What is the meaning of the symbols on this Agnus Dei image?

[zoidar]

Of course the Lamb is Christ, but what is the meaning of the other symbols, the flag, the book the lamb is laying on, the bookmarks, the symbols in the background ...

 

[chevyontheriver]

Of course the Lamb is Christ, but what is the meaning of the other symbols, the flag, the book the lamb is laying on, the bookmarks, the symbols in the background ...

I've never seen this one before. Can you tell us where you saw it? Any idea how old it is? It looks fairly recent.

 

[Radagast]

The things that look like bookmarks are the "seven seals" from Revelation:

And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne, a book written within and without, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel, proclaiming with a loud voice: Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? (Revelation 5:1-2, DRV)

You can see that the artist has drawn red wax seals on the bookmarks, although that doesn't quite make sense in terms of a modern translation:

I saw a scroll in the right hand of the one who sat on the throne. It had writing on both sides and was sealed with seven seals. Then I saw a mighty angel who proclaimed in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” (Revelation 5:1-2, NABRE)

The seals in the style of the OP can also be seen in this painting from 1806-1809 by Puerto Rican artist José Campeche:

 

[Radagast]

The fleur-de-lis represents the Trinity.

 

[Radagast]

The flag is the flag of St George. It often indicates England, and the "lamb and flag" appears widely in heraldry, as in this coat of arms for Andorra, Teruel:

However, this particular combination is also associated with the Knights Templar (and that may be the origin of the heraldic uses). I'm guessing that the image in the OP is a relatively modern redrawing of this Templar Agnus Dei symbol (which also has the book under the Lamb and the Cross on the flagpole):

I don't know who produced the redrawing in the OP, however (although it's all over the Internet).

 

[Radagast]

I don't know who produced the redrawing in the OP, however (although it's all over the Internet).

It seems to be all over the Internet illegally. It's from a church altar (probably Anglican) somewhere in Leicestershire. I've got no idea as to the date of the altar (which may be recent; or very old, but recently restored). See flickr.

 

[chevyontheriver]

The things that look like bookmarks are the "seven seals" from Revelation:

And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne, a book written within and without, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel, proclaiming with a loud voice: Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? (Revelation 5:1-2, DRV)

You can see that the artist has drawn red wax seals on the bookmarks, although that doesn't quite make sense in terms of a modern translation:

I saw a scroll in the right hand of the one who sat on the throne. It had writing on both sides and was sealed with seven seals. Then I saw a mighty angel who proclaimed in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” (Revelation 5:1-2, NABRE)

The seals in the style of the OP can also be seen in this painting from 1806-1809 by Puerto Rican artist José Campeche:

Thank you for going digging to get all of this. I was way too tired yesterday to do it. And I really didn't see the 'bookmarks' as the seven seals, but now it looks almost obvious.

 

[zoidar]

I just found the picture on the net and I liked it. I'm looking for an image for a tattoo, that's the reason I asked about the symbolism.

Thanks Radagast!

 

[Radagast]

I just found the picture on the net and I liked it. I'm looking for an image for a tattoo, that's the reason I asked about the symbolism.

The "lamb and flag" also gets used with different national flags, as in this coat of arms for Perth, Scotland. In those cases it symbolises submission of the nation to Christ: