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Cleansing
Freedom
Life

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The ocean, rivers, and springs can symbolize truth

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A traditional Catholic baptism ceremony is a complex and ritualistic process that incorporates specifics of the Catholic theology into the official sacrament of baptism. A Catholic baptism is built upon an array of core theological beliefs that make the christening ceremony of utmost importance to both the infant and the parents involved.

About a Catholic Baptism Ceremony

As today's Western societies grow progressively less religious, many individuals lack understanding as to why parents, whether Catholic or Protestant, have their newborn infants baptized in the first place. However, for religious and conservative Catholic parents, a Catholic baptism ceremony marks the most important moment of their child's life.

Baptism is one of the fundamental sacraments of the Catholic religion. In fact, it is a non-negotiable process. To be baptized for a Catholic essentially symbolizes a child's renunciation of Satan and his rebirth in Christ. A child that is baptized will no longer suffer the threat of hell, but instead will go to be with God in heaven. The baptism marks the stage during which an infant is branded by God as one of His people. The tradition is deeply rooted in Christian biblical scripture, though many denominations have abandoned the process of infant baptism in favor of adult immersion.

Parents delight in their child's baptism because it not only removes their fear regarding their child's salvation, but it also symbolizes the first step of their child's initiation into the Catholic faith.

The Process

A Catholic baptism ceremony is, indeed, a ceremony. There is an entire process that takes place during the course of the infant's baptism, which is not a full immersion into water but, rather, a sprinkling of water droplets across the forehead. The priest will gloss over a host of important theological and spiritual issues such as the renunciation of the devil, the reading of Scripture (traditionally in Latin), the issuing of godparents, and the remission of sins. This is done in a highly liturgical manner that may confuse non-Catholic guests.

However, not all Catholic baptisms are alike. The traditional Roman Catholic ceremony will involve a heavy amount of liturgy and Latin, whereas more liberal churches may conduct the process in English. The Catholic church will also conduct emergency baptisms to accommodate their parishioners' needs, and some churches may alter the program to meet the desires of the infant's parents. So, it is difficult to brand all Catholic baptisms as involving the same processes.

Some elements are true and unchangeable across the board. A Catholic baptism will be conducted in a Catholic church (unless an emergency requires an alternate location) by a Catholic priest. The parents of the infant are usually members of the select church, and these baptism ceremonies typically rely on a large community effort. Important friends and family members are invited to attend the baptism, and a reception follows to celebrate the infant's initiation into the faith.

One of the key features of a Catholic baptism is the role of the godparents who are selected by the infant's parents. Godparents play a pivotal role in caring for their godchild's spiritual and physical wellbeing. Both a woman and a man are chosen to fulfill this position in the infant's life, and so a portion of the baptism ceremony will focus on these two select people. In more conservative Catholic churches, godparents are always practicing Catholics who honor the sacraments and fulfill a list of qualifications. However, in more liberal environments, any person whom the child's parents choose may be granted this role.

Organizational Details

The details regarding a Catholic christening will rely heavily upon the church that is chosen by the parents. Parents who are not active in the Catholic community may have to shop around for a priest who is willing to accommodate their infant's baptism within his church. Parents who are active church and mass attendees will almost always choose to have their infant baptized by a priest in their current church. So, essentially, the simplest way to organize and lodge your child's Catholic baptism is to already be a practicing and active member of the Catholic Church.

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A traditional Catholic baptism ceremony is a complex and ritualistic process that incorporates specifics of the Catholic theology into the official sacrament of baptism. A Catholic baptism is built upon an array of core theological beliefs that make the christening ceremony of utmost importance to both the infant and the parents involved.

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Christianity: Baptism, Purification, and New Life
In astrology, water is associated with the water signs—Cancer, where it symbolizes clarity, purity, trust, refreshment, and regeneration; Scorpio, where it symbolizes stillness, reflection, and mystery; and Pisces, where it symbolizes life, motion, depth, and understanding

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How can the symbol be presented metaphorically or allegorically?

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How can the symbol be presented metaphorically or allegorically?

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Water is often used metaphorically in the Bible:

It is used to symbolize the troubles humans can do and face in their lives, especially in the context of God’s children (Pslams 32:6)

It can be used to symbolize enemies that need to be defeated (Pslams 18:16-17)

It stands for the salvation and new life that God offered humanity through Christ (Revelation 22)

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Wheat symbolizes abundance, life, and fertility

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Wheat represents rice and maize

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Christianity: wheat symbolizes the Eucharist

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How can the symbol be presented metaphorical or allegorically

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How can the symbol be presented metaphorical or allegorically

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In Matthew 13:30, Jesus uses wheat to represent the renewal of new life
In the novel A Grain of Wheat by Kenyan novelist Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o, the main characters are “grains of wheat,” which symbolizes their seeming insignificance with the reality of the fact that their death (or planting) brings about unity and healing for the community.

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http://www.symbols.com/symbol/wheat

http://weknowyourdreams.com/wheat.html
http://www.gradesaver.com/a-grain-of-wheat/study-guide/symbols-allegory-motifs
https://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionary/water/

http://www.ancient-symbols.com/water_symbols.html

http://www.biblemeanings.info/Words/Geographical/Sea.htm
https://www.acast.com/musicfrom100yearsago/the-desert

http://www.symbolism.org/writing/books/sp/2/page3.html

http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/littleprince/themes.html
http://www.symbolism.org/writing/books/sp/2/page6.html

http://blogs.edf.org/energyexchange/2015/04/10/clean-mountain-air-brings-clarity-to-energy-debate-at-vail-global-energy-forum/

http://baby.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Catholic_Baptism_Ceremony

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Empty space
phenomena

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Constancy
Eternity
Firmness
Stillness

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Mountain tops represent the state of full consciousness

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The openness of a desert symbolizes infinite access, second birth, or death

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In the Bible, the desert symbolizes purification

The Israelites spent 40 years in the desert before being allowed to enter the Promised Land

Jesus spend 40 days fasting in the desert before beginning his ministry

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How can the symbol be presented metaphorically or allegorically?

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How can the symbol be presented metaphorically or allegorically?

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In The Little Prince, the desert the story takes place in represents the narrator’s mind which was made barren by grownup thoughts

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Mountain tops are traditionally associated with sun, rain, and thunder gods
Mountains can also be seen as obstructions in one’s path and climbing the mountain can symbolize overcoming the obstacle

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How can the symbol be presented metaphorically or allegorically?

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How can the symbol be presented metaphorically or allegorically?

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Mountain climbing can symbolize life and how some paths are easier than others and sometimes you need to go down before going up (this relates to how mountain climbers go up and down the mountain while climbing)