Two Crossed Keys

The image at right represents the Keys of St. Peter, an emblem of the Catholic Church which represents the divine authority invested in the apostle Peter before the death of Christ. As such, they are emblems of papal authority in the Catholic church.

A symbol that appears frequently in Christian art and in the arms of the Popes, the crossed keys were formerly an emblem of the Roman God Janus and the Mithraic Zurvan, both gods of time and keepers of doorways, and removers of obstacles.

St. Peter's Church, Monkwearmouth, Sunderland.

Grote Kerk / St. Bavokerk, Haarlem.

St. Michael's le Belfrey, York. Next door to York Minster.