The Archangels' Hockey Sticks

[SanRafael1102]

I was on the interwebs the other day (St. Raphael’s old calendar feast day) searching for an image of the angel to post to social media. While searching, I kept coming across different images of all three archangels holding orbs containing what appear to my layman’s eye to be crossed hockey sticks.

Now I know that it’s unlikely to be thus, but I couldn’t uncover the meaning of this symbol. Here’s the clearest drawn exampleI could find. What is this symbol?

(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)

 

[JamalChristophr]

Surely, everyone knows they were Boston Redwings, fans.

j.k.

It’s the greek letter Chi which stands for Christos, aka Christ… Χρήστος

 

[SanRafael1102]

Wow guys, thanks for the quick response. It’s interesting to know that it’s essentially a Greek X. I noticed that the page mentioned that the orb was a mirror or looking glass. Is that a common feature in iconography?

 

[JamalChristophr]

And a HAPPY BIRTHDAY !! to San Raphael! :raising_hand_man:

 

[SanRafael1102]

Thank you, 27 feels almost exactly the same.

 

[JamalChristophr]

Do make sure to stop at 28, however. Twenty-nine is nothing to write home about. It’s every so close to 30 and a prime number to boot. I’d remove it from the number library if I could. Research and design is till underway to that end.