Wednesday, 7 October 2026

Pelican as a Symbol of Self-Sacrifice on a Bench in Lund Cathedral

Pelican as a Symbol of Self-Sacrifice on a Bench in Lund Cathedral

Hard to recognise, but this is a pelican, captured on the side panel of one of the wooden pews in Lund Cathedral. A traditional medieval Christian symbol of self-sacrifice, often associated with Jesus, the pelican was frequently depicted tearing open its breast to feed its hungry chicks with its own flesh, almost like Christ, who gave himself up to save humankind

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