What is the meaning of a Saint Christopher pendant?

The Saint Christopher Pendant is experiencing a renaissance!

Have you seen someone wearing a St. Christopher medal and wondered what it is or why they are wearing it?

Does it have a particular meaning and significance or is it pure fashion?

The Saint Christopher medal and symbolism actually have a long, meaningful and significant history and all wearers of the pendant do so with intention.

Medals such as the Saint Christopher pendant have been honoured by the Catholic Church for hundreds of years as a means of religious security.

This is where the roots of the modern Saint Christopher pendant lie!

Since then, the Saint Christopher pendant has grown in popularity beyond the confines of the Catholic Church and can now be worn by anyone who wants to be bestowed with the luck and protection that a Saint Christopher pendant can offer them.

St. Christopher is of particular importance to those who love to travel as wearing this pendant is assumed to protect the wear of their journey.

They can be worn around the neck, wrist, as a keyring on a bag or even hung up in a car or van.

Continue reading to learn the meaning of the St Christopher pendant and where it all came from!

Vintage style personalised silver necklace

The legend of St. Christopher

St Christoper is the patron saint of travellers. This includes backpackers, frequent fliers, business travellers, sailors, pilots, drivers and even surfers!

The legend of St. Christopher has been passed down through the ages and is still relevant today, even if you aren’t religious. This legendary is shrouded in mystery as no one really knows what happened, but we can have faith that this legend imbues the qualities of protection and luck to all of the wearers who carry on the legend of St. Christopher.

The most well known and loved version of this story paints St. Christopher as a big and strong man who devoted himself to Jesus by using all of his strength and power to carry Jesus cross a dangerous river.

By carrying Jesus, who was only a child, he was however also carrying the whole weight of the world on his shoulders.

By being able to carry Jesus and the entire world on this shoulders and deliver him safely to the other side, St. Christopher is able to carry all travellers and deliver them home safely by wearing him as a medal.

In Greek, Christopher translates to “Christ-bearer” which also may refer to this legend of St. Christopher carrying the Christ Child across the river.

Interestingly, St. Christopher isn’t depicted in the bible, unlike many other saints. There are therefore many details about his life that we simply don’t know.

The story of Saint Christopher has been handed down orally through stories and traditions such as the St. Christopher medal. 

Vintage oval style personalised silver necklace

How Saint Christopher is depicted in art

Through the legend of carrying Jesus across the river, Saint Christopher became the patron saint of travellers and the ultimate symbol of safe travels and protection while away from home.

It wasn’t until the middle ages that he became a popular patron saint for travellers. This is where the tradition started and now continues to this day.

His legend has been dissipated throughout the ages in paintings, sculptures and other artwork, especially during the Renaissance.

The depiction in this artwork was usually of a big man with a child sitting on his shoulder and a staff in his hand. This imagery has remained consistent to this very!

Off the Map Traditional St Christopher necklace

What does Saint Christopher protect us from?

St. Christopher is said to protect us from any misfortunes that can happen when we travel. This includes travelling for leisure but also for work if you are moving to a new place.

The energy of Saint Christopher protects us and gives us luck as when we leave the safely of our home we are faced with sometimes more challenges, risks and maybe put in dangerous situations!

Those who wear his pendant receive his blessings on their travels.

St Christopher also protects us from other things including epilepsy, lighting, storms and floods. He blesses us with health and wellbeing as well.

Since St. Christopher saved Jesus from a watery death, he is very popular amongst those who often brave the oceans, seas and rivers to protect them. This includes sailors, mariners, divers and even surfers. He offers a safe passage through the sea! 

St Christopher Mosaic Border Personalised Silver Necklace

What is a St. Christopher pendant?

A Saint Christopher pendant is often a sterling silver circular medal with the imagery of St. Christopher holding a staff and carrying the Christ Child on his shoulder engraved on it.

The medal is worn on a chain to create a necklace pendant. Many have the words “Saint Christopher Protect Us” engraved around the outside of the medal.

The Saint Christopher pendant is a lucky charm that brings with it the energy of protection and good fortune that the wearer activates by having faith in the meaning of the charm. A St. Christopher pendant is a declaration of luck and blessings on your voyage and safe return home.

Many different styles, designs, and finishes are available for St. Christopher pendants both for men and women. There are also secular alternatives to the St. Christopher pendant that can offer the same blessings and protection such as a compass pendant.

The tradition of carrying a St Christopher pendant as a travel talisman started out as Catholic it has now spread to people of all religions and backgrounds. You don’t need to be Catholic or religious at all to wear one.

The necklace has come to represent travel, adventure and the overcoming of obstacles for all who wear them. It is even said to protect people from getting into accidents when driving.

These pendants can also serve as a wonderful reminder of all of your travels and adventures long after your return home. A keepsake to be cherished for a lifetime that envelopes you in an aura of luck and good vibes everywhere you go!

Faceted Oval Saint Christopher Personalised Silver Necklace

Who is a Saint Christopher pendant for?

A Saint Christopher makes an amazing and meaningful gift for so many different types of people. All of our St Christopher pendants come with your choice of engraved message on the back, worldwide shipping and gift wrapping!

Shop St. Christopher pendants!

Here are a few examples of people for who this make an amazing gift for regardless of age, gender or religion.

• Travellers
• University students studying abroad
• Gap year travellers 
• Someone moving house or country
• Athletes who compete overseas
• An heirloom for a milestone birthday
• People who love the ocean: avid swimmers, surfers, windsurfers, divers etc

Dog tag Saint Christopher Personalised Silver Necklace