The symbols of the four Evangelists derive from the four beasts of Ezekiel and the Book of Revelation appearing in manuscript illuminations at an early stage of Christianity. According to the Bible, both the prophet Ezekiel and the apostle John receive visions of the throne of God surrounded by four beasts.

And in the midst of the throne and around the throne were four beasts, full of eyes in front and behind. And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast was like a bovine, and the third beast was like a man’s, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle. And the four creatures had six wings each before them and were full of eyes all around and within, and they had rest day and night. – (Revelation 4: 6b-8a)

These four animals came to represent the four evangelists as follows:

Evangelist	Symbol	Significance
St. Matthew	The Man	Emphasizes the human aspect of the Savior (Christ’s Birth)
St. Luke	The Ox (Bovine)	Represents sacrifice (Christ’s Crucifixion)
St. Mark	The Lion	Signifies Christ’s power and royalty (Christ’s Resurrection)
St. John	The Eagle	Symbolizes ascension (Christ’s Ascention into Heaven)

There are four pages in the Book of Kells illustrating the symbolic representations of the evangelists. Each one is markedly different, displaying artistic diversity in its layout and stylization.

Unfortunately, folio 1r, which depicts the Hebrew names and Evangelist symbols, has been badly damaged, making the symbols difficult to decipher. The enhanced image below serves to distinguish the four figures.

Symbols played a significant role in early Christianity and, in some cases, served dual purposes. For example, the evangelical symbols are also representations of the four stages of Christ’s life which correspond with the Gospel according to the respective evangelist:

• Man = The Nativity
• Ox = The Crucifixion
• Lion = The Resurrection
• Eagle = The Ascension