crossed keys of Saint Peter

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The crossed keys of Saint Peter are a prominent Christian symbol representing the authority of the papacy and the power to bind and loose in heaven and on earth.

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Statements (46)

Predicate Object
instanceOf Christian symbol
heraldic charge
religious symbol
symbol of the papacy
appearsOn church buildings dedicated to Saint Peter
coat of arms of the Holy See
Vatican City flag
surface form: flag of Vatican City

insignia of the papacy
papal coat of arms
papal documents
associatedWith Gospel of Matthew
surface form: Gospel of Matthew 16:19

Holy See
Roman Catholicism
surface form: Roman Catholic Church

Vatican City
doctrine of papal primacy
keys of heaven given to Peter
colorSymbolism gold key symbolizes heavenly power
silver key symbolizes earthly power
hasPart cord connecting the keys
gold key
silver key
hasTheologicalBasisIn Pastor aeternus – on the primacy and infallibility of the Roman Pontiff
surface form: Petrine primacy

power of the keys
iconographicContext images of Saint Peter holding keys
papal emblems in churches and cathedrals
isDepictedAs one gold key and one silver key crossed
two keys in saltire
refersTo Apostle Peter
surface form: Saint Peter
relatedSymbol chair of Saint Peter
fisherman’s ring
Papal tiara
surface form: papal tiara
religiousTradition Christianity
Roman Catholicism
represents office of Saint Peter
succession of popes from Saint Peter
symbolizes authority of the papacy
jurisdiction in heaven and on earth
keys of the Kingdom of Heaven
power to bind and loose
spiritual authority
usedBy Roman Curia
Vatican City
surface form: Vatican City State

popes
usedIn Catholic liturgical art
church seals
ecclesiastical heraldry

Referenced by (3)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

coat of arms of the Holy See depicts crossed keys of Saint Peter
Coat of arms of Benedict XVI hasComponent crossed keys of Saint Peter
papal coat of arms of Pope Francis hasSymbol crossed keys of Saint Peter