Christ with his right hand raised in blessing and his left hand holding the sphere of the earth bears the name Salvator Mundi (Latin for “Saviour of the World”) in Christian iconography. The earth surmounted by a cross symbolising the heavenly sphere replaces the orb of worldly rulers and refers to Christ as the ruler of heaven and earth.

In baroque pulpits, Salvator Mundi often stands among his disciples in a central position and symbolises the blessing of the congregation.