Sunday 22 December 2019

December 22 - 4th Advent Sunday


Seven-branched candlestick in Lund Cathedral.  

The seven-branched candlestick is to remind of the Menorah in the Temple in Jerusalem. The one in Lund Cathedral is from the 15th century and made of bronze. It was made in Hamburg and was transported to Lund in three parts.




The four figures at the bottom are the traditional symbols of the four evangelists in the New Testament: Angel (Matthew), Lion (Mark), Ox (Luke) and Eagle (John).

In the Old Testament, the prophet Ezekiel describes a vision of four living creatures, each of which had four faces (and wings): "Their faces looked like this: Each of the four had the face of a human being, and on the right side each had the face of a lion, and on the left the face of an ox; each also had the face of an eagle." (Ez 1:10)

A similar scene is described in the Book of Revelation in the New Testament: "In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures ... The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle." (Revelation 4:6-8)


Very early on in Christian tradition, these creatures became symbols of the authors of the four gospels in the New Testament.

 InSPIREd Sunday
 

8 comments:

  1. Symbols and their meaning - an endlessly fascinating subject, and so enriching if you know what you're looking at in medieval (and other) buildings and on paintings and sculptures.

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    1. Meike, I agree. Half the time I have very little clue while actually on the spot, I have to admit - but with all our modern technology, easy enough to snap photos, and continue the research later... ;)

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  2. Impressive looking candlestick holder

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    1. It is indeed, Billy - and it's in a very temple-like old chathedral, too

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  3. I find the English in Ezekiel confusing. Revelations is clear though.

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    1. Graham, Ezekiel's vision is indeed a very complex text - and not one I've ever even attempted to sort out in detail. Way too many faces and hands and wings and wheels and whatever. Probably needs more than three dimensions to do it justice! ;)

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  4. it is absolutely the tallest and biggest candlestick I have ever seen. I bet it weighs a ton. when I first saw the collage I wondered what were they thinking, then I read the verses and it makes sense..

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  5. Sandra, I don't know the weight, but the height is 3,5 m (11 ft 6 in). So indeed very impressive.

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