Tetramorph
Encyclopedia
A tetramorph is a symbolic arrangement of four differing elements, or the combination of four disparate elements in one unit. The term is derived from the Greek tetra, meaning four, and morph, shape.
Archaeological evidence exists showing that early man divided the four quarters of the horizon, or space, later a place of sacrifice, such as a temple, and attributed characteristics and spiritual qualities to each quarter. Alternatively the composite elements were carved into mythic creatures such as the Egyptian
, Greek
and Babylonian Sphinxes of antiquity depicting bull-like bodies with birds-wings, lion’s paws and human faces. Such composite creatures are found in many mythologies.
The most developed tetramorph in Christian symbolism is that of the four evangelists
, or their symbolic creatures, the Four Living Creatures. "In Christian symbolism, the symbolic associations of the four Evangelists (as archers defending truth and the order of Christ—the 'Centre') are: Matthew, the winged man; Mark, the lion; Luke, the ox; John, the eagle. This originated from the Biblical book of the Jewish prophet Ezekiel
, who while in exile in Babylonia
circa 580 BCE
describes his vision in which the likeness of four living creatures came out of the midst of the fire thus:
These four animal figures are also depicted in the St. John
's Apocalypse
, the last book of the New Testament
, where they surround the throne of Christ, the setting most usually seen in Christian art. John alludes to Ezekiel’s vision thus: And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle. Revelation 4:7.
Christian iconography in the form of illuminated manuscripts developed the tetramorph in art-work quite early. Examples of the four Evangelists in the form of a tetramorph can be found from the 6th CE. including notably in the Book of Kells
.
In theology, Saint Jerome
attributed Christian virtues to each of the four animals of the Christian tetramorph. Matthew is represented by a winged man; Luke by an ox; Mark by a Lion; and John by an eagle. At the center of most Christian tetramorphs is the Pantokrator (from Greek pan-all, krater - ruler) Jesus the Christ, following the Book of Revelation
.
The traditional iconography of the Tarot Major Acana The World (the final Major at number twenty-one) depicts a girl dancing or leaping through a wreath, and at each corner is one of the evangelical symbols. More modern decks that try to distance the deck from Christian iconography may replace the tetramorph with elemental symbols, or other animals.
Astrologically, the Four Living Creatures represent the four fixed signs of the Zodiac. Aquarius as the winged man, Taurus as the ox/bull, Leo as lion and Scorpio as the eagle. The Fixed Signs represnt the limits of the physical universe. Christ at the center as the pantokrator is the ruler.
Archaeological evidence exists showing that early man divided the four quarters of the horizon, or space, later a place of sacrifice, such as a temple, and attributed characteristics and spiritual qualities to each quarter. Alternatively the composite elements were carved into mythic creatures such as the Egyptian
Ancient Egypt
Ancient Egypt was an ancient civilization of Northeastern Africa, concentrated along the lower reaches of the Nile River in what is now the modern country of Egypt. Egyptian civilization coalesced around 3150 BC with the political unification of Upper and Lower Egypt under the first pharaoh...
, Greek
Ancient Greece
Ancient Greece is a civilization belonging to a period of Greek history that lasted from the Archaic period of the 8th to 6th centuries BC to the end of antiquity. Immediately following this period was the beginning of the Early Middle Ages and the Byzantine era. Included in Ancient Greece is the...
and Babylonian Sphinxes of antiquity depicting bull-like bodies with birds-wings, lion’s paws and human faces. Such composite creatures are found in many mythologies.
The most developed tetramorph in Christian symbolism is that of the four evangelists
Four Evangelists
In Christian tradition the Four Evangelists are Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, the authors attributed with the creation of the four Gospel accounts in the New Testament that bear the following titles:*Gospel according to Matthew*Gospel according to Mark...
, or their symbolic creatures, the Four Living Creatures. "In Christian symbolism, the symbolic associations of the four Evangelists (as archers defending truth and the order of Christ—the 'Centre') are: Matthew, the winged man; Mark, the lion; Luke, the ox; John, the eagle. This originated from the Biblical book of the Jewish prophet Ezekiel
Ezekiel
Ezekiel , "God will strengthen" , is the central protagonist of the Book of Ezekiel in the Hebrew Bible. In Judaism, Christianity and Islam, Ezekiel is acknowledged as a Hebrew prophet...
, who while in exile in Babylonia
Babylonian captivity
The Babylonian captivity was the period in Jewish history during which the Jews of the ancient Kingdom of Judah were captives in Babylon—conventionally 587–538 BCE....
circa 580 BCE
580s BC
-Events and trends:* 589 BC—Apries succeeds Psamtik II as king of Egypt.* 588 BC—Nebuchadrezzar II of Babylon begins siege of Jerusalem; the opera Nabucco sets the date at 587 BC.* 587 BC—Jerusalem falls to the Babylonians, ending the Kingdom of Judah...
describes his vision in which the likeness of four living creatures came out of the midst of the fire thus:
- 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; they four also had the face of an eagle. Ezekiel 1:10.
John the Evangelist
Saint John the Evangelist is the conventional name for the author of the Gospel of John...
's Apocalypse
Book of Revelation
The Book of Revelation is the final book of the New Testament. The title came into usage from the first word of the book in Koine Greek: apokalupsis, meaning "unveiling" or "revelation"...
, the last book of the New Testament
New Testament
The New Testament is the second major division of the Christian biblical canon, the first such division being the much longer Old Testament....
, where they surround the throne of Christ, the setting most usually seen in Christian art. John alludes to Ezekiel’s vision thus: And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle. Revelation 4:7.
Christian iconography in the form of illuminated manuscripts developed the tetramorph in art-work quite early. Examples of the four Evangelists in the form of a tetramorph can be found from the 6th CE. including notably in the Book of Kells
Book of Kells
The Book of Kells is an illuminated manuscript Gospel book in Latin, containing the four Gospels of the New Testament together with various prefatory texts and tables. It was created by Celtic monks ca. 800 or slightly earlier...
.
In theology, Saint Jerome
Jerome
Saint Jerome was a Roman Christian priest, confessor, theologian and historian, and who became a Doctor of the Church. He was the son of Eusebius, of the city of Stridon, which was on the border of Dalmatia and Pannonia...
attributed Christian virtues to each of the four animals of the Christian tetramorph. Matthew is represented by a winged man; Luke by an ox; Mark by a Lion; and John by an eagle. At the center of most Christian tetramorphs is the Pantokrator (from Greek pan-all, krater - ruler) Jesus the Christ, following the Book of Revelation
Book of Revelation
The Book of Revelation is the final book of the New Testament. The title came into usage from the first word of the book in Koine Greek: apokalupsis, meaning "unveiling" or "revelation"...
.
The traditional iconography of the Tarot Major Acana The World (the final Major at number twenty-one) depicts a girl dancing or leaping through a wreath, and at each corner is one of the evangelical symbols. More modern decks that try to distance the deck from Christian iconography may replace the tetramorph with elemental symbols, or other animals.
Astrologically, the Four Living Creatures represent the four fixed signs of the Zodiac. Aquarius as the winged man, Taurus as the ox/bull, Leo as lion and Scorpio as the eagle. The Fixed Signs represnt the limits of the physical universe. Christ at the center as the pantokrator is the ruler.
External links
- Notes on Ezekiel's Vision (mostly a site aimed at refuting various ancient astronaut theories).