High Crosses...

As you know by now... I love the history that is all over Ireland. You can't go too far on this island without standing in awe of one of the many high crosses that still stand in the middle of fields & in the midst of ruined churches & monasteries. The crosses were originally carved by artisan monks between the seventh to twelfth centuries. It was during this time that the rest of Europe muddled around in the Dark Ages and Ireland was in its golden age. These crosses vary in size - some being 15 feet tall - and they vary in deterioration, but it is very clear how much time and artistry was used in creating them. These crosses are usually (but not always) made up of panels that contain biblical & historical scenes. These carvings served as stained glass to an illiterate people.



This high cross shows: (From the top)
Jesus at the last judgment with an angel blowing a trumpet and an angel in adoration
David is playing his harp on the far left & David and a lion are on the far right
The sacrifice of Isaac
Celtic knots




This is a broken cross (the top half is missing) in Kells.
You can clearly see Noah's ark in the top panel - the cool thing is that the boat resembles a Viking ship which is the only big boat that the monks would have known.
The bottom panel is of Adam and Eve after they have eaten from the tree.