In art, Luke is represented by a winged ox. This is especially appropriate because in the Gospel of St. Luke, the priestly and sacrificial work of Jesus is emphasized. The ox represents the sacrificial aspect of Jesus' ministry and the wings remind us that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is to travel throughout the world.

Why is the ox the symbol for Luke?

Luke is associated with the ox, a sacrificial animal, because his Gospel opens with the sacrifice of the priest Zacharias.

What do oxen symbolize in the Bible?

In ancient Israel, the ox, “bull,” “wild bull,” (or “unicorn,” as it is rendered in the King James Version) was a type or symbol of strength and power. (See Num. 23:22, n.