Eagle
One of the four living creatures of Revelation
Apostles
Saint John the Evangelist
John the Apostle
An eagle beside a writer identifies John the Evangelist. A chalice, sometimes with a serpent emerging, belongs to another tradition about him.
Saint John the EvangelistAnthony van Dyck · c. 1618–1620
01 / 03
- Feast
- December 27
- Era
- 1st century · Galilee, Ephesus (trad.)
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
Iconographic Attributes
Iconographic field guide
Identifying features
Eagle is his symbol among the four evangelists—never share with Baptist. Youthful, often beardless face contrasts Baptist’s weathered asceticism. Chalice with serpent references poison trial at Ephesus. At Last Supper he reclines on Christ’s breast—narrative identification.
- Clothing
- apostolic robes · red or green mantle
- Colours
- red · green · gold
- Symbols
- eagle · chalice · serpent
Chalice
Story of poisoned cup at Ephesus
Book
Gospel composition—open codex with eagle nearby or overhead.
Sacred Halo
Divine or sanctified light around the head
Apostolic Robes
Youthful apostle robes without camel skin.
scroll
Evangelist author of the fourth Gospel
Visual Gallery
Works / 03Saint John the EvangelistAnthony van Dyck · c. 1618–1620
Saint John the EvangelistAttributed to Cristóbal García Salmerón
Saint John the EvangelistHans Memling · c. 1478
Biography
Life & legacy
John 21Christian tradition identifies the apostle John, son of Zebedee, with the beloved disciple and the author of the fourth Gospel. The Gospel’s concluding chapter refers to the witness of the beloved disciple without naming him. The eagle identifies John in sets of the four evangelists.
Fourth Gospel tradition; Revelation; Irenaeus on Ephesus; chalice legend in later hagiography.
Representation in Sacred Art
Narrative scenes to recognize
writing the Gospel
Patmos vision
with the eagle symbol
Visual Recognition Guide
1.Eagle (symbol of the Evangelist)
One of the four living creatures of Revelation
2.Book or scroll (Gospel)
Evangelist author of the fourth Gospel
3.Young apostle, often beardless
Distinguishes him from the older, bearded Baptist
4.Chalice with serpent (legend)
Story of poisoned cup at Ephesus
Patronage and Devotion
theologianswritersfriendshiplove
Distinguishing Similar Figures
Often confused with John the Baptist: Both named John; eagle and book identify the Evangelist
Notes from the Archive
- Traditionally the only apostle not martyred by violent death
- Patmos is associated with the writing of Revelation
The Twelve Apostles course
The eagle and the chalice
Read two attributes that belong to different traditions about John.
Study this lesson 8 min · FreePractice
