The Winged Bull Banner: A Symbol of Saint Luke

A banner that speaks softly, but carries meaning.

Winged Bull Symbol of Saint Luke

This banner spent only a few quiet weeks in our studio, but it stayed with us long after. The deep blue, the weight of the fabric, the quiet strength of the winged bull at its center. It drew us in not by asking for attention, but by inviting reflection.

Measuring 36 inches by 54 inches, the banner combines rich Romsey orphrey bands with our Blue Lichfield base fabric. The pairing is elegant, grounded, and deeply liturgical. But what holds your gaze is the bull, wings extended, head bowed in strength and stillness.

Why a Winged Bull?

The winged bull has been part of Christian tradition for centuries. It’s the symbol of Saint Luke, one of the four Evangelists. In the books of Ezekiel and Revelation, four living creatures surround the throne of God: a man, a lion, an eagle, and a bull.

Each creature came to represent one Gospel Evangelist:

Matthew – a man, for Christ’s humanity

Mark – a lion, for courage and resurrection

Luke – a winged bull, for sacrifice and service

John – an eagle, for the divine

Luke’s Gospel begins with the story of Zechariah, a priest offering sacrifice in the temple. The bull, often used in temple offerings, became the right symbol. And the wings? They remind us that even something grounded can carry a message that rises.

Liturgical Banner Features

This banner wasn’t made quickly. Every part was chosen with care, from the weight of the fabric to the way the threads met at the center. The orphrey adds structure and reverence. The Lichfield fabric holds it all quietly. The embroidery of the bull was stitched with hands that understood the story it tells.

It’s not just decoration. It’s devotion. The kind that speaks when no one is talking.

The Gospel of Luke in Thread and Symbol

Luke’s Gospel is the one that slows down. It makes room. It tells us about the Good Samaritan, the Prodigal Son, and others who might have been overlooked.

It’s a Gospel of mercy and inclusion, of healing and welcome. That’s what the winged bull reflects, not just sacrifice, but compassion. Not just strength, but service.

Why Banners Like This Still Matter

In today’s churches, banners like this still belong. They offer more than beauty—they offer presence.

Some mark a season. Others recall a saint or a story. But each one helps shape a space where the eyes can settle and the heart can follow. A banner like this becomes part of the worship rhythm, quiet, steady, and faithful.

Final Thoughts

Making this banner wasn’t just work, it was worship. From the first sketch to the final stitch, it was shaped with intention and with love for the tradition it carries.

Now that it’s hanging in its new home, we hope it continues to serve, just as Saint Luke did. Steadily, humbly, and with meaning that lasts.

If this piece speaks to you, we invite you to explore more of our liturgical banners and vestments or reach out if you’re envisioning something created with the same care, craftsmanship, and reverence.

Soli Deo Gloria

Be sure to visit our online store front Ecclesiastical Sewing where you may shop for Liturgical Fabrics, altar linen fabrics, church vestment-making patterns, liturgical machine embroidery designs,  church vestment trims and notions and so much more. You may also find us on  Ecclesiastical Sewing on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. Sign up for our mailing list at the bottom of the page on our online store front and receive a free copy of our Small Linens Booklet as our way of saying thank you for following along.

To inquire about this liturgical banner, please feel free to contact us.

The Symbols of the Evangelist Stole

The Story of Saint Luke and the First Painting of the Virgin Mary

A Journey Through the History of Church Banners

St. Longinus: The Roman Who Stabbed God And Then Became a Saint

Mary Barber’s Six Winged Creature Drawing