A winged lion is symbolic of the spiritual strength of St. Mark. The unwavering faith and steadfast nature of St. Luke's commitment to Christ is symbolized in a winged ox, while St. John's faith is characterized by that of a winged eagle, flying around the world to deliver Christ's message to the masses. Even if you think you're not visiting a museum, the Churches and other historical landmarks in Italy often contain great works of art. Besides the Virgin Mary and the Four Evangelists, there are many other symbols you might see when viewing art that has often lasted for more than five or six hundred years. A lamb in a fresco or painting is often symbolic of Jesus Christ, who is known as the Lamb of God.
Skulls also have great symbolic value.
The skull is often a reminder of death and mortality. Finally, the palm is also a common symbol in Italian art. It generally represents a martyr's triumph over death. Copyright 1996-2001 Group Travel Enterprises, Inc. dba.