To mark Easter weekend, Le Monde traces the history of this symbol-laden ritual.

15 1220 If water springing up from the earth symbolizes life, the water of the sea is a symbol of death and so can represent the mystery of the cross. By this symbolism Baptism signifies communion ...

NATHAN: Baptism is a symbol of new life. It is a fresh start for a person to be clean of sin. It's a way of expressing publicly that you're a Christian. There are lots of symbols in a baptism ...

There are symbols that are used in every Catholic rite ... over the coffin and it serves as a reminder of the belief that in baptism people became part of God’s family and in death they will ...