The Book of Kells, created in the late eighth or early ninth century, contains incredible numbers of detailed illustrations. Animals, knotwork, and other subjects cover the pages of the Gospels. Although many of the illustrations may seem random and unrelated, a look at the symbolism and beliefs behind each image gives us a better understanding of what, and who, is being portrayed.
The Animal Symbols of Christ and the Apostles
The most prevalent symbols used in the Book of Kells are those to depict the four gospel writers and Christ. Matthew is shown as a man, Mark as a lion, Luke portrayed as a calf, and John as an eagle. However, these symbols all likewise represent Christ during His life and ministry in the following order: A man at birth, a calf at His death, a lion after being resurrected, and an eagle ascending to the heavens. (Meehan, p.50)
The image of the four animals could have originated from Revelations 4:6-7 (LDS Bible). [...] and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind. And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had the face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.
Ezekiel also contains an account of a vision from which the symbolism could have developed. (LDS Bible, Ezekiel 1:10) As for the likeness of their faces, they four had the face of a man, and the face of a lion, on the right side : and they four had the face of an ox on the left side ; and they four also had the face of an eagle.
The Animals Symbols in Relation to Each Other
Full pages are devoted to illustrations of the four gospel symbols. All four writers are shown as animals, each with a halo and framed in decorative panels. Another example has all four evangelists, but without the halos, however, the bold yellow circles surrounding each figure might serve the same purpose.
Many times the animal's are found together in the same panel or column. At other places the features of the four animals are mixed together, such as a lion with hooves, or a calf with a mane and paws. This was done to show the unity of the four gospels, though written by different people. (Meehan, p.41) Also, the four animals in some instances clutched bibles, depicting them bringing the message of the gospel to the world.
John as the Eagle
John, generally depicted as an eagle, was the symbol of prophetic knowledge and the spreading of the gospel to the people. Throughout the Book of Kells, John is also shown as various other types of birds, and known as the apostle who reached the greatest heights of inspiration. (Allen, p.266)
The eagle, just as the other three evangelist animals, also signifies Christ. It is the king of birds, and symbolizes far seeing, and dwelling on high. The sea can be understood as the world and the fish in it are the people who he catches, possessing our souls and drawing us closer to him. Christ can look to God without being blinded, just as the eagle can look at the sun. (Allen, p.345) Celtic belief is that the eagle renews his youth by dipping himself in the water. Psalms 103:5 (LDS Bible) describes, "so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's". +
Luke as the Calf
Luke, the calf is possibly shown as such because his writings contain reference to Christ's sacrificial and priestly office.
Mark the Lion
Traditionally, Mark is shown as the lion because his gospel depicts the royal dignity of Christ. Also, because he speaks of John the Baptist as the "voice of one crying in the wilderness"(LDS Bible, St. Mark 1:3), comparing to a roaring lion.
Christ as the Lion
Although the Lion symbol generally represents Mark, it also symbolizes Christ, corresponding with three natures of the lion based on various Celtic beliefs. (Allen, p. 343) First, the lion that inhabits the mountains was believed to use his tail to hide his footprints and therefore evade the hunters. This corresponds to Christ, the lion of the tribe of Judah, who works in a hidden manner and mysterious ways.
The second nature, is that when the lion sleeps his eyes are always open. This is in accord with the belief that while Christ was on the cross and buried, the Godhead was awake. Third, is according to Greek belief in the fifth century, lion cubs were born dead but revived after three days by the breath or roar of their father. (Meehan, p.53) This makes a wonderful comparison to Christ being resurrected after lying dead for three days.
Symbols of Fish
Another symbol of Christ in the Book of Kells is the fish. This is commonly associated with the sacrament and baptism. The initial letters of the words "Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior" form the Greek word for fish, icthus, and often accompanies the face or name of Christ in the text. (Sullivan, p.31) The eagle clutching a fish in his talons shows the apostle John carrying the gospel of Christ to the entire world. Another connotation of fish and the gospel, is the fact that all four evangelists were fishermen but left their boats to follow Christ and become fishers of men.
Symbols of the Snake
Various illustrations depict Christ as a snake, a symbol of his resurrection. This imagery was due to the belief that snakes renewed their youth when they shed their skin. (Meehan, p. 53) The snakes shown in the Book of Kells are usually very stylistic, with abstract interlace. Mostly they form complete borders or the letter 'S'. Sometimes they have heads of ducks or other animals, and often the tails of fish.
Peacock Imagery
The peacock symbolizes Christ and his incorruptibility. The flesh of the peacock was believed to be so hard that it would not spoil. St. Augustine of Hippo put that belief to the test when she had some peacock breast meat saved for a year, and found that it only became slightly dry, with no foul odor or rotting. (Meehan, p.57) Also, the peacock is a symbol of the resurrection because it sheds its plumage in the winter and gains more beautiful feathers in spring. (Allen, p. 22)
The Book of Kells, perhaps the most elaborately decorated copy of the Gospels from the ancient world, holds symbolism and tradition on every page. Animal representations of Christ and the four evangelists help illustrate the text, and give new meaning to their ministries. As well as serving as incredible aesthetic decoration, the artwork guides us through the four Gospels.
Meehan, Bernard. The Book of Durrow: A Medieval Masterpiece at Trinity College Dublin, 1996, Town House, Dublin
J. Romilly Allen (1933). Celtic Art in Pagan and Christian Times. Studio Editions Ltd.
Sullivan, Edward (1952). The Book of Kells. London: Studio Publications
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