The Lion of St. Mark is a symbol that has been associated with Venice and its patron saint, St. Mark, for centuries. It is a bronze statue located in the Piazza San Marco, representing a winged lion holding an open book in its paw. The significance of the Lion of St. Mark lies in its symbolic representation of both Venice and Saint Mark himself.
In Christianity, the lion is seen as a symbol of strength and courage; thus it was chosen to represent Saint Mark’s power and leadership over Venice during his lifetime as well as his protection over the city after his death. Because Saint Mark brought Christianity to Venice when he arrived there from Egypt (where he had previously established Christian churches), this connection between the lion statue and him makes it even more meaningful to Venetians today who consider themselves descendants of those first Christians led by Saint Mark himself.
The image of the winged lion also appears on many official documents related to Venice such as coins, flags, coats-of-arms, stamps, etc. Further emphasizing its importance for both religious and political reasons throughout history up until today’s modern age. As such, it stands not only as a reminder of one man’s legacy but also serves as an emblematic representation for all citizens who take pride in their cultural heritage which began with Saint Mark himself many centuries ago – making The Lion Of St.Mark an integral part of any visit to Piazza San Marco in Venice.