Nature and Alt, December 1, 18G6.] 
FLOEAL DECOEATION OF CHUECHES. 
extremities. A very pleasing form of the Cross is 
shown in Fig. 6, Plate II.; it is nothing but a Cross 
Patonce, with the foliations of the arms cut off. 
This form is very suitable when a Cross with 
coloured and inscribed arms is required, as in our 
design. 
The Agnus Dei, or Divine Lamb, and the Lion, 
which are symbols of our Lord, are most appro- 
priate for Christmas. They may be depicted on 
shields and banners, or in aureoles enclosed in floral 
medallions, as in Fig. 3, Plate I., which shows the 
Agnus Dei in an aureole, occupying the centre of 
a six-pointed star, and surrounded with the circle. 
The Pelican, as a figure of our Lord, should not be 
used, as it particularly alludes to His Passion. 
The Fish, however, is a proper figure for Christmas. 
It has been adopted as a figure of our Saviour 
because the five letters forming the word fish, in 
Greek (IX9Y2), when separated, supply the initials 
of the five words — 
Ljcoac XpiGTCic Qtuv Yioc Yitur>)p. 
Jesus Christ (the) Son of God (the) Saviour. 
All the monograms of our Lord’s name are 
appropriate for Christmas decoration, whether used 
as independent ornaments (as in Figs. G and 7, 
Plate I.), or on shields, banners, and medallions. 
The monograms most usually met with are those 
which are composed of the two first and the last 
letters of the word JESUS, in Greek (III20Y2). 
The two first letters I (Iota) and II (Eta) always 
remain the same ; but the last letter assumes three 
forms — S, C, and X, which are the three forms of 
the Greek sigma. These monograms may either be 
formed of Greek letters (as in Figs. 2 and 6, Plate 
I., and Figs. 1 and 5, Plate II.), or of Gothic letters 
(as in Figs. 4 and 5, Plate I.). When the letters 
are entwined, it is usual to elongate the I, and form 
it into a Cross (Fig. 6, Plate I.). The monograms 
of the name of CHRIST are formed in a similar 
manner from the first two and last letters of that 
name in Greek (XPI2T02), or, as is most usual, 
from the first letters only (X P). Both these forms 
are shown in Fig. 7, Plate I., and Figs. 2 and 5, 
Plate TI. With all the monograms of our Lord’s 
name, the Alpha (A) and Omega (H) may be 
grouped. 
Those of our readers who desire to become ac- 
quainted with the interesting subject of Christian 
Symbolism, will find it popularly treated in our 
“ Handbook ; ”* and we must refer them to its 
pages for full particulars relating to the symbolism 
of the Cross, the symbols and emblems of our 
Lord, and all the various monograms of His name. 
Of all the ornaments to be used in Christmas 
decoration, the Star is, of course, the most im- 
portant, and should be freely introduced, either 
alone or in conjunction with the symbols and 
monograms above alluded to. A large and fine 
star containing the Agnus Dei, or the monogram 
of the name of JESUS, should invariably occupy 
a prominent position on the east wall of the 
* “ Handbook of Christian Symbolism.” Day & Son 
(Limited), London. 
213 
chancel. When placed above the altar, which is 
the best position for it, it should occupy the centre 
of a Greek Cross. The most important position 
for the Star in the nave is over the chancel arch, 
where it should also be grouped with the Cross. 
Fig. 5, Plate I., illustrates the treatment we have 
just described. Stars of any number of points 
may be adopted, although five, six, and seven 
points product the most beautiful forms. It will 
be observed, on examining Fig. 4, Plate I., that 
the symbol of the Holy Trinity — namely, the in- 
terlaced triangles, forms a perfect Star of six 
points ; and this symbol is most appropriate, and 
may be freely used on the walls of chancels, or 
placed, on a large scale, over chancel arches. Fig. 
3, Plate I., shows a six-pointed Star enclosed 
within a circle (the emblem of eternity), and having 
in its centre an aureole containing the Agnus Dei. 
Fig. 2 shows a five-pointed Star, charged with the 
monogram IHS, and enclosed in a cinquefoil. In 
Fig. 1, the centre shield is charged with a gold 
Star of seven points ; Fig. G, Plate II., shows a 
gold Star in a blue aureole (symbolical of Heaven) 
occupying the centre of a Cross ; and Fig. 5, on 
the same Plate, shows two six-pointed Stars, one 
placed behind the other, with their points counter- 
changed, in a quatrefoil, and surrounded by the 
monograms IHS, XP2, and the A and LL The 
latter composition is appropriately surmounted by 
a floral crown. 
We may now say a few words on the shields and 
banners suitable for Christmas decoration. The 
most appropriate grounds for shields are gold, red, 
and white ; and for their charges, gold and silver 
(or white), when the field is red, and red and blue 
when the field is gold or white. Other colours may 
be adopted, if preferred. The most appropriate 
charges for shields are the symbols and monograms 
already enumerated, and the following devices of 
minor importance- — namely, the Latin word BEX 
surmounted by a Crown (Fig. 3, Plate II.) ; the 
Star ; the Star and three Crowns, in allusion to 
the Adoration of the Magi ; the monograms of tlie 
Virgin, M and AM, entwined, and surmounted by 
Crowns ; a bunch of Lilies, the emblem of the 
Virgin ; and two Shepherds’ Crooks, crossed, in 
allusion to the heavenly message given to the 
shepherds, as they watched their flocks by night. 
We may here state that the publishers of this 
periodical have prepared for sale, from our designs, 
a series of shields, in gold and colours, suitable for 
Christmas decoration, and also several designs for 
grounds of Crosses, after the style of the Cross 
(Fig. 6, Plate II.). They have also printed alpha- 
bets of initial and black letters for texts. The 
initials are on richly-coloured square panels ; and 
the small letters are designed so as to be easily 
cut out, having no curved lines in their formation. 
Banners should, in all cases, be white, which is 
the canonical colour for Christmas, and have gold- 
coloured cords, tassels, and fringes, and they may 
also be bordered with blue or red. The same 
charges as are suitable for shields are also suitable 
for banners ; but as banners are usually made of 
