Eagles in Church
By Ron Rybs
@Ronrybs (21497)
London, England
March 25, 2016 12:22pm CST
Commonly found in Anglican churches are lecterns shaped as an eagle, with outspread wings. They are based on ideas from a medieval bestiary or book of animal myths.
It was thought that the eagle was able to stare at the sun and in a similar way Christians were able to look upon the revelations of divine word. There was also a belief that the eagle was highest flying bird, therefore the closest to heaven and would carry the word of God.
Sometimes instead of an eagle the lectern will be of a pelican, its beck on its chest. This is based on the belief that the bird fed its young on blood, pecked from it breast and became a symbol of Christ scarifying himself for man.
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5 responses
@TiarasOceanView (70020)
• United States
25 Mar 16
Hmm never knew this about the Anglican churches using these animals as symbols Ron.
Interesting.
Not sure if any animals ever in the Catholic churches, usually just a bunch of saints and such lolz
2 people like this
@TiarasOceanView (70020)
• United States
25 Mar 16
@Ronrybs My Mother has converted from Catholicism to whatever? And all idols (statues) are now evil to her lolz I take no notice.
I take no notice.2 people like this
@Ronrybs (21497)
• London, England
25 Mar 16
@TiarasOceanView I find all the different interpretation of reglion a bit bewildering
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@JohnRoberts (109841)
• Los Angeles, California
25 Mar 16
Weren't eagles also used as a symbol by the Romans?
1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (109841)
• Los Angeles, California
25 Mar 16
@Ronrybs So the eagle is the ultimate symbol so to speak. The eagle is a symbol for the US.
1 person likes this
@Ronrybs (21497)
• London, England
25 Mar 16
@JohnRoberts They are certainly popular, and appear quite a lot
@teamfreak16 (43611)
• Denver, Colorado
25 Mar 16
Another interesting post, as I knew none of this before I read it.
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