Pastoral objects are usually associated with the Church and, in particular, with bishops.
A bishop, from the Greek word episkopos (overseer), is a direct successor to the apostles. Bishops have, by divine institution, taken the place of the apostles as pastors of the church.
In fact, the bishop himself is a symbol and is surrounded by symbols, among them arethe mitre, pectoral crosses, the crozier, rings, zucchetos (the skullcap), a coat of arms or the bishop’s chair.