What symbols, in Christian art, are commonly used to represent the four gospel writers?
* Origin *
The Catholic Church states that early Christian authors, starting in the second century A.D., began to attach a symbol to each gospel writer. They were then followed by artists who began to incorporate them in their work.
"As early as the second century, Christian writers sought in Ezekiel's vision (Ezekiel 1:5) and in Apocalypse (Revelation 4:6 - 10) symbolical representations of the Four Evangelists.
"The system, which finally prevailed in the Latin Church, consisted in symbolizing St. Matthew by a man, St. Mark by a lion, St. Luke by an ox, and St. John by an eagle . . ." (1913 Catholic Encyclopedia).
It was sometime after the Catholic theologian Jerome (c. 342 to 420 A.D.) endorsed these symbols and their corresponding evangelist that this system prevailed in the church (History of the Christian Church).
* Others *
There are several other New Testament individuals who have had symbols assigned to them.
The cock, which represents vigilance, is sometimes used as a symbol for the Apostle Peter. The Apostle Andrew is represented by an X-shaped cross, the Apostle Paul by a sword, and Mary Magdalene by a box or vase.
Other apostles assigned symbols are Philip, represented by a basket of loaves, and Thomas by a building square. Bartholomew is represented by knives, Jude with a ship, and Matthias with an ax.
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