What Do All Those Religious Symbols Mean?

by Melony Brown

For centuries, Christians have been mystified by Scriptures that leave them with more questions than answers. The Scriptures in question present God’s truth through the use of symbols. Christ followers wonder about God’s purpose in using symbols. Wouldn’t it be easier to just spell it out clearly? Some Christians suppose God’s use of symbols is tied to our quest as humans to always be ‘in the know’ and God’s desire for us to ‘know Him.’ We begin to ‘know Him’ better as we study His word, asking for Him to reveal the meanings of the symbols He uses.

The symbol of the dove is introduced when Noah and his family were seeking an end to their time on the ark. Three doves were sent out at separate times to look for dry land. When the third dove did not return, Noah experienced the hope found in answered prayer. Matthew 3:16 refers to the Holy Spirit as a dove: “As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him.” So, the dove represents hope found in the Holy Spirit.

References to fish and fishermen are woven throughout the Bible. In fact, the fish symbol is thought to have originated because at least seven of Jesus’ disciples were fishermen. It is believed the early Christians chose the fish symbol because the Greek word for fish is ichthus (a code name for Christ). Even first-century Christians used symbols to communicate with others of like mind. They gathered for secret meetings in the catacombs of Rome. The fish symbol was used to signal fellow Christians that a meeting was nearby. Christians still use the fish symbol to represent their faith in Jesus. The fish has become Christianity’s chief symbol.

Another interesting symbol, mentioned throughout the Bible, is the almond. In Exodus 25:34, Moses is given these instructions about how to construct the tabernacle: “And on the lamp stand there are to be four cups shaped like almond flowers with buds and blossoms.” Then in Numbers 17:8, Moses discovered his brother’s staff had changed: “The next day Moses entered the Tent of the Testimony and saw that Aaron’s staff, which represented the house of Levi, had not only sprouted but had budded, blossomed, and produced almonds.” The almonds in these verses represent the commitment God has to His people.

Later in the Old Testament, the meaning of the almond changes. For example, in Ecclesiastes 12:5 Solomon reflects on how life is meaningless without God. It says, “[w]hen the almond tree blossoms and the grasshopper drags himself along and desire no longer is stirred. Then man goes to his eternal home and mourners go about the streets.” Scholars believe the almond represents the rapid aging of mankind. The word of the Lord came to Jeremiah because the people of Judah continued to sin. In Jeremiah 1: 10-11, the vision of the almond tree Jeremiah experiences represents the beginning of God’s judgment just as the almond tree is the first to bloom in the spring.  

Many symbols are mentioned in the book of Revelation. In fact, there are too many to discuss in this article. Some of them seem quite scary, but it is important to remember that symbols represent people and things and are not necessarily true to form.

Those who diligently study God’s Word will discover hidden truths in the symbols God uses to communicate His message of love, salvation, and hope. The desire to understand the symbols will likely cause believers to continue to dig through God’s Word, thus strengthening their relationship with Him and learning more about His Will for their lives.