I.
Symbols of Christ (verbal or visual symbols) vicariously represent Christ himself but are also shorthand for the event of salvation (the boundary is fluid: the cross is both, the manger only the latter) and thus tokens of Christian identity and building-blocks of Christian art. Most symbols of Christ come from the New Testament; verbal symbols are, therefore, prior to visual symbols (see also Image; Iconology). Christ is the Lamb (of God) (John 1:29; Rev 5:6–13), the heavenly bridegroom of the Church (Eph 5:32; Rev 19:…