There are numerous symbols espoused to St. Peter, largely generated by his prominence in the Catholic Church, and its subsequent patronage to the arts. Though the representations of St. Peter changed in keepings with the times as religious art evolved, there remained consistent symbols garnered by tradition or scriptural reference. The inverted Cross, tradition holds, is symbolic of Peter asking to be martyred on an upside down crucifix, for he did not feel worthy to be crucified in the same manner as his Lord. The maturity displayed by Peter is not simply an act of humility, but wisdom. He did not want to become a second Messiah figure. Peter is often represented holding a book or parchment, indicative of his two contributions to the New Testament. Occasionally, Peter is depicted in chains to demonstrate his Roman imprisonment and captivity in Rome.
Peter was an ordinary man and shared man’s perspicuity to sin with all believers, yet Christ chose him specifically as a leader in the formation of the New Covenant Church. Christ called a Jewish fisherman to be a fisher of men, thus Peter may be shown with fish or fishing paraphernalia. Peter is often distinctly an old man when represented with the other apostles; many ideas are associated with this presentation, including an allusion to the wisdom or position he holds in the first century church and the tradition or belief suggesting that Peter was the oldest of the twelve disciples. The most prominent symbol of Peter, however, is the Key which is indicative of the Catholic interpretation of Peter receiving the authority of Jesus over the Church (Matt 16).
As we explored St. Peter and his relationship inside Christianity, the avenues of discussion ranged from the Catholic Church’s installment of Peter as the first Pope and the evolution of the office, traditions associated with the life and work of Peter and other popes throughout the ages, presentation of his personality throughout Scripture and art, to his prominence in the Catholic tradition that was significantly diminished with the arrival of the Reformation and its ideas.
