Saint symbolism has been used from the very beginnings of the religion. Each saint is said to have led an exemplary life and symbols have been used to tell these stories throughout the history of the Church. A number of Christian saints are traditionally represented by a symbol or iconic motif associated with their life, termed an attribute or emblem, to identify them. The study of these forms part of iconography in art history. They were particularly used so that the illiterate could recognize a scene, and to give each of the Saints something of a personality in art. They are often carried in the hand by the Saint.
Attributes often vary with either time or geography, especially between Eastern Christianity and the West. Orthodox images more often contained inscriptions with the names of saints, so the Eastern repertoire of attributes is generally smaller than the Western. Many of the most prominent saints, like Saint Peter and Saint John the Evangelist can also be recognised by a distinctive facial type. Some attributes are general, such as the martyr's palm. The use of a symbol in a work of art depicting a Saint reminds people who is being shown and of their story. The following is a list of some of these attributes.
Saints listed by name
Saints (A–H)
Saints (I–P)
Q
Saint SymbolQuentintwo spits; vestments of a deacon; with a broken wheel; with a chair to which he is transfixed; with a sword or beheaded, a dove flying from his severed head Quiricus naked child riding on a wild boarQuirinus of Malmedy chasuble, dragonQuirinus of Neuss military attire; knight with lance, sword, hawk; banner or sign with nine ballsNine in reference to an interpretation of the Latin name of Neuss, Novesia, from "novem," meaning "nine." Quirinus of Sescia millstone hanging from his neckQuirinus of Tegernsee orb, scepterQuiteria palm of martyrdom, with a dog on a lead, with her head in her hands, emerging from the sea
R
Article title AttributesRachilidis Habit of a (Benedictine) hermit or anachoressRobert F. McNamara, St. WiboradaRadegund crowned; mantle with fleurs de lysFrancis Bond, Dedications and patron saints of English churches: ecclesiastical symbolism; saints and their emblems, 1914, p. 328Rafael Arnaiz Barón Trappist habit Rafael Guízar y Valencia Bishop's attire St. Rafael Guizar Valencia Rafaela Porras Ayllón Religious habit of the Handmaids of the Sacred Heart of JesusRandoald of Grandval Monastic habit of a Benedictine, martyr's palm, spearNos Saint-Patrons Saint Germain et Saint Randoald, Paroisse catholique romaine de MoutierRaphael (archangel) holding a small package; walking with Tobias, carrying a fish; walking staffRasso military attireDer heilige Rasso kämpft gegen die Ungarn Raymond Nonnatus Mercedarian religious habit, wearing a cardinal's red mozzetta, holding a monstrance and a martyr's palmRaymond of Capua Dominican habit, holding the rule of the orderCatholic OnlineRaymond of Penyafort skimming across the sea with his cape as both boat and sailRaynald of Nocera Bishop's attire over his Benedictine habitSaint Raynald of NoceraRegina (martyr) depicted as experiencing the torments of martyrdom, or as receiving spiritual consolation in prison by a vision of a dove on a luminous cross.Reineldis Religious habit with the staff and the headgear of a pilgrim, rosary, dragged by her hair in order to be decapitated Heilige Reineldis, Jungfrau und MartyrinReinold body armor, holding a shield, beaten to death with hammers Ökumenisches Heiligenlexikon – Reinold von Koeln.htm Remaclus Bishop's attire, accompanied by a wolf Tourisme Stevelot – einige Legenden, Hl. Remaclus und der Wolf Remigius dove, book, lampReparata standing alone or near St. Mary, bearing a martyr's crown and palm; a dove; a banner with a red cross on a white field; sometimes depicted with St. AnsanusRestitutapictured with an angel above herReverianus crozier, holding his mitred head in his hands Reverianus von Autun Richardis dressed in Imperial robes with crown and palm, and surrounded by flames; as well as a bear"Richardis sainte", Fédération des Sociétés d'Histoire et d'Archéologie d'AlsaceRichardbishop with overturned chaliceRictrudeholding a model of a churchRieul of Senlisfrogs around himRita of Cascia roses, roses and figs, crucifix, thorn, robe of a widow or Augustinian habit sometimes with a wound or the marks of a thorn crown on her foreheadRobert of Newminster depicted as an abbot holding a churchHusenbeth, Frederick Charles. Emblems of Saints: By which They are Distinguished in Works of Art, Longman, Green, Longman, and Roberts, 1860Roch Wound on thigh (plague mark), dog offering bread, Pilgrim's hat, Pilgrim's staff, angelRoger of Cannae sheltered inder the wings of an eagleSchäfer, Joachim. "Roger von Cannae", Ökumenischen HeiligenlexikonRolando Rivi cassock"Biography of Blessed Rolando Rivi", Abbaye Saint-Joseph de ClairvalRomanos the Melodist deacon's attire, standing on a raised platform in the middle of a church, holding a scroll with his Kontakion of the Nativity written on it. His icon is often a combined with that of The Protection of the Mother of God, which falls on the same day.Romanus of Rouen depicted with a GargouilleRomedius alongside a packed bearVom heiligen Einsiedel Romedius Romulus of Fiesole depicted with a wolf due to confusion with the legend of Romulus and Remus; bishop with an arrow broken above his breast; depicted at martyrdom of 4 companions or enthroned among four martyrsRosa Maria Benedetta Gattorno Custo Nun's habit, crucifix, rosary, stigmataRosalia roses, a cross, book, or skull, spray of lilies. Some images show her holding a chisel and hammer with which she carved her own dedication. She is also seen wearing a crown of roses, attended by winged angels, and often with a view through a cave opening of Palermo Harbor., sometimes she is being crowned by the Divine infantRose of Limacrown of thorns, anchor, city, roses, crown of roses, sometimes wearing habit of the Dominican order , rosidsRose of Viterbo crown of roses, holding a crucifixRóża Czacka Religious habitRudolf Komórek CassockRufina and Justa a model of the Giralda; earthenware pots, bowls and platters; books on which are two lumps of potter's clay; martyr's palm; lion, two maidens floating in the Tiber River with weights attached to their necks.Rumbold of Mechelen Bishop's attire with a missioner's cross, or with a hoe lying under his feet. He may also be shown murdered near a coffer of moneyRupert of Salzburg Holding a container of salt; wearing clerical clothes including mitre; holding a crosier
S
Article title AttributesSabbas the Sanctified an apple in his handSabinian of Troyes With Patroclus of Troyes; man with throat pierced by a sword; with Saint Sabina of TroyesSalome vase of ointmentSaturnin bishop dragged by a bullSativolascythe, wellSava of SerbiabookScholastica habit of a Benedictine nun, dove, Rule of St. Benedict, crozier of an abbessSebaldus pilgrim with a staff; later represented with the model of a church Sebastian Tied to a post, pillar or a tree, shot by arrows, crownSecundus of Asti a sword; clouds overheadSeptimius of Iesi Episcopal attireSerafino Morazzone Priest's cassockSeraphim of SarovWearing peasant clothing, often kneeling with his hands upraised in prayer crucifix worn about his neck, hands crossed over chestSeraphin of Montegranaro Franciscan habitSerapion of Algiers Palm branch, Mercedarian habit, Crucified in an x-positionSerenidus of Saulgeswearing a cardinal's habit and red galeroSergius and Bacchus Roman soldiers bearing palm branchesSergius of Radonezh Dressed as a monk, sometimes with paterissaServandus and Cermanus Depicted as young soldiersServatius of Tongeren "Key of Saint Servatius", crozier, dragon (under his feet)Seventy disciples Scroll, crossSeverin of Cologne depicted coming from the cathedral to bless the poorSeverus of Avranches Bishop with a nearby horseSeverus of Barcelona bishop with a nail or nails driven into his headSeverus of Ravennaweaver's loom and tools, a doveSeverus of Vienne Holding a devil in a chainSicarius of Brantôme Depicted as an infantSidonius of Aix Receiving sight from JesusSidwell Scythe, and Holy WellSigfrid of Sweden bishop carrying three severed heads; bishop carrying three loaves of bread (misrepresentation of the heads); baptizing King Olof of Sweden; traveling in a ship with 2 other bishops; bishop menaced by devilsSigolena of Albi CrosierSilas Christian MartyrdomSilvanus of Ahun dressed in a dalmatic, bearing a book and a palm.Simeon Depicted as an elderly man holding the infant JesusSimeon Stylites Clothed as a monk in monastic habit, shown standing on top of his pillarSimón de Rojas Priestly vestments with the Blue and Red cross of the Trinitarian OrderSimon of Cyrene Carrying Jesus’ Cross before His CrucifixionSimon of Trent Youth, martyr's palmSimon Stock Carmelite friar holding a scapularSimon the Apostle boat; martyr's cross and saw; fish (or two fish); lance; man being sawn in two longitudinally; oarSimone Ballachi Dominican habitSimpliciano of the Nativity Franciscan habitSimplicius, Faustinus and Beatrix Saint Simplicius is represented with a pennant, on the shield of which are three lilies, called the crest of Simplicius; the lilies are a symbol of purity of heart. Saint Beatrix has a cord in her hand, because she was strangled.Sister Lúcia Visionary to the Marian apparitions at FátimaSolange shepherdess in prayerSolanus Casey Franciscan habitSolutor Military attireSophia of Rome palm, book, trough, and swordSophie-Thérèse de Soubiran La Louvière Religious habitSophronius of Jerusalem Vested as a bishop, with right hand upheld in blessing, holding a Gospel Book or scrollSpyridon Vested as a bishop with omophorion, often holding a Gospel Book, with his right hand raised in blessing. Sometimes the image features a potsherd, or sprig of basil. Iconographically, he is depicted as tall, with a long, white forked beard, and wearing a woven, straw hat on his head – a traditional shepherd's hat and a representation that he was a shepherd of God's people.Stanislaus of SzczepanówBishop's Vestments and insignia, swordStanisław Kazimierczyk Habit of a canonStanislaus Kostka Jesuit habit, an angel giving him Holy CommunionStanislaus Papczyński White habit, crucifix, Chaplet of the Ten Virtues of the B.V.M.Stanislav Nasadil Martyr's palmStanisław Kazimierczyk Priest's cassockStefan Wincenty Frelichowski Priest's attire, prisoner's uniformStefan Wyszyński Cardinal's attireStephen Harding Dressed in the Cistercian cowl, with miniature church model, holding abbot's crozier, holding the Carta Caritatis ("Charter of Charity"), a founding document for the Cistercian OrderStephen the Martyr Red Martyr, stones, dalmatic, censer, miniature church, Gospel Book, martyr's palm.Stephen of HungaryAttire of a king, holding an orb or a sceptre with double crossStephen Nehmé Religious habit, prayer ropeSusanna palm branch, swordSwithun Bishop holding a bridge, broken eggs at his feetSylvesteroften depicted with a dying dragon.Symeon the Metaphrast Pen, Scroll, Religious habitSymphorian and Timotheus Symphorian is depicted as a young man being dragged to martyrdom while his mother encourages himSymphorosa Seven sons, martyr's palmSyrus of Genoa A blackbirdSyrus of Pavia bishop trampling a basilisk (symbol of Arianism) underfoot; bishop enthroned between two deacons; with Saint JuventiusSzilárd Bogdánffy solideo or bishop's cap and gown, palmSzymon of Lipnica Franciscan habit
T