Franciscan Symbols

Franciscan Cord

The cord/belt is evidenced as part of the Franciscan Habit in the very early paintings and statues of Francis and Clare. The white cord with its typical bullion knots clearly seen in the hanging part of the knotted rope, is easy to recognize by its shape and the multiple wraps of the cord.

If you look closely you will note that the Franciscan Friars and the Poor Clare Sisters have a different number of knots. There’s a reason for this. The Friars and the religious women in active orders wear their cord with three knots to symbolize the three vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. The Poor Clares wear a fourth knot symbolizing their fourth vow of enclosure.

The cord is seen in The Tavola - an early painting of St Clare housed in the Basilica of St Clare in Assisi. (Right)

The cord as part of the Friars’ habit is visible in the Statue of St Francis – one of the many blue and white ceramic works of the Della Robbia family (Below)

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© Missionary Franciscan Sisters, Australian Governance Circle