# Luther rose > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Luther_rose > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Luther_rose.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luther_rose > Source revision: 1356230246 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Widely recognized symbol for Lutheranism This article relies excessively on references to primary sources. Please improve this article by adding secondary or tertiary sources. Find sources: "Luther rose" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (April 2011) (Learn how and when to remove this message) The Luther rose The **Luther rose** or **Luther seal** is a widely recognized symbol for [Lutheranism](/source/Lutheranism). It was the [seal](/source/Seal_(emblem)) that was designed for [Martin Luther](/source/Martin_Luther) at the behest of [John Frederick of Saxony](/source/John_Frederick_I%2C_Elector_of_Saxony) in 1530, while Luther was staying at the [Coburg](/source/Coburg) Fortress during the [Diet of Augsburg](/source/Diet_of_Augsburg). [Lazarus Spengler](/source/Lazarus_Spengler), to whom Luther wrote his interpretation below, sent Luther a drawing of this seal. Luther saw it as a compendium or expression of his [theology](/source/Theology) and [faith](/source/Faith), which he used to authorize his correspondence. Luther informed [Philipp Melanchthon](/source/Philipp_Melanchthon) on 15 September 1530, that the Prince had personally visited him in the [Coburg](/source/Coburg) fortress and presented him with a [signet ring](/source/Seal_(emblem)#Signet_rings), presumably displaying the seal.[1] ## Parts of the seal connected to Luther before 1530 A single rose had been known as Luther’s emblem since 1520, when Wolfgang Stöckel in [Leipzig](/source/Leipzig) published one of Luther's sermons with a [woodcut](/source/Woodcut) of the [reformer](/source/Reformation). This was the first contemporary depiction of Martin Luther. Luther's [doctoral ring](/source/Doctoral_ring) displayed a heart-like shield, the symbol of the [Holy Trinity](/source/Holy_Trinity).[1] ## Luther's interpretation of his seal Luther's Seal from a church in Cobstädt, [Thuringia](/source/Thuringia), Germany In an 8 July 1530 letter to [Lazarus Spengler](/source/Lazarus_Spengler), Luther interprets his seal: Grace and peace from the Lord. As you desire to know whether my painted seal, which you sent to me, has hit the mark, I shall answer most amiably and tell you my original thoughts and reason about why my seal is a symbol of my theology. The first should be a black cross in a heart, which retains its natural color, so that I myself would be reminded that faith in the Crucified saves us. "For one who believes from the heart will be justified" ([Romans 10:10](https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Bible_(King_James)/Romans#10:10)). Although it is indeed a black cross, which mortifies and which should also cause pain, it leaves the heart in its natural colour. It does not corrupt nature, that is, it does not kill but keeps alive. "The just shall live by faith" ([Romans 1:17](https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Bible_(King_James)/Romans#1:17)) but by faith in the crucified. Such a heart should stand in the middle of a white rose, to show that faith gives joy, comfort, and peace. In other words, it places the believer into a white, joyous rose, for this faith does not give peace and joy like the world gives ([John 14:27](https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Bible_(King_James)/John#14:27)). That is why the rose should be white and not red, for white is the color of the spirits and the angels (cf. [Matthew 28:3](https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Bible_(King_James)/Matthew#28:3); [John 20:12](https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Bible_(King_James)/John#20:12)). Such a rose should stand in a sky-blue field, symbolising that such joy in spirit and faith is a beginning of the heavenly future joy, which begins already, but is grasped in hope, not yet revealed. And around this field is a golden ring, symbolising that such blessedness in Heaven lasts forever and has no end. Such blessedness is exquisite, beyond all joy and goods, just as gold is the most valuable, most precious and best metal. This is my compendium theologiae [summary of theology]. I have wanted to show it to you in good friendship, hoping for your appreciation. May Christ, our beloved Lord, be with your spirit until the life hereafter. Amen.[1][2] ## In Byzantine Rite Lutheranism The Luther Rose as used by the [Ukrainian Lutheran Church](/source/Ukrainian_Lutheran_Church), which is a part of [Byzantine Rite Lutheranism](/source/Byzantine_Rite_Lutheranism). Churches of [Byzantine Rite Lutheranism](/source/Byzantine_Rite_Lutheranism), such as the [Ukrainian Lutheran Church](/source/Ukrainian_Lutheran_Church), use the Luther rose with a three-barred [Orthodox cross](/source/Russian_Orthodox_cross) in the centre.[3] ## Use in coats of arms The Luther rose is used in many coats of arms. The assumption that [Martin Luther](/source/Martin_Luther) had visited any of these places is not confirmed. ### German and Austrian arms - [Langenholtensen](/source/Langenholtensen) - [Kirchberg-Thening](/source/Kirchberg-Thening) - [Rodgau](/source/Rodgau) - [Wain](/source/Wain_(W%C3%BCrttemberg)) - [Neuendettelsau](/source/Neuendettelsau) - Golden Luther rose in the coat of arms of [Arriach](/source/Arriach) village - [Ramsau am Dachstein](/source/Ramsau_am_Dachstein) - [Greifenstein](/source/Greifenstein) ## Use in United States Department of Veterans Affairs The Luther Rose is number 51 in the [USVA](/source/United_States_Department_of_Veterans_Affairs) Emblems of Belief. [United States Department of Veterans Affairs](/source/United_States_Department_of_Veterans_Affairs) headstone emblem 51 ## See also - [Christianity portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Christianity) - [Rose (heraldry)](/source/Rose_(heraldry)) – Heraldic symbol - [Rose Cross](/source/Rose_Cross) – Western esoteric symbol - [Rose symbolism](/source/Rose_symbolism) ## Notes 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-LW_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-LW_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-LW_1-2) *LW* 49, 356-359. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Translated from *WA Br* 5, 445 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Kudrick, Serhiy; Kokovsky, Taras; Stetsyuk, Oleg (31 October 2007). [""Українська Лютеранська Церква – Церква, яка бере за основу лише Святе Письмо – Біблію, являється консервативною Церквою у питаннях віросповідання""](https://risu.org.ua/ua/index/expert_thought/webconf_archive/18805/) (in Ukrainian). РІСУ - Релігійно-інформаційна служба України. Retrieved 19 September 2018. УЛЦ є правонаступницею довоєнної Української Євангельської Церкви Авгсбурзького віросповідання (УЄЦАВ), що визначала себе як Церква Східного (Візантійського) обряду. Звідси і використання символіки цього обряду і Літургії Івана Золотустого. ## Bibliography - Luther, Martin. *D. Martin Luthers Werke, Kritische Gesamtausgabe. Briefwechsel*. 18 vols. Weimar: Verlag Hermann Böhlaus Nachfolger, 1930–85. (abbreviated as *WABr* above). - Luther, Martin. *Luther's Works*. 55 Volumes. Various translators. St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House; Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1957–1986. CD-ROM edition, 2001. (abbreviated as *LW* above). ## Further reading - Korsch, Dietrich (2004). "Luther's Seal as an Elementary Interpretation of His Theology". In Wengert, Timothy J. (ed.). *Harvesting Martin Luther's reflections on theology, ethics, and the church*. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans. pp. 56–77. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-8028-2486-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-8028-2486-8). ## External links - [Lutheran Symbols and Crosses](https://web.archive.org/web/20160318033820/http://lutheransonline.com/servlet/CpsServlet/dbpage%3Dcge%26gid%3D20052995655655607101111555%26pg%3D20053040942236960101111555) v t e Martin Luther Bibliography Resources about Martin Luther Works Ninety-five Theses (1517) Sermon on Indulgences and Grace (1518) To the Christian Nobility of the German Nation (1520) On the Babylonian Captivity of the Church (1520) On the Freedom of a Christian (1520) Commentary on the Magnificat (1521) Against Henry, King of the English (1522) Luther Bible (1522, 1534) The Adoration of the Sacrament (1523) Formula missae (1523) Flood prayer (1523) Against the Murderous, Thieving Hordes of Peasants (1525) On the Bondage of the Will (1525) Against the Heavenly Prophets (1525) The Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ—Against the Fanatics (1526) Deutsche Messe (1526) Confession Concerning Christ's Supper (1528) On War Against the Turk (1529) Small Catechism (1529) Articles of Schwabach (1529) Large Catechism (1529) A Simple Way to Pray (1535) Smalcald Articles (1537) On the Councils and the Church (1539) On the Jews and Their Lies (1543) Vom Schem Hamphoras (1543) Luther's Table Talk (1566) Weimar edition of Luther's works List of hymns First Lutheran hymnal (1524) Erfurt Enchiridion (1524) Eyn geystlich Gesangk Buchleyn (1524) "Es spricht der Unweisen Mund wohl" (1524) "Gott sei gelobet und gebenedeiet" (1524) "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" (1529) "Sie ist mir lieb, die werte Magd" (1535) "Christ unser Herr zum Jordan kam" (1543) Topics and events Reformation Lutheranism Heidelberg Disputation, 1518 Leipzig Debate, 1519 Exsurge Domine, 1520 Diet of Worms, 1521 Decet Romanum Pontificem, 1521 Marburg Colloquy, 1529 Augsburg Confession, 1530 Luther's canon Theology of Martin Luther Theology of the Cross Priesthood of all believers Sola fide Sola scriptura Two kingdoms Beerwolf (1539) Law and Gospel Marian theology Eucharist in Lutheranism Sacramental union Words of Institution Antisemitism Propaganda during the Reformation Die Lügend von S. Johanne Chrysostomo (1537 edition) People Hans and Margarethe Luther (parents) Katharina von Bora (wife) Magdalena Luther (daughter) Paul Luther (son) Albert of Brandenburg Bartholomaeus Arnoldi Erasmus Georg Rörer Johann Cochlaeus Johann Reuchlin Johann von Staupitz Justus Jonas Karl von Miltitz Andreas Karlstadt Philip Melanchthon Pope Leo X Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor Frederick the Wise Albrecht VII von Mansfeld Luther sites All Saints' Church, Wittenberg Stadtkirche Wittenberg Lutherhaus Lutherstädte Martin Luther's Birth House Martin Luther's Death House Melanchthonhaus (Wittenberg) St. Augustine's Monastery Veste Coburg (Fortress) Wartburg Castle Film and theatre Martin Luther (1923 film) Luther (1928 film) Martin Luther (1953 film) Luther (1961 play) Luther (1964 film) Luther (1974 film) Martin Luther, Heretic (1983 film) Luther (2003 film) Luther and I (2017 film) Luther Monuments Luther Monument, Washington D.C. Luther Monument, Worms Related Luther rose Theologia Germanica Martin Luther Christian University Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Luther rose](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luther_rose) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luther_rose?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.