182 



literally copied as one of the forms of the cross used in Christian 

 Art, and known as the cross of St. Thomas. The Serpent, the 

 Lion, the Dragon, the Peacock — all Egyptian — are also prominent 

 Christian symbols ; and there is no difficulty in tracing such forms 

 as the Winged Ox. the Winged Lion, the Eagle, and the Winged 

 Man, to a date far antecedent to the time of the four evangelists 

 whom they symbolically represent. 



How dangerous to the unlettered mass the fertility of the 

 artist's imagination may become, in the unfettered production of 

 heavenly symbols, may be well illustrated by the Tetramorph, a 

 mysterious being with four heads, surrounded by Nimbi and 

 numerous wings covered with eyes. It stands on two fiery wheels 

 or stars, also winged. It may be seen in a Byzantyne mosaic in 

 a convent at Mount Athos. A fable long believed in by naturalists 

 is perpetuated in Christian symbolism, adopted from Egyptian, viz. 

 the Pelican feeding its young from the blood on its breast. It was 

 used as an emblem of Christ, and is well known as a favourite 

 device of the Church of Rome. 



On the various forms of crosses used in Christian Art, a 

 volume might be written ; and the same may be said of the 

 monogram of Christ. They are, however, so familiarly known in 

 their ordinary forms, that I will not dwell upon them, but pass to 

 another feature of the subject, less understood, viz. the meanings 

 attached to colours, metals, and precious stones. When tints are 

 used by early artists of this school, it is necessary to remember 

 that the artist is not merely a colourist, but a preceptor ; he is not 

 only painting a picture, but he is preaching a sermon ; consequently 

 he arranges his colours less to produce a pleasing effect to the eye 

 than to appeal to the mind by their symbolic significance. Silver 

 in metals and white in colours, were used as symbols of light and 

 life, innocence and purity ; pure yellow and gold denoted faithful- 

 ness, brightness, and the goodness of God. Impure or dingy 

 yellow was used to denote the exact reverse of these qualities — 

 deceit and jealousy. Judas Iscariot is generally depicted in robes 

 of this tint. In the same manner every colour has its well known 

 symbolic attribute. The canonical colours are black (which is 



