Lives of the Apostles

Symbols of the Apostles

Peter (Simon)
Keys, upside-down cross
Leader of the Apostles and first Pope of the Roman Catholic Church. Name of Peter means rock. ("On this rock I will build my church").
Andrew
X-shaped cross, crossed fish
Brother of Simon Peter. Recognized Christ immediately. Martyred on an x-shaped Cross. Patron Saint of Scotland.
James the Greater
3 Shells
Son of Zebedee. Apostle who is thought to have preached in Spain, but returned to Judea. First apostle martyred by Herod, body sawed in half.
John
Chalice with Snake, Eagle
(Brother of James Greater)Beloved apostle, author of many bible books. Preached many years in Asia Minor, survived poisoning attempt, exiled to Patmos.
James the Lesser
Saw
Son of Alphaeus. Author of an epistle. Head of the church in Jerusalem. Martyred by being sawed in half.
Philip
Basket of Loaves
Former disciple of John the Baptist. Preached in Greece, Syria and Asia Minor. Martyred in Asia Minor by crucifixion.
Bartholomew
Knives
Apostle to Armenia, converted King. Martyred by being flayed and crucified. (a.ka.a Nathaniel)
Thomas
Building Square
Apostle who preached in Parthia, India, Media, and Persia. Martyred near Madras in India. (a.k.a Didymus)
Matthew
Three moneybags, Ax
Author of the Gospel of Matthew. Invited Jesus to his house to dine with sinners. Formerly tax collector.
Jude
Ship
Preached in Samaria, Syria and Mesopotamia. Suffered martyrdom with Simon the Zealot. (a.k.a Thaddaeus)
Simon (the Zealot)
Fish on Bible, Saw
Apostle who is thought to have joined St. Jude in his missionary work in Persia before being martyred. His symbol is a saw since legend has that he was sawed in half.
Judas Iscariot
Rope, silver
Apostle who betrayed Jesus for a bag of silver coins.
Matthias
Axe/Lance
Disciple since baptism of Jesus, chosen to replace Judas Iscariot after his suicide.
Paul
Sword
Greatest Christian missionary of the Apostolic age, and author of many epistles in the New Testament.

Labors of the Apostles

St. Peter.—Symbol, one or two keys.