Galla Placidia--page 2 (of two pages)

2nd quarter of the fifth century CE




Deer drinking at a well with apostles in the vault above

In Christian iconography, the deer or hart symbolizes the Christian searching for the fountain of life, or God.
 

The apostles with twining vines and the ChiRho symbol for Christ

 

The dome

The cross is at the center while the four evangelists' symbols occupy the corners--and see below: the ox for Luke, the eagle for John, and the angel for Matthew. Not pictured is the lion for Mark.
 
 

Elaborate decorative motifs in mosaic
 


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© 2006 Mary Ann Sullivan. I have photographed (on site), scanned, and manipulated all the images on these pages. Please feel free to use them for personal or educational purposes. They are not available for commercial purposes.