100 Things I've Learned - As I Learn Them #4

[rabid1st]

My friend, keswindhover, is a fan of fonts, a bit of a font fiend really. Not the fonts of keyboard fame, such as New Times Roman, Calibri, Cambria, Baskerville Old Face or Estrangelo Edessa, but rather those fonts used for the baptizing of young and impressionable sinners. Kes favors the stonework fonts of ancient times, because, truth be told, they are very fancy. Also, Kes favors religious art of any description. You should hear her enthuse about illuminated manuscripts some time. As a hobby, she visits moldering English churches, snaps a few dozen pics, and shares the odd carvings of gargoyles, apostles and saints with her Flist.

The symbolism behind certain representative carvings is a thing discussed and debate by scholars and, recently, by Kes and myself. During our discussion, I learned that the Holy Spirit is often represented as a dove in stonework. And that Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are represented by the following...a winged man/angel, a winged lion, a winged bull and an eagle. These beasts then represent the nature of Christ and the virtues Christians need for salvation. I find this all very Shamanic. We, too, believe in the symbolism of animal forms. The winged man represents reason and that Christ came to us in human form. Christians can use their reason to find salvation. The winged lion represents courage and monarchy, Christ as king and the courage needed to follow him. The winged bull represents sacrifice, service and strength, all pretty self-explanatory when relating to Christ and to Christian values. It is all about sacrifice and service and having the strength to endure. And finally, the eagle, a creature of long sight and flight, represents Christ's ascension and the ability of Christians to take a long view of eternity.

Here's a link to a tapestry with the representative symbolism...http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e2/Karolingischer_Buchmaler_um_820_001.jpg

To Learn More About the 100 Things Challenge...go here...http://jdbracknell.livejournal.com/165714.html

Comments

[keswindhover.livejournal.com]

I think the animal symbolism used in Christian icongoraphy is vey interesting. It's hard not to think that Christianity is 'donning the clothes' of other religions here.

The agnus dei (lamb and flag) is interesting too if you want to learn another bit of animal symbolism.