Broken Wheel (St. Catherine of Alexandria) Meaning in Catholic Tradition
| Symbol Category: | Saint Attribute | Latin Name: | |
| Symbol Family: | saint emblem | Sacrament: | |
| Associated Saint(s): | St. Catherine of Alexandria | Design Forms: | held attribute;emblem;icon detail |
| Associated Colors: | brown;gold | Related Symbols: | Sword;crown |
| Symbol Variations: | Broken Wheel | Symbol Pairings: | Palm of Martyrdom;Halo |
| Historical Period: | Patristic Era;Medieval;Modern Catholic Century | Geographic Origin: | Universal Church |
| Associated Orders: | Associated Devotions: | saints devotion | |
| Architectural Use: | Vestment Use: | ||
| Primary Tradition: | Roman Catholic;Eastern Catholic | Symbol Type: | Saint Symbol |
Symbol Meaning: Broken wheel recalls divine intervention in martyrdom. It serves as an identifying attribute for St. Catherine of Alexandria in Catholic art.
Theological Significance: As a saintly attribute, this symbol points to holiness, witness, and the particular vocation embodied by St. Catherine of Alexandria.
Historical Origin: Developed in Christian iconography to identify St. Catherine of Alexandria by martyrdom, vocation, miracle, or distinctive devotion.
Bible Reference:
Liturgical Context: feast day of St. Catherine of Alexandria;saints art
Liturgical Season: Any season
Use in Church Art: Common in icons, statues, stained glass, holy cards, and feast-day materials connected to St. Catherine of Alexandria.
Visual Elements: broken wheel
Short Description: Broken wheel recalls divine intervention in martyrdom.
Full Description: Broken wheel recalls divine intervention in martyrdom. Broken wheel recalls divine intervention in martyrdom. It serves as an identifying attribute for St. Catherine of Alexandria in Catholic art. Used in Christian iconography to identify a saint, his or her life, mission, or martyrdom.
