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Martin Luther's Seal
Last Updated On: Thursday April 10, 2008 |
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Designed by Dr. Martin Luther, the Luther Coat of Arms has become the world-wide symbol of the Church of the Augsburg Confession, commonly known as
the Lutheran Church. |
| This explanation is the gist of a letter written to his friend, Herr Spengler, town clerk of Nuremberg. |
The Luther Rose:
- "The first thing expressed in my seal is a cross, black, within the heart, to put me in mind that faith in Christ crucified saves us. 'For with the heart man
believeth unto righteousness.' Now, although the cross is black, mortified, and intended to cause pain, yet it does nor change the color of the heart,
 does not destroy nature (i.e., does not kill, but keeps alive). 'For the just shall live by faith,' by faith in the Savior.
- But this heart is fixed upon the center of a white rose, to show that faith causes joy, consolation and peace.
- The rose is white, not red, because white is the ideal color of all angels and blessed spirits.
- This rose, moreover, is fixed in a sky-colored background, to denote that such joy of faith in the spirit is but an earnest beginning of heavenly joy to come,
as anticipated and held by hope, though not yet revealed.
- And around this groundbase is a golden ring, to signify that such bliss in heaven is endless, and more precious than all joys and treasures, since gold is the
best and most precious metal. Christ, our dear Lord, He will give grace unto eternal life." Martin Luther
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