Christian symbolism
![](/Images/godic/202502/13/Collage-Christian-culture0425.jpg")
![The Crucifix, a cross with corpus, a symbol used by the Catholic Church, in Lutheranism, Eastern Orthodoxy, and Anglicanism, in contrast with some Protestant denominations, which use only a bare cross.](/Images/godic/202502/13/Gerokreuz_full_200509030425.jpg")
![The top of the Nestorian Stele, a Christian monument erected in A.D. 781 near Beijing, showing the cross above the inscription which reads:](/Images/godic/202502/13/Nestorians-1-0425.jpg")
![Jesus depicted with the alpha and omega letters in the catacombs of Rome from the 4th century](/Images/godic/202502/13/Christ_with_beard0425.jpg")
Christian symbolism is the use of symbols, including archetypes, acts, artwork or events, by Christianity. It invests objects or actions with an inner meaning expressing Christian ideas.
The symbolism of the early Church was characterized by being understood by initiates only, while after the legalization of Christianity in the 4th-century more recognizable symbols entered in use. Christianity has borrowed from the common stock of significant symbols known to most periods and to all regions of the world.