The Labarum and Chi Ro

• the Labarum. /ˈlæbəɹəm/ 1. An ecclesiastical banner, especially one carried in processions. 2. The banner adopted by Constantine I after his conversion to Christianity. [Latin] American Heritage Dictionary.
• The Labarum on a Snake - on a coin of Constantine the Great

The monogram of the name of Christ, formed of the two first letters of that name in Greek, X and P:

... is the celebrated sign which appeared in the sky at noon-day to the Emperor Constantine and his troops, and was afterwards adopted by him on his standard; the monogram is hence sometimes called the Labarum, as well as the Cross of Constantine. If there had been any doubt as to the signification of the [symbol] an instance occurs on one of the bas-reliefs in the Catacombs, of a rude representation of a lamb whose head is surmounted by the Labarum probably the date of this is the latter part of the fourth century. In another instance a figure occurs bearing a sheep on his shoulders, while the surmounts the head of our Lord in order to denote the divine character of the Good Shepherd. In Plate XXXVIII. (below) are several examples, showing much ingenuity displayed in combining the letters.

In No. 9 we have the typical wreath of Victory surrounding the device, and in Nos. 12, 15, and 16, wreaths and palm-branches appear, no doubt in allusion to the motto which was, according to Eusebius, inscribed on the Labarum, EN TOYT NIKA, meaning, 'Conquer by this.' No. 11 is taken from an early piece of sculpture in the Catacombs, and clearly represents a young Roman Christian bearing the form of the Cross as a standard. One of the examples given (No.14.) was found marked upon the plaster of an early tomb in the same series of subterranean vaults. Between the lines of the monogram will be found traced the letters ES[T] DEUS; some have supposed that the presence of this monogram upon a tomb was a sign that he who was buried beneath had suffered martyrdom.

In very many instances in the Catacombs the inscription commences with this monogram, occurring sometimes in the form such as:

IN ASELUS D(ORMIT)

but generally without the IN before it. A good typical example is given in Plate XXXIX. (No.20), which has the A and also at the side. In these cases the "in" is no doubt understood, and though this form becomes changed, probably the custom of commencing inscriptions, deeds of gift, &c. throughout the Middle Ages with the plain Greek cross, has its origin in this, being equivalent to In nomine Christi.

One or two early signet-rings have been found with the Labarum for a device, one of which is here engraved...
It was also used as a device for such ordinary objects as lamps etc.

"The more usual monogram of our Saviour in later times is the IHS. (which are the first three letters of the Greek, or JESus). This is constantly found throughout the Middle Ages, whether carved in stone or painted on glass. It is singular that the form should have been lost sight of. while the IHS became so frequently used, for they both represent the same great Name; the one is as expressive as the other..." - The Calendar of the Prayer-Book, Illustrated, With an Appendix of the Chief Christian Emblems, published at Oxford, 1909.

This page is an edited version of a page in the care of Rev. Roger J. Smith, the archived page about Labara may be accessible by clicking here.