Pope Francis' Coat of Arms Explained as Devotion to Jesus, Mary, and Joseph ~ Dr. Taylor Marshall | Canterbury TalesMARSHALL: The IHS signifies the Holy Name of Jesus in Greek (IHSYS), and is an emblem of the Society of Jesus of which the Holy Father is a member.
The three nails of the crucifixion are featured as a sign of Our Lord's Passion.
The blue background of the shield signifies the blue protective mantle of the Blessed Virgin Mary.�
The 8-pointed star symbolizes Our Lady as the Star of Sea. The number 8 represents the "eighth day" one beyond seven. Christ rose on the "eighth day" and His Kingdom is beyond. This is why baptismal fonts are eight-sided.
The golden spikenard flower represents Saint Joseph's purity. Some have mistaken this image as a bunch of grapes, but it's not. It's a flower.
