Early Christian relief slab from Ancient Corinth

Corinth, Greece

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The central cross is the primary symbol of the Christian faith, but the flanking peacocks hold deep religious significance as symbols of immortality and the resurrection. In Early Christian art, it was believed that the peacock's flesh did not decay, making it a powerful metaphor for the eternal life promised through Christ.

The rosettes and floral motifs at the base further emphasize the concept of paradise and the garden of Eden, often associated with the victory of life over death. Such slabs were typically used as part of a chancel screen or an altar decoration in a Byzantine basilica, serving as a visual sermon for the faithful during liturgy.

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Byzantine marble relief featuring a cross flanked by peacocks and floral rosettes

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Source:  Greece