Waldensian coat of arms

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Waldensian coat of arms

The Waldensian coat of arms (Italian stemma valdese ) is a depiction of a burning candle surrounded by seven stars and the Latin word Lux lucet in tenebris . The Waldensian coat of arms is a common motif on buildings or publications of this Protestant church.

Earliest form

The coat of arms appears for the first time in 1640 as a frontispiece on the work Lucerna sacra by Pastor Valerio Grosso: an oval in which a candlestick with a burning candle is depicted against a dark background, surrounded by six (!) Stars, and the Latin motto In tenebris lux , "In darkness light".

In the classic form, the coat of arms is then in 1669 as a copper engraving in the work Histoire générale des églises évangéliques des Vallées de Piemont; ou vaudoises by Jean Léger testifies: the oval, the burning candle on its stand, rays emanating from the candle flame and seven stars against a dark background; All around the lettering Lux lucet in tenebris , “the light shines in the darkness”, surrounded by two green branches and below the inscription: Convallium Antiquissima Insignia , “the very old coat of arms of the valleys”.

One interpretation is that the Waldensians modified the coat of arms of the Counts of Luserna , a burning oil lamp (Latin lucerna ). Torre Pellice , the historic center of the Waldensian church in the Piedmontese Alps, was formerly called Torre di Luserna.

Waldensian symbol on a tombstone in Dürrmenz

Only much later was the Waldensian coat of arms supplemented with the motif of the Bible. This book is based on more recent representations on which the candlestick stands.

Biblical references

The Latin motto usually has the form Lux lucet in tenebris , "the light shines in the darkness", a sentence from the Gospel of John ( Joh 1,5  LUT ).

The seven stars symbolize the seven congregations from the Revelation of John, which remained true to the gospel despite all tribulations ( Rev 1,12-20  LUT ).

The combination of the motifs of burning candlesticks and seven stars can refer to the situation of a persecuted church, but also a reference to Ps 119,105  LUT appears possible.

Web links

Commons : coat of arms of the Waldensians  - collection of images, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Joseph Visconti: The Waldensian Way to God . Xulon Press, 2003, pp. 360 .
  2. ↑ Waldensian coat of arms. In: Waldenserort Nordhausen. Retrieved November 15, 2018 .
  3. ↑ The Waldensian coat of arms. In: Waldenserweg Palmbach. Retrieved November 15, 2018 .
  4. ↑ The coat of arms of the Waldensians. In: The Waldensians. Retrieved November 15, 2018 .
  5. ↑ Waldensian coat of arms. In: Waldensian Circle of Friends. Retrieved November 15, 2018 .