



 |
While
Luther was a professor at Wittenberg, he devised a seal which was meant to be
expressive of his theology. In a letter to a friend Luther explained the
symbolism of his seal.
A
black cross rests on a red heart "to put me in mind that faith in
Christ crucified saves us." The heart rests on the center of a white
rose "to show that faith causes joy, consolation and peace. The rose
is white, not red, because white is the ideal color of all angels and
blessed spirits."
The
rose is fixed in a dark blue sky "to denote that such joy of faith in
the spirit is but an earnest and beginning of heavenly joy to come, as
anticipated and held by hope, though not yet revealed."
The
sky is surrounded by a golden ring "to signify that such bliss in
heaven is endless, and more precious than all joys and treasures...
Christ, our dear Lord, He will give grace unto eternal life."
|
|