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In the early 1600s the Book of Durrow was in the possession of a local farmer. To make a holy-water cure for his sick cows, he soaked the book in water. Parts of the book show water damage and areas of lost pigment and changes to the vellum. A number of pages have a hole in one corner, suggesting that perhaps they were strung on a cord and hung up when not being used by the farmer to make his medicinal tonic.
![]() Look closely at Matthew’s symbol, the Man—he appears to be wearing the distinctive Irish, druidic-style tonsure, with the front of his head shaved and his hair worn long in back. See our Fun Facts page for more about monastic tonsures.
Why are the Evangelist symbols of Mark and John reversed? In the Book of Durrow, Mark is represented as an eagle (instead of a lion) and John as a lion (instead of an eagle). The standard symbols of the Gospel writers were established by St. Jerome in his vulgate version of the Bible (late 4th c.). The uncommon representation in the Book of Durrow references the pre-vulgate version of the gospels. If you find of another insular gospel book with this unusual assignment of symbols, please let us know!
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