Churches across Europe are filled with symbols that often go unnoticed by travelers.
From carved keys to mysterious animals and Latin initials, each one carries a secret meaning rooted in centuries of Catholic tradition.
We have visited countless churches across Europe. These are some of the most fascinating symbols that we encountered.
We are sharing a brief explanation of their meaning, which will help you understand the secret Catholic world better on your next visit to one of these age-old architectural marvels.
I hope to update this list whenever we encounter a new symbol!
Chi Rho
The Christ monogram combines the Greek letters X (Chi) and P (Rho) layered to form a single symbol. It's known as the Chi-Rho or Constantine's Cross and was once referred to as the Christogram.
You'll typically find it carved into tombs and walls in the Roman catacombs, where early Christians used it as a sign of faith and hope.
Labyrinth
Labyrinths in cathedrals such as Amiens and Chartres in France are symbolic paths that represent a spiritual journey.
First laid during the Middle Ages, they served as an alternative to pilgrimages, offering a space for reflection and penance.
While Chartres features a circular design, the labyrinth in Amiens is octagonal, a shape often linked to themes of renewal and eternity in Christian tradition.
Eye of Providence
The Eye of Providence is also known as the All-Seeing Eye.
The eye represents the all-seeing god, and it sits in a triangle, which stands for the trinity: the father, the son, and the holy spirit.
Freemasons embraced the symbols during the Renaissance and Baroque periods and inserted them into stained windows and church stone plaques.
Alpha and Omega
Alpha and Omega are the first and last letters in the Greek alphabet. They embody the beginning and the end and the eternity of Jesus as the son of God.
The Fish (Ichthys)
The fish symbol known as Ichthys comes from the Greek word for fish and forms an acronym for “Jesus Christ, Son of God Savior.”
Early Christians are said to have used it as a secret sign of recognition, though this isn't historically confirmed. While its use faded in time, the symbol has seen a revival in the modern period in different forms.
Crosses
Crosses can come in all shapes and forms. The most well-known one is the classic Latin cross, which symbolizes the crucifixion.
Catholic churches typically display the Tau cross, the papal cross with three bars, the Jerusalem cross with four smaller crosses, and the Celtic cross with a circle behind the arms.
The Dove
A white dove is the symbol of the Holy Ghost, but it also represents peace.
The Sun
The sun is a powerful sign of glory, divine presence, and the authority of Christ.
Seen in forms like sunbursts and sun crosses, it represents righteousness, justice, and the unshakable light of truth.
IHS Monogram
IHS comes from the first three letters of Jesus name in Greek. In Latin script the Greek letters were adapted to form IHS which became a common abbreviation for Jesus in medieval times.
It was typically used in Bibles, church art, and decorations, sometimes with a small cross above it as a symbol of reverence.
Mason's Mark
Masons in medieval Europe were the rock stars in building breathtakingly beautiful churches and cathedrals.
Every master mason would engrave their “signature” in the form of a symbol into the church building, and you will randomly discover them in or outside church walls.
The one in the picture was at the back of the Rattenberg church in Austria, and the maker could have been a free mason.
Not every skilled stone mason was a Freemason, or, so to say, part of a guild, in medieval Europe.
The Keys of Heaven
The keys of heaven symbolize the papal authority, and they often appear as two crossed keys.
In plain terms, they are Saint Peter's keys to access heaven.
INRI
INRI is an abbreviation of the Latin phrase Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum, which translates to “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.”
This inscription was written in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin and placed on a plaque above Jesus during the crucifixion explaining the charge brought against him.
Order Symbols
Catholic knightly orders in the Church have been around for over 1000 years. Some of the most well-known ones include the Teutonic Order, Knights Templar, the Order of Malta, and the Order of Saint Lazarus.
You will randomly come across a knightly order emblem or symbol in a church.
The Snake
The serpent, snake, or even the dragon simply stands for the devil or evil in general.
The Skull
The skull and crossbones in a church setting symbolize Memento Mori, a Latin phrase meaning “remember you must die.”
This image was used to remind the faithful that life is temporary and death inevitable.
Meant to jolt the viewer into self-reflection, it urges a serious look at how one lives, believes, and prepares for what comes next.
Gargoyle
Gargoyles can be mostly seen on the outer walls of cathedrals in western Europe. They remind one to be vigilant, and they represent the demonic nature and sin.
The Lamb or Ram
The lamb or ram portrays a sacrifice. The symbolic has its origins in the Old Testament, where God provided a ram as a substitute sacrifice for Isaac.
It can also mean that Christ is the good shepherd, and the ram conveys strength, leadership, and protection with its horns symbolizing power and might.
The one in the picture might also include a tree of life, which is another common symbol in churches.
Stars
Stars have been used in religious buildings since ancient times, and Catholic churches sometimes include one or the other star-shaped form.
You will encounter pentagrams, 6-pointed stars, 8-pointed stars, and even 10-pointed stars. They appear in rose windows, on the floor, and on the walls and ceilings.
More Symbols & Abbreviations
We came across other symbols and abbreviations, and unfortunately we never learned the meaning of these.
Have you encountered unique signs in churches in Europe?
- PIVS X — An unknown abbreviation.
- D.o.M — an abbreviation for Deo Optimo Maximo, “To God, the Best and Greatest”.
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