What Does The IHS Monogram Mean? - Aleteia

Home » What Does Ihs Stand For » What Does The IHS Monogram Mean? - Aleteia

Maybe your like

Edition Englishfacebooktwitter-xfacebookPrayPrayNewsletterNewsletterAleteia AppAleteia AppAdvertisingAdvertisingSearchSearchDonatelogo-blue-print-headerlogo-blue-print-headerLeo XIVNewsLifestyleSpiritualityInspiring StoriesVoices & ViewsIssues & ImplicationsTravel✕SpiritualityseparateurCreated with Sketch.What does the IHS monogram mean?IHS Crucifix

Romanus too | CC

whatsappfacebooktwitter-xemailnativenativePhilip Kosloski - published on 05/15/17 - updated on 08/29/23whatsappfacebooktwitter-xemailnativeThe ancient IHS symbol permeates Christian art all over the world.

Lenten campaign 2026 This content is free of charge, as are all our articles. Support us with a donation and enable us to continue to reach millions of readers.

Give now to support our mission

It is extremely common to walk into a Catholic church and see the letters IHS etched on a crucifix or prominently featured in a stained glass window. What do they mean?

Contrary to popular belief, the monogram does not stand for "I have suffered," "Jesus Hominum Salvator" or even "In Hoc Signo." IHS is more appropriately called a "Christogram," and is an ancient way of writing the word "Jesus Christ."

Dating all the way back to the third century, Christians shortened the name of Jesus by only writing the first three letters of his name in Greek, ΙΗΣ (from his full name ΙΗΣΟΥΣ). The Greek letter Σ (sigma), is written in the Latin alphabet as an "S," resulting in the monogram being commonly represented as ΙΗS.

In the early centuries of the Church it was a secret symbol, often etched on tombs of Christians. Then in the 15th century, Saint Bernadine of Siena went on a preaching campaign to promote reverence to the Holy Name of Jesus and encouraged Christians to put IHS on the doorways of their homes. A century later in 1541 St. Ignatius adopted the monogram to represent his newly founded order, the Society of Jesus. The symbol now permeates Christian art all over the world.

Read more: What is the Apostolic Pardon and why is it important? Did you enjoy this article? Would you like to read more like this?

Get Aleteia delivered to your inbox. It’s free!

Subscribe for free Terms and ConditionsTags:Jesus ChristNewsletter

Get Aleteia delivered to your inbox. It’s free!

Subscribe for free Terms and ConditionsTop 101What is the Chaldean Church? Are they Catholics?What is the Chaldean Church? Are they Catholics?2The cemetery tribute to St. Joseph touching hearts onlineThe cemetery tribute to St. Joseph touching hearts online3Pray boldly: St. Joseph Novena – Day 1Pray boldly: St. Joseph Novena – Day 1417-year-old from Italy could be next millennial saint17-year-old from Italy could be next millennial saint5Nicaragua prohibits priestly and diaconal ordinationsNicaragua prohibits priestly and diaconal ordinations6The 4 men who make up Pope Leo’s inner circleThe 4 men who make up Pope Leo’s inner circle7Cardinal evacuated from Tehran gives Pope Leo 1st-hand reportCardinal evacuated from Tehran gives Pope Leo 1st-hand reportSee MoreDaily prayerAnd today we celebrate...Prayer for the MorningMeditation of the DayPrayer for the Evening

Tag » What Does Ihs Stand For