4 - Franciscan Art & Symbols

Franciscan Coat of Arms: with the Arm of Francis conforming to and the Arm of Jesus through  the ministry of Christ

 The Franciscan Coat of Arms (sometimes called The Conformity) is two arms crossing one another (one arm is the arm of St. Francis and the other Jesus). With this symbol I see the reshaping of my life to conform to Jesus as Francis did.

Prayer For animals

An Early Depiction of Francis

Francis and A Mouse: I am a Secular Franciscan but I have my limits. I do not like snakes, mice, roaches or thing like that. But, I realize that they are needed for the balance of nature.

Francis & Birds

Francis and the Leper: He had a conversion experience when he embraced a leper.

Thoughts on Francis & the Leper

Francis behind the Franciscan Symbol (a Tau - the "T" shaped symbol or a simple cross)

Francis Receiving the Wounds of Christ

Francis Praising God

 A Happy Francis Embracing the Cross of Christ

Francis Praying

Francis' Quote on the Light of A Candle

Francis Icon

Francis Quote on the Happiness of Heaven

 Francis Reflecting

Francis' Lady Poverty

 Francis Embracing the San Damiano Cross (God Spoke to Him - to rebuild God's Church)

Francis Asking Why

The Conformity (Franciscan Coat of Arms):  Through a Loving sea of humanity, the arm of Francis conforms to the arm of Jesus by following his mission.

Coat of Arms, a Tau & the "My God & My All" Quote

A Tau Necklace with the 3 Franciscan Knots of Poverty, Chasity and Obedience.

This is symbol that Franciscan Laity will wear to indicate they are Franciscans.

Secular (Laity) Franciscan Symbol with "My God & My All" Quote, the crossing arms of Francis conforming to Jesus & the Tau - a simplified cross)

 A Questioning Francis

The Peace Prayer (that Franciscans use)

The San Damiano Cross in 3D

A San Damiano Cross (like the one God spoke to Francis)

 San Damiano Cross is icon of the crucifixion that was located in a nearby church during St. Francis’ time. St. Francis had a vision of Jesus telling him to rebuild his church while viewing this art. I look upon this art to discover within my quiet moments the soft voice of God inspiring me and encouraging me

St Clare (A Female Francis who started the 2nd Franciscan Order - The Poor Clare)

Francis and Animals

A Franciscan Morning Prayer

A Wooden Tau (A simple symbol of Franciscan Spirituality)

he Tau is a “T” shaped symbol (similar to the cross of Christ) and chosen by St. Francis to be the symbol of his movement. To me it represents my spiritual poverty (to be in great need of God). It also represents my freedom & liberty from things that might want to take ownership of me like too many possessions or excessive usage of high tech devices.

A Tau

A Meditative Francis
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Franciscan Peace Rope 

(Symbols: sacrifice, goodwill, instrument of peace - good intent & Christ Spirit)

The Franciscan Peace Rope is something born of my creative. It has a metal portraying the face of the crucified Jesus to represent the sacrifice that I too must do for peace in my world. Then it has another metal with the first line of the prayer of St. Francis on it. This represents my intent for peace with goodwill. This allows me to be an instrument for peace. Then there is a regular image of Jesus that represents the Spirit of Christ (the spirit that bonds me together with those I am in dispute with).