Christ figure
Literary messianic archetype
A Christ figure is a character in literature, film, or other narrative whose story parallels that of Jesus Christ—typically through self-sacrifice, redemption of others, suffering for a greater cause, or resurrection imagery.
The character need not be religious: Aslan in the Narnia books is an obvious Christ figure, Some readers interpret McMurphy in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest as a Christ figure.
The term is common in literary analysis.
- chosen oneProphesied special individual
- MessiahProphesied divine deliverer
- CompassionConcern for others' suffering
- ResurrectionRising from death
- Lamb of GodChrist as atonement offering
sacrificial lamb · wounded healer · Redeemer · Son of Man · Guide · crown of thorns · Hope · Grace · Restoration · Covenant · saving grace · Pilgrim · Shepherd · Holy Spirit · Sacrifice · Wanderer · Trinity · Gospel
- medieval arttapestry, ivory carvings, Book of Kells, fresco, Lindisfarne Gospels
- sacred imagesidol, holy image, sacred image, graven image, religious icon
- sacred statuesVirgin Mary statue, angel statue, goddess statue, church statue, idol
- Cathedral Artrose window, flying buttress, gargoyle, altarpiece, pointed arch
- Christian epicsParadise Lost, Divine Comedy, Pilgrim's Progress, Inferno, Paradiso
- Passion playspassion plays, crucifixion, crucifixion scene, Stations of the Cross, crown of thorns
Christ figuredevil figure
Representation of ultimate evil
villain · destroyer · corruptor · betrayer · fallen angel
Christ figurevillain
Wicked story antagonist
antagonist · big bad · nemesis · monster · dark lord
Christ, figure, Christlike, Christian, Christianity, Christendom, christen, christening, unchristian