According to Apple’s Dictionary, an anchor “is a heavy object attached to a rope or chain and used to moor a vessel to the sea bottom..  It can also be “a person or thing that provides stability or confidence in an otherwise uncertain situation.”

An anchor has been a sign of hope for Christians based on this verse in the Bible: Hebrews 6:19 (ESV) “We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain,” The symbol was depicted in many catacombs, ancient underground burial places because Christians did not agree with the pagan practice of cremating their dead. The anchor was also seen as a reminder of St. Clement who was condemned to death by being tossed into the sea fastened to an anchor. 

Hope College, located in Holland Michigan, has used the anchor as its logo. The idea for  this came from an observation by the founder of the city Rev. Albertus Van Raalte  “This is my anchor of hope for this people in the future.” The college’s motto is “Spera in Deo” which translates “Hope in God.”

In Christianity, the church is often viewed as a ship, tossed about by wind and waves.  In this context then, the anchor is what holds the ship in place against the buffeting forces of life. The anchor is God almighty. It is interesting that some have noticed the similarity between a few anchors (like the one pictured above) and the cross. For the believer, having hope based on Christ’s atoning death completes the picture. The English poet, Alfred Lord Tennyson wrote: “Cast all your cares on God; that anchor holds.”