I have exactly one painting hanging in my room, and it is one I painted myself a few years ago at a painting party my friend hosted. At the center of the small canvas is a cross, surrounded by a heart, a flower, and a ring. Growing up, I saw this symbol every time I entered my Lutheran church. A stained glass window of the Luther Rose was fixed above the entryway. The light streamed through it, and it was beautiful. As I grew in faith, I learned the beauty of its meaning. The Luther Rose is an expression of Christian theology.

In Luther’s own words, he describes the meaning of the rose in a letter to a friend:

“There is first to be a cross, black, and placed in a heart, which should be of its natural color (red), to put me in mind that faith in Christ crucified saved us. For if one believes from the heart, [they] will be justified. Even though it is a black cross, which mortifies and which also should hurt us, yet it leaves the heart in its natural color and does not ruin nature… that is, the cross does not kill, but keeps man alive. For the just shall live by faith, by faith in the Savior. Such a heart is to be in the midst of a white rose, to symbolize that faith gives joy, comfort and peace. In a word, it places the believer into a white joyful rose, for this faith does not give peace and joy as the world gives. Therefore, the rose is to be white, not red, for white is the color of the spirits and of all angels. This rose, moreover, is fixed in a sky-blue field, symbolizing that such joy in the Spirit and in faith is a beginning of the future heavenly joy. It is already a part of faith, and is grasped through hope, even though not yet manifest. And around this field is a golden ring, to signify that such bliss in heaven is endless, and more precious than all joys and goods, just as gold is the most valuable and precious metal. May Christ, our dear Lord, be with your spirit until the life to come. Amen.”

Symbols like the Luther rose can help remind us of our faith. From Luther’s perspective, even the pain and cruelty of the cross is transformed in the light of Christ. By faith in Christ, we have hope, joy, peace, and comfort beyond what the world can give. Take a moment to reflect on the gift of faith today.

Please note that the colors of Luther’s rose have cultural significance in his 16th century German Protestant context. The notion that black represents death and white represents spirits and angels has been challenged in our modern context, especially by African Americans and other people of color. How might we envision symbols of our Christian faith today?