Page "Lindisfarne Gospels" Paragraph 25

Bede explains how each of the four Evangelists was represented by their own symbol: Matthew was the man, representing the human Christ, Mark was the lion, symbolizing the triumphant Christ of the Resurrection, Luke was the calf, symbolizing the sacrificial victim of the Crucifixion, and John was the eagle, symbolizing Christ ’ s second coming ( The British Library Board ).

A general term for the name of the symbols of the four Evangelists is the Tetramorphs.

Each of the four Evangelists is accompanied by their respective symbol in their miniature portraits in the manuscript.

In the miniature portraits of Matthew, Mark, and Luke they are shown writing, while John looks straight ahead at the reader holding his scroll ( The British Library Board ).

The Evangelists also represent the dual nature of Christ.

Mark and John are shown as young men, symbolizing the divine nature of Christ, and Matthew and Luke appear older and bearded, representing Christ ’ s mortal nature ( The British Library Board ).