Luther’s Rose Seal

Dr. Martin Luther designed his seal to display the wonderful truths of Scripture. At the center of all is the black cross of our Lord, pointing us to the great sacrifice made for us. The cross sits upon a red heart where true faith is worked in us by the Holy Spirit to cling to Christ. The heart then rests upon a white rose reminding us of the holiness we possess in Christ, and the new status we enjoy among the Communion of Saints, and the whole company of heaven. The rose is placed on a blue background, symbolic of the mansions above in our heavenly home. All of this is encircled with a golden ring, depicting the eternal joys we have in Christ.

In the chapel of the monastery in Erfurt where Luther once studied, there remains to this day a similar rose in one of the chancel windows. Some historians speculate that his frequent time spent in prayer near this window may have impacted his design. Today his seal serves as a wonderful symbol of the Lutheran faith professed around the world.

Donald Moldstad is Chaplain at Bethany Lutheran College and lives in Mankato, Minnesota.