Christ as the Good Shepherd Symbolism in Western Art

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Christ as the Good Shepherd Symbolism in Western Art

The Good Shepard is one of the earliest Christian symbols in Western art history. Throughout times past Biblically themed art-works from the Byzantine period through the High Renaissance are darkly mystical, infused with an ethereal passionate intensity and rich Christianized symbolism.

For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. -- Rev. 7:17

The Good Shepherd symbolizes Christ the Savior "I am the Good Shepherd: the Good Shepherd giveth His life for His sheep" (John 10:11)

The Shepherd represents Jesus who will search devotedly for even one lost Child of God until it is found. (Luke 15)

The Parable of the Lost Sheep (Luke 15)

The Parable of the Good Shepherd

John 10:11-18
I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.
(The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father..

The Meaning of Sacred Symbols in Paintings. Most prominently featured symbols and their meaning:

Mythological Creatures

Architectural Elements

Clothing and Accessories

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