The design of the emblem is attributed to Ignatius of Loyola (1541).

• the cross is here drawn as formy fitchy; this is not necessarily part of the design, early modern depictions sometimes show a plain cross, or various baroque ornamentations
• the three nails are sometimes shown as piercing a heart
• the alternating straight and wavy rays are found in historical specimens, but not necessarily, and sometimes with two or three straight rays separating wavy rays.
• the number of rays is often 32 as here, but sometimes also 12, 16 or 24.
• the emblem is sometimes surrounded by the inscription et vocatum est nomen eius Iesus (Luke 2:21)