There are many beautiful and meaningful symbols for the sacrament of marriage.

A single wedding ring. One ring symbolizes the fidelity of the marriage bond. The ring is round without beginning or end to represent the never-ending nature of marriage. The hollow center signifies that marriage is a channel of love from one spouse to the other. The ring presses tightly upon the finger, showing that each spouse is tightly bound to the other with a firm, intimate and chaste love reserved solely for one’s spouse.

Two interlocking wedding rings. Interlocking rings are inseparable, they cannot be pulled apart, and therefore represent the permanence and indissolubility of the marriage covenant. Jesus said, “What God has joined together, no human being must separate” (Mk 10:9).

Three flowers. The flowers may be roses, carnations, or another type of flower, and are usually red or white. They symbolize that there are three parties to a marriage: two that are visible, the wife and the husband, and the unseen and all-important third party, almighty God.

A three-ply rope. This symbol is based upon the Scripture verse, “A three-ply cord is not easily broken” (Eccl 4:12a). The rope has three strands, which are understood to symbolize God, the wife, and the husband. The strands are tightly woven together and signify that a couple tightly connected to each other and to God is far stronger than a solitary individual.

The marriage cross. A cross or Chi-Rho is prominently displayed in the center, with the lower part of the vertical beam between the overlapping portion of two interlocking wedding rings. The rings symbolize the wife and husband, and the cross or Chi-Rho represents Jesus. The cross is higher, which symbolizes his authority. The beam between the rings acknowledges that Jesus is the center of every Christian marriage. The grace that he offers holds couples together.

Water jars. There were six stone water jars at the Cana wedding feast (Jn 2:6), and the miracle of so much water being changed into so much wine represents the abundant outpouring of grace by Jesus on the couple on their wedding day and every day for as long as they shall live.

The unity candle. There are three white candles on a stand or table: a large pillar candle in the middle with two smaller taper candles on either side. The smaller candles represent the bride and groom as individuals, and the large candle, which is lit after their exchange of vows, symbolizes the two united as one.

Two clasped hands. The hands of the bride and groom firmly grasping each other signify the strength of their union as a couple and their commitment to walking the journey of married life together.

Two hands covered with a stole. The stole is a symbol of a priest or a deacon. When placed over the joined hands of the bride and groom, it recognizes that their marriage is a sacrament.

Two doves. The doves represent bliss, the delight that the wife and husband have in each other as well as the joy that they experience together.

A heart. A heart represents love. Love is the greatest of the virtues (1 Cor 13:13) and the distinguishing characteristic of a Christian (Jn 13:35). St. Paul wrote, “Husbands, love your wives” (Eph 5:25a). A wife and a husband love each other with all their hearts.

Father Van Sloun is the director of clergy personnel for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. This column is part of a series on the sacrament of marriage.