| Four of the
panels showthe following symbols:
• A and O
- Alpha and Omega which are the first and last
letters of the Greek alphabet, meaning the beginning
and the end
• IHS or
IHC - the first three letters of the
Greek for Jesus (IHCOYC)
• XP
- the first two letters of the Greek word for
Christ (XPICTOC)
• The Star
of David or
A Double Trinity Star showing that God
is triune (three-in-one) - Father, Son, and
Holy Spirit
The other four symbols became associated with
the four Gospel Writers, Matthew, Mark, Luke
and John. Each of the symbols is shown with
wings.
• The Man
represents the Gospel of St. Matthew.
• The Lion
represents the Gospel of St. Mark.
• The Ox or
Calf, the sacrificial victim, represents
the Gospel of St. Luke.
• The Eagle
stands for the Gospel of St. John.
These symbols were developed as a way of helping
people to remember the different Gospels at
a time when most people could not read. |
