The logo of the Mar Thoma Church combines four sacred symbols: a cross, a wheel (chakra), a hand lamp and a lotus. The cross symbolizes the fact that Christ is at the center of the Church and its mission, and in the heart of the cross is a wheel (Ashoka Chakra), the emblem of India, symbolizing life. To the left of the cross is a hand lamp, an illustration of the Church’s motto, “Lighted to Lighten.” On the right, is a lotus, the traditional Indian symbol of holy living. 

The Mar Thoma has five symbols enclosed and held together in a heart-shaped shield. Every symbol inside the emblem has a meaning and a purpose, read on:

MOTTO

“Lighted to Lighten” The role of the church is to spread the good news of the gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Every believer and member of the Mar Thoma Church, where ever they are, is filled with the light of Christianity, so that they may lighten others.

WHEEL

The chakra represents the wheel or cycles of life, denotes man’s attempt to find Nirvana (life). The ‘Wheel of Life’ is placed at the Heart of the cross to declare the fact that the life find its salvation in the atoning sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. The members of the Church are obligated both spiritually and culturally to carry to carry the cross to the Indian Nation. The wheel of life is complete and closed for all those who follow the teachings of Christ.

LOTUS

Lotus is very attractive sacred flower that grows in the swamps and dirty backwaters of India, symbolizes the fact that we live in a dirty sinful world. But, as the lotus flower stands above all in the dirty water, our life should radiate God’s glory and rise above the surroundings, filling it with grace as lotus does with fragrance. A reminder that all of us are sacred and to be holy in our daily life.

HAND LAMP

Each member of the Mar Thoma Church is a lighted lamp required to shine the light of salvation to others in their daily life. Every Marthomite is a Missionary, was the cry of Late Abraham Mar Thoma.

CROSS

A proclamation that God himself came in the form of a human (purusha) being and atoned for all mankind on the cross with three nails. Christ is the center of our Church. His redemption is freely available by faith in Him.

SHIELD

The shield of Mar Thoma logo binds together all the character and elements that make up the emblem. It also shows God’s love and protection to his beloved people.