Each religion is based on a large number of symbols that have a deep sacred meaning. Their interpretation reveals the basic canons of the doctrine and allows you to penetrate into its very essence with the help of simple allegories. Similar traditions exist in Buddhism, Judaism and, of course, Christianity. We can say that the teaching of Christ is more susceptible to symbolism than others. This is clearly seen in Orthodox icons and in the painting of churches. Most of the questions are evangelical characters and their interpretation. Particularly interested in this are people who have recently come to God and who still have a poor understanding of analogies and allegories. Let's try to open this topic in this article and facilitate the perception of the main symbols of Christianity.
Evangelists: who are they?
It is impossible to study the meaning of the symbols of the evangelists without coming to an understanding of who these evangelists are and what contribution they made to the formation of the Christian religion. Many people know that the gospel is a book about the teachings of Christ. This name came from the Greek language, in translation it means "good news." Therefore, those who follow this teaching were called evangelists in ancient times. This term was applied to all Christians without exception.
But after some time, four authors of the Gospel began to be called evangelists. Their names are known to any Christian:
They are revered in all Christian branches as people who brought and spread among the humanity the good news of the Savior and his teachings.
Evangelists and their symbols
Symbols of evangelists are found in almost any temple painting. They reflect the correspondence to each supporter of a given current of a certain animal, bearing its own significance. In the traditional interpretation of the 4 evangelists and their symbols are as follows:
- Matthew corresponds to an angel.
- Next to Mark is a lion.
- Luke is depicted next to the lion.
- John is next to the eagle.
These symbols formed around the second century and are now considered classic.
Tetramorph: a vision of Ezekiel
By their appearance, the symbols of the evangelists owe the prophet Ezekiel. Once he saw in his visions an unusual creature descending from heaven. It had a human body and four faces:
- human face;
- the face of a lion;
- the head of an eagle;
- face of the body.
Initially, this image was interpreted as the story of the four cherubs that are on the throne of the Lord. But over time, the term "tetramorph" entered the terminology, denoting the unity of the four images. This creature was even located on the painting of the first Christian temples, but over time it was replaced by a different interpretation of the vision.
Revelation of John the Theologian
John the Theologian presented tetramorph already in the form of four separate creatures:
- an angel;
- a lion;
- an eagle;
- the ox.
These creatures began to represent the symbols of the evangelists, because each animal has its own sacred meaning, explaining the teachings of Christ in human terms. In addition, these symbols are considered the main guardians of the four corners of the world and the throne of Jehovah.
The transformation of Christian symbolism
It is worth noting that the correspondence of animals to evangelists was not immediately established. In the interpretation of various theologians, different meanings were given to the symbols, and different animals were attributed to the evangelists. Theologians argued for a long time about the meaning of symbolism and could not come to a consensus.
Most of all disputes caused the importance of a lion and an ox. They often referred to one or the other evangelist. But in the end, after several centuries, the allegorical images of animals and authors of the Gospel already described by us were entrenched.
The meaning of symbolism
We think many readers are interested in knowing what the symbols of the evangelists mean. There is no consensus on this issue, because this symbolism has a very deep and multifaceted meaning.
First of all, it means the unity of the gospel, as set out in four books. Also, many theologians understood these symbols as an indication of the four cardinal points and the season, which obey the command of God, how people should obey.
One of the traditional meanings explains the appearance of symbols by the life of Jesus Christ. After all, he was born as a man, was put to death as a sacrificial calf, resurrected like a royal lion, and then ascended to heaven like an eagle.
Of particular interest is the interpretation of the symbols regarding their correspondence to the evangelists. I want to talk about this in more detail.
Evangelist Matthew
An angel is always depicted next to Matthew. He is interpreted as the humanization of Christ, because the Gospel of Matthew tells about his genealogy and birth in human form. That is why the angel is a symbol of Matthew, his good news gives people the understanding that Christ is closer to man than he thinks. He encompasses love and mercy, the manifestations of which in the human soul are so desired for him.
Symbol of the Lion: Gospel of Mark
In the Gospel of Mark reveals the royal authority of Christ, his dignity and dominion over all souls. It is royal authority that is expressed in the resurrection of Christ - a proof of its origin and the significance of the coming of people into the world. Like a lion, He defeated enemies and remained dignified.
A bull or a sacrificial lamb - a symbol of the evangelist Luke
At all times, the Taurus was considered a sacrificial animal, it is often mentioned in the Bible, so it is the best suited for the symbol. Jesus Christ sacrificed himself and thereby revealed his sacred essence, which Luke set forth in his gospel. The evangelist spoke about the crucifixion of Christ and completely interpreted its meaning for people.
Evangelist John: Symbol
This animal has several interpretations. If we consider it in the same way as the other symbols of the evangelists, the eagle means the ascension of Christ to heaven. This is the final stage of his earthly journey, returning to Heavenly Father.
Many theologians believe that the eagle still symbolizes the Holy Spirit hovering above all worldly and vain. The gift of the Holy Spirit is endowed only with specially enlightened people who have rejected all the passions of the earth.
Where and how are symbols displayed?
Most often, the symbols of the evangelists are traced in the iconography, but in this case we can talk about a slightly different image. The fact is that tetramorph is usually reproduced on icons, this technique is considered traditional for Christianity.
But the symbolism of the evangelists is still present in the temples, usually animals are depicted on the church dome on four sides, respectively. According to Christian canons, the image of the Lord is always located in the center. With such a painting, animals observe a certain order:
- in the upper left corner is an angel;
- the upper right corner is given to the eagle;
- the lower left corner belongs to the lion;
- in the lower right corner there is always a taurus.
Often animals are depicted on the Royal Gates. There they coexist with the image of the Annunciation.