Posted By: Rick H
What does "IHS" stand for - 02/14/08 06:24 PM
Lets just say even the Catholics and even historians and scholars are not quite clear as to its origins or meaning, so I doubt anyone can come up with a clear answer. (Maybe the Jesuits have a clue since you find it on their buildings, insignias, clothing) While some evidence of pagan orgins are claimed (see below: ) here are some answers from Catholic sites and others...
Response to IHS For Chris
Dear H. S.:
the answer is as simple as this:
Iesus = latin for JESUS
Hominum = latin for OF MEN
Salvator = latin for SAVIOR So IHS= Jesus Savior of men
Iesus Hominum Salvator....
Latin for "Jesus Saviour of Man..."
-----------------------------------
"..In His Service.."
"In Hoc Signo,"
"...they are the first three letters of Jesus’ name in Greek: iota-eta-sigma..."
"...I.H.S. This triad of initials stands for the in hoc signo of the alleged vision of Constantine, of which, save Eusebius, its author, no one ever knew. I.H.S. is interpreted Jesus Hominum Salvator, and In hoc signo. It is, however, well known that the Greek IHS was one of the most ancient names of Bacchus....In hoc signo Victor ens, or the Labarum T (the tau and the resh) is a very old signum, placed on the foreheads of those who were just initiated. Kenealy translates it as meaning "he who is initiated into the Naronic Secret, or the 600, shall be Victor" but it is simply "through this sign hast thou conquered"; i.e., through the light of Initiation..."
------------------------------------
"...originated in Rome with the early Christians, and was popularized in the fifteenth century by Franciscan disciple Bernardine of Sienna, who promoted it as a symbol of peace....
Solar and Lunar symbolism have been in continual use by the Church and are most likely continuances of Roman ceremonial symbolism. There is, however, good evidence that the initials were used to represent Bacchus, the god of wine, who early Christians identified with Jesus.
The IHS emblem today most commonly represents the communion wafer, and is closely asociated with the Jesuit Order. The solar rays often depicted surrounding the emblem represent the monstrance (Ostensorium),* a decorated vessel used to display the Communion Host. The solar symbolism is probably ancient in origin, and probably borrowed from Roman ritual implements...."
http://altreligion.about.com/library.../bldefsihs.htm
http://forums.catholic.com/showthrea...=155845&page=4
http://www.samandra.freeserve.co.uk/ihs.htm
Anyone have a clue on the origins of "IHS".....?
Response to IHS For Chris
Dear H. S.:
the answer is as simple as this:
Iesus = latin for JESUS
Hominum = latin for OF MEN
Salvator = latin for SAVIOR So IHS= Jesus Savior of men
Iesus Hominum Salvator....
Latin for "Jesus Saviour of Man..."
-----------------------------------
"..In His Service.."
"In Hoc Signo,"
"...they are the first three letters of Jesus’ name in Greek: iota-eta-sigma..."
"...I.H.S. This triad of initials stands for the in hoc signo of the alleged vision of Constantine, of which, save Eusebius, its author, no one ever knew. I.H.S. is interpreted Jesus Hominum Salvator, and In hoc signo. It is, however, well known that the Greek IHS was one of the most ancient names of Bacchus....In hoc signo Victor ens, or the Labarum T (the tau and the resh) is a very old signum, placed on the foreheads of those who were just initiated. Kenealy translates it as meaning "he who is initiated into the Naronic Secret, or the 600, shall be Victor" but it is simply "through this sign hast thou conquered"; i.e., through the light of Initiation..."
------------------------------------
"...originated in Rome with the early Christians, and was popularized in the fifteenth century by Franciscan disciple Bernardine of Sienna, who promoted it as a symbol of peace....
Solar and Lunar symbolism have been in continual use by the Church and are most likely continuances of Roman ceremonial symbolism. There is, however, good evidence that the initials were used to represent Bacchus, the god of wine, who early Christians identified with Jesus.
The IHS emblem today most commonly represents the communion wafer, and is closely asociated with the Jesuit Order. The solar rays often depicted surrounding the emblem represent the monstrance (Ostensorium),* a decorated vessel used to display the Communion Host. The solar symbolism is probably ancient in origin, and probably borrowed from Roman ritual implements...."
http://altreligion.about.com/library.../bldefsihs.htm
http://forums.catholic.com/showthrea...=155845&page=4
http://www.samandra.freeserve.co.uk/ihs.htm
Anyone have a clue on the origins of "IHS".....?