THE NEW CREATION INTERPRETATION OF SYMBOLS AND COLORS
"The Alpha" & "The Omega": These represent Jesus as the SOURCE from which and the LIMIT within which, we have our being and permeance as the "Children of God".
WHITE. In the areas where you find the Alpha and the Omega, the color white signifies PEACE, PURITY and HOLINESS; it represents Jesus as the Prince of Peace and the Holy One.
THE CROSS. In the lower wings, on either side. This symbolizes our Lord's complete self-giving for our redemption.
DEEP BLUE. The deep blue in the cross signifies the depth of the mystery of God's love. (See John 15:13)
THE CUP. Represents the suffering of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is also the symbol of the blood which was shed for the sin of the world. (See Matt. 26:28)
THE HEART. Beside the CUP in each wing, is the HEART. Turned upside down it points to love poured out for the world.
RED. In the CUP and in the HEART you see the color red. It represents the LOVE, the LIFE and POWER of God, given in Christ, to us and for us.
ORANGE. The color ORANGE represents our love for God, for we are told, not only that God loves us, but that we must love God too. (See Matt. 22:37)
COLORS IN THE CUP. Brown affirms the humanity of Jesus Christ. ORANGE, affirms that Jesus Christ as human, loved God. RED affirms that Jesus Christ embodied the love of God for humanity. (See John 15:10)
THE BREAD. In the top of the upper wings, the figure which appears suspended, is THE BREAD, representing the body of our Lord. It reminds us that He is our spiritual nourishment. (See, John 6:51)
THE FISH. Represents, SERVICE, as expressed in the words of our Lord, "Follow me and I will make you fish for people". (Matt. 4:19 NRSV)
THE SPIKE. In THE FISH represents SUFFERING. The SPIKE in the FISH signifies the acceptance of PAIN and SUFFERING experienced in the fulfillment of the will of God in our relations with others. It reminds us of the words of our Lord in (Matt. 5:11-12). "Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kind of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."
THE SHEPHERD'S STAFF. The SHEPHERD'S STAFF found across the head of the FISH, symbolizes Christ as our SHEPHERD, leading us. He said..."My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me." (John 10:27 NRSV)
BROWN. The color BROWN symbolizes THE EARTH, as the stage for the beginning and growth of life in Christ. All the symbols painted BROWN refer to our life on EARTH. It is while we are on EARTH that we take of the BREAD and the CUP, share in the love and power of God, we fish for people, we receive the SPIKE, as we take up our Cross daily and follow our Shepherd. (See Matt. 16:24)
THE SUN. The SUN behind the tail of the FISH, in the blue background, symbolizes the beginning of a new life in Christ, the dawning of a new day in Christ.
YELLOW. The color YELLOW represents the Christian's life in the world. Jesus said, "In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven." (Matt. 5:16 NRSV)
BLUE. The color BLUE, in which the SUN is set, represents the Universe in which our new life begins.
THE DOVE. Set in the upper body of the butterfly symbolizes the Holy Spirit, who will prove the world to be wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment, who will guide into truth and give us power to become witnesses of our Lord, Jesus Christ. (See John 16:8-11 and Acts 1:8)
THE SWORD. Below the DOVE, symbolizes the WORD OF GOD. As the Scriptures declare..."Indeed the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart." (Heb. 4:12 NRSV)
THE ANTENNAE. Symbolize the QUEST for "all" that God has in store for us. Our Lord bids us..."Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened." (Matt. 7:7-9 NRSV)
THE HEAD OF THE BUTTERFLY. Is WHITE and signifies our guidance by the WORD and SPIRIT of God. "For all who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God." (Rom. 8:14 NRSV), (see John 16:13.)
PURPLE. Signifies royalty. In the ALPHA and the OMEGA, PURPLE tells us that Jesus is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. In the body of the butterfly, it represents our standing in Christ; we are now, through the WORD and SPIRIT of God, " children of the King". (See Eph. 2: 1 and 6)
THE WINGS. Symbolize the freedom of access to all that God has provided us in Christ. Jesus said..." I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture," (John 10:9 NRSV)
THE BUTTERFLY. Signifies TRANSFORMATION, it is the symbol of a renewed life. Our Lord said..."Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the Kingdom of God with- out being born from above." (John 3:3 NRSV)
THE BEAUTY. The over-all BEAUTY of the butterfly represents the beauty of the Christian Character, which Christ can make a reality in our life. It represents the beauty which should adorn our life in the world, to inspire and draw others to Christ.
THE WORM. The WORM, situated below the butterfly, represents our “old nature", in our natural, sinful state, living for ourselves, caring only for the things of this world, unconcerned about God and thus standing in need of forgiveness and renewal. Jesus said..."What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the spirit is spirit. Do not be astonished that I said to you, "You must be born from above." (John 3:6 NR)
GREEN. Is the symbol of hope. It is both in the WORM and the BUTTERFLY. Although the WORM represents our separation from God, here, the color GREEN signifies the hope of Forgiveness and new life in Christ. In the BUTTERFLY it signifies that hope will al- ways be present in our new life in Christ. (See I Peter 1:3,4)
PINK. PINK signifies faith and trust without which it is impossible to please God. (See Heb. 11:6)
LIGHT BLUE. The LIGHT BLUE color and the border which it forms around the butterfly like a halo, are symbolic of the reflection of the di- vine nature in us. (II Peter 1:3,4)
BLACK. In this context, the color BLACK has a special meaning. It does not signify the "negative", the "ugly", the "wicked", the "evil"; rather, it signifies the UNKNOWN, It is the symbol of the INFINITE, it represents that which is SECRET. It tells us that there is more than we have grasped concerning ourselves and the things of God. The apostle Paul wrote: "But, as it is written, what no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor human heart conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him." (I Cor. 2:9 NRSV). All this is expressed in these words of our Lord. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16 NRSV)