ly Communion, and the
water in Holy Baptism are so-called.

Ember Days.--The Ember Days are the Wednesday, Friday and Saturday
after the First Sunday in Lent; Whitsun Day; the 14th of September
and the 13th day of December, and are regarded as the Fasts {95} of
the four seasons. The time of their observance was definitely fixed
by the Council of Placentia, A.D. 1095. Their origin is ascribed to
Apostolic tradition. The derivation of the name Ember is uncertain.
Some trace it to the Saxon word _ymbren_, meaning a "circuit,"
because they are periodically observed. Others derive it from the
Anglo-Saxon word _aemyrian_, meaning "ashes," because these days are
appointed to be kept as fasts, and ashes, as a sign of humiliation
and mourning, were constantly associated with fasting. The Ember
Days are appointed to be observed at the four seasons named because
the Sundays following are the set times for Ordination to the Sacred
Ministry. For this reason one of the two prayers, entitled, "For
those who are to be admitted into Holy Orders," is to be read daily
throughout the week.

Emblems.--Symbols and emblems of various kinds take a foremost place
in sacred Art. Some of these are here given:

THE CROSS is the special symbol of Christianity. It appears in a
variety of shapes, the most familiar being the Latin Cross, the
Passion Cross, the Greek Cross, St. Andrew's Cross and the Maltese
Cross.

THE TRIANGLE is the emblem of the Holy Trinity, as is also the
TREFOIL (which see).

THE CIRCLE is the ancient emblem of Eternity, being without
beginning or end; enclosing a triangle it means Three in One or
the Blessed Trinity; enclosing a cross it symbolizes Eternal Life.

THE CROWN is used as the symbol of Victory and sovereignty.

THE LAMB--Agnus Dei--is the chief emblem of {96} our Blessed Lord.
Bearing a banner it signifies Victory and is an emblem of the
Resurrection.

THE STAR is a Christmas emblem, commemorating the Star of Bethlehem.
It has generally five points, but sometimes _seven_, the number of
perfection.

THE FISH was a very early symbol of our Lord. The letters which
form the Greek word for fish, viz.: ICHTHUS are the initials in
Greek of the words _Jesus, Christ, God, Son, and Saviour_.

THE ANCHOR is the emblem of the Christian's hope.

THE SHIP is a symbol of the Church as the Ark of Salvation, in which
we are saved, as Noah was saved by the Ark.

THE LION is the symbol of our Lord who is called in Rev