St John

St John is represented as an Eagle because of his “soaring” witness to Jesus’ divine nature. The eagle soars at high altitudes, it is quick and sharp-sighted, and it has a rich symbolic history. An early legend held that the eagle would periodically renew its youth by flying near the sun and then plunging into a lake or fountain. On this basis the eagle became a symbol for the Resurrection. In addition, since the eagle soars upward, it became a symbol for Christ’s Ascension. Eagles also represent Christians who have died and risen again.