§ 78. Other Christian Symbols.
§ 78. Other Christian Symbols.
The following symbols, borrowed from the Scriptures, were frequently represented in the catacombs, and relate to the virtues and duties of the Christian life: The dove, with or without the olive branch, the type of simplicity and innocence; the ship, representing sometimes the church, as safely sailing through the flood of corruption, with reference to Noah’s ark, sometimes the individual soul on its voyage to the heavenly home under the conduct of the storm-controlling Saviour; the palm-branch, which the seer of the Apocalypse puts into the hands of the elect, as the sign of victory; the anchor, the figure of hope; the lyre, denoting festal joy and sweet harmony; the cock, an admonition to watchfulness, with reference to Peter’s fall; the hart which pants for the fresh water-brooks; and the vine which, with its branches and clusters, illustrates the union of the Christians with Christ according to the parable, and the richness and joyfulness of Christian life.’
The phoenix, the symbol of rejuvenation and of the resurrection, is derived from the well-known heathen myth.