This morning I was reading a book on the Book of Kells (also called The Book of Kells), which I found most informative. I'd picked it up in a castle bookstore in Scotland. This book has a beautiful layout, with a full-page print of a page from the original Book of Kells, and opposite it text discussing it. Among other things, it explained why the four Evangelists were symbolized by a man, lion, ox, and eagle--a point that had always mystified me.
Matthew -- the Man -- His gospel emphasizes Jesus' humanity.
Mark -- the Lion -- His gospel emphasizes Jesus' royalty.
Luke -- the Ox -- His gospel emphasizes Jesus' priesthood and sacrifice.
John -- the Eagle -- He in his gospel "soars to Heaven, as St. Augustine puts it, and gazes on the light of immutable truth with keen and undazzled eyes."
Rather classy, I thought. This may not be the only explanation, but it struck me as a nice solid one. The Book of Kells (the original one) is astoundingly intricate and impressive, and I mean to learn more about it and also learn to illuminate manuscripts.
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2 comments:
I thought it was Matthew that emphasized Jesus' royalty--at least, it's the book that is constantly talking about Jesus fulfilling prophecy. Also, it's the one that tells of his receiving kingly gifts from the wise men.
I also thought it was Matthew that did the Lion-royalty thing. Which would leave... Mark for the ox (humility) and Luke for the man, or the other way 'round.
Everybody agrees John is the eagle though. :-)
The four are, if I recall correctly, the four "faces" on the living creatures in John's Apocalypse.
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