Step by Step
1
The apostles Peter and Paul
Peter carries two keys, referencing his role as keeper of the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 16:19). Paul carries a sword (referencing his beheading) along with a book.
2
Martyrs — Sebastian and Catherine
Sebastian is identified by arrows, referencing his martyrdom by Roman archers. Catherine of Alexandria carries a spiked wheel — the torture instrument that miraculously broke during her martyrdom.
3
Scholar saints and evangelists
Jerome is shown with a lion (having removed a thorn from its paw), along with a skull and book. Luke, an evangelist, is symbolized by an ox and a palette (as patron saint of painters). John the Evangelist is symbolized by an eagle, along with a chalice containing a snake.
4
Other notable saints
Mary Magdalene carries an alabaster jar, referencing her anointing of Christ's feet. Francis of Assisi is shown with stigmata, birds, and a wolf. Agnes carries a lamb (a pun on the Latin agnus). Teresa of Ávila is shown with a heart pierced by a dart, symbolizing divine love. Agatha is depicted holding her severed breasts on a plate, referencing her martyrdom.
Applied Walkthrough
1
A figure holding two keys is unmistakably Saint Peter, referencing his biblical role as keeper of the kingdom of heaven — while a figure nearby holding a sword and book would instead be identified as Paul, referencing his death by beheading.
2
A figure pierced with arrows would be recognized as Sebastian, martyred by Roman archers, while a figure standing beside a spiked wheel would be Catherine of Alexandria, whose torture device miraculously shattered.
3
A scholarly figure accompanied by a lion, book, and skull would be identified as Jerome, referencing the legend of him removing a thorn from a lion's paw — quite distinct from Luke, symbolized instead by an ox and a painter's palette.
4
Other distinctive attributes make identification straightforward once memorized: Mary Magdalene's alabaster jar, Francis of Assisi's stigmata and animal companions, and Agnes's lamb (a direct pun on her name's Latin root) all serve as visual shorthand that any period viewer would have instantly recognized.
Exam Application
Exams test whether you can match specific saints to their identifying attributes, and whether you understand the historical or biblical reference each attribute encodes (Peter's keys from Matthew 16:19, Sebastian's arrows from his martyrdom, etc.).
⚠ Common Trap
The most common trap is confusing saints with similar-seeming attributes — for instance, confusing Paul's sword (referencing his beheading) with a different martyr's weapon-based attribute — always connect the specific object to its specific saint and biographical reference rather than treating attributes as interchangeable.
✓ Quick Self-Check
1. What attribute identifies Saint Peter, and what does it reference?
Two keys, referencing his role as keeper of the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 16:19).
Tap to reveal / hide
2. What attribute identifies Saint Sebastian?
Arrows, referencing his martyrdom by Roman archers.
Tap to reveal / hide
3. What attribute identifies Catherine of Alexandria?
A spiked wheel — the torture instrument that miraculously broke during her martyrdom.
Tap to reveal / hide
4. What attribute identifies Jerome, and what does it reference?
A lion, referencing the legend of him removing a thorn from its paw.
Tap to reveal / hide
5. What attribute identifies Mary Magdalene?
An alabaster jar, referencing her anointing of Christ's feet.
Tap to reveal / hide