Endnote 7 – Multiculturalism at Sardis

The branches and leaves on the front of the flask mark the cross as the Tree of Life, a metaphor originating in apostolic times and elaborated in Byzantine sermons (Gerhard Podskalsky, “Cross,” in Oxford Dictionary of Byzantium, vol. 1, p. 549).

In this context, the rabbits symbolize the defenselessness of Christians, who put their trust in Christ. The three-lobed leaves with crosses on them that the rabbits are eating probably symbolize communion bread because of their Trinitarian and Christological symbols (Hans Biedermann, Dictionary of Symbolism [New York: Facts on File, 1992], p. 165; and J.C. Cooper, An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Traditional Symbols [London: Thames and Hudson, 1978], p. 80).

The two geese on the reverse side symbolize vigilance, and the grapes they eat symbolize communion wine (Biedermann, ibid., p. 156).