Instruments of The Passion
When we're not rootling around looking for wells, we tend to be rootling around churchyards looking at the gravestones. There are many unmarked stones but occasionally you come across something wonderfully decorated, still in good condition with a story to tell. Here's a wonderful example we found somewhere in darkest Limerick. But what does it all mean? You did want to know didn't you? Obviously it's a crucifixion tableau and arrayed around Jesus are symbols referring to the Instruments of The Passion.
Okay, to the left:
nails: symbolising the four wounds made to Christ's hands and feet
whip: referring to the 39 lashes Christ received
pincers: used to remove said nails
lances: Jesus received 5 spear wounds
ladder: used to remove his body
vessel - is this the Holy Grail, the chalice of the Last Supper? It doesn't look quite posh enough so maybe it's the cup used to hold the vinegar that Jesus was refreshed with
To the right
30 pieces of silver: the amount Judas was given to betray Jesus
dice: with which the soldier used to cast lots for Jesus' clothes
cockerel: he crowed after Peter's 3rd denial of Jesus
I now need Talpa's help for he is your man to ask about this kind of thing.
I don't know what the other bird and the odd instrument represent, nor do I know what the table/altar thing is.
I hope someone might know.
If you want to know more Finola did a good blog on the subject a while ago.
And no, this was not taken to day but I am still swamped with photos and still haven't backblipped! How lucky we were with the weather for today is dismal - damp, muggy and grey. But there have been mince pies.
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