What is the origin of the anchor as a Christian symbo. Christian History. I have heard the Christian musician Michael Card say that the anchor was a primary Christian symbol until about 4. AD. Is this correct And what is the origin of the symbolDick. Christian symbols book online Over 150 pages dedicated to the meanings of Christian Symbols With chapters on angels, animals, apostles, crosses, god, halos. Christian symbolism is the use of symbols, including archetypes, acts, artwork or events, by Christianity. It invests objects or actions with an inner meaning. The anchor became a key Christian symbol during the period of Roman persecution. As Michael Card observes in his recent album, Soul Anchor The first century symbol wasnt the cross it was the anchor. If Im a first century Christian and Im hiding in the catacombs and three of my best friends have just been thrown to the lions or burned at the stake, or crucified and set ablaze as torches at one of Emperor Neros garden parties, the symbol that most encourages me in my faith is the anchor. When I see it, Im reminded that Jesus is my anchor. Christian use of the anchor echoed Hebrews 6 1. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. NIV Epitaphs on believers tombs dating as far back as the end of the first century frequently displayed anchors alongside messages of hope. Such expressions as pax tecum, pax tibi, in pace, or peace be with you speak to the hope Christians felt in their anticipation of heaven. Archaeologists found about 7. But where did Christians get the idea to use an anchor in the first placeThe anchor appeared as the royal emblem of Seleucus the First, king of the Seleucid dynasty established after Alexander the Greats campaigns. Seleucus reputedly chose the symbol because he had a birthmark in the shape of an anchor. Jews living under the empire adopted the symbol on their coinage, though they phased it out under the Hasmonean ruler Alexander Jannaeus around 1. B. C. An even stronger explanation can be found in church history. Around 1. 00 A. D., the emperor Trajan banished the fourth pope, St. Clement, to the Crimea. Vinod Agrawal Krishna Bhajan. When the pope converted the people there, Trajan ordered that Clement be tied to an iron anchor and drowned. Christian Symbols Pdf' title='Christian Symbols Pdf' />Tradition holds that the sea then receded three miles to reveal Clements body buried by angels in a marble mausoleum. This is hardly a believable tale, but the story of Clements martyrdom clearly inspired the persecuted Church. Christian Symbols Pdf' title='Christian Symbols Pdf' />Christian Symbols PdfGiven its power, why did the anchor fade from use Scholars have found only a few examples dating as late as the middle of the third century, and none after 3. A. D. Their most common explanation is that as the Empire went from persecuting the Church to sponsoring it, Christians no longer needed secret symbols to identify themselves. Constantines conquering cross replaced the anchor as a source of encouragement to believers in troubled waters. Other scholars, though, think the anchor slipped from use because the symbol was actually a word play in Greekankura resembling en kurio, or in the Lordwhich disappeared as Christians chose Latin over Greek as their primary language. Whatever the case, the anchor did not reappear until the 1. One wonders if the recent interest stirred by Michael Card marks the beginning of a new revival of this ancient symbol. Searches on the Internet turn up rather sketchy history of the anchor, though its still possible to piece it together. Michael Cards observations cuts to the chase, while the online entry in the Catholic Encyclopedia gives a succinct overview. The site also offers a 9 page biography of St. Clement. Youll find a mention of the anchors origin with the Seleucid dynasty at http members. If youre interested in a detailed analysis of the symbol, check out Charles A. Kennedys Early Christians and the Anchor Biblical Archaeologist 3. S D 1. 97. 5, pp. Steven Gertz is editorial coordinator for Christian History.