What do the Symbols on the Miraculous Medal mean?

 

Source: https://denvercatholic.org/the-miraculous-medal-explained/#.Vm9F2YRlm9Y

The miraculous medal has great significance to Catholics around the world. Today is the feast day of the Miraculous Medal. The chart above explains what the symbols mean on this beautiful medal.

Here is the text of the above graphic:

Each symbol on the Miraculous Medal means something. Together, they create a tiny lesson in Mariology. The Miraculous Medal is not magical, but wearing it and meditating on its symbolism can bring about greater faith, hope and purity.

The Rays
This is hard to see on the medal but in St. Catherine's vision, Mary had three rings on each finder. Rays of light emanated from some of these rings and touched the globe. Mary said these indicated the graces people had asked for and she gave. Her other rings were struck with light, but did not emit rays. Mary said those were the graces she was ready to give, but no one had asked for.

The Prayer
Mary appeared to St. Catherine surrounded by these words. This was years before the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception was clarified by the Church. Her open arms remind us of the "recourse" we have in her.

The Stars
One for each of the Twelve Apostles, who formed the Church. Thus the 12 stars are a symbol for the whole Church.

The Globe
Often obscured by engravers adding the year of the apparitions, Mary is actually crushing a serpent wrapped around the world (Gen. 3:15). The fact that she is standing on the globe alludes to her Assumption.

The Two Hearts
The heart on the left has a crown of thorns and belongs to Jesus. It symbolizes his Passion an dlove for all of us. The heart on the right is pierced by a sword and belongs to Mary. The sword comes from Simeon's prophecy in Luke 2:35. The two hearts are next to each other to show the intimacy between them. The fires show the intensity and purifying nature of their love.

The M With the Cross
The "M" stands for Mary, our Mediatrix. "Mediatrix" is a Marian title meaning Jesus listens to our prayers as she presents them, and that he gives us graces through her. This is the role of a Queen Mother in the Davidic Kingdom (see 1 Kings 2:13-20). While he did not have to do this, Christ chose to have a mother to play this role. She is entwined by the Cross, a sign of Jesus's suffering and redemption. This also signifies her presence at the food of the Cross.