X. The OLIVE = Peace; attribute of the Angels of the Nativity—St. Gabriel, St. Agnes, &c.
XI. The DOVE is the symbol of the Holy Ghost. It is shown at the Annunciation, Baptism, and over the heads of saints considered specially inspired; (2) emblem of the Soul.
XII. The LILY = Purity, especial attribute of the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Gabriel, St. Joseph, St. Francis.
XIII. The BOOK signifies the Gospel or an Evangelist; or in the hands of other saints, learning and writings.
XIV. A CHURCH in the hands of a saint indicates that he (or she) was the founder; an attribute of St. Jerome as a Primitive Father.
XV. A SHIP or ARK = The Holy Catholic Church.
XVII. A LAMP, LANTERN or TAPER = Piety or Wisdom.
XVIII. The CHALICE, with Host, symbol of the Holy Eucharist; also = Faith.
The Chalice, with Serpent, attribute of St. John, in reference to tradition of poisoned Chalice.
XIX. The FOUR EVANGELISTS were, in very early times, symbolised by four scrolls on the arms of an equilateral cross.
Later (from Second to Fifth Century) by four rivers, and from the Fifth Century onwards by the four Living Creatures.
ST. MATTHEW = the winged man, in reference to his gospel showing the Humanity of Christ.
ST. MARK = the Lion, his gospel being especially for the Jews.
ST. LUKE = the Ox, showing the sacrificial aspect.
ST. JOHN = the Eagle, ‘taking the highest flight and portraying the Divinity’ of our LORD.
The earliest representations are purely emblematical—twelve sheep in a row (six on each side) with the ‘Agnus Dei’ in the middle.
The next twelve men, all exactly alike, carrying a sheep, with our LORD as the Good Shepherd larger than the others.
Afterwards the attributes of the Twelve Apostles became as follows:—
XXI. A CIRCLE signifies the World or Eternity, or perfection.
An EQUILATERAL TRIANGLE (or other equal three-fold form) stands for the Holy Trinity.
A SQUARE or QUATREFOIL for the World, ruled by the Cross.
XXII. The MONOGRAMS IH̅C̅ or IH̅S̅, and XP̅C̅ or XP̅S̅, are the first two and last letters of the Name JESUS and the title Christ in Greek (the C being the older form of S). They have been used from very early times, and are among the most beautiful and suggestive of the symbols. They should not be used indiscriminately, but given a due place of honour, such as on an altar-frontal or the orphrey of a chasuble or cope. They can be, and often are, extremely decorative, and the thoughtless worker is sometimes betrayed into placing them most inappropriately simply because she happens to possess a good drawing of one.