The symbols of the evangelists - what do they mean?

The Evangelists were represented by the symbols of the prophet Ezekiel and Saint John in his apocalypse. Symbols eagle, Lwa, will i winged man they appear in many churches around the world and are an important part of biblical art. At the same time, few people can say about the origin of such an image of the evangelists. Today we will tell you why this motif appeared in the Bible and why these symbols represent individual Saints.

Where did the symbolic depiction of the four evangelists come from?

The method of depicting figures with symbols expressing their characteristics was known long before the birth of Christ. It gained particular popularity in Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia. What does the gospel have to do with it? The Jewish prophet Ezekiel was in exile in Babylon, so scholars clearly talk about the influence of local culture on his later perception of the world.

According to the Babylonians, the figures of a lion, a bull, an Aquarius and an eagle guarded the four corners of the world in the sky. They personified the great divine powers and the most important elements. Aquarius is the equivalent of a man, and instead of a scorpion, an eagle was chosen, the symbolism of which has a negative connotation. No wonder Ezekiel embraced this vision because it was perfect for evangelists who carried the Word of God to all parts of the world. These same symbols appear later in the apocalyptic vision of St. John, who describes them as figures full of eyes and wings, standing before the throne of God.

St. Petersburg Matthew - the winged man

The Gospel of Matthew begins with a detailed account of Jesus' genealogy. He emphasizes the fact that he was born into this world as an innocent child. His gospel is full of admiration for the human behavior of Jesus Christ and detailed descriptions of the religious practices performed by the Jews. Before joining the apostles of Jesus, Saint Matthew was a tax collector. Only the mercy of Christ allowed him to abandon the role hated by society and regain his human dignity.

Saint Petersburg Mark - lion

Saint Mark is described by the symbol of a lion. His gospel begins with the baptism of the adult Jesus by John the Baptist (also called the lion). St. Petersburg Mark shows Jesus as a man of action with lion's courage, he emotionally describes everything he did. He based his Gospel on the stories of St. Peter, whom he accompanied in Rome. Although it is not explicitly written about it anywhere, Bible students have no doubt that st. Mark sees Jesus as a lion of the tribe of Judah.

Saint Petersburg Luka - bull

Luke was a physician who never knew Jesus personally. His gospel is full of detailed descriptions, including medical ones. He is also the author of the Acts of the Apostles. Because of the hard, hard work that he had to put into creating his writings, his symbol is the bull.

At the same time, St. Luke saw in Jesus someone who sacrificed himself for humanity. Jesus, like John the Baptist, was sacrificed first to their parents and then to humanity through their martyrdom. In Jewish culture oxen were sacrificial animals... Moreover, the entire Gospel of Luke emphasizes Jesus' ministerial role in relation to people... Another interpretation that cannot be ignored is the bull, representing the chariot of the Virgin Mary. St. Petersburg Lukash personally met Mary, and thanks to his descriptions, you learned the details of her life.

Saint Petersburg John - eagle

Saint John was one of the youngest apostles of Jesus. He was at the most important moments of his life. During his transformation on Mount Tabor and during his martyrdom. It was he who took Mary under his protection after the death of Jesus. The eagle possesses keen eyesight and a unique sense of observation. and rising above the person. Saint John was very absorbed in the knowledge of what Jesus had conveyed. As a result, his gospel contains the most symbolic and complex theology that he, as an exceptional observer, could understand. St. Petersburg John saw in Christ most of all God. He spoke in detail about his death and resurrection. He is considered the closest to God.