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| Chi Rho page (folio 34r) Books of Kells (c.800), [ink and colours on vellum] Size: 33x 25 cm, Old Library, Trinity College, Dublin |
This is the Chi Rho page (folio 34r) from Book of Kells showing the initials of χ (chi) and ρ (rho) and ι (iota), the first three letters of the word Christ.
The letter χ (chi) is larger and covers the left and top areas of the page.
The whole letter is outlined by 3 lines: the outermost is the thin black line, the middle is a purplish red medium-thick line and the innermost is a yellow medium-thick line.
At the intersection of the two strokes of χ, the yellow lines formed a hollowed-out diamond. Within this diamond are yellow lines that curves and overlaps and intertwines itself creating a complex swirling pattern.
From this diamond, the four limbs of χ radiates to the four corners. There are transverse lines that go across the limbs that form quadrilateral compartments where patterns of swirls and knots are placed within them.
The letter ρ (rho) is smaller and is placed under χ at the bottom right corner.
It is outlines with think black lines on the outside and medium-thick red lines in the inside. The lower part of ρ starts from a gold cross. The stroke of ρ goes up and curves to the left forming the circle. The stroke ends with a human head (the biggest human head in the page) within the ρ.
The third letter ι (iota) is a vertical stroke with the same red outline colour as ρ, transverses through the circle of the ρ. It is shaped like a sceptre with ornamental decoration at the top.
Within the strokes of ρ and ι are the same patterns of swirls as in the χ but in a thinner strand.
The designs in the areas outside the letters are predominantly circular and curves. Many designs have symmetry in them. There are some human figures and animals (otter with fish, moths) hidden among the patterns and designs. Every space is filled with some sort of design and no space is left empty. The whole thing looked very busy.
There are a few larger sized circles that are in contact with the limbs of χ and appear to be stuck under the upper limbs or lie within the large concavity of the lower limbs. There are 2 or 3 smaller circles within the larger circles, and within them are even tinier circles in each of the smaller ones.
The colours that can be seen: yello, pink, red, purple, green, black.
What is this book? The Book of Kells consists of the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John in Latin. It was written around 800 AD by the Celtic monks in Iona and/or Kells in Scotland.
What is the function of this page? Folio 34r marks the beginning of the story of Jesus in the gospel of Matthew at chapter 1, verse 18, which says “Christi autem generatio sic erat”, translated as “and this is how Christ came to be born”. The elaborate whole-page decorations for just 3 letters of the name of Christ in the middle of a chapter, is unusual because this is usually reserved for the introductory opening words to the gospels or some important events. This showed that great reverence was bestowed by the writers of the book to the name of Christ.
What is the purpose of this book? This book has a ceremonial use and rather than for close reading or studying of the gospels. This is because besides that it looked grand and beautiful, there are also numerous mistakes; repeated passages or wrong spellings of words.
Bibliography
Chi Rho from the Book of Kells. (c. 800) [online image] Place: Old Library, Trinity College, Dublin. Available from: http://medieval.library.nd.edu/facsimiles/facsintro/kells90/kells90p.html [Accessed on: 5 March 2011]
Lubbock, T. (2008) Anonymous: The 'Chi-Rho' from 'The Book of Kells' (c.800) The Independent's Great Art series. Available from: http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/art/great-works/anonymous-the-chirho-from-the-book-of-kells-c800-828951.html. [Accessed on: 9 March 2011]
Trinity College Library (n.d.) The Book of Kells. Trinity College Dublin. Available from : http://www.tcd.ie/Library/manuscripts/book-of-kells.php [Accessed on: 9 March 2011
When describing the letter 'rho ' I think you meant to say that the upstroke of 'p' curves to the right, not the left.
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