Luther rose

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The Luther rose, also called the Luther seal, is one of the best-known symbols of Lutheranism. It was created for Martin Luther in 1530 while he was staying at the Coburg Fortress during the Diet of Augsburg. Lazarus Spengler sent Luther a drawing of the seal, and Luther saw it as a compact expression of his theology, something he used in his correspondence. He told his friends that the sign was his “compendium of theology.”

The rose had already been Luther’s emblem since 1520. The seal’s design and meaning are as follows: in the center is a black cross set in a heart that keeps its natural color, reminding Luther that faith in the Crucified saves. The heart sits in a white rose, symbolizing that faith brings joy, comfort, and peace. The white rose stands in a blue field, which points to the beginnings of heavenly joy and hope for the future. A gold ring around the field represents eternal blessedness.

In some Byzantine Rite Lutheran churches, such as the Ukrainian Lutheran Church, the rose is shown with a three-barred Orthodox cross in the center. The Luther rose is also used in many coats of arms.