The Nave Banners of Norwich Cathedral

The phoenix, rising from its ashes reborn, is a first century Christian symbol for the Resurrection – the triumph of eternal life over death. Through Jesus’ sacrificial death on the Cross and Resurrection, we are redeemed and reunited with God. We are brought from darkness to light and from death to life.

The Feast of Pentecost, on the fiftieth day following Easter, marks the fulfilment of the promise made by Jesus to his disciples shortly before his death. The dove, a symbol of purity, peace, love and hope and the tongues of fire, a symbol of divine energy, purification and life force are the two contrasting but complementary images traditionally associated with the Holy Spirit.

The Feast of the Holy Trinity comes in the cycle of the Church’s Year when the Incarnation, Redemption and the Coming of the Holy Spirit have all been celebrated and we worship the One God who reveals himself to us as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The festival comes at the time of year when we are most conscious of the glories of creation and the fullness of life. The green and blue background colours symbolise life, growth, air and sky - and green is the colour traditionally associated with the Trinity season within our Christian Church.

The banner has also been designed as the banner of Norwich Cathedral – whose full title is ‘The Cathedral Church of the Holy and Undivided Trinity of Norwich’. The Cathedral is shown set against a background suggesting our human environment. It is flanked to the left with the arms of Norwich Diocese and with those of the Cathedral to the right. The six candles, in groups of three to mark the Trinity, represent the Church’s constant round of prayer.

In Advent we examine the darkness in our lives, try to achieve repentance and prepare ourselves for the coming of Christ. It is a season of mystery and expectation represented by the liturgical colours of purple and dark blue. The rectangular shapes in the lower part of the banner represent basic life on earth, the triangular forms symbolise growth and development within terrestrial limits and the intersecting arcs represent eternal reality. The four candles suggest people in different parts of the world lightening the darkness, praying and waiting for the arrival of Christ the true light. Trumpets herald the arrival of the King of Kings and the diagonal blue shaft proclaims the Annunciation and the Holy Spirit coming to Mary. The star, not yet full strength but preparing to shine in its full glory, is the one soon to be seen by the shepherds and followed by the Magi.

The banner represents the Glory of God descending to our own level through the birth of the Christ child to bring us light, new life and a renewed unity with the divine. Mankind is symbolised by the three golden crowns to represent the three Kings as well as those with earthly wealth and power. The three crooks represent the shepherds as well as the more lowly amongst mankind – the workers, servants, providers and carers. A silver star shines over Bethlehem and six angels announce and celebrate the birth of Christ. Twin equilateral triangles pointing up and down to denote ‘perfect man’ represent the Christ child at the heart of the banner with a golden halo of sanctity and royalty shining with light.

Sackcloth, which represents the acknowledgement of our sins and failings, the repentance for what is past and the intention to live humbly before God in obedience and service, and ashes which remind us of our mortality and the futility of human posturing, pomp and pride are traditionally associated with the season of Lent. The pomegranate fruit symbolises the wonder of God’s creation and the cockerel recalls Peter’s denial of Jesus alerting us to our own weakness and is a symbol of watchfulness, vigilance and a proclaimer of the sun’s rising. We are called to watch and prepare for the coming of a new and glorious dawn and look forward to Easter when we celebrate the Resurrection, the reality of fallen man redeemed, God and man reunited.