Cardo is also the root of the word cardinis, used for the hinge of a door, or a pivot, that on which something turns. For Paul, words were but witnesses of the life-giving spirit, of the one who writes truths in men’s hearts.Ĭhrist is the embodiment of the ‘hinge’ element in the Christian faith. He believed in the biblical scriptures not as static words on a page, but as words that came alive through the presence of Christ. In the early days of Christianity, the apostle Paul proclaimed that Christ himself was the ‘key’ to understanding the meaning of God’s word.
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Though the keys have since become a symbol of the Vatican’s power, the keys began as mystical source of knowledge that Christ entrusted the church to share with mankind. In the book of Matthew, after instructing the apostle Peter to build his church upon a rock, Christ gives to him the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Peter is generally the first one that comes to mind. Christ is not only the ‘key’ figure in Christianity he is also the cardinal key to our knowledge and understanding of the mysteries of God. In antiquity, cardo was used in much the same way as we use the word key today, meaning: vital, significant, main, crucial, important, etc. These four cardinal aspects as they relate to Christian tradition may actually open some new thoughts for you about faith, Christ and cardinals. Below you will see that there are four key words that stem from the root translation of the word cardinal. These cardinal aspects relate to Christ both historically and symbolically. Beyond the actual red-winged cardinal bird representing faith in the living blood of Christ, there are also four very interesting cardinal aspects rooted in the origins of the word 'cardinal'. The cardinal figure of the Christian faith is Jesus Christ.
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These symbols connect cardinal birds to living faith, and so they come to remind us, that though circumstances might look bleak, dark and despairing, there is always "hope". " By His blood we are freed from sin to serve the living God, to glorify Him, and to enjoy Him forever." Traditionally, the cardinal is symbolic of life, hope and restoration. Both cardinals and blood have long been symbols of vitality, and in the Christian context, that vitality is everlasting. In addition, the cardinal is symbolic of the living blood of Christ. The white dove represents the purity and peace in the light of the spirit and the red cardinal represents the fire and vitality of the living spirit. Renderings of the holy spirit generally contain one of two elements, white light or red flames. Birds, doves in particular, have long been a symbol of the holy spirit.