The Eagle a Symbol of Gods, Power, and Omen

Many cultures have made use of symbols to portray ideas through art. Used by many cultures the eagle, represents three specific concepts. The eagle originated as a representation of the gods or things of divine power, which, many cultures would adopt. However, it would, become a symbol of power and victory that many cultures incorporated into their art. Many cultures would use the eagle to represent omen and prophecy.

One common use of the eagle as a symbol is to represent gods or divine figures. Seen in Mesopotamian religion and art, the eagle represents an animal with the ability to carry one to heaven and meet with the gods1. A cylinder seal (Fig.1) shows this by depicting the story of a king, Etana, who rides an eagle to the land of the gods to obtain the Plant of Birth. The Mesopotamians also regarded the eagle of a bird of storms. The Greeks and Romans also use the eagle to represent divine figures. To the Greeks and Romans the eagle represented Zeus or Jupiter while also acting his armor bearer2. The Roman copy of a Greek statue called ZEUS, shows Zeus seated next to an eagle thus showing the bird connection to the king of the gods. (Fig. 2) Also like the Mesopotamians, the Romans believed that eagles could fly to heaven. However, the Romans thought that eagles would carry the souls of the dead emporers3. A scene which is depicted on the arch of Titus (Fig. 3) which, included a carving of Titus riding an eagle representing the travel of Titus’ soul to heaven. In addition, during the Middle Ages in Judeo-Christian art the eagle represents St. John as shown in The Book of Kells. (Fig. 4)

1. Leick, Gwendolyn. A Dictionary of Ancient Near Eastern Mythology. London: Routledge, 1991. Print Page 61

2. Cirlot, Juan Eduardo. "E...

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..., a symbol of the gods or as a being able to travel between the spiritual world and the mortal world. In addition, cultures used the eagle as a symbol of their power as an empire and to represent their conquests over their enemies. Finally, many cultures used the eagle as an omen of forthcoming victory or as an omen of a good King. For many years following the medieval period, the symbol of the eagle continued to be a symbol for these ideas and countries still use the eagle today to portray them.

Works Cited

Cirlot, Juan Eduardo. "E." A Dictionary of Symbols. New York: Philosophical Library, 1962. 91-93. Print

Karlson, William R., Jr. Syncretism: The Presence of Roman Augury in the Consecration of English Monarchs. Diss. Baylor U, 2007. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Print.

Leick, Gwendolyn. A Dictionary of Ancient Near Eastern Mythology. London: Routledge, 1991. Print.