Lutheran Symbols/Seals
The official seal of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod is a unique blend of symbols and words.
In the center is
- a blue shield, representing the Christian's faith;
- a prominent gold cross proclaiming that we preach Jesus Christ crucified and risen from the dead;
- Latin words under the cross reading "Jesus Christ is Lord";
- three equilateral gold crosses symbolizing the Holy Trinity;
- three gold stars on the shield standing for the three Christian creeds: the Apostolic, the Nicene and the Athanasian.
- Beneath the shield is Luther's seal (see description below).
- Three gold stars on each side of the shield stand for the six Lutheran Confessions that were published in one book, titled "Concordia," in 1580.
- Grape vines fill the bottom white spaces, symbolizing Christ's words in John 15:5.
- Around the inner circle are the words on which Lutheranism is founded: Sola Scriptura, Sola Gratia, Sola Fide (by Scripture alone, by grace alone, by faith alone).
- The exterior circle contains the proper name of the church and the year it was founded--1847.
The seal was designed by Rev. A.R. Kretzmann of Chicago; the drawing is by Walter Geweke, also of Chicago.
Dr. Martin Luther's seal expresses his theology and his faith. He designed it himself. In the center is a black cross indicative of Christ's dreadful sacrifice on the cross for every sinner who ever lived. The cross is in the center of a red heart, to show that faith causes love, joy and peace to grow in the human heart. The red heart is on a white rose (Luther's favorite flower) because white is the color of angels and blessed spirits. The white rose is against a blue-sky background to symbolize the Christian's hope for the coming joys of heaven. The seal is enclosed in a gold ring, showing that the bliss of heaven is unending. Luther's seal is not used as an official symbol of The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod. However, it is incorporated into theSynod's official seal to show our acceptance of Luther's doctrines. The seal has been used by Lutherans worldwide.