Winged Ox
Symbol of the Evangelist Luke
New Testament
Saint Luke
Saint Luke the Evangelist
A winged ox beside the book identifies Luke the Evangelist. In another tradition he appears at an easel, painting the Virgin.
Saint Luke the Evangelist
01 / 04
- Feast
- October 18
- Era
- 1st century · Antioch, Mediterranean with Paul
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
Iconographic Attributes
Iconographic field guide
Identifying features
Ox or winged calf symbolizes sacrifice and priestly Christology in medieval commentaries. Palette appears in “Luke painting the Virgin” legends—a meta-commentary on Christian art itself. Physician identity is rare in attributes but explains hospital dedications.
- Clothing
- apostolic robes
- Colours
- blue · red · gold
- Symbols
- ox · winged ox · palette
Book
Gospel and Acts—often two books or thick codex.
Sacred Halo
Divine or sanctified light around the head
Apostolic Robes
Garments of the Twelve or evangelists
scroll
Author of Gospel and Acts
paintbrush
Traditional iconographic attribute associated with this figure in Christian art.
Visual Gallery
Works / 04Saint Luke the Evangelist
Saint Luke the EvangelistHausbuch Master · 1480–1500
Saint Luke the EvangelistEl Greco · 1610
Saint Luke the EvangelistWorkshop of El Greco · c. 1610–1614
Biography
Life & legacy
Luke 1The third Gospel opens with a dedication to Theophilus and an account of how its author used earlier testimony. Christian tradition attributes both this Gospel and Acts to Luke, a companion of Paul. The winged ox identifies him in evangelist portraits.
Gospel of Luke; Acts; Colossians 4:14; tradition of Marian portrait.
Representation in Sacred Art
Narrative scenes to recognize
writing the Gospel
painting the Madonna
with the ox
Visual Recognition Guide
1.Winged ox (calf)
Symbol of the Evangelist Luke
2.Book or scroll
Author of Gospel and Acts
3.Physician attributes (rare)
Tradition as doctor
4.Painting the Virgin (some scenes)
Legend that he painted the first image of Mary
Patronage and Devotion
physicianssurgeonsartistspainters
Distinguishing Similar Figures
Often confused with Saint Mark: Both Gospel writers with symbolic animals
Notes from the Archive
- The opening lines of Luke and Acts both address Theophilus
- Patron saint of artists and the medical profession
Practice
