Chrismon

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This article is about Christian symbolism. For the German Lutheran magazine called "Chrismon", see Chrismon (magazine).

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The Chi Rho Chrismon with Alpha and Omega, c. 1467

A chrismon is a Christian symbol representing Jesus Christ.[1] As in the case of Christogram, the term chrismon comes from the Latin phrase "Christi monogramma", meaning "monogram of Christ".[2]

Since early Christianity, the term chrismon has traditionally referred to any symbol or figure reminiscent of the name of Christ, by contrast with the basic christogram consisting of plain letters typically implying the presence of some kind of calligraphic ornamentation.[3][4]

In the 20th century the term also started to be used in a wider sense to refer to ornaments that are "symbols for Christ or some part of Christ's ministry"; these are often used during Advent and Christmas,[5] to decorate a Chrismon tree (or a Christmas tree), and include "the crow, descending down, fish, Celtic cross, Jerusalem cross, shepherd's crook, chalice, shell, and others".[6][7]

Traditional usage

A prominent chrismon is the Chi Rho symbol, formed by superimposing the first two (capital) letters chi and rho (ΧΡ) of the Greek word "ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ" =Christ.[8]

The Alpha and Omega symbols may at times accompany a chrismon.[9] In the 4th century, during the reign of Constantine, the terms chrismon and christogram only referred to the Chi Rho symbol.[10][dubious – discuss]

Chrismon tree

A Chrismon tree in the nave of St. Alban's Anglican Cathedral in Oviedo

A Chrismon tree is an evergreen tree often found in the chancel or nave of a church during Advent and Christmastide.[7][11] The Chrismon tree was first used by North American Lutherans in 1957,[12] although the practice has rapidly spread to other Christian denominations,[13] including Anglicans,[14] Catholics,[6] Methodists,[15] and the Reformed.[16] As with the Christmas tree,[17][18] the evergreen tree itself, for Christians, "symbolizes the eternal life Jesus Christ provides".[19] However, the Chrismon tree differs from the traditional Christmas tree in that it "is decorated only with clear lights and Chrismons made from white and gold material", the latter two being the liturgical colours of the Christmas season.[7][11] The Chrismon tree is adorned with Chrismons, "ancient symbols for Christ or some part of Christ's ministry: the crow, descending down, fish, Celtic cross, Jerusalem cross, shepherd's crook, chalice, shell, and others."[7][20] Laurence Hull Stookey writes that "because many symbols of the Chrismon tree direct our attention to the nature and ultimate work of Christ, they can be helpful in calling attention to Advent themes."[21]

References

  1. ↑ The Oxford Companion to Christian Art and Architecture by Peter Murray and Linda Murray 1996 ISBN 0198661657 page 100
  2. ↑ OED Online, under Chrismon
  3. ↑ Likeness and Presence: A History of the Image Before the Era of Art by Hans Belting, Edmund Jephcott 1997 ISBN 0226042154 pages 107-109
  4. ↑ Ersch et al., Volume 1, Issue 29 of Allgemeine Encyklopadie der Wissenschaften und Künste, 1837, p. 303 (German).
  5. ↑ Catholic Traditions in Crafts by Ann Ball 1997 ISBN 0879737115 page 17
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ Allegory of the Church by Calvin Kendall 1998 ISBN 1442613092 page 137
  10. ↑ The Cambridge Companion to the Age of Constantine by Noel Lenski 2012 ISBN 110760110X page 71
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  12. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  13. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  14. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  15. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  16. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  17. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  18. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  19. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  20. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  21. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

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