as a sheep to the slaughter." In Mandaeism The image of the Good Shepherd is also used in the Mandaean Book of John. Chapters 11–12 of the Mandaean Book of John are about "a shepherd who loves his sheep" who leads them on to the World of Light. Pagan symbolism In ancient Greek cult, kriophoros or criophorus (Κριοφόρος), the "ram-bearer" is a figure that commemorates the solemn sacrifice of a ram. It becomes an epithet of Hermes: Hermes Kriophoros. In two-dimensional art, Hermes Kriophoros transformed into the Christ carrying a lamb and walking among his sheep: "Thus we find philosophers holding scrolls or a Hermes Kriophoros which can be turned into Christ giving the Law (Traditio Legis) and the Good Shepherd respectively". The Good Shepherd is a common motif from the Catacombs of Rome (Gardner, 10, fig 54) and in sarcophagus reliefs, where Christian and pagan symbolism are often combined, making secure identifications difficult. This is defined as syncretism, a blending of images from different cultures and religions. Gallery See also Depictions of Jesus I am (biblical term) Lamb of God Names and titles of Jesus in the New Testament Parable of the Lost Sheep The Sheep and Goats Mausoleum of Galla Placidia References Citations Sources Further reading External links Holman Bible Dictionary – "Shepherd" for other biblical references. Early Christian art Gospel episodes Gospel of John Iconography of Jesus New Testament words and phrases Sheep in art Shepherds Animals in Christianity