Oldalképek
PDF
ePub

A DOVE is the emblem of the Holy Ghost, (Luke iv. 22.) The inspiration of the Holy Ghost in the Church in the choice of Bishops or Abbots, (S. Fabian, S. Enurchus, &c.,) or in writing, or preaching, (S. Gregory, S. David, &c.,) or in sanctifying for any high office, (S. Oswald, S. Remigius.) It also sometimes typifies the soul, (S. Medardus,) and occasionally simplicity of heart.

A DRAGON OF SERPENT. Symbol of the devil. (Rev. xii. 9.) It is generally drawn in the form of an enormous crocodile-shaped lizard, like some of the extinct Saurian tribe. It also symbolizes the principle of evil and sin, (S. Michael, S. Martha,) or heathenism subdued by the cross, the symbol of Christianity, as S. George, S. Margaret.-Antichrist. In a cup or chalice it signifies poison, as S. John Evangelist; sometimes heresy or false doctrine, as S. Hilary. The dragon and the devil have generally a synonymous meaning, as well shewn by the illustration of S. George, p. 67.

An EAGLE Sometimes denotes the presence of the Holy Spirit, of which it was the symbol in the Old Testament, as the dove in the New, S. John, S. Augustine. The double-headed eagle is the attribute of the prophet Elisha, and betokens the double portion of the spirit he prayed for. (2 Kings ii. 9.)

A FOUNTAIN Springing up from the ground denotes figuratively the success of the saint's missionary labours, which frequently does not take place till

after the death or martyrdom of the saint, (S. Paul, S. Winifrede, &c.,) in some legends it is caused by the missionary striking the end of his cross into the ground. (Isaiah xxxv. 6, 7.)

Carrying a HEAD cut off signifies the martyr's last offering to GOD in suffering martyrdom by decapitation, (S. Denys, S. Clair, &c.;) the literal explanations of this legend are of course of later origin, substituting a fact for a symbol. Martyrs who have been beheaded are sometimes distinguished by a red mark, as of an incision round the throat.

A HEART carried in the hand, or otherwise accompanying the saint, signifies zeal; it is either burning, to symbolize intensity, or wounded with arrows, or dropping blood, to shew devotion.

A KNIGHT in armour is generally of historical signification, but may at the same time symbolize the soldier of the cross, as S. George, S. Martin, S. Hubert, &c.

A LAMP, LANTERN, or TAPER, is an emblem of distinguished piety in reference to the text, "Let your light so shine before men," &c., (Matt. v. 16,) as S. Blaize, S. Genoveva, &c.

A LILY is the symbol of virginity or of a pure heart, it is frequently carried by virgin saints, and is generally introduced in representations of the Annunciation.

A SCOURGE or FLAGELLUM carried in the hand signifies the means of self-mortification, used to over

come sin, as S. Dominic, S. Guthlac, &c. S. Ambrose bears it in reference to the penance he inflicted upon the Emperor Theodosius.

A SCULL is the general accompaniment of hermits and penitents, as shewing daily contemplation of, and preparation for death; S. Mary Magdalene, S. Jerome. A SNAKE, emblem of poison, as S. Benedict, &c. See Dragon.

A STONE in the hand, is either historical, as signifying stoning to death, as S. Stephen, S. Alphege, &c., or it alludes to the penitential beating of the breast with a stone, as S. Jerome.

A SWAN signifies solitude, as S. Cuthbert.

A SWORD, when denoting the manner of martyrdom, signifies a judicial death, (as S. Paul, S. Catharine, &c.,) in distinction to the dagger, which signifies assassination, or the spear and club, which signify murder. It is sometimes the emblem of the soldier of Christ, and does not always denote martyrdom or death by beheading; it occurs so often by itself, that it is a very uncertain sign when not accompanied by other emblems.

TAPER. See Lamp.

TREADING or standing upon a figure indicates the saint's spiritual triumph over it, as S. Catharine treading upon the Emperor Maximian, S. Barbara treading upon her father Dioscorus, &c. In the like manner treading upon a dragon or serpents signifies the overthrow of sin or heresy, or paganism,

as S. Margaret, S. Hilary, S. Patrick, &c. (Psalm xci. 13.)

A TREE blossoming or budding forth, is figurative of the care and protection of the Almighty overshadowing His saint, S. Etheldreda, S. Christopher, &c.

The UNICORN is emblematical of solitude and also of female chastity. This latter is derived from the tradition that it would never be caught except by a virgin, and that if its skin was at all defiled, it pined away and died; it is very rarely met with among the emblems of saints.

WILD BEASTS, Surrounded by, indicates long continuance in a solitary course of life, so that even the beasts of the forest get accustomed to the saint's presence; or it may allude to the founding of a monastery or hermitage in a desolate place or wilderness, originally occupied or surrounded by the beasts of the forest, as S. Blaize, S. Anthony, S. Germanus, &c.

[graphic]

Authorities.

THE sources from whence the engravings of the saints in the foregoing pages are obtained, are generally stated with each illustration; those of the Apostles, Evangelists, and Festivals, are principally taken from the engravings by G. L. Smith, in a Prayer-book printed at Oxford in 1772, which are very good and characteristic, notwithstanding the low position Christian art occupied at the time when they were published.

For the dedications we have been obliged to trust chiefly to "Bacon's Liber Regis," and the "Liber Ecclesiasticus," compiled from the Report of the Commissioners, presented to Parliament in 1835, both perhaps imperfect, though the only available sources of information; this work is, we believe, the first attempt at a systematic analysis and classification of this hitherto neglected feature of our medieval Church, and it is therefore necessarily imperfect, considering the dedications amount to nearly eleven thousand (?), but should another edition of it be required, it is proposed to append to it a list of all the dedications in the kingdom arranged in a tabular form, and specifying the number in each county, and any hints or communications on this subject will be thankfully received by the publisher.

The following is a list of the principal other works consulted and referred to in the progress of the book.

« ElőzőTovább »