Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John (the four authors of the gospels) have traditionally been represented by four symbols:
St. Matthew: a divine man
St. Mark: a winged lion
St. Luke: a winged ox
St. John: a rising eagle
These symbols are taken from scripture, specifically Ezekiel (1:1-21): and Revelation (4:6-8). These images in both the Old and New Testament prompted St. Irenaeus (140-202) to liken them to the four Gospel writers. He felt each writer had a particular focus on Christ. More specifically, St. Irenaeus explained the symbolism as follows:
St. Matthew is represented by a divine man because the Gospel highlights Jesus’ entry into this world, first by presenting His family lineage — “A family record of Jesus Christ, Son of David, son of Abraham” (Mt 1:1) — and His incarnation and birth: “Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about” (Mt 1:18). “This then,” according to St. Irenaeus, “is the Gospel of His humanity.”
The lion is the symbol of St. Mark because his Gospel begins with John the Baptist, whose preaching is described as a voice crying in the wilderness like the roar of a lion. He said, “The voice in the desert crying” reminds one of a lion’s roar.” The lion also signified royalty, an appropriate symbol for the Son of God.
The winged ox represents St. Luke. Oxen were used in temple sacrifices. For instance, when the Ark of the Covenant was brought to Jerusalem, an ox was sacrificed every six steps (2 Sm 6). St. Luke begins his Gospel with the announcement of the birth of St. John the Baptizer to his father, the priest Zechariah, who was offering sacrifice in the Temple (Lk 1). St. Luke also includes the parable of the Prodigal Son, in which the fatted calf is slaughtered, not only to celebrate the younger son’s return, but also to foreshadow the joy we must have in receiving reconciliation through our most merciful Savior who as Priest offered Himself in sacrifice to forgive our sins. Therefore, the winged ox reminds us of the priestly character of our Lord and His sacrifice for our redemption.
Lastly, St. John’s symbol is an eagle because his Gospel has a “lofty” beginning with Jesus existing in heaven as “the Word of God” before he came to earth: “In the beginning was the Word, the Word was in God’s presence, and the Word was God. He was present to God in the beginning. Through Him all things came into being, and apart from Him nothing came to be” (Jn 1:1-3). The Gospel of St. John, unlike the other Gospels, engages the reader with the most profound teachings of our Lord, and the beautiful teachings on the Bread of Life and the Good Shepherd. Jesus, too, identified Himself as “the way, the truth, and the life,” and anyone who embraces Him as such will rise to everlasting life with Him. The wings on all of the symbols of the gospels are to symbolize their connection to the divine. Like eagle wings or angels (who were the messengers of God), they deliver this story and good news.
While each of these symbols focuses on the particular theme of each Gospel, only in penetrating all four Gospels do we encounter fully our Lord.