The Meaning of Four Way Medals: Catholic Symbols

The Four Way Medal or sometimes called the Five Way Medal combines four medals that are significant to our Catholic Faith. The Four Way Medal often comes in the form of a cruciform (cross shape) but there are variations like a diamond shape or a rounded shape. 

When we look closely at the medal, we see four (or five) well-known Catholic symbols that capture different elements of our faith. The following are the meaning of each symbol:

A religious medal is usually made of metallic material ad shaped in an oval, round or cross. They commonly depict religious images like an image of our Lord, the Holy Mother or a saint. These medals can also commemorate religious sites like shrines, spiritual events in one’s life like the first communion or an important historical event like an apparition of the Holy Mother. We usually wear religious pendants around our necks or attach them to a rosary or keychain so we can carry them wherever we go.

Medals are technically considered sacramentals or sacred symbols that bear resemblance to the sacraments. They symbolize effects, particularly spiritual effects, that are made possible through the intercession of the Church.

The wearing of religious medals has been practiced for a long time by people who are part of the Catholic Faith. Archaeologists have found a medal crafted in the 2nd century bearing the images of St. Peter and St. Paul and another one depicting St. Lawrence the Martyr which may have been crafted in the 4th century.

The tradition of wearing religious Jewelry may have been a way for the early Christians to Christianize the popular pagan practice of wearing amulets or talismans as a means of protection. Instead of banning the use of these amulets, the early Christians replaced it with religious medals and removed the pagan roots and magical associations.

St. Zeno of Verona recorded a popular tradition of giving religious necklaces to newly baptized Christians as a way to mark their baptism and reception into the church. A story about the life of St. Genevieve also told how St. Germain placed a pendant impressed with a sign of the cross around her neck, a reminder of her vow of chastity.

In the Middle Ages, medals were given to pilgrims who visited religious sites like St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. During the 13th century until the French Revolution, the jetons became popular. This type of medal was characterized by the initials of the wearer marked on one side while the other side contained a pious saying such as “Love God and Praise Him”or “Hail Mary, Mother of God.”

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In the 16th century, Pope St. Pius V started blessing religious medals and attached an indulgence to them. This started the use of religious medals and pendants as we know them today.

One of the most popular religious medals is the Four Way Medal which is unique for combining four separate medals into one, hence the name.

Do you wear a religious necklace? What is the significance of your medal to your Catholic Faith?

Here are a few of our most popular Four Way Medals & Five Way Medals