinus the Tribune,
A. D. 130.
HEAD, blood flowing from, St. Peter Martyr, A. D. 1252.
or pierced by an axe or
sword. Palm. Crucifix.
Dominican habit.
HEAD, blood flowing from, or St. Thomas à Becket,
pierced by a sword. Benedictine A. D. 1170.
habit or Bishop’s robes.
HEAD of a man under her St. Catherine of Alexandria,
feet. Wheel. Crown. Virgin Martyr, A. D. 307.
Palm. Book. Receiving Patron saint of Venice,
ring from the Christ-Child. philosophy, science,
students, and against
diseases of the tongue.
HEAD, carrying his own. St. Clair, Martyr, third
Found only in Rouen. century.
HEAD, carrying in both hands, St. Proculus, Martyr,
or axe in his hand, or angel A. D. 303. Patron saint of
holding an axe. In armour. Bologna.
Sword.
HEAD in his hand. Sword. St. Alban, A. D. 305. England’s
Fountain. protomartyr.
HEAD, carrying his own. Bishop’s St. Denis, Martyr,
robes. first century.
HEAD, carrying her own. Palm. St. Valerie, Martyr.
HEAD, carrying St. Alexander’s, St. Grata, A. D. 300.
accompanied by St. Adelaide
as Queen with a veil,
St. Lupo with crown, and
St. Alexander in armour. Palm.
HEART, flaming or transfixed St. Augustine, A. D. 430. One
by an arrow. Infant by the of the Four Latin Fathers of
seashore. Book in his hand the Church.
or at his feet. Bishop’s
robes. Mitre. Crozier.
HEART with I. H. S. Angel St. Theresa, A. D. 1582.
with flame-tipped arrow. Patron saint of Spain.
Dove. Lily. Crucifix. Founder of the Scalzi,
Carmelite habit. reformed Carmelites.
HEART, crowned by thorns. St. Ignatius Loyola, A. D.
I. H. S. in the skies, or on 1556. Founder of the
a tablet borne by angels. Jesuit Order.
HERMIT praying in a hollow St. Bavon, A. D. 657. Patron
tree, or as a prince in saint of Ghent and Haarlem.
armour, with falcon in his
hand. Huge stone.
HIND, pierced by an arrow, St. Giles, Hermit, A. D. 725.
in his arms or at his feet. Patron saint of Edinburgh,
Old. Benedictine habit. of woods, cripples, beggars,
lepers.
HOG. Bell and crutch. Asperges. St. Anthony, Hermit, A. D. 357.
Flames of fire in Patron saint against
the background. Skull. fire, here and hereafter.
Crucifix. Monk’s habit.
HORSES, tied to wild. Bunch St. Hippolytus, Martyr,
of keys. Sometimes iron A. D. 258. The jailer of
comb. In armour. St. Laurence.
I. H. S. on a tablet surrounded St. Bernardino of Siena,
by rays. Sometimes three A. D. 1444. Founder of the
mitres, or three mounds Order of Observants,
surmounted by a standard reformed Franciscans.
or cross. Franciscan habit.
I. H. S. on heart. Angel with St. Theresa, A. D. 1582.
flame-tipped arrow. Dove. Patron saint of Spain.
Lily. Crucifix. Carmelite Founder of the Scalzi,
habit. reformed Carmelites.
I. H. S. in the sky, or on a St. Ignatius Loyola,
tablet borne by angels. A. D. 1556. Founder of the
Heart crowned by thorns. Jesuits.
INSTRUMENTS, surgical. Box St. Cosmo and St. Damian,
of ointment. Two men in Martyrs, A. D. 301. Patron
red robes. Palms. saints of medicine, and the
Medici family.
JAVELIN, with the point reversed. St. Filomena, Martyr,
Lily. Palm. A. D. 303.
JAVELIN or lance at his feet. St. Lambert, Martyr,
Palm. Bishop’s robes. A. D. 709.
JAVELINS. Lily. Crown. St. Miniato, Martyr,
T-shaped cross. Palm. A. D. 254.
Scarlet robe.
JUDGE or Doctor of Laws. St. Ives of Bretagne,
Sometimes surrounded by A. D. 1303. Patron saint of
widows and orphans. Sometimes lawyers.
wears the Franciscan
cord around his furred robe.
KEYS. Fish. Cross. Cock. St. Peter, Apostle and Martyr.
KEYS at her girdle. Dragon St. Martha of Bethany,
bound at her feet. Pot of A. D. 84. Patron saint of
holy water. Asperges. cooks and housewives.
Skimmer or ladle.
KNIFE. Sometimes carrying St. Bartholomew, Apostle and
his own skin. Martyr.
KNIFE, shoemaker’s, or awl. St. Crispin and St. Crispianus,
Palm. Two saints together. Martyrs, A. D. 300. Patron
saints of Soissons.
LABARUM or Standard of the St. Constantine, A. D. 335.
Cross. As Roman Emperor
or warrior.
LAMB. Reed cross. Scroll. St. John the Baptist. Patron
Camel’s hair garment. saint of Florence, and all
who are baptised.
LAMB. Hair as a cloak. St. Agnes, Virgin Martyr,
Olive branch. Crown. Palm. A. D. 304.
LAMB. Stigmata. Lily. St. Francis of Assisi,
Skull. Crucifix. Franciscan habit. A. D. 1226. Founder of the
Franciscan Order.
LAMP. Eyes on a dish. Sword St. Lucy, Virgin Martyr,
or wound in her neck. Palm. A. D. 303. Patron saint of
Syracuse, and against
diseases of the eye.
LILY. Crutch or stick. St. Joseph, husband of the
Blessed Virgin.
LILY. Lamb. Stigmata. St. Francis of Assisi,
Skull. Crucifix. Franciscan habit. A. D. 1226. Founder of the
Franciscan Order.
LILY. Flame of fire in his St. Anthony of Padua,
hand or on his breast. A. D. 1231.
Infant Christ in his arms
or on his book. Mule kneeling.
Crucifix. Franciscan
habit.
LILY. Star on his forehead. St. Dominick, A. D. 1221.
Dog with torch in its mouth. Founder of the Dominican
Rosary. Book. Dominican habit. Order.
LILY. Crown and sceptre St. Casimir of Poland,
at his feet. Royal robes. Young. A. D. 1483.
LILY. Crucifix. Surplice over St. Francis Xavier,
black habit. A. D. 1552. Patron saint of
India.
LILY. Pyx. Cross. Franciscan St. Clara, A. D. 1253. Founder
habit. Black veil. of the Order of Poor Clares,
Franciscan nuns.
LILY. Crown of thorns. St. Catherine of Siena,
Stigmata. Dominican habit. A. D. 1380.
LILY. Sword. Palm. Lion St. Euphemia, Virgin Martyr,
at her side. A. D. 307.
LION, generally winged. St. Mark, Evangelist and
Bishop’s robes. Book. Martyr.
LION. Old, ragged, wasted. St. Jerome, A. D. 420. One
Long beard. Skull. Crucifix. of the Four Latin Fathers
Book, or Cardinal’s of the Church. Founder of
robes. Church in his hand. Monachism in the West.
Cardinal’s hat near. Patron saint of scholars.
MILLSTONE. In armour. St. Victor of Marseilles,
Martyr, A. D. 303.
MILLSTONE. Throwing water St. Florian. A patron saint
on a burning house. of Austria.
MILLSTONE. Crown. Arrows. Palm. St. Christina, Martyr,
A. D. 295. Patron saint of
Bolsena and Venice.
MITRES, three, on a book St. Bernard of Clairvaux,
or at his feet. Beehive. A. D. 1153. Founder of the
Ink-horn, pen, and papers. Cistercians, reformed
Demon bound. White habit. Benedictines.
MITRES, three. I. H. S. on St. Bernardino of Siena,
a tablet surrounded by A. D. 1444. Founder of the
rays. Three mounds surmounted Order of Observants,
by the Standard reformed Franciscans.
or Cross. Franciscan habit.
MOOR, in armour, or with St. Maurice, Martyr, A. D. 286.
eagle on banner and shield. Patron saint of
Large red cross on his breast. Austria, Mantua, Savoy,
and of foot-soldiers.
MOOR, in armour. St. Victor of Milan, Martyr,
A. D. 303.
MULE KNEELING. Flame in his St. Anthony of Padua,
hand or on his breast. A. D. 1231.
Infant Christ in his arms
or on his book. Crucifix.
Lily. Franciscan habit.
MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS. Crown St. Cecilia, Virgin Martyr,
of red and white roses. A. D. 280. Patron saint
Angel. Palm. Scroll of music. of music and musicians.
NUN. Crozier. Pilgrim’s St. Bridget of Sweden, A. D.
staff. Dove. Black and 1373. Founder of the
white habit. White veil Order of Brigittines.
with red band across the
forehead.
OTTER by his side. Bishop’s St. Cuthbert of Durham,
robes. Crowned head of A. D. 687.
King Oswald in his arms.
OX (winged). Book. Portrait St. Luke, Evangelist, Martyr.
of the Virgin.
OX at his feet. Small dragon St. Sylvester, Pope,
in his hand. Sometimes A. D. 335.
portraits of St. Peter and
St. Paul. Pope’s or Bishop’s
robes.
PINCERS, holding a tooth. St. Apollonia of Alexandria,
Palm. Virgin Martyr, A. D. 250.
Patron saint against
toothache.
PINCERS, holding tongue in. St. Lieven, Martyr, A. D. 656.
Bishop’s robes.
PLOUGHSHARES, walking over. St. Cunegunda of Bavaria,
Church in her hand. Royal A. D. 1040.
robes.
POTS, earthenware. Sometimes St. Justa and St. Rufina,
the Giralda (tower) Martyrs, A. D. 304.
of Seville between them.
Two young girls with
palms.
PRIESTS, two. Palms. St. Peter Exorcista and St.
Marcellinus, Martyrs,
A. D. 304.
PYX. Cross. Lily. Franciscan St. Clara, A. D. 1253. Founder
habit. Black veil. of the Poor Clares,
Franciscan nuns.
RAVEN with a loaf in its beak. St. Benedict, A. D. 543.
Broken pitcher or cup. Founder of the Benedictine
Broken sieve. Thorn bush. Order.
Asperges. Mitre and staff.
Black habit, sometimes white.
RAVEN. Very old. Half St. Paul the Hermit of Thebes,
naked. Long hair and beard. A. D. 344.
RAVEN or crow sometimes on St. Vincent, Martyr, A. D. 304.
a millstone. Palm. Young. Patron saint of
Deacon’s dress. Valencia, Saragossa, Lisbon,
Milan, and Chalons.
RING. Royal robes. Sceptre St. Edward the Confessor,
surmounted by a dove. A. D. 1066.
ROPE around his neck. Barefooted. St. Charles Borromeo,
Cardinal’s robes. A. D. 1584. Archbishop of
Milan.
ROSES, red and white, in her St. Elizabeth of Hungary,
lap. Cripple or beggar at A. D. 1231.
her feet. Sometimes three
crowns. Royal robes or
Franciscan habit.
ROSES, crown of red and white. St. Cecilia, Virgin Martyr,
Angel. Palm. Musical A. D. 280. Patron saint
instruments. Organ. of music and musicians.
ROSES, crown of, or in her St. Dorothea of Cappadocia,
hand. Angel holding basket Virgin Martyr, A. D. 303.
with three apples and three
roses. Palm.
ROSES falling from his mouth. St. Angelus the Carmelite,
White over brown habit. A. D. 1220.
ROSES, chaplet of. Franciscan habit. St. Rosa di Viterbo,
A. D. 1261.
RULE, builder’s or carpenter’s. St. Thomas, Apostle and Martyr.
Patron saint of builders
and architects.
SAW. St. Simon Zelotes, Apostle.,
Martyr.
SCOURGE with three knotted St. Ambrose, A. D. 397. One
thongs. Beehive. Two of the Four Latin Fathers
human bones. Books. of the Church. Patron
Bishop’s robes. Mitre. Crozier. saint of Milan.
SEA, walking over, or in the St. Raymond of Peñaforte,
background. Dominican habit. A. D. 1275.
SERPENTS at her side or St. Verdiana, A. D. 242.
feeding from a basket.
SEVEN youths surrounding St. Felicitas and her seven
her. Palm. Veil. sons, Martyrs, A. D. 173.
Patron saint of male heirs.
SHEARS. Dish with female St. Agatha, Virgin Martyr,
breast. Palm. Veil. A. D. 251. Patron saint
of Malta and Catania, and
against fire and diseases of
the breast.
SKIN, carrying his own. Knife. St. Bartholomew, Apostle.
Martyr.
SKULL. Stigmata. Lily. St. Francis of Assisi,
Crucifix. Lamb. Franciscan habit. A. D. 1226. Founder of the
Franciscan Order.
SPADE. Old. St. Phocas of Sinope, Martyr,
A. D. 303. Patron saint
of gardens and gardeners.
SPEAR or lance. Roman soldier. St. Longinus, A. D. 45. The
centurion at the crucifixion.
Patron saint of Mantua.
SPIDER over a cup. Sometimes St. Norbert, A. D. 1134.
demon bound. White Founder of the Order of
over black habit. Premonstratensians.
STAG. Hunting horn. Richly St. Julian Hospitator,
attired. River and boat A. D. 313. Patron saint of
in the background. boatmen, travellers, and
wandering minstrels.
STAG with crucifix between St. Eustace, Martyr, A. D. 118.
its horns. In armour.
STAG with crucifix between St. Hubert, A. D. 727. Bishop
its horns. Hunting horn. of Liège. Patron saint of
Book. Huntsman’s dress, the chase and of dogs.
or Bishop’s robes. (Seldom
found in Italy.)
STAR on his forehead. Dog St. Dominick, A. D. 1221.
with torch in its mouth. Founder of the Dominican
Lily. Rosary. Book. Order.
Dominican habit.
STAR. Five around his head. St. John Nepomuck, A. D. 1393.
Finger or padlock on his lip. Patron saint of bridges
and running water, of
silence, and against slander.
STAR on his breast. Crucifix St. Nicholas of Tolentino,
wreathed with a lily. Gospel. A. D. 1309.
Augustine habit.
STIGMATA. Lily. Lamb. St. Francis of Assisi,
Crucifix. Franciscan habit. A. D. 1226. Founder of the
Franciscan Order.
STONES. Palm. Deacon’s St. Stephen, Protomartyr.
robes.
STONES, chasuble full of. St. Alphege, Archbishop of
Canterbury.
SUN on his breast. Books. St. Thomas Aquinas, A. D. 1274.
Sacramental cup. Dove.
SWORD, sometimes two swords. St. Paul, Apostle, Martyr.
Book. Scroll.
SWORD. Shield. Spear. St. Michael the Archangel.
Scales. Winged. In armour.
Dragon under his foot.
SWORD at his feet. Palm or St. Pantaleon of Nicomedia,
olive. As martyr bound or Martyr, fourth century.
hands nailed over his head Patron saint of physicians.
to a tree. Young. Beardless.
SWORD or axe in his head, or St. Peter, Martyr, A. D. 1252.
gash in his head, blood
trickling from it. Palm.
Dominican habit.
SWORD. Tower with three St. Barbara, Virgin Martyr,
windows. Feather. Cup A. D. 303. Patron saint of
and wafer. Crown. Palm. Mantua and Ferrara, arms,
armourers, and
fortifications, and against
thunder and lightning.
SWORD through her breast. St. Justina of Padua, Virgin
Crown. Palm. Martyr, A. D. 303. Patron
saint of Padua and Venice.
T, blue, on his shoulder. St. Anthony the Hermit,
Crutch and bell. Asperges. A. D. 357.
Hog. Flames of fire. Skull.
Crucifix. Monk’s habit.
TOWER with three windows. St. Barbara, Virgin Martyr,
Crown. Sword. Feather. A. D. 303. Patron saint
Cup and wafer. Palm. of Mantua and Ferrara,
armourers, and
fortifications, and against
thunder and lightning.
TREE coming into leaf. Bishop’s robes. St. Zenobio of Florence,
A. D. 417.
TWO men in red robes and St. Cosmo and St. Damian,
caps. Surgical instruments. Martyrs, A. D. 301. Patron
Box of ointment. saints of medicine, and the
Medici family.
TWO men, one old, the other St. Nazarius and St. Celsus,
young. Sword. Palm. Martyrs, A. D. 69. Patron
saints of Milan.
TWO men in armour. Palms. St. John and St. Paul, brothers
(SS. Giovanni e Paolo),
Martyrs. A. D. 362.
UNICORN at her feet. Palm. St. Justina of Antioch, Virgin
(See St. Cyprian.) Martyr, A. D. 304.
VASE or box of ointment. St. Mary Magdalene, A. D. 68.
Long fair hair. Skull. Patron saint of Marseilles,
Crucifix. Provence, and of
frail and penitent women.
WHEEL. Crown. Palm. St. Catherine of Alexandria,
Sometimes trampling on Virgin Martyr, A. D. 307.
a pagan. Book. Sword. Patron saint of Venice,
Receiving ring from the colleges, philosophy,
Christ-Child. science, eloquence, and
against diseases of the
tongue.
WHEEL, small. Candle in his St. Erasmus or Elmo, A. D. 296.
hands or on his head.
Bishop’s robes.
WINGS. Crucifix. Dominican habit. St. Vincent Ferraris,
A. D. 1419.
WOLF. A boy with a palm. St. Vitus, Martyr, A. D. 303.
Sometimes a lion, or caldron Patron saint of Saxony,
of oil. Cock. Bohemia, and Sicily, of
actors and dancers, against
nervous diseases, and late
rising.
WOUND, pointing to, in his leg. St. Roch, A. D. 1327. Patron
Dog. Pilgrim’s habit. saint of prisoners and the
Wallet. Cockleshell. Staff. sick, especially the
plague-stricken.
WOUND in her neck, rays St. Lucy, Virgin Martyr,
streaming from it. Lamp. A. D. 303. Patron saint of
Sword. Palm. Sometimes Syracuse, and against
eyes on a dish. diseases of the eye.
II.—SAINTS AND SYMBOLS
ST. ADRIAN, A. D. 290. Sept. Armed. Anvil in hands or
8. Patron saint of Germany at feet. Sometimes lion,
and Flanders, of soldiers, emblem of fortitude, sometimes
and against the plague, also sword or axe lying
patron of Flemish brewers. beside anvil.
ST. AGATHA, A. D. 251. Feb. Palm. Salver with female
5. Patron saint of Malta breast. Shears. Veil.
and Catania and against fire
and diseases of the breast.
ST. AGNES, Virgin and Martyr, Hair as cloak. Lamb. Palm.
A. D. 304. Jan. 21. Olive branch. Crown.
ST. ALBAN, A. D. 305. June Fountain. Sword. Sometimes
22. England’s protomartyr. head in his hand.
ST. ALBERT the Carmelite, Episcopal robes. Palm.
A. D. 1214. April 8.
Founder of the Carmelite
Order, Bishop of Vercelli,
Patriarch of Jerusalem.
ST. ALEXIS, A. D. 400. July Pilgrim’s habit, ragged and
17. Patron saint of pilgrims worn. Beggar’s dish.
and beggars. Palm. Cross.
ST. ALPHEGE, A. D. 1012. Stones, chasuble full of.
April 19. Archbishop of
Canterbury.