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Evangelists' Cross



Evangelists' Cross

New Evangelists' Cross

Traditional Evangelists' Cross

The Evangelists' Cross is traditionally portrayed as a cross adorned with four winged creatures, as shown on the right. On this page, however, we introduce an alternative design (shown on the left) which could also qualify for the name Evangelists' Cross.

One of the four cross arms

Lotus
used in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainsm


Khanda
an important symbol of Sikhism

The interpretation of this pattern was initially a mystery. Quite possibly the design was just another of those 'gothic' crosses (see Dracula Cross) or inspired by the Hindu, Buddhist or Jain lotus or the Sikh Khanda. It appeared on our Puzzle Page for a few months with a request for ideas, from where Derek Wood¹ of England kindly suggested the arms represent quill pen nibs, and by extension, scribes. And since there are four nibs forming a Christian cross, they represent the four Evangelists: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. These Evangelists were tasked with spreading the Good News and are taken to be the authors of the four Gospels in the New Testament.

The winged images shown on the Traditional Evangelists' Cross (shown top right) have been around for some 1,800 years so it cannot hurt to introduce a more modern style. Not that there is anything wrong with the symbolism of the four winged creatures. On the contrary, their meaning and significance is as relevant today as ever. The new version shown on this page makes the point (as pen nibs do) that the Evangelists' accounts were written down and have survived two millennia; a testament to the value placed on the books.



The four Evangelists were quite different men. Their style of writing differs, as does the time and place of writing, the audience and the purpose. And this gives us the benefit of knowing about Jesus' life from four different vectors.

Matthew was a Jewish tax collector and his Gospel was probably written in Syria for a Jewish audience who were familiar with Old Testament prophecy, presenting Jesus as the promised Messiah, the King of the Jews. Mark was a missionary and his Gospel was most likely written in Rome for the Romans. The Gospel of Luke, a doctor, addresses the Greeks, and the account of the fisherman John was written with Gentile Christians in mind.

Another Pen Nib Cross

Coincidentally, exactly 150 years before this page was written, Keio University was founded. Their logo shows two crossed pen nibs with the motto: Calamvs Gladio Fortior ('The pen is mightier than the sword'²)