Passion, Symbols of The

Passion, Symbols Of The, are numerous, and, although rarely seen in the Catacombs and in early sculpture, they are constantly found in churches. They are the two swords of the apostles, the ear of Malchus, St. Peter's sword, the pillar and cord, the scourge, in the crown of thorns, the three dice, the spear, the sponge, the nails, the cross, the thirty pieces of silver, the hammer and pincers, the ladder, the lantern, the boxes of spice for embalming, the seamless garment, the purse and the cock; the five wounds are represented by the hands and feet with a heart in the center, each pierced with one wound, or by a heart alone with five wounds.

⇒See also the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia.