Notes on Mark: Mark the Lion

Martin Schongauer, The Lion of Saint Mark

I can never keep track of the traditional symbols of the four Gospel writers. Since we're launching into Mark, I wanted to find out just why he's represented in art by a lion. The Word on Fire Bible: The Gospels takes us to St. Jerome's wonderfully succinct reasoning which links each evangelist to the opening passage of its corresponding Gospel.

The man represents Matthew because his Gospel begins with the genealogy of Christ a device that emphasizes Jesus' humanity.

The lion is Mark's Gospel, comparing its opening passage—John the Baptist's urgent proclamation in the desert—to the roar of a wild lion.

The ox symbolizes Luke, whose Gospel narrative begins with the story of the temple priest Zechariah. Through this lens, the ox represents the sacrificial animals that were associated with priestly duties.

The eagle is John's Gospel, which begins by "flying upwards to the heights of the theological realm in its spectacular prologue: "In the beginning was the Word..."

I like that key to the symbolism! Let's see if I can keep it straight the next time I'm trying to identify who's who in stained glass windows!

The winged lion of St Mark at the Scuola Grande di San Marco, Venice.

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