Quilt Images

This Quilt, crafted by the women of St. Dunstan's Church, was used as a dossal (a backing tapestry) behind the altar in the Parish Hall soon after services began in that building on Christmas Eve, 1971. It was hung in the back of the new sanctuary in August, 1993, where it can be seen today.

The symbols worked into the quilt are:

Descending Dove

Butterfly

Triangle in Circle, Fish, Chi Rho, Crown of Thorns, Seven-Fold Flame

Agnus Dei (Lamb of God)

Pomegranate

Cross and Crown

Six-pointed Star

Alpha and Omega

With the exception of the butterfly, the crown of thorns, and the cross and crown, the descriptions below are from "Saints, Signs and Symbols", W. Ellwood Post, Morehouse Publishing, 2nd Ed., 1974.

The description of the butterfly, the crown of thorns, and the cross and crown were pulled from the web site at http://home.rochester.rr.com/gocek/images/christn/, which gives its source as "Symbols of the Church", edited by Carroll E. Whittemore with drawings by William Duncan; Abingdon Press, Nashville, TN; ICN 407869, copyright 1959 (and possibly 1987).

The images are photos from the actual quilt.

	Descending Dove - A white dove, of conventional design, with three rayed nimbus, is the most appropriate traditional symbol of the Holy spirit. Ref. St. Luke 3:21-22 - "Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form, as a dove and a voice came from heaven, 'Thou art my beloved Son; with thee I am well pleased.'" Further Ref. St. Matthew 3:16, St. Mark 1:10, St. John 1:32. Return to top

	Butterfly - A symbol of resurrection and eternal life. As the butterfly leaves the cocoon, so through Jesus Christ are His followers born to a new life. Return to top

	Triangle in Circle - A symbol of the Eternity (circle) of the Trinity. Return to top

	The Fish - A Christian symbol used from the first century. The Greek word for fish, ichthys, upon which a rebus was made, is derived from the first letters of Greek words meaning "Jesus Christ, son of God, Saviour." Return to top

	Chi Rho - [A sacred monogram] The Chi Rho (XP) is composed of the first two letters of Christos in the Greek alphabet. Return to top

	Crown of Thorns - A symbol of Christ's passion. It sometimes has nails within the crown. Return to top

	The Sevenfold Flame - The tongues of fire, a symbol of the power of the Holy spirit as mentioned by St. Luke in The Acts of The Apostles 2:1-4. Return to top

	Agnus Dei (The Lamb of God) with the Banner of Victory - St. John, having baptized Christ, said, "Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world." Ref. the Gospel of St. John 1:29 and 36, Revelation 5:13, and I Corinthians 5:7. [Heraldry]A white lamb with gold nimbus showing three red rays, and a red cross upon a white banner supported by a silver staff with a gold cross at the top, all on a blue field. Return to top

	Pomegranate - Fertility. The hope of immortality and resurrection. Because of the unity of many seeds in one fruit, it is also said to resemble the church. Return to top

	Cross and Crown - A symbol of the reward in heaven (the crown) to those who believe (the cross). "Be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee the Crown of Life", Rev. 2:10. Return to top

	Six-pointed Star - The Creator's Star, or, The Star of Creation. Return to top

	Alpha and Omega - The familiar first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, Alpha and Omega, used in the Christian Church, denote the eternity and infinitude of God. The Alpha-Omega emblem is often used in conjunction with another symbol, such as a cross or crown, etc. to emphasize this meaning. [Italics mine - Ed.] Return to top