Chrismons and Chrismon Patterns

Chrismons are Christmas decorations with Christian symbols on them. They help Christians to remember that Christmas is the celebration of Jesus's birthday. They are often used on Christmas Trees in Churches and Christians homes.

They were first made by Frances Kipps Spencer at the Ascension Lutheran Church in Danville, Virginia (goes to another site), USA. She also thought of the word, Chrismon, which is a combination of Christ and monogram (meaning symbol). The idea quickly spread to other churches. It is traditional that Christian groups can make their own Chrismons with their favorite symbols on.

Each year a 20ft (6 metre) Christmas Tree is decorated in the Ascension Lutheran Church, as Mrs Spencer intended, and visitors come and the hear the story of Jesus explained through her original Chrismons and a few gifts from around the world.

Chrismons are traditionally colored white and gold. White is the liturgical (or Church) color for Christmas and symbolises that Jesus was pure and perfect. Gold symbolises His Majesty and Glory. Chrismons can be made from nearly anything, but paper and embroidered ones are the most widely used.

Common Chrismons

Below are some symbols that are common Chrismons and what they represent to Christians.

Click on a Chrismon to open a larger version which you can use as a patten to make Chrismons.

Link to a large version of The Cross Crismon The Cross symbolises that Christians believe Jesus Christ died for everyone on a Cross.
Link to a large version of The Latin Cross Crismon The Latin Cross, also sometimes called the Roman Cross. The base of the Cross has three steps that symbolise faith, hope, and love.
Link to a large version of The Irish or Celtic Cross Crismon The Irish or Celtic Cross is a normal cross with a circle in the middle to symbolise eternity.
Link to a large version of The Triumphant Cross Crismon The Triumphant Cross represents the earth with the cross on top. It symbolises Jesus is triumphant over anything we can face in the world.
Link to a large version of The Jerusalem Cross Crismon The Jerusalem Cross was worn by the crusaders going to Jerusalem, in the middle ages. It can symbolise the Four Gospels in the Bible, the spread of the Gospel to the four corners of the earth or the five wounds of Jesus when he died on the cross.
Link to a large version of The Eastern Cross Crismon The Eastern Cross is used by many Eastern or Orthodox Churches.
Link to a large version of The Furca or Upsilon Cross Crismon The Furca or Upsilon Cross comes from the Greek letter Y. It is also called The Thieves' Cross from the two robbers who were crucified on each side of Jesus. It also symbolises the choice between good and evil.
Link to a large version of The Anchor Cross Crismon The Anchor Cross reminds Christian's that Jesus is the anchor of their faith.
Link to a large version of The IHS Crismon IHS are the first three letters of 'Jesus' in Greek, this has been used to represent Jesus from the third century. From the middle ages, they also were used in the latin phrase "Jesus Hominum Salvator" which means "Jesus, Saviour of men". And in English they can mean "In His [Jesus's] Service". I've added them on a Cross as it looks more interesting!
Link to a large version of The Fish Crismon The Fish is one of the oldest Christian symbols. The letters, from the Greek word for fish (ichthus), stand for Jesus (I), Christ (X), God (Q), Son (Y), Savior (S). Some of Jesus' disciples were fishermen.
Link to a large version of The Alpha and Omega Crismon Alpha and Omega are the first and the last letters of the Greek alphabet. Used together, they are the symbolise that Christians believe Jesus is the beginning and end of all things.
Link to a large version of The Chi-Rho Crismon The Chi-Rho looks like a 'P' with an 'X' on top of it. These two letters are the first two letters of the Greek word 'Christos' which means Christ.
Link to a large version of The Star of David Crismon The Star of David, sometimes called the Star of Creation, is a symbol that Jesus was a Jew and a descendant of King David.
Link to a large version of A Five Pointed Star Crismon A Five Pointed Star represents the five wounds of Jesus on the cross.
Link to a large version of The Nativity Star Crismon The Nativity Star is the symbol of the Star of Bethlehem or Epiphany, when the Wisemen visited Jesus.
Link to a large version of The An Eight Pointed Star Crismon An Eight Pointed Star represents baptism and regeneration.
Link to a large version of The Crown Crismon The Crown is the symbol that Jesus in King. It shows that Christians believe Jesus is ruler over heaven and the earth.
Link to a large version of The Shepherd's Crook or Staff Crismon The Shepherd's Crook or Staff remembers that Jesus sometimes called himself a shepherd. It can also represent the shepherds who were the first people told about the birth of Jesus.
Link to a large version of The triquenta Crismon

Link to a large version of The trefoil Crismon		 Both of these symbols represent the Christian 'Trinity' of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. The Triquerta is made of three loops making a triangle representing the three parts of the trinity. The Trefoil (at the bottom) is three equal circles intertwined to form a whole.
Link to a large version of The Hands in Prayer Crismon Hands in Prayer help Christians remember that they should pray to God.
Link to a large version of The Scroll Crismon The Scroll represents the Bible.
Link to a large version of The Dove Crismon The Dove is the symbol of peace and the Holy Spirit. It is shown pointing down to represent the Holy Spirit that appeared as a Dove when Jesus was baptised.
Link to a large version of The lamp Crismon

Link to a large version of The candle Crismon		 The Lamp and The Candle both represents that Christians believe Jesus in the Light of the World.
Link to a large version of The shell Crismon The Shell is a symbol for baptism. It reminds Christians of the water that they are baptised in. It is also a sign of Pilgrimage, as Pilgrims to the Holy Land (Israel) would use a shell as a drinking vessel.
Link to a large version of The keys Crismon The Keys are a symbol for the Church in all the world. Jesus told his friend Peter that "I will give you keys to heaven", so this means that Christians have to tell other people about Jesus.
Link to a large version of The ship Crismon The Ship is also a symbol of the Church, sailing towards heaven.
Link to a large version of The cup or chalice Crismon The Cup or Chalice is a symbol of the Mass, Eucharist or Communion. It also represents God's forgiveness.
Link to a large version of The angel Crismon The Angel reminds Christians of the angels who told the shepherds about the birth of Jesus. It can also represent the second coming of Jesus, which the Bible says will start with an Angel blowing a trumpet.
Link to a large version of The babe or manger Crismon Babe / Manger represents Jesus as a baby at Christmas.
Link to a large version of The lamb Crismon The Lamb is a symbol for Jesus who is sometimes called 'The Lamb of God'.
Link to a large version of The butterfly Crismon The Butterfly is a symbol for transformation and the immortal soul.
Link to a large version of The heart Crismon The Heart is a symbol of love and reminds Christians that God is love.
Link to a large version of The lion Crismon The Lion is a symbol for Jesus who is sometimes called 'The Lion of Judah'. Jesus is also represented as Aslan the Lion in the Chronicle of Narnia books by C S Lewis.
Link to a large version of The white rose Crismon The White Rose is a symbol for purity and can represent Mary.

 

You can download all these Chrismon Patterns in a pdf (1.2mb)

 

Frequently Asked Chrismon Questions!

The Ascension Lutheran Church has been kind enough to allow us to re-produce some of the answers to Chrismon FAQs:

What materials can be used for making Chrismons?

Mrs. Spencer was a huge fan of recycling. Any material can be used to make a Chrimsons Ornament. The only guideline is that they be made in gold and white. The most important aspect of a Chrismons Ornament is its ability to share Christ’s story.

Can Chrismons Ornaments be hung on my home tree?

Yes. Chrismons Ornaments can be used to decorate your home Christmas Tree. If you are decorating a Chrismons Tree only the colors of white and gold should be on the tree.

Why do some ornaments have small amounts of color?

One or two Chrismons Ornaments like “The Pelican in Her Piety” have one color other than white, gold, or clear in the design. The color is allowed for a specific purpose, deemed significant enough to telling Christ’s story. For example, when there is no food available, the Pelican will pick her own breast shedding her blood and giving her life for her children. The drops of blood on the breast in the ornament remind us of Christ’s shedding of blood for us on the cross.

Are there guidelines for arranging the ornaments on the tree?

Each church displaying a Chrismons Tree must decide the arrangement of their Chrismons Ornaments. Ascension Lutheran Church has several traditions that have developed over the years. First the Christian Year Series is the focal point for the front of our tree. There are one or two ornaments related to this collection that we hang on the tree in the middle of the larger circles, made by the infinity symbol. Our last supper ornament is hung beneath the Christian Year Series.

Facing the tree to right, we have a number or international ornaments and gifts that have been given to the church. On the opposite left side, we have a collection of the Beatitudes ornaments, and a Children’s corner near the base of the tree.

You can see how Ascension Lutheran Church decorates their tree on their website (goes to another site).