~ The Cross ~ ~ The Lamb ~

The cross is perhaps the best known of all Christian symbols.

In the ancient Church the cross was usually depicted without the
figure of Christ. It was adorned and decorated as a symbol of
the victory Christ won through His suffering. For the ancient
world it was a symbol of humiliation, but for Christians it was a
symbol of victory and glory. In Christian art, the figure of the
suffering Christ was added to the cross only in medieval times.
We refer to Christ as "The Lamb of God," and "The
Paschal Lamb," because he was sent as a sacrifice
for the sins of the world. We also lovingly refer to
Him as "The Good Shepherd," since He is our
Shepherd and told Peter to feed His sheep.
 ~ The Bells ~ ~ The Egg ~

The egg is like Jesus’ tomb. It is enclosed, it is

quiet, and it seems lifeless. Yet within an egg, the
promise of new life is waiting to burst forth. Jesus’
In countries like France and Italy the bells are silent from Holy
Thursday until Easter Sunday. In Germany and central Europe
tomb was like an egg until early on Easter when
even the bells on farm buildings are still, though they begin to Jesus rose up to a new and glorious life.
ring again on Holy Saturday. With the bells silent, the farm
people of the Middle Ages felt uneasy. So, to comfort
themselves and their children, they would say, "The bells have
flown to Rome, but they'll come back on Easter.”
 ~The Butterfly ~
Butterflies are an apt symbol of the day's meaning.
Beginning life as lowly humble caterpillars, they
"entomb" themselves in cocoons only to emerge with
jewel-colored wings and the ability to soar. What
better symbol of the Resurrection -- except maybe for
eggs, which had always been symbols of Spring and
were items of wonderment to all -- an inanimate object
out of which comes life. For Christians, they became
the perfect symbol of the tomb Christ conquered.
~ The Peacock ~
It was once believed that the flesh of the peacock
never corrupts, so peacocks became the classic
symbol of immortality. They are an ancient
Christian symbol of the Resurrection, and
representations of them are found on the tombs of
ancient Christians as an expression of their hope to
follow Christ in His defeat of death.
 ~ The Bread of Life ~ ~ The Lily ~

Bread and Wine/Wheat and Grapes: Because of the bread and wine
they produce, the symbols of wheat and grapes are often used to
designate the Eucharist. Bread is the basic food of every culture and
of every age in human history. A meal, in which bread is broken and
shared, becomes a means of bonding human beings together. Jesus
called Himself the "Bread of Life." Following His command, in faith
The lily represents purity, chastity, innocence, and St. Gabriel's
we take and eat this Bread, His Body, and become one with Him.
trumpet, and is a symbol of Our Lady and used to depict the purity
From ancient times wine is associated with banquets, joy and
of the Saints, especially SS. Joseph, Francis, Clare, Anthony of
celebration, a gift of God to gladden our hearts. The grapes, like the
Padua, and Catherine of Siena. In America, it has become, too, a
grains of wheat used for bread, are fruits of the earth and give of
symbol of the Resurrection. Legend says that lilies originated with
themselves in order that we might celebrate and be glad. The wine
Eve's tears when the first couple was banished from the Garden of
which becomes His Precious Blood, speaks to us of giving and of
Eden. Other legend says that they sprang up from the ground when
sacrifice in order that we might enjoy the benefits of His love in the
drops of blood fell to the foot of the Cross. It is interesting that
banquet which is the foretaste of heavenly joy.
these two legends exist, because Christ, the New Adam, wipes
away the tears of the children of Eve who became the children of
IHS: IHS stands for the first three letters of the name Jesus in Greek.
Mary when Christ gave her to us, through John, from the Cross.
Mary herself is symbolized also by another lily, lilium candidum,
or the Madonna Lily.
Resurrexit vere! Christus
resurrexit!

Truly, He is Risen!
Christ is Risen!