Ancient Symbols in Barbados

Everyday Christian Symbols

End of Term Paper

Name: Regina Best
ID# 0002697
Course Code: ARTH 321
Course Title: History of Design
Tutor: L. Sten-Nicholson
Due Date: December 15, 2014

Ancient symbols have been around in the Caribbean for many years, as a result of the
various cultures that have been present there. Every day, people wear, use and pass by many
symbols but are unaware of them and their importance. This is especially true in Barbados,
where many symbols of old have been used in designs whether it is fashion, branding for
companies, architecture and interior design and churches. Therefore my aim for this essay is to
inform and discuss ancient symbols which I found around Barbados with my focus being on
Christian symbols.
Symbols were designed thousands of years ago to represent what the people wanted to
say. It was a means of communication, understanding, emotional security and provided structure
and routine. Usually symbols represented something by association, resemblance or convention.
These were passed down through eras and generations and cultures. They varied from pagan and
religious to pictures, writings and natural references like animals, plants and the atmosphere.
Here in Barbados, many of the symbols are religious and African because of our slavery and
colonisation history.
The religious symbols found were mostly Christian, which is because Barbados is
predominantly Christian. These were the Star of David, Chi Rho, Alpha and Omega, Fleur de
Lys and the Trefoil. The Star of David is a Jewish symbol that many Christians identify with. It
is a six pointed star composed of two interlocking equilateral triangles and was named after King
David. The star is also known as the Creators Star or Star of Creation because it stood for the
six days that God created the earth. It also symbolises the six attributes of God which are power,
wisdom, majesty, love, mercy and justice. The Star of David was used to guide people according

to the bible as in the book of Matthew, chapter 2 when the wisemen came to visit Jesus. It is still
seen as a symbol for guidance and direction for Christians and other
religions which also use the star. In Judaism, it is usually alongside
the symbol of the menorah which is a seven branched candelabrum
which means it is a light unto the nations. Christians also use the
candle and candelabrum on their altars for a
similar meaning, which is Jesus is the Light of the World. Known as the
Magen David or Shield of David in Hebrew, it was said to be a substitute for
God in the Jewish prayer book because God shielded the Biblical David in
battle and during his flight from Saul. On the contrary, this ancient star symbol is also said to be
pagan and is used by many who have no religious beliefs. Some argue that it was originally an
occult symbol known as a Hexagram, used by Sabbatean-Frankist Satanist Jews and was
hidden, using Christianity as its cover. Whether or not this is true, it is a very impactful symbol
that is recognised worldwide.
Another symbol seen in the Christian churches is the Chi Rho. It consists of the Greek
letters Chi (X) and Rho (P) where the X intersects the P at the centre and which are the first two
letters in the word Christos (), meaning Christ. The ancient symbol is also called the
Christogram and represents both Christ and Christianity. The Chi
Rho was a pre-Christian symbol that signified good fortune and was
seen as the first Christian cross. The early Chi Rho was a pagan
symbol that was very astrological since it looked more like the Chi
(X) which did not have the lines crossing at ninety degree angles as
the modern Chi Rho has. The crossing of the lines forming the X represented the solar ecliptic

path and the celestial equator. This emblem was said to be known by Christians and famous
almost 400 years before the Christian era but became more widespread and used because of the
Roman Emperor Constantine. Constantine in 312 A. D. apparently had a vision in daytime of a
cross of light (the Chi Rho) with the words in this sign you will be victorious inscribed. The
night of the same day he dreamt and God told him to use the sign he had given him earlier as a
safeguard in all of his battles. Constantine converted to Christianity and ordered that his army
wear the sign of Christ always which he called the Labarum and he was victorious. This
prophesy would eventually serve as great importance in Christianity in later years including
today. The Chi Rho is often seen with the Greek letters Alpha (A, ) and Omega (, ) which
are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. Alpha means the
beginning and Omega, the ending Jesus referred to himself as "I am the
Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End"
in Revelation 22:13.

They were therefore known as the symbol of

eternity. However there was reference to this where in Exodus 34:6,

God is said to be "full of Goodness and Truth." In Hebrew and Judaism,
the first and last letters of the word for truth are the Hebrew letters Aleph
and Tav . The Alpha and Omega symbol was found in the
Catacombs, Christian signet rings, post-Constantine coins, and the frescoes and mosaics of
ancient churches. (Christian Symbols , n. d.)
In Barbados on many gates and fences of churches and government buildings like
Parliament Building, the Fleur de Lys symbol appears in many different versions. It is an ancient
symbol which has been used in French royalty and Catholic Christianity but was rooted in
civilisations in Persia, Scythia, Egypt and Babylonia. The fleur as we know today was born

about 1062 A.D. as the nation of France emerged from the Dark Agesthe Babylonian
symbolfiltered through Egypt, Greece and Romeappears very early in France. (About the
Fleur D' Lys, n. d.) The Gauls of ancient western Europe and what is now France used an
ancestor to the fleur de lys of today. Fleur de Lys is French for
flower of the lily or lily flower and it is stylised version of the lily
or iris plant. Just like the plant has sword-shaped leaves with straight
stalks bearing bright-coloured flowers composed of three petals and
three drooping sepals, the symbol resembles it. As a symbol it has many meanings in religious
and military symbolism. It stands for many things like purity, perfection, light, and life. It also
symbolises the Holy Trinity and the Virgin Mary where the white fleur-de-lis is referred to as the
Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Egyptians
called their version the Tree of Life which was three
sacred lotus lilies. The symbol is said to represent the
Trinity of the Brotherhood and it is an emblem of a blood
line of divine majesty and the symbol of a particular royal Brotherhood that had originated long
before the foundation of Rome, or the founding royal houses of France. (Moe, 2012) The Fleur
de Lys appeared on battle flags, coats of arms, crowns and shields of the House of Bourbon as
well as banners, pottery, plates and in books and graphic prints. History has it that this symbol
came to France when the Franks adopted it during their conversion to Christianity. The English
kings then adopted the fleur-de-lis as proof of their claim on the French throne.
The last symbol was spotted on the Parliament Buildings in Bridgetown which is the
trefoil. The trefoil is made up of three interlocking circles which suggest unity between the Holy
Trinity. The circle itself is very symbolic in Christianity because it tells of the eternal existence

of God, having no beginning and no ending. When three circles are combined and interwoven,
they express the equality, the eternity and the unity of the Three persons of the Trinity. The
trefoil is seen either as this or the three equal arcs of the circles. The latter is the one on the
Parliament Buildings and it means equality of the three persons of the
Godhead.

This ancient symbol is closely linked to the clover and

triquetra. The trefoil is a stylised version of the clover or shamrock in

Ireland based on the legend of the missionary St. Patrick. He challenged
pagans when he picked a three-leaf clover, by asking them questions in order to find out how
they could understand the complexity of the Holy Trinity. The triquetra symbol is another kind
of trefoil consisting of equal interwoven arcs. The fleur de lys also has connection to the trefoil
in that it was considered a pagan symbol first in Europe and Celtic areas and was all a part of
solar worship. The triangle, trefoil, and tripod were all Pagan symbols of their different
trinitiesThe trefoil adorned the head of Osiris, and was used among the ancient Druids.
(Magee, 2005) Besides the trefoil, the quatrefoil is similar but instead has
four equal arcs of the circles and is sometimes combined with four points
called the barbed quatrefoil.

It was used excessively on gothic

architecture and as textile patterns. It is linked to the four-leaf clover and represents the four
gospels in the bible, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. It symbolised good luck, harmony,
symmetry and proportion.
Overall, the symbols seen in Barbados especially the Christian ones, are all connected in
some way as I got from my research. For example the African symbol
mmusuyidee which looks like a stylised version of the cross, I found in my
church and it appears on the Bishops staff. That ancient adinkra symbol is

said to help us in the presence of God because it wards off negative powers of thoughts. It
means that which removes bad luck and so is a symbol of good fortune and sanctity. Another
African symbol which Barbados is famous for is the sankofa symbol which means return and get
it. It is seen everywhere on homes and buildings and is very significant as it tell us not to forget
where we came from referring to our African history. There are many more symbols which I
found such as the obelisk and wings and the ananse ntontan on a wheel near the bridge in
Bridgetown. It is interesting how they are so many that we miss everyday yet we use them in our
logos, furniture, clothes, architecture etc.

Even our broken trident and coat of arms have

symbols in them. I came to the conclusion that sometime long ago these ancient symbols in
Barbados were placed there for good reasons.
Some other symbols found.

Bibliography
Magee, D. M. (2005, September 8). Christian Symbols: the Cross as a Religious Sign in History. Retrieved
from Ask Why: http://www.askwhy.co.uk/christianity/0515Cross.php#Symbolism
Moe. (2012, August 14). Fleur-de-Lis Meaning - Bloodline of the Blessed Trinity. Retrieved from Gnostic
Warrior: http://gnosticwarrior.com/fleur-de-lis-meaning.html
About the Fleur D' Lys. (n. d.). Retrieved from Fleur D'Orlans:
http://fleurdorleans.com/catalog/thehistory.php
Christian Symbols . (n. d.). Retrieved from Fish Eaters: http://www.fisheaters.com/symbols.html