The symbols for these male saints tell stories of how they led exemplary lives or tell the instrument of their death for those who suffered martyrdom.

Which saints are symbolized by the following?

1. The keys of heaven

Saint Peter the Apostle

St. Peter was a fisherman from Galilee who was chosen by Christ to be the head of the Apostles and the Rock upon which the Church would be built. His symbolic attribute is the crossed keys he carries: one gold and one silver.

2. A cloak divided in two

Saint Martin

According to legend, Martin cut his own military cloak in half and shared it with a scantily-dressed beggar he saw at the gates to his city.

3. A fish hanging from his crozier

Saint Zeno

Zeno is the patron saint of fishermen and anglers and he most often is represented with fishing-related items such as a fish, fishing rod, or with a crozier which is a staff in the shape of a shepherd's crook that links the holder with Christ as shepherd of a flock.

4. A gridiron

Saint Lawrence

St. Lawrence is said to have been grilled to death on a gridiron and so this object has become synonymous with his name.

5. A beehive

Saint Ambrose

An eloquent person is sometimes said to have a voice of honey because he attracts people with the sweetness of his speech. According to legend, when Saint Ambrose was an infant, a swarm of bees settled on his mouth, causing his elders to predict gifts of oratory and eloquence. He spoke on many occasions to defend the Church against heresy. Thus he is represented by the beehive.

6. Three purses or balls of gold

Saint Nicholas of Bari

St. Nicholas is shown with three balls of gold because of his gifts of three bags of gold to the three daughters of an impoverished nobleman in order to provide payment for their weddings.

7. A knife imbedded in his head

Saint Peter Martyr

The knife and the bleeding wound in St. Peter Martyr's head refer to his martyrdom, which occurred because of his harsh rule as Inquisitor-General.

8. A banner with a reed cross

Saint John the Baptist

John the Baptist is frequently represented with a reed cross and banner that proclaims ECCE AGNUS DEI: "Behold the Lamb of God."

9. A plague spot on his thigh

Saint Roch

St. Roch is famous for his diligence at treating victims of the Plague.

10. An arrow

Saint Sebastian

Sebastian, who refused to renounce his faith, was tied to a tree, shot with arrows, and left for dead. Much to Roman Emperor Diocletian's surprise, Sebastian survived being shot with arrows. When he had recovered, Sebastian returned to preach to Diocletian. The emperor then had him beaten to death

11. A lance

Saint Jude and Saint Thomas

It is customary to pray to Saint Jude in seemingly hopeless situations when all else seems desperate. St. Jude’s symbol is the lance because this long-handled and ax-like weapon was used by the Persian executioners against him.

Saint Thomas is represented by a javelin because it was the method of his death.

12. A cup with a snake

Saint John the Evangelist

St. John, who holds a cup from which the poison miraculously departed in the form of a serpent.

13. An anchor tied around his neck

Saint Clement

Clement was martyred in about 100 AD by being thrown into the sea with an anchor tied around his neck. Thus the anchor is his typical emblem in art.

14. A millstone

Saint Florian and Saint Vincent

Florian and Vincent were both persecuted by having a stone tied around the neck and being dumped into a river.

15. A large saw

Saint Simon Zelotes

St. Simon is represented by the saw that was the instrument of his death.

16. A stone

Saint Stephen

Stephen was martyred by his persecutors stoning him to death.

Source:

Bailey, Colin J. The Art Quiz Book: 2000+ Questions on Painters and Paintings. Station Press: Scotland, 1995.