A happy quiz is a logo quiz 1. 2. 3.. 4.. 7. 5.. 6.. 8..

What do signs and symbols mean? You are going to be shown three different signs on the coming pages. Discuss in pairs what each sign makes you think of. What does the sign represent? As a class we will then discuss its true meaning and whether it really has a deep or trivial meaning.

Numero uno!

This is a fairly straight forward sign. The Metro – representing a transport network that gets passengers from A to B. It is not a very deep sign in the fact that it simply sign posts people to a place where they can get a train.

Nummer zwei!

The Scottish flag is a symbol that represents: A nation A people A language National Pride Culture Poetry A government A Saint (Saint Andrew) A symbol people have fought and died for.

Number three!

The Ikthus symbol was early Christian graffiti. In Greek the phrase ‘Jesus Christ God’s Saviour Son’ translated spells the initials IKTHUS = Meaning fish/saviour. When Christianity was seen as a dangerous cult under the Romans and Christians were rounded up and killed, Christians drew these into stone all around the Roman Empire in defiance to the Romans to show they would never be beaten or wiped out.

Y10: Foundational Theology Adam, Christ and the tree of life – Signs and symbols in christianity Learning objective: To examine the religious symbolism in the ‘Tree of Life’ Mosaic in the Church of San Clemente in Rome.

Let’s get creative challenge Just imagine that you could design your very own shield/crest of arms that would symbolise (represent) you as a person. What symbols would you put on it? You have 10 minutes to design your own shield, label it and explain the symbols that would go on your shield. Learning objective: To examine the religious symbolism in the ‘Tree of Life’ Mosaic in the Church of San Clemente in Rome.

The creation of adam Compare and contrast the two paintings of the Creation of Adam. What symbols can you see in each? What is similar about them? What is different about them? Be ready to share your ideas with the class.

Who can spot the most symbols in this mosaic? What do you think each symbol represents?

The ‘tree of life’ mosaic In the exam, you could be asked to examine a Christian piece of art. For this module we study the ‘Tree of Life’ in the Church San Clemente in Rome. You must examine the key meanings of the mosaic and be able to explain what it shows.

Learning objective: To examine the religious symbolism in the ‘Tree of Life’ Mosaic in the Church of San Clemente in Rome.

The cross The Cross stands on top of the Tree of forbidden knowledge from which Adam and Eve sinned and ate from. The cross represents forgiveness. Although Jesus was executed on it, it shows that mankind’s sin is forgiven. God loves us so much that he sent his son to put right and atone for our sins. The tree led to sin in the world and the tree (from which the Cross was made) saved us from our sin!!! Learning objective: To examine the religious symbolism in the ‘Tree of Life’ Mosaic in the Church of San Clemente in Rome.

The Vine Jesus is called the ‘vine’ in the 4th Gospel. Vine’s sustain life, giving water and wine. The painting is covered in vines. This represents how Jesus’ blood sustains mankind. The vines also make the world look beautiful – showing the beauty of the world God created. Learning objective: To examine the religious symbolism in the ‘Tree of Life’ Mosaic in the Church of San Clemente in Rome.

Alpha and omega At the very top of the painting we can find the symbols Alpha and Omega. In Greek this means the first and the last. It means Jesus was there in the beginning and he is there at the end. He is eternal. He is our beginning and our end. Learning objective: To examine the religious symbolism in the ‘Tree of Life’ Mosaic in the Church of San Clemente in Rome.

The hand Just above the cross you may notice a hand. This is the hand of God. It represents that God is: Omnipotent – all powerful. Transcendent – He exists outside/above the world. Immanent – He can act inside the world if he wishes. God has the power to intervene in the world when he wishes. Here he is reaching out of the heavens into the world.

The lambs of god At the very bottom of the picture you will notice 12 lambs. Jesus was the lamb of God who was killed for mankind. The 12 lambs watching Christ die represent the disciples. Many of them too would go on to sacrifice their lives for their faith in Christ.

Art salesman Just imagine that you were an art salesman in a world famous art Gallery. Your job is to convince people to buy these paintings by telling them a little bit about them. Write a sales pitch about: What the tree of life mosaic is? Why is it special? What are its important features? Why should someone buy it? Price?