Jesus Christ as a Lion

Didrion, Alphonse. Christian Iconography: The History of Christian Art through the Ages. Vol. 1 New York: Ungar, 1965

Frequently the four Evangelist are symbolized by animals: St. John, by the eagle; St Luke, by an ox; St. Matthew, as an angel; and St. Mark, by the lion. However, St. Mark shares his creature with Christ. A more uncommon figure of Christ is that of the lion; in fact, if the nimbus been plain instead of housing the cross, the lion would be representing St. Mark. With the cross stamped on the nimbus the lion is intended for the Lion of Judah (342).

“The lamb, the lion, and the cross, are the three sole symbols under which Christ is represented” (342). The other representation of Christ, a fish, pelican, eagle, hen etc. are figures of Christ. A symbol is an exterior formula, an article of faith; while a figure is an arbitrary representation of any idea. The lamb is a symbol of Christ because it relates to the sacred text’s Divine lamb. The lamb is Christ. A figure instead is creations of the imagination were a pelican lacerates her breast to nourish her young with her blood; Christ similarly shed his blood to save his children. However, Christ is never represented by a pelican in the courts of heaven, nor does He or anyone else call him a pelican (342-343).