this video- blessed is the spot- is of the bahai faith





the bahai temple is very facenating i really like how everyone can go sit down relax and pray or meditate. also the way the building was structures really coraltes with the religion itself. if you count the beams that support the dome yo will notice that htere are 9 of them. 9 is a special number to the bahais to them it means completeness. also there are many other religious symbols that relate to other forms of religions. the garden is also wonderful. i kind of find it wierd how they place all the prophet including jesus all in relation i know many other religion do this but it is a very hard idea to grasp. couple other facinating things i would have never expect a frech architech and the fact tat it took over 50 year to complete. but it understandable if they are only collecting from other bahais. this was one of my favorable religions that we discussed in class we definitely saved the best for last

the final visual blog CATHOLICISM

This blog will be a preview of the system of symbols that are represented in the catholic church that creates meaning to all that follow Catholicism.

This video is of a priest conveying his message to the world and the people that follow the catholic religion. The video isn't meant for the visual symbols but instead the symbols are through his words.



TRINITY- the trinity consist of the the Father, Son and Holy Spirit
the father is referring to god
son is Jesus Christ
holy spirit is the enabler of christian life

The trinity is not so much a visual symbol as it is a spiritual symbol that all catholics possess it is everywhere and is with everyone that believes in the trinity
This spiritual symbol represent the holy trinity with us and all around us... god his son Jesus and the holy ghost is with us spiritual everyday and is waiting to be called on when needed. Most symbols of the trinity are represented in the form of three rings one for each member of the trinity and can be found in almost every catholic church in the form of stained glass windows. Also the trinity was created by the catholic church for its followers to be able to talked to all 3 beings at once the reason for this is they thought that evil would not be able to pass through the trinity

JESUS

After the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, many of his followers scattered and went underground. His apostles and closest disciples were fulfilled by the Holy Spirit and set out to preach the Gospel of Jesus. Persecution of those who believed that Jesus was Christ, the Christians had to go underground, and it became necessary for Christians to identify one another through the use of symbols. One of the most well known was the symbols of the fish.This fish symbols has been found by archaeologists in caves and catacombs that were used as meeting places. It has been found in markings of graves and even in dwelling places. It was a symbol that was recognized by other true followers but not by those who were not. Why the fish you might ask?
There are several interesting theories surrounding the use of the fish. First off, Jesus preached primarily in Galilee, a fishing town. Many of His first chosen apostles were fishermen, including Simon Peter to whom he entrusted the keys of the church. Jesus who taught in parables, told his disciples he would make the “fishers of men”.

Every time I see the symbol of a fish on someones bumper sticker I think of the story of Jesus turning four loafs of bread and a couple of fish into enough food and feeding hundreds of people. This symbol is probably the second largest symbol of Christianity the first being the cross. This symbol is important to me because it is a symbol the represent Jesus in a more positive and happier way then the crucifix. This symbol is still a symbol of to identify Christians just as it was back when christian were being persecuted.


Another symbol of Jesus is the crucifix.. the crucifix is usually only found in catholic churches and has a powerful meaning to all.

The crucifix is simply a symbol, but a powerful one. It is a reminder of Christ’s suffering for our sin. this symbol is important to all Christians because Jesus sacrificed for us.. this is a admiration shown by Christ is how he has show his love for everyone that believes in him and his father. In most church the letters above the crucifix meaning the "king of Jews" was put there by the Romans upon crucifying Jesus. The difference between a cross and a crucifix is that most christian churches have a cross above the alter but catholic churches have a crucifix. The reason for this is a crucifix symbol is much more meaningful... Jesus shown hanging on the cross with his hands and feet nailed with the crown of thorns on top his head shown just how much pain and anguish Jesus had to go through to save his followers.

HOLY SPIRIT
Bernini's alabaster window in St. Peter's Basilica depicts the Holy Spirit as a dove, common in Christian art, referencing John the Baptist's proclamation that he saw the Holy Spirit descend upon Jesus at his baptism in the form of a dove.

"When Christ comes up from the water of his baptism, the Holy Spirit, in the form of a dove, comes down upon him and remains with him". Matthew 3:16

The dove with a olive branch in foot is a symbol of peace, but more the dove is gentle symbol that involves the holy spirit. the dove portrayed like the one in this stained glass window is represented in many other catholic church in the world. this symbol to me is very important because it give me a sense of relief that the holy spirit is every present and all knowing. the dove is a beautiful symbol and couldn't be anymore perfect to be the symbol of the holy spirit.

"Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come." Matthew 12:33
this passage from the bible represent how the holy spirit is in the highest regards within the catholic church.. it shows the God will forgive anyone that takes god or Jesus name in vein but will not forgive if you take the holy spirits name in vein. this is also why the dove in the early years of Christianity was considered to be sacred.

Monstrance

You may have been in a Catholic church during Adoration or Benediction and wondered what that golden vessel that holds the Eucharistic Host "the bread wafer" for display is called. It’s a unique Roman Catholic symbol called a Monstrance. In the Latin language used universally in the Roman Catholic Church it is called an Ostensorium. Monstrance is derived from the Latin word monstrare which means “to show”. In the English language the word demonstrate has the same derivation and it’s meaning, according to the Webster Dictionary, is “to show clearly”.So why do Catholics have this special vessel to show or display the Eucharistic host? In the Catholic Church, doctrine holds that the bread and wine are transformed into the actual body and blood of Jesus Christ during their consecration at the mass. This is known as Transubstantiation - the transforming of the bread and wine into the body and blood. Once consecrated and transformed they are given the same adoration as is given to Jesus.While the Host is displayed in the Monstrance no human hands are to touch it. That’s why you see the priest or bishop or even the pope wearing a veil that covers their shoulders and hands when holding the Monstrance.

This is a special time in mass when you receive the body and blood of Christ the monstrance symbol is the most sacred in the catholic church. this part of church represent the last supper between Jesus and his disciples when Jesus gave up his body and blood to his disciples and said "take this all of you and eat from it.. and drink from it for this is my body and blood the everlasting covenant." these word from the priest is special it put everything into relation from Christ dying on the cross and giving up his body to save us from our sins. the monstrance goes undetected by most catholic but is one that has special meaning through the monstrance is when priest converts bread into the actual body of Christ.

POPE - PAPACY

The crossed keys symbolise the keys of The Kingdom of Heaven entrusted to Simon Peter, the foundational and immovable (rock) "living stone" upon which The Church was built.

The triple crown (the tiara) representents the pope's three functions as supreme pastor, supreme teacher and supreme priest. The gold cross on a monde (globe) surmounting the tiara symbolizes the sovereignty of Jesus.

The papacy was giving to peter by Christ and was the first pope. Peter was crucified upside down because his belief in Christianity he was upside down because he believe that it would show disrespect to Jesus if he was crucified the way Jesus was.Unlike all of the other symbol that I have shown can be found in all most every Catholic church the the crossed keys and triple crown of the papacy can only be found in the Vatican where the pope resides. The papacy symbol is very special and sacred for this symbol means through the popes teaching is the way to the kingdom of heaven represented in the crossed keys the papacy gives meaning to every catholic it might be the literal focal point in our religion this symbol give meaning to everything that is holy and good and inspires Catholic to follow Jesus path.

This final project has brought me closer to my religion through research and the process of writing this and there were many things that I have learned through Geertz definition and looking more closely to the symbol that are within every religion... and I thank you for that Professor Smith.