Saints and Their Symbols

Saints are often depicted with particular objects that played a dramatic role in their lives, and these objects or characteristics have become symbolic of the saints and can be used to identify them in art. For instance, Saint Catherine of Alexandria is usually shown with a wheel, the object on which she was tortured as a result of her faith, while Saint Peter the Apostle often appears with the keys to heaven given to him by Jesus. These symbols represent drama, suffering, and unbend­ing faith, and one has only to be aware of these elements in order to recognize the saints in art.

Detailing the feast days, patronages, appearances, biographies, and symbols of more than 120 saints, Saints and Their Symbols is an exquisite reference, illustrated by more than 200 evocative images.

Rosa Giorgi is an art historian who is an iconography specialist. She is the author of Abrams’ bestselling Saints: A Year in Faith and Art.