Symbols of the Apostles
Peter is symbolized by the keys Christ gave to his church. He is also symbolized by a church on a rock because of Jesus' statement about building his church on the rock or Peter's confession.        
WLS
Mequon, WI

Grace,
Oshkosh, WI

 St. Peter
Sturgeon Bay, WI 		       
Tradition says that Andrew was bound to a cross to prolong his suffering. Variations include a "boat-hook" and fish, to symbolize his occupation.        
  WLS
Mequon, WI 		Grace,
Oshkosh, WI		 St. Peter
Sturgeon Bay, WI 		       
James, Son of Zebedee. The shells symbolize James' missionary journeys, as does the staff with a stachel.        
  WLS
Mequon, WI 		Grace,
Oshkosh, WI		 St. Peter
Sturgeon Bay, WI 		       
John's ususal symbol is a chalice with a poisonous snake inside. Legend says that an attempt was made to poison John, but the Lord spared him. He is also symbolized by an eagle.          
  WLS
Mequon, WI 		St. Peter
Sturgeon Bay, WI 		         
Philip. The cross designates martyrdom. The bread reminds us of Philip's response to Jesus when Jesus fed the multitudes.          
  WLS
Mequon, WI 		St. Peter
Sturgeon Bay, WI 		         
Bartholomew (Nathanael). Legend says that he was crucified and flayed (the knife). He is often pictured with the gospel of Matthew.        
  WLS
Mequon, WI 		Grace,
Oshkosh, WI		 St. Peter
Sturgeon Bay, WI 		       
Thomas supposedly built a church in India (the square) and that he was martyred there (the spear).        
  WLS
Mequon, WI 		Grace,
Oshkosh, WI		 St. Peter
Sturgeon Bay, WI 		       
Matthew The money bags symbolize how the Lord called him when he was a tax collector. An ax symbolizes martyrdom.          
  WLS
Mequon, WI 		St. Peter
Sturgeon Bay, WI 		         
James the Less. Tradition says he was martyred by stoning and beating (the club) and that his dead body was sawn in two (the saw).        
  WLS
Mequon, WI 		Grace,
Oshkosh, WI		 St. Peter
Sturgeon Bay, WI 		       
Jude (Thaddaeus). The ship symbolizes his missionary travels.        
  WLS
Mequon, WI 		Grace,
Oshkosh, WI		 St. Peter
Sturgeon Bay, WI 		       
Simon the Zealot. The fish symbolizes that he was a fisher of men. The book symbolizes the message of the gospel that he taught.          
  WLS
Mequon, WI 		St. Peter
Sturgeon Bay, WI 		         
Simon the Zealot like the other apostles has various symbols. The oar refers to his being a fisher of men. The ax symbolizes his martyrdom.          
  Grace,
Oshkosh, WI		          
Matthias. An open Bible refers to his work as an apostle. The double ax symbolized his martydom.          
  WLS
Mequon, WI 		Grace,
Oshkosh, WI		          
Paul is most commonly symbolized by an open Bible and a sword. The words mean "The Sword of the Spirit.        
  Grace,
Oshkosh, WI		 St. Paul's,
Ixonia 		St. Peter
Sturgeon Bay, WI 		       
According to legend, when Paul was beheaded, his head bounced three times, and three pools of water came forth. This is a rarer symbol for Paul.          
  Zebaoth,
Milwaukee, WI		          
Judas Iscariot. The "J" for Judas is made out of a rope, representing his hanging. At the bottom are the 30 pieces of silver.          
  Zebaoth,
Milwaukee, WI