Introduction: A City of Symbols
When you walk through Venice, one image appears over and over again: a majestic winged lion, sometimes holding a book, other times a sword, perched proudly above arches, palaces, and gates. For centuries, this has been the official symbol of Venice — but what does it mean, and why did the city choose a lion with wings to represent its power?
To understand Venice’s symbol is to understand its history, faith, and global reach. Let’s uncover the story of the Winged Lion of St. Mark, and why it continues to embody the soul of the city.
1. The Winged Lion: Venice’s Official Symbol
The official symbol of Venice is the Lion of St. Mark (in Italian: Leone di San Marco).
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It is usually depicted as a lion with wings.
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In its paws, the lion holds an open book or, in some cases, a sword.
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This lion is found everywhere in Venice: on the façade of the Doge’s Palace, in mosaics, carved into bridges, on flags, even on gondola ornaments.
It is more than a decoration — it represents faith, justice, and power.
2. Why a Lion? The Connection to St. Mark
Venice adopted the winged lion because it is the traditional symbol of St. Mark the Evangelist, the city’s patron saint.
According to Christian tradition:
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Each of the four Evangelists (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) has a symbolic creature.
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St. Mark’s symbol is a lion with wings, representing courage and resurrection.
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The lion also symbolizes power and wisdom.
When Venice acquired the relics of St. Mark in the 9th century (smuggled from Alexandria to Venice in 828 AD), the city chose him as its protector. From that moment, the lion became Venice’s emblem.
3. The Famous Legend: “Pax Tibi Marce Evangelista Meus”
Venice’s lion often appears with a book containing the Latin phrase:
“Pax tibi, Marce, evangelista meus.”
(“Peace be with you, Mark, my evangelist.”)
Legend says these were the words spoken by an angel to St. Mark when he stopped in the Venetian lagoon. The angel foretold that Mark’s body would one day rest in Venice.
This prophecy gave Venetians a sense of destiny: they were the chosen guardians of St. Mark, and his lion became their eternal protector.
4. The Lion as a Political Symbol
Beyond religion, the lion was also a political emblem of the Republic of Venice.
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From the 9th century until 1797, Venice was an independent republic.
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The winged lion represented the authority of the Doge (the ruler of Venice) and the Senate.
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Venetian ships carried flags with the lion as they sailed across the Mediterranean, striking fear and respect.
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When Venice conquered cities, it often left the lion symbol behind — you can still see it in places like Crete, Cyprus, and Dalmatian coastal towns.
The lion became a reminder of Venice’s vast maritime empire, the Serenissima Republic.
5. Open Book vs. Closed Book
You may notice two versions of the lion in Venice:
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Lion with an open book:
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Represents peace and diplomacy.
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Shows the famous phrase “Pax tibi, Marce…”
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Common in Venice itself.
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Lion with a closed book or sword:
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Represents war and defense.
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Used in military contexts or when Venice was asserting dominance.
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Often found on old fortresses outside Venice.
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This duality shows Venice’s balance between trade (peace) and military strength (war).
6. Where to Find the Lion of Venice Today
Visitors can spot the winged lion all over Venice. Some key places:
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St. Mark’s Square: On top of the tall granite column stands the most iconic Lion of Venice statue.
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Doge’s Palace: Look up at the façade — lions appear carved into the stonework.
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St. Mark’s Basilica: Mosaics of the lion adorn the golden façade.
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Flags and Banners: The official flag of Venice still carries the lion with wings.
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Venetian Arsenal: The old naval base proudly displays lions as symbols of naval power.
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Gondola ornaments: Sometimes, gondolas have small lion decorations, subtle but meaningful.
Even outside Venice, the lion pops up across the former Venetian empire — from Corfu to Verona.
7. The Lion vs. Other Symbols of Venice
While the lion is the official emblem, Venice has other symbols too:
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The Gondola: A cultural symbol of Venice, representing elegance and tradition.
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The Rialto Bridge: An architectural icon.
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The Carnival Mask: Symbol of freedom and disguise.
But only the lion connects faith, politics, and empire, making it Venice’s true emblem.
8. The Lion in Venetian Art and Culture
Venetian artists, sculptors, and architects used the lion for centuries:
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Carpaccio’s paintings often show St. Mark’s lion.
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The lion is carved on Renaissance palaces and bridges.
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Gold ducats (Venetian coins) bore the lion symbol.
Even today, the logo of Venice’s airport, banks, and cultural institutions often feature the lion. It remains a living symbol.
9. The Symbolism Explained
The Winged Lion of St. Mark carries several layers of meaning:
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Wings: Spiritual power, divine inspiration.
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Lion: Strength, courage, justice.
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Book: Law, wisdom, peace.
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Sword (sometimes): Defense, authority, readiness for war.
Together, they express Venice as a city of both spiritual mission and worldly power.
10. Venice’s Identity Through Its Symbol
The lion gave Venice a strong identity:
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It united religion and politics.
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It reminded citizens of their city’s special destiny.
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It warned enemies of Venice’s strength.
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It told traders across the seas that they were dealing with a powerful republic.
Even after the fall of the Republic in 1797, the lion survived as a symbol of Venetian pride and independence.
11. Fun Facts About the Lion of Venice
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The statue on St. Mark’s column is ancient — possibly a Greek sculpture repurposed by Venetians.
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In some towns conquered by Venice, locals defaced the lion as a protest after Venice lost power.
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Venetians celebrate April 25th, St. Mark’s Day, with festivals where the lion is displayed everywhere.
12. Why This Symbol Still Matters Today
For modern Venetians, the lion is not just a historical relic. It’s part of their identity.
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It appears on Venice’s official flag and coat of arms.
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Locals carry the lion as a reminder of their resilience against floods, mass tourism, and modern challenges.
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For visitors, recognizing the lion helps unlock a deeper understanding of Venice’s soul.
13. Discover the Lion with a Local Guide
When you walk through Venice, it’s easy to admire the lion without really knowing its story. A licensed local guide from Tour Leader Venice can reveal where to find the most important lions, how to read their meaning, and what they tell us about Venice’s past.
From the mosaics of St. Mark’s Basilica to the mighty Arsenal, and even the hidden corners where lions guard secret alleys, we’ll show you how this symbol shaped the Republic — and why it still roars today.
Conclusion
So, what is the symbol of Venice, and why?
The Winged Lion of St. Mark — chosen when Venice adopted St. Mark as its patron in the 9th century — represents faith, power, justice, and identity. It became the emblem of the Republic, flew on ships across the Mediterranean, and still watches over Venice from its squares and palaces.
To see the lion is to see Venice itself: courageous, spiritual, and eternal.
