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Eagle Symbol

“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” — Isaiah 40:31
“Their faces looked like this: Each of the four had the face of a man, and on the right side each had the face of a lion, and on the left the face of an ox; each also had the face of an eagle.” — Ezekiel 1:10
Pax of Ariberto, c.1030: Eagle of St. John
Detail of an enamel eagle, symbol of St. John the Evangelist. Detail of the "Pax of Ariberto," created around 1030 or 1040 and given to the Duomo by Archbishop Ariberto. It consists of two panels - the more elaborate one was used to decorate the box in which the cathedral's Gospel book was kept, while the other covered the Gospel book itself. In the 12th century it became part of a "Pax," a panel with a handle that was presented during the ritual of the kiss of peace. Cathedral Treasury, Milan, Italy. Holly Hayes

Sources & Further Reading

  1. "eagle." Penguin Dictionary of Symbols.Penguin Reference, 1997. . { “King of the birds... the eagle is so important a symbol that there is no written or pictorial image, historic or mythic... when it is not the representative of the highest gods and the greatest heroes.”