Note 19 — Part Two The Fabric of the Cathedral

These symbols, supposed to be derived from the Revelation of St. John (iv. 7) and the prophecy of Ezekiel (i. 10), are variously interpreted. One explanation of each follows: The man or cherub is given to St. Matthew because he dwells on the human side of Christ; the lion to St. Mark because he is called the historian of the resurrection, and ancient naturalists believed that the lion was born inanimate and came to life three days after birth; the ox, the emblem of sacrifice, to St. Luke because he dwells on the priesthood of Christ; and the eagle to St. John because he soared in the spirit to heaven and saw God.