Agnus Dei
I’m not sure why, but I’ve always liked the lamb and flag symbol that one comes across from time to time. Perhaps it’s because it appears less belligerent than all those lions, griffins, dragons, bears, stags, swords. Steeped deeply in religiosity, it recalls an early, gentle Christianity. Typically, the depiction is of a lamb, (sometimes, but not usually, with blood streaming from its chest), in front of a flag on a pole, in most cases, the cross doubling as the staff. The flag is usually St George’s – sometimes triangular, sometimes square or rectangular. Some depictions have the lamb with just the cross, but no flag. Most usually, the lamb is standing, but sometimes you will see it lying down.
So, quite a few variations, and all of these have their own meaning. But the common denominator is the lamb, which has powerful Christian symbolism, representing as it does Christ himself: the Lamb of God. In the New Testament we find:
Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!(John 1:29)
and:
Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they sang: ‘Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honour and glory and praise!’ (Rev 5:11-12)
The Lamb and Flag is an immensely popular pub name as you’ll discover if you Google “lamb and flag”. But just add “symbol” or similar and you”ll start finding out something more useful. The best place in London to see many Agnus Dei badges is in the Middle Temple district just south of the east end of the Strand, for it is the badge of that particular Inn of Court. Here are some examples. I particularly like the ancient, bashed-up stone carving, encrusted in moss.
That is good, the Popes used it in the wars that they fought around the country side, not UK?
Also used in Cornish tin mining esp in West Cornwall area http://www.scienceandsociety.co.uk/results.asp?image=10304844
@John. Not sure about that, you may be right. Popes usually use the cross keys of St Peter, or their personal family arms.
@Pete. Very interesting spot, thanks.
I’d like to look into the origins of Agnus Dei iconography, but alas, time does not permit right now. The earliest example I have seen so far is 9C.
There is a famous Lamb and Flag pub (also once known as the “Bucket of Blood” because of the prize fights that it once hosted) in Rose Street in Covent Garden.
Rose Street, a curious little twisted street, divided in two by Floral Street, seems quite hard to find, to judge from the fact that I was often asked for it when I worked in a bookshop nearby. I would ask the enquirer whether he really wanted Rose Street or wanted the pub. In every case, the answer was “The pub!”
I understand that the core of the building exists from before the Great Fire of London. It can be accessed from Floral Street by what must be one of London’s narrowest public passages.
Ah, Floral Street. There was a Tintin shop there I used to frequent in the 80s. Aware of the Lamb & Flag you mention, but I hadn’t made the connection with the Bucket of Blood. Was that the one so-named because they used to hold unlicenced bare-knuckle boxing there or nearby?
The last time I went along Floral Street, the Tintin shop was still there. When I worked in the area they were promoting Tintin in Tibet and had large Chinese style lanterns hanging outside the shop.
I believe the bare-knuckle fights were held in the open area in front of the Lamb and Flag. There is still a sort of small square there with, when the pub is open, a barrier to keep a path free for passers-by coming through the passage.
Despite passing there quite often, I have never actually been inside the pub, though I have had some “close encounters” on my way through the passage!
Another famous establishment nearby is the legendary map company, Stanfords. Tigger, who loves maps, has spent many a happy hour in there!
I spend far too much money in Stanfords. Wonderful shop.