Feb 052013
![[clay lamp with dove]](http://saints.sqpn.com/ncd04618.jpg "jpg New Catholic Dictionary illustration of a clay lamp decorated with a dove")
Article
Small clay lamps adorned with Christian symbols have been found in numbers in all Christian centers, especially in the Roman Catacombs. They may be divided into two classes: lamps of the classic period, before Constantine, which are round with an ascending perforated handle, of workmanship superior to those of the later period; those of the Constantinian epoch which are boat-shaped with an un-perforated handle running to a point. Lamps of bronze have also been found, sometimes patterned after symbolic animals. The early Christians used lamps from necessity; a burning lamp before the Blessed Sacrament is now obligatory.
Associated in Art with
- Saint Brigid of Ireland
- Saint Clare of Assisi
- Saint Dymphna
- Saint Gudule of Brussels
- Saint Macarius the Younger
- Saint Madron of Cornwall
- Saint Remigius of Rheims
MLA Citation
- “lamp“. Emblems of the Faith. Saints.SQPN.com. 5 February 2013. Web. 22 May 2013. <>