(Please read from the start)
The last picture I’m presenting about the Seraphim is one called Tetramorph: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetramorph
“A tetramorph is a symbolic arrangement of four differing elements, or the combination of four disparate elements in one unit. The term is derived from the Greek tetra, meaning four, and morph, shape.”
>>Etymology is always important. So here we have 4 different elements combined/mixed together to make one/ to become one.
“Archaeological evidence exists showing that early man divided the four quarters of the horizon, or space, later a place of sacrifice, such as a temple, and attributed characteristics and spiritual qualities to each quarter. Alternatively the composite elements were carved into mythic creatures such as the ancient Egyptian, Greek and Babylonian sphinxes of antiquity depicting bull-like bodies with birds-wings, lion's paws and human faces. Such composite creatures are found in many mythologies.”
>> The 4 quarters of the horizon or space are usually the 4 cardinal points/directions: a lot of altars were oriented in this or that direction; some even follow astronomical/ planetary alignments (depending on the case of course). In this thread, we’ve been seeing loads of Mythic sur-natural creatures, including the Griffins.
“In Christian art, the tetramorph is the union of the symbols of the Four Evangelists, derived from the four living creatures in the Book of Ezekiel, into a single figure or, more commonly, a group of four figures. Each of the four Evangelists is associated with one of the living creatures, usually shown with wings. The most common association, but not the original or only, is: Matthew the man, Mark the lion, Luke the ox, and John the eagle. In Christian art and iconography, Evangelist portraits are often accompanied by tetramorphs, or the symbols alone used to represent them. Evangelist portraits that depict them in their human forms are often accompanied by their symbolic creatures, and Christ in Majesty is often shown surrounded by the four symbols.”
>> So this iconography find its roots in Judaism = specifically in the Book of Ezekiel and it was later on transmitted into Christianity and each animal was associated to one of the Evangelists. In other words, this was never originally a Christian Iconography. This was a transfer.
“The word comes from the Greek for "four forms" or "shapes". In English usage each symbol may be described as a tetramorph in the singular, and a group as "the tetramorphs", but usually only in contexts where all four are included. The tetramorphs were especially common in Early Medieval art, above all in illuminated Gospel books, but remain common in religious art to the present day.
Origins
Images of unions of different elements into one symbol were originally used by the Ancient Egyptians, Assyrians, and Greeks. The image of the sphinx, found in Egypt and Babylon, depicted the body of a lion and the head of a human, while the harpies of Greek mythology showed bird-like human women.”
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