But despite its renown, not much is known about its origins. One very special page is found in every gospel book. This particular symbol is from the book of kells, made in an irish monastery. One such example of an isolated description can be found in a recent edition of gardners art through the ages, which discusses the chirhoiota xpi page, folio. The page dwells almost entirely on the name of christ, or rather on its traditional abbreviation into the chi rho symbol say it kairoe. Chi is written as an x while rho is roughly written. The book of kells seldom comes to view in the historical record. Soerfm public domain and the whole of the book of kells was surely a product of much hard labor, dedication, and tedious transcription that was done by the monks. Three angels arise from one of the cross arms of the chi. It was created by celtic monks about 800 ad or slightly earlier.
Currently the book of kells is housed at trinity college in dublin ireland and seen by half a million visitors a year. How medieval illuminated manuscripts marked the rebirth of artistic freedom artsy. The most fascinating thing about the book of kells is that everything was done by hand with such precision and detail. Reflections on research collections at ucc library. The most famous page is known as chi rho, which are the first letters of the word christ in ancient greek. Plate lx from the book of kells book of kells, celtic. The chi rho page is one of the most widely pictured of the illuminated pages in the book of kells. Chi and rho written x p in greek are the the first two letters of the word christ in greek xpi. The book of kells contains two other full page miniatures, which illustrate episodes from the passion story. Chi and rho are two letters of the greek alphabet, the. It is the chirho, a symbol still used in the roman catholic church, that symbolizes christs name as it is the first two letters of the word. 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.
Its fame rests not on the text the vulgate version of the gospels but from its absolutely. Chi rho iota page from the book of kells, matthew illuminated manuscripts brought medieval art out of the dark ages a page from the book of kells a latin illuminated manuscript widely considered irelands finest national treasure 800 ad. It is the chi rho, a symbol still used in the roman catholic church, that symbolizes christs name as it is the first two letters of the word. The letters that look like xpi that form the primary. The book of kells exhibition what is the book of kells. This is the chi rho page folio 34r from book of kells showing the initials of. Chi rho and alpha and omega on a modern catholic altar. 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 chi rho page in the book of kells, traditio 36 1980. Folio 34r of the book of kells is the chi rho page, expanding the first two letters of the word christ.
Dec 05, 2010 this page is one particular illuminated page from the book of kells. The book of kells contains two other fullpage miniatures, which illustrate episodes from the passion story. The text of the gospels is mostly taken from the vulgate bible, and it has several passages from earlier versions of the bible, such as the. The book of kells is an illuminated manuscript in latin of the four gospels of the new testament together with some extra texts and tables it was created by celtic monks about 800 ad or slightly earlier. These three letters are used as the abbreviated form of christs name in greek, and open that passage from matthew in latin. Book of kells the library of trinity college dublin. The letters that look like xpi that form the primary page elements are respectively, the chi, the rho, and the iota. Christ was a man when he was born, a calf in his death, a lion in resurrection and an eagle in his ascension to heaven. Meath, ireland, the book was brought there after the monastic community on iona. Kells dramatically fills up more than half the page, leaping like a giant acrobat over the small upright rho and iota below. The book of kells exhibition is a mustsee on the itinerary of all visitors to dublin, ireland. The shape occurs on other kells pages such as the chi.
Jun 01, 2017 the chi rho page in the book of kells is perhaps the most elaborate and enigmatic illumination in the manuscript. 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. The book of kells was probably made at the monastery of iona at the end of the eighth century. Plate lx from the book of kells book of kells, celtic art. The gospel texts are prefaced by other texts, including canon tables, or concordances of gospel passages common to two or more of the evangelists. The book of kells is inches wide and 10 inches high. The letter rho is snuggled underneath the arms of the chi. The chi rho monogram from the book of kells rajkumar r medium. Most historians date its creation to the late 8th century or so. Matthews account of the nativity 3 the page is illustrated with images of animals and people. Details of design within the book indicate that it was produced sometime in the latter half of the eighth century.
The text of the gospels is mostly taken from the vulgate bible, and it has several passages from earlier versions of the bible, such as the vetus latina. The page dwells almost entirely on the name of christ, or rather on its traditional abbreviation into the chirho symbol say it kairoe. Ornamental celebration of christs initial mention in text 3. Nov 22, 2019 the book of kells contains the chi rho monogram. Sometime between 807 and 814, in the wake of a series of devastating raids on the island sanctuary, the giant gospel of columkille, chief relic of the western world, was taken to the new headquarters of the columban community at kells. Illuminated chirho page of the book of kells about richly illuminated manuscript on parchment, dimensions. The letter chi dominates the page with one arm swooping across the majority of the page. The book of kells is irelands greatest cultural treasure and the worlds. Book of kells the library of trinity college dublin trinity college. Since it is very faded and worn at spots, i colored. Its a copy of the four gospels in latin with beautiful, intricate illuminations.
The chi rho monogram from the book of kells chi rho two letters of the greek alphabet. In the book of kells, this second beginning was given a decorative programme equal to those that preface the individual gospels. 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. The chi rho page in the book of kells is perhaps the most elaborate and enigmatic illumination in the manuscript. The greek letters chi and rho were normally used in mediaeval manuscripts to abbreviate the word christ. Such carelessness, taken together with the sumptuousness of the book, have led to the conclusion that it was designed for ceremonial use on special liturgical occasions such as easter rather than for daily services. Het book of kells, soms boek van columba genoemd iers. 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 currently the book of kells is housed at trinity college in dublin ireland and seen by half a million visitors a year. 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.
Created in the years around 800, it survived viking raids and the theft of its jeweled covers. The chi rho monogram from the book of kells elixir of. The book was created about 800 by irish monks in the. The book of kells, chirho or incarnation page kathy. An ideal place to contemplate our heavenly father, the trinity, the gospel. Apr 26, 2016 view image of the most famous page is known as chi rho credit. 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. When it is the most beautiful page of the most beautiful book in history, i think so. A chi rho is formed by overlapping the first two letters of the greek word for christ.
They were used universally as a shorthand for writing christs name, and the abbreviation is used throughout the book of kells. Book of kells contains 4 biblical accounts of christs life 4. In the sixth century, st gregory identified the symbols as the four stages of christs life. In insular gospel books, the initial chi rho monogram was enlarged and decorated. Here are ten things you should know about this ancient masterpiece. This page is one particular illuminated page from the book of kells. Dec 16, 2014 the book of kells is now at the library of trinity college in dublin, and although its original covers and some pages are lost, 680 pages remain.
The book of kells is located at the trinity college in dublin and it is open for public visits, most times the book of kells contains the four gospels of the christian scriptures written in black, red, purple, and yellow ink in an insular majuscule script, preceded by prefaces, summaries, and concordances of gospel passages. Chi and rho written x p in greek are the the first two letters of. In the book of kells, the chi rho monogram has grown to consume the entire page. The book of kells is now at the library of trinity college in dublin, and although its original covers and some pages are lost, 680 pages remain. Apr 21, 2011 the book of kells was to be their masterwork. 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. Rodents appear in a few corners of the book of kells, such as the foot of the chi rho page, where they tug at a communion host. Chi rho page folio 34r book of kells chi rho page folio 34r books of kells c. The book of kells also known as the book of columba is one of the great masterpieces of irish christian culture. Chapter 10 arh 201 reading quiz flashcards quizlet. The chi rho iota page from the book of kells includes all the following except.
Both letters are divided into compartments which are lavishly decorated with knot work and other patterns. Chi is written as an x while rho is roughly written as a p. Even on the mostly text pages, it is more highly decorated than other gospel books and is brighter, with more reds and yellows. The book of kells holds a special place in the history of western art as a crowning achievement of the insular manuscript tradition. Find highquality book of kells stock photos and editorial news pictures from getty images. The chi rho monogram from the book of kells rajkumar r. The chi rho page folio 34r, introducing matthews account of the nativity, is the single most famous page in medieval art. 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. This video is a quick introduction to the world famous book of kells and the chi rho page. The book of kells trinity college dublin ms 58 contains the four gospels in latin based on the vulgate text which st jerome completed in 384ad, intermixed with readings from the earlier old latin translation. The chirho page consists of the greek letters chi and rho that were used in medieval times to abbreviate the word christ.
Sequential xps in the carolingian godescalc evangelistary. Chi and rho are the first two letters of the word christ in greek. The letter chi dominates the page with one arm swooping across the. View image of the most famous page is known as chi rho credit. Nov 17, 2019 the book of kells is located at the trinity college in dublin and it is open for public visits, most times the book of kells contains the four gospels of the christian scriptures written in black, red, purple, and yellow ink in an insular majuscule script, preceded by prefaces, summaries, and concordances of gospel passages. The book of kells, chirho or incarnation page kathy, the. When it is the most beautiful page of the most beautiful book in history, i think. As part of our discussion of the book of kells, we will contemplate the famous chirho page from the book of kells.
The book of kells is an illuminated manuscript of the four gospels, created around 800 a. The chi rho monogram from the book of kells elixir of knowledge. 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. Download premium images you cant get anywhere else. The book of kells glory of glories the most famous page is known as. The book of kells is an illuminated manuscript in latin of the four gospels of the new testament together with some extra texts and tables. This miniature is the largest and most lavish extant chi rho monogram in any insular gospel books and is the culmination of a tradition that started with the book of durrow. The book of kells contains the four gospels in latin based on the vulgate text which st jerome completed in 384ad, intermixed with readings from the earlier old latin translation. This intricate artwork depicts the christian symbol of the chirho. The chi rho page consists of the greek letters chi and rho that were used in medieval times to abbreviate the word christ.