SACRED SIGNS GUIDEBOOK

A 4+ page Journal Entry should be included in your Final Journal Installment.

PURPOSE AND PROCEDURE

Probably all religions make at least some use of sacred signs.  This is not surprising.  Symbols are perhaps an inherent part of the collective rituals that are a component part of faith systems.  Moreover, religion often involve deep matters that cannot easily be addressed in words alone.  This small assignment asks you to research the history and meaning of selected sacred symbols.

1)  Pick at least four of the symbols listed below (you can also substitute or add on your own choices).

2)  Research the history of each symbol.  Here are some questions you may want to consider:

• What role does this sacred symbol play in one or more of the world's religions?

• What is the history of the symbol?  How do you explain its origins?  How and why did its iconographic representation and meaning change over time?

• If the symbol has meaning in more than one religion, how would you compare and contrast these?  Is there evidence of direct influence between the religions or does instead the symbol seem to have a certain archetypal quality?

3)  For each symbol, include at least one picture and at least one paragraph of description/analysis.  For very general symbols, such as the sun, you can choose either to write about the symbol in a broad comparative context or to limit your discussion to one or more specific religions.

4)  Add a "CONCLUDING THOUGHTS" paragraph or two at the end of your "guidebook."

POSSIBLE SYMBOLS

• Ankh

• Ark of the Covenant

• Bell

• Bindi

• Blood

• Bread

• Brit Milah

• Bull

• Caduceus

• Celtic Cross

• Chariot

• Chrysanthemum

• Circle

• Conch Shell

• Cow

• Crown

• Crucifix

• Deer

• Dove and Olive Branch

• Drum

• Elephant

• Eucharist

• Egg

• Eye

• Fire

• Fish

• Ganges

• Grapevine

• Halo

• Heart

• Hijab

• Holy Grail

• Khanda

• Lily

• Lotus

• Mandala

• Mandrake

• Menorah

• Mezuzah

• Moon

• Mudra

• Nine-Pointed Star

• Om

• Parasol

• Pentagram

• Phallus

• Prayer Wheel

• Rainbow

• Ring

• Rosary

• Sabbath

• Sacred Thread

• Santa Claus

• Sceptre

• Shofar

• Snake

• Star and Crescent

• Star of David

• Stupa

• Sun

• Swastika

• Tallith

• Tefellin

• Tetragrammaton

• Torii

• Tree of Life

• Triangle

• Trident

• Turban

• Vulva

• Watchtower

• Water

• Wheel

• Yantra

• Yin-Yang Circle