The Book
The Gospel the saint preached, the rule they wrote, or the learning they gave to the Church.
A closed or open book is the oldest thing a saint holds in Christian art. Which book it is depends on who holds it.
Apostles and evangelists. The book is the Gospel they carried to the world. St Thomas holds it as the apostle who, by tradition, brought it to India.
Founders. St Dominic holds the book because he founded an order of preachers to teach the faith. For other founders, such as St Benedict, the book is the rule they wrote for their monks.
Doctors of the Church. St Antony of Padua knew the Scriptures so well that Pope Gregory IX called him the “Ark of the Testament”. In many statues the Child Jesus sits or stands on his open book.
St Anne. Medieval artists showed St Anne teaching the young Mary to read from the Scriptures, a scene known as the Education of the Virgin.
Deacons. At Mass the deacon carries the Book of the Gospels and reads from it, so St Lawrence is sometimes shown with one.
Also called: the book of the Gospels
Where you’ll see it
In their hands
All symbols →
The Orb
The whole world under Christ’s rule, often shown with a cross on top.
The Carpenter’s Square
St Joseph’s trade, and the holiness of honest work.
The Scales
The weighing of souls at the Last Judgement, a task given in art to St Michael.
The Rosary
Prayer to Mary while meditating on the life of Christ; Our Lady carried it at Lourdes and asked for it daily at Fatima.
The Crucifix
In a saint’s hands, a life given to Christ crucified: the missionary who preached him, the penitent who prayed before him.
The Easter Banner
Christ’s victory over death: a white banner with a red cross, carried by the Risen Christ and by the Lamb of God.
A statue with the book?
Every statue is made from scratch in our studio in Mangalore.