I made this drawing in imitation of the great illuminated chirho pages in 69th century gospel manuscripts from northumbria and ireland. The letter chi dominates the page with one arm swooping across the majority. Book of kells the library of trinity college dublin trinity college. Chirho definition of chirho by the free dictionary. It is created by superimposing the first two letters xp of the greek word for christ, the monogram also called a. The rho stands in its shelter, with its loop turned into a spiral. A great deal of symbolism can be found in the book of kells bok. The chi rho is also known as the labarum, which is based on the latin word laureum, military standard. Analysis of monogram page chi rho one of the most sublime examples of medieval painting ever seen, the monogram chirho page is the most important page in the late 8thcentury book of kells, arguably the finest of all illuminated manuscripts of the middle ages and famous for the intricate swirling patterns of its celtic art. Dec 07, 2011 book of kells coloring the chi rho uncle martin. The book of kells is one of the most famous illuminated manuscripts, and is an example of medieval art that blends pagan design with christian themes. Chirho synonyms, chirho pronunciation, chirho translation, english dictionary definition of chirho.
May 18, 2008 the book of kells is an illuminated manuscript, sometimes known as the book of columba, held in the trinity college library, dublin. Feb 14, 2010 iona ch rho book of kells promotional video1992. The chirho page consists of the greek letters chi and rho that were used in medieval times to abbreviate the word christ. The chi rho page is one of the most widely pictured of the illuminated pages in the book of kells. The letter chi dominates the page with one arm swooping across the majority of the page. The greek letters chi and rho were normally used in medieval manuscripts to abbreviate the word christ. It is best known as the site of kells abbey, from which the book of kells takes its name.
The page is rich in multilayered symbolism intended to engage its monastic audience with a range of eucharistic and christological themes. As part of our discussion of the book of kells, we will contemplate the famous chi rho page from the book of kells. In fact, it is the greek alphabet chi that resembles x and rho that looks like p. Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples log in dictionary. For the meaning and interpretation of other manuscript illuminations, see. In this illumination the chi is the dominant form, an x with uneven arms, somewhat resembling a pair of curvaceous pliers. In 353 ad, near the end of his losing battle with constantius ii, the usurper magnentius. Leabhar cheanannais dublin, trinity college library, ms a.
Chi rhos a monogram and symbol for christ, consisting of the superimposed greek letters chi and rho, often embroidered on altar cloths and. This video is a quick introduction to the world famous book of kells and the chi rho page. The book of kells is an illuminated manuscript of the four christian gospels. Chi rho, chrismon, monogram of christ, or labarum early. Chi and rho are two letters from the greek alphabet, chi gives the ch.
The book of kells seldom comes to view in the historical record. Here are ten things you should know about this ancient masterpiece. They were used universally as a shorthand for writing christs name, and the abbreviation is used throughout the book of kells. It is created by superimposing the first two letters xp of the greek word for. The book of kells and the chirho page celtic studies resources. Below are 21 incredible images from this beautiful and mysterious book. The book of kells glory of glories the most famous page is known as chi rho, which are the first letters of the word christ. The chi rho page folio 34r, introducing matthews account of the nativity, is the single most famous page in medieval art.
Made in 800ad by the monks belonging to the columban movement, it is probably irelands greatest national treasure. One of the most common symbols in christian art is the chirho. The book of kells is an illuminated manuscript of the four gospels, created around 800 a. Two of the evangelist portraits in the book of kells have survived, one representing matthew, seen below, and one john. Jul 28, 2017 one of the most common symbols in christian art is the chirho. Most of this was filmed around the reed marshes at snape, suffolk close to the home of the british composer benjamin britten and features. Dating from c ad800, it symbolizes the power of learning, the impact of christianity on the. One of the most sublime examples of medieval painting ever seen, the monogram chirho page is the most important page in the late 8thcentury book of kells, arguably the finest of all illuminated manuscripts of the middle ages and famous for the intricate swirling patterns of its celtic art. Meath, ne republic of ireland, on the blackwater river. The book of kells housed at trinity college in dublin was one of.
This page has become known as the chirho monogram page. The chi rho iota xpi page of the hibernosaxon book of kells is astonishingly complex, filled with twisting lines and curling spirals similar to the intricate metalwork found with the sutton hoo ship, yet this page proclaims, now this. The chi rho page in the book of kells is perhaps the most elaborate and enigmatic illumination in the manuscript. The book of kells dublin, trinity college library, ms a. One of the most sublime examples of medieval painting ever seen, the monogram chi rho page is the most important page in the late 8thcentury book of kells, arguably the finest of all illuminated manuscripts of the middle ages and famous for the intricate swirling patterns of its celtic art. The book of kells and the chirho page by lisa spangenberg december 25, 2010 april 28, 2017 medieval manuscripts thanks to the lovely film the secret of kells, large numbers of people who have never taken an art history class or studied paleography now know about the book of kells. It was created in a columban monastery in either britain or ireland or may have had contributions from various columban institutions from.
Feel free to send us your own wallpaper and we will consider adding it. The book of kells has a second chi rho abbreviation on folio 124 in the account of the crucifixion of christ, and in some manuscripts the chi rho occurs at the beginning of matthew rather than midtext at matthew 1. In the book of kells, the chi rho monogram has grown to consume the entire page. Jun 01, 2017 the chi rho page in the book of kells is perhaps the most elaborate and enigmatic illumination in the manuscript.
When it is the most beautiful page of the most beautiful book in history, i think. The esoteric significance of the kells illuminations has often been remarked upon, but rarely explored in depth. Throughout the book of kells, there are very few names that are abbreviated. Strictly speaking, rather than the book of kells, named after a town in county meath, it should be called the book of iona, as its thought that it was monks on that remote scottish island who. Kells definition and meaning collins english dictionary. Animals and creatures in the book of kells by dee mc on prezi. Therefore, the page has significant christian influence. Great tattoos new tattoos body art tattoos tattoos for guys cross tattoos tatoos sport tattoos awesome tattoos alpha omega tattoo.
This intricate artwork depicts the christian symbol of the chirho. The work is the most famous of the medieval illuminated manuscripts for the intricacy, detail, and majesty of the illustrations. The annals of ulster, describing it as the chief treasure of the western world, record that it was stolen in 1006 for its ornamental cumdach shrine. Pronounced as keeroe, the monogram looks to have been formed with the english alphabets x and p. The letters chi, rho and i are an abbreviation of christ. Book of kells article about book of kells by the free. This particular symbol is from the book of kells, made in an irish monastery. The book was created about 800 by irish monks in the.
This is based on constantines application of the chi rho symbol to his military standard after receiving his famous vision before the battle of the milvian bridge in 312. The book of kells is an illuminated manuscript gospel book in latin, containing the four gospels of the new testament together with various. Its a beautifully illuminated version of the four gospels matthew, mark, luke and john with the customary additions like the canon tables. Meehan 1994 notes that the decorative illuminations, including those displaying symbolism, were used by the monks as a medium to convey the image of christianity. A chi rho is formed by overlapping the first two letters of the greek word for christ. Chirhos a monogram and symbol for christ, consisting of the superimposed greek letters chi and rho, often embroidered on altar cloths and. There has been much research into their significance. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. The chirho pronounced keeroe is a christian symbol consisting of the intersection of the capital greek letters chi. This page occurs in many other insular manuscripts, but they cannot compare to the intricate decoration of the book of kells. The book of kells is an illuminated manuscript, sometimes known as the book of columba, held in the trinity college library, dublin.
The illumination above shows the symbol for the word christ. The blank verso of folio 33 faces the single most lavish miniature of the early medieval period, the book of kells chi rho monogram, which serves as incipit for the narrative of the life of christ. Chi rho synonyms, chi rho pronunciation, chi rho translation, english dictionary definition of chi rho. As part of our discussion of the book of kells, we will contemplate the famous chirho page from the book of kells. This volume today comprises 340 vellum leaves, or folios, now measuring 330 x 250 mm after being cropped in the eighteenth century for rebinding. The chirho is one of the earliest forms of christian symbols, formed by superimposing the first two capital letters of chi and rho, or x and p, from the greek word for christ. The letter rho is snuggled underneath the arms of the chi. Chi rho symbol is an ancient christian symbol, a christogram that is made by overlaying the initial two letters in capital of the greek word christos meaning christ. The page precedes the nativity story as related by st matthew.
When it is the most beautiful page of the most beautiful book in history, i think so. Also in the book of deer, the book of durrow, the corpus irish gospel, ae 2 of magnentius. View image of the most famous page is known as chi rho credit. In pairing the four evangelists with the beasts, exegetes created an exposition on the gospel harmony that reflected the harmony of the natural world.
Medieval monks spent years copying elaborate manuscripts. In insular gospel books, the initial chi rho monogram. Christos in such a way that the vertical stroke of the rho intersects the center of the chi. The chirho also appears in a different form as a monogram folio 344r in the famous illuminated manuscript, the book of kells produced by celtic monks about 800 ad. It remained at kells throughout the middle ages, venerated as the great gospel book of st colum cille, a relic of the saint, as. Apr 26, 2016 strictly speaking, rather than the book of kells, named after a town in county meath, it should be called the book of iona, as its thought that it was monks on that remote scottish island who. In gospel books, evangelist portraits marked the beginning of each gospel text, and their iconography derives from late antique author portraits. The chiroiota are the first three letters of the word christos meaning christ. The four evangelists were related to the four cardinal directions, the four seasons, the four winds and the four elements that made the world and each human. The book of kells and the chi rho page by lisa spangenberg december 25, 2010 april 28, 2017 medieval manuscripts thanks to the lovely film the secret of kells, large numbers of people who have never taken an art history class or studied paleography now know about the book of kells. Book painting, medieval illuminations, books of hours, psalters. The word made flesh click here for a smaller 72 dpi image as part of our discussion of the book of kells, we will contemplate the famous chi rho page from the book of kells. Colour of green green for the vine for the leaves and the branches the tree of life colour of red red for the wounds that are deeper than i can know how deep the flow. The chi rho also appears in a different form as a monogram folio 344r in the famous illuminated manuscript, the book of kells produced by celtic monks about 800 ad.
Illuminated letters, illuminated manuscript, the secret of kells, chi rho, book of kells. Most of this was filmed around the reed marshes at snape, suffolk close to the home of. Definition of kells from the collins english dictionary. Nov 05, 2015 together with the gospels of lindisfarne and the book of durrow, i would say that the book of kells is one of the greatest contributions to medieval art ever to come out of the british isles. With quills and ink of iron gall on folded vellum, monks in their cells labored in hives of stone. The book of kells is inches wide and 10 inches high. The most famous page is known as chi rho, which are the first letters of the word. I consider the lindisfarne gospels and the book of kells to be pinnacle examples of the illustrators art, and i have been trying for at least half my life to create something similar. Best of all was the chance to visit the book of kells as many times as i wanted. Book of kells the library of trinity college dublin.
The chirho can represent either christ or christianity and is also known as a christogram. Feel free to send us your own wallpaper and we will consider adding it to appropriate category. The letters xpi are the greek abbreviation for the word christi or christ. The town lies off the m3 motorway, 16 km 10 mi from navan and 65 km 40 mi from dublin.