In this article you will find information related to the Hebrew scripture or OId Testament images on the Irish High Crosses. The article includes, in order of appearance:
Introduction
Categories of Hebrew Scripture Images
Distribution of Hebrew Scripture Images
The Top Ten Hebrew Scripture Images
Crosses with Hebrew Scripture Images: By Subject
Crosses with Hebrew Scripture Images: By Name of Cross
Introduction
The Irish High Crosses were the product of Christian communities in Ireland between the late 8th century and about 1200 C.E. For the Early Christian community the Hebrew scriptures were their only scriptures. Therefore, as early Christians sought to understand who Jesus was and what his death and resurrection meant, they turned to the Hebrew scriptures searching for answers. In many of the stories of the Hebrew bible they found references to God’s salvation and in some they found what they interpreted as pre-figurations of Christ’s death and resurrection. It is, therefore, to be expected that where figural scenes were employed by those who planned and carved these crosses, some of them would reflect the content of the Hebrew scriptures, commonly known as the Old Testament. This is, in fact, the case.
There are 47 Irish High Crosses that have been identified as having at least one Hebrew scripture image. Of the 235 total crosses identified by Peter Harbison, these crosses represent 1 in 5 of the Irish High Crosses. Those are the crosses focused on here. The information below is based exclusively on the work of Dr. Peter Harbison in his epic tome The High Crosses of Ireland.
Harbison, Peter; The High Crosses of Ireland: An Iconographical and Photographic Survey, Dr. Rudolf Habelt GMBH, Bonn, 1992. Volume 1: Text, Volume 2: Photographic Survey; Volume 3: Illustrations of Comparative Iconography.
It should be noted that the 235 crosses identified by Harbison include in-tact crosses, damaged or broken crosses and cross fragments. We know that some crosses have been lost to time and destruction. This means we have almost certainly lost some figural images, even on the crosses we still have. Beside this there are images on some of the crosses that cannot even be guessed at due to deterioration. Adding to the difficulty is that some scholars have made different identifications of some of the Hebrew scripture figural images than those made by Harbison. Inferences can only be drawn form the crosses we have.
The Cross pictured above is the Boho Cross in County Fermanagh.
Note: Below are most of the tentative conclusions I have reached. The data is found in the other sections of this article. All of my tentative conclusions are underlined.
Peter Harbison, at least tentatively, identifies a total of 167 Hebrew scripture images on the Irish High Crosses. This is compared to 224 Christian scripture images. (See the next essay.) There are 47 different crosses that depict Hebrew scripture texts and 74 that depict Christian scripture images.
Hebrew scripture images appear 167 times on the Irish High Crosses. Seventy four of these appear on on the 10 crosses with the largest number of Hebrew scripture images and 116 appear on the 20 crosses with the most Hebrew scripture images. This represents about 1 in 9 of the total number of Irish High Crosses.
Among the 47 crosses with Hebrew scripture images there are 36 different subjects represented.
These 36 images represent 9 different books of the Hebrew scriptures. Genesis and First Samuel provide 23 of these 36 different images. This suggests that the Pentateuch and the Historical books of the Hebrew bible provide the majority of the images. If we take the David cycle images together, they are the most prevalent of the images on the crosses with 44 appearances. However, they represent several different biblical stories.
Of these 36 different figural images, 13 of them may not appear at all on the crosses as on each of the crosses on which these images have been identified that identification is questionable.
Looking at the 10 crosses with the greatest number of Hebrew scripture images, it is surprising that the Monasterboice Tall Cross, which has the most Hebrew scripture images, has only 3 of the most frequently used images. In contrast, crosses 2-5 each have half or more of the top 10 images. Crosses 6-10 have fewer images overall but on each cross, with the exception of number 9, half or more of the images they contain are among the top 10 Hebrew scripture images.
The Cross pictured above is a drawing of the head of the Ullard Cross in County Kilkenny. It appears on the descriptive plaque at the site.
What parts of the Hebrew scriptures are emphasized by the images on the High Crosses? The stories of the Fall (taken together 33 appearances on 31 crosses), the Sacrifice of Isaac (22 appearances on 22 crosses) and the Three Children in the Fiery Furnace (18 appearances on 16 crosses) are depicted most frequently. Theologically the Fall representes the problem of brokenness and alienation that the Christ event is seen to heal. The Sacrifice of Isaac was seen as a pre-figuration of the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Christ. The Three Children in the Fiery Furnace represents God’s protection of the faithful.
Categories of Hebrew Scripture Images
There a total of 167 images related to the Hebrew scriptures that Harbison at least tentatively identifies on the Irish High Crosses. This is compared to 224 images related to the Christian scriptures. (See next essay.) There are 47 different crosses with Hebrew scripture texts depicted and 74 crosses with images from the Christian scripture images.
Among the 47 crosses with Hebrew scripture images there are 36 different subjects represented. These can be organized in several different categories as follows.
1. By the Book of the Bible:
- Genesis 12 images
- Exodus 4 images
- Judges 1 image
- First Samuel 11 images
- Second Samuel 2 images
- First Kings 1 image
- Second Kings 1 image
- Second Chronicles 1 image
- Daniel 3 images.
There are 9 different books of the Hebrew scriptures represented by images on the Irish High Crosses. Genesis and First Samuel provide 23 of the 36 different images from the Hebrew scriptures on Irish High Crosses.
2. By the type of biblical literature:
Christians typically divide the Hebrew scriptures into four different types of literature: Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible), Historical, Wisdom, and Prophetic. Using these divisions we find:
- Pentateuch, 16 images
- Historical, 17 images
- Prophetic, 3 images
The 3 images from the Book of Daniel represent the Prophetic literature, although from the Hebrew point of view Daniel is one of the writings that is classified as Historical. Looked at in this way the Pentateuch and Historical books provide the primary content of the Hebrew scripture images on the Irish High Crosses.
The Cross pictured to the right is the West Cross Shaft at Old Kilcullen in County Kildare.
3. By the particular story or cycle depicted:
There is a third way of looking at these images, based on the prevalence of particular stories.
- Creation Story, 2 images
- The Fall, 4 images
- The Joseph cycle, 3 images
- The Exodus, 4 images
- The David cycle, 12 images
- The Exile, 3 images
- Stories with 1 image only: Cain kills Abel, Noah’s Ark, the Sacrifice of Isaac, Samson rends the pillars of the house, the Judgment of Solomon, Elijah ascends to heaven and the Repentance of Manasseh.
Looked at in this way the David cycle is the most prevalent of the images on the Irish High Crosses.
These stories and their themes continue to be central to the Christian understanding of the story of the Hebrew people in biblical times and to their understanding of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus the Christ. Most of these stories are told in church school and worship on a regular basis and form a kind of Readers Digest version of the Hebrew scriptures.
4. By the frequency of a given image:
There is a fourth way of looking at these images, based on the prevalence of particular stories. This will be discussed below in the section titled: The Top Ten Hebrew Scripture Images.
In addition, a listing of each image and the crosses each appears on is listed below in Crosses with Hebrew Scripture Images: By Subject.
Distribution of Hebrew Scripture Images
The 10 crosses with the largest number of Hebrew scripture images are:
- Monasterboice, Tall Cross, 11 images
- Kells, Market Cross 11 images
- Arboe, 7 images
- Armagh, 7 images
- Donaghmore/Down, 7 images
- Castledermot, South Cross, 6 images
- Clones, 6 images
- Durrow Cross, 6 images
- Kells, Broken Cross, 6 images
- Kells, Patrick and Columba Cross, 6 images
The Cross pictured to the right is the Southeast Cross at Lorrha in County Tipperary.
Hebrew scripture images appear 167 times on the Irish High Crosses. Seventy four of thse are on the 10 crosses with the largest number of Hebrew scripture images. The top 20 of the 47 crosses bearing Hebrew scripture images contain 116 of the 167 images. This is about 1 in 12 of the total number of Irish High Crosses. Thirteen of these 47 crosses contain just one image. Another 8 crosses have just 2 images. As seen above, only 10 of the 47 crosses contain 6 or more Hebrew scripture images.
A more detailed assessment of the images on the top 10 crosses above follows.
1. Monasterboice, Tall Cross, 11 images
- Sacrifice of Isaac
- Moses Smites Water from the Rock
- Samson Rends the Pillars of the House
- Samuel Anoints David
- David Slays the Lion
- David with Head of Goliath
- David Acclaimed King
- David as King
- Elijah Ascends to Heaven
- Repentance of Manasseh
- Three Children in the Fiery Furnace
The Cross pictured to the right is the Tall Cross at Monasterboice in County Louth.
According to the Books of the Bible, the images on this cross represents 8 of the 9 books of Hebrew scripture depicted on the crosses:
Genesis, 1 image; Exodus 1 image, Judges 1 image, 1 Samuel 3 images, 2 Samuel 2 images, 2 Kings 1 image, 2 Chronicles 1 image and Daniel 2 of the same image.
According to the type of literature the Historical books predominate with 8 of the 11 different images on this cross. There are 2 images from the Pentateuch, 8 from the Historical books and 2 of the same image from the Prophetic books.
According to individual stories or cycles, the David cycle is the only series represented by more than 1 image (except for the 2 appearances on the same cross of the Three Children in the Fiery Furnace).
Related to the top 10 images represented on the crosses, only 4 of the 10 are represented. Most interestingly there is no image representing any aspect of the Fall.
2. Kells, Market Cross 11
- Adam and Eve Know their Nakedness
- Adam and Eve at Labor
- Cain Kills Abel
- Sacrifice of Isaac
- Pillar of Fire
- Samuel Anoints David
- David as Musician
- David Slays the Lion
- David Acclaimed King
- Judgment of Solomon
- Three Children in the Fiery Furnace
The Cross pictured to the right is the Market Cross at Kells in County Meath.
According to the Books of the Bible, the images on this cross represents 5 of the 9 books of Hebrew scripture depicted on the crosses:
Genesis 4 images; Exodus 1 image, 1 Samuel 3 images, 2 Samuel 1 image, 1 Kings 1 image, and Daniel 1 image.
According to the type of literature there is a balance between images from the Pentateuch and the Historical books There are 5 images from the Pentateuch, 5 from the Historical books and 1 from the Prophetic books.
According to individual stories or cycles, the David cycle is predominant.
The Fall 2 images, the David cycle 4 images.
Related to the top 10 images represented on the crosses, 5 of the 10 are represented.
3. Arboe, 7
- Adam and Eve Know their Nakedness
- Cain Kills Abel
- Sacrifice of Isaac
- David Slays the Lion
- David and Goliath
- Three Children in the Fiery Furnace
- Three Children in the Fiery Furnace
The Cross pictured to the right is the Arboe Cross in County Tyrone.
According to the Books of the Bible, the images on this cross represents 3 of the 9 books of Hebrew scripture depicted on the crosses:
Genesis 3 images, 1 Samuel 2 images, and Daniel 2 of the same image..
According to the type of literature there is a balance between images from the Pentateuch, the Historical books, and the Prophetic books. There are 3 images from the Pentateuch, 2 from the Historical books and 2 from the Prophetic books.
According to individual stories or cycles, the David cycle and the Children in the Fiery furnace both appear in two images.
Related to the top 10 images represented on the crosses, 6 of the 10 are represented. More importantly, each Hebrew scripture image on this cross is among the top 10 images.
4. Armagh, 7
- Adam and Eve Know their Nakedness
- Cain Kills Abel
- Noah’s Ark
- Sacrifice of Isaac
- David Slays the Lion
- David and Goliath
- Three Children in the Fiery Furnace
The cross to the right is the Armagh Cross in County Armagh. The photo is from Peter Harbison, 1992, Volume 2.
According to the Books of the Bible, the images on this cross represents 3 of the 9 books of Hebrew scripture depicted on the crosses:
Genesis 4 images, 1 Samuel 2 images, and Daniel 1 image..
According to the type of literature the Pentateuch is best represented. There are 4 images from the Pentateuch, 2 from the Historical books and 1 from the Prophetic books.
According to individual stories or cycles, the David cycle is the only one to be represented by more than 1 image.
Related to the top 10 images represented on the crosses, 7 of the 10 are represented. More importantly, each Hebrew scripture image on this cross is among the top 10 images.
5. Donaghmore/Down, 7
- Adam and Eve Know their Nakedness
- Noah’s Ark
- Sacrifice of Isaac
- Moses Smites Water from the Rock
- David Slays the Lion
- David and Goliath
- David with Head of Goliath
The Cross pictured to the right is the Donaghmore Cross in County Down. The photo is from Peter Harbison, 1992, Volume 2.
According to the Books of the Bible, the images on this cross represents 3 of the 9 books of Hebrew scripture depicted on the crosses:
Genesis 3 images, Exodus 1 image, 1 Samuel 3 images.
According to the type of literature there is a balance between the Pentateuch and the Historical books. There are 4 images from the Pentateuch and 3 from the Historical.
According to individual stories or cycles, the David cycle is the only one to be represented by more than 1 image.
Related to the top 10 images represented on the crosses, 5 of the 10 are represented.
6. Castledermot, South Cross, 6
- Eve gives Adam the Apple
- Sacrifice of Isaac
- David as Musician
- David and Goliath
- David slays Goliath
- Daniel in the Lions’ Den
The Cross pictured to the right is the South Cross at Castledermot in County Kildare.
According to the Books of the Bible, the images on this cross represents 3 of the 9 books of Hebrew scripture depicted on the crosses:
Genesis 2 images, Samuel 3 images, Daniel 1 image.
According to the type of literature three of the four types are represented. There are 2 images from the Pentateuch, 3 from the Historical and 1 from the Prophetic.
According to individual stories or cycles, the David cycle is the only one to be represented by more than 1 image. David cycle images represent half of the Hebrew scripture images on this cross.
Related to the top 10 images represented on the crosses, 5 of the 10 are represented. More importantly all of the Hebrew scripture images on this cross are among the top 10.
7. Clones, 6
- Adam and Eve Know their Nakedness
- Cain kills Abel
- Sacrifice of Isaac
- Joseph Interprets Dream of Pharaoh’s Butler
- Daniel in the Lions’ Den
- Daniel in the Lions’ Den
The Cross to the right is the Clones Cross in County Leitrim. Photo from Harbison, 1992, vol. 2.
According to the Books of the Bible, the images on this cross represents 2 of the 9 books of Hebrew scripture depicted on the crosses:
Genesis 4 images, Daniel 2 images.
According to the type of literature the Pentateuch is predominant. There are 4 images from the Pentateuch and 2 of the same image from the Prophetic.
According to individual stories or cycles, Daniel in the Lions’ Den is the only story with 2 images.
Related to the top 10 images represented on the crosses, 4 of the 10 are represented.
8. Durrow Cross, 6
- Eve Gives Adam the Apple
- Cain kills Abel
- Sacrifice of Isaac
- David as Musician
- David slays the Lion
- David as King
The cross pictured to the right is the Durrow Cross in County Offaly. The photo is from Peter Harbison, 1992, Volume 2.
According to the Books of the Bible, the images on this cross represents 2 of the 9 books of Hebrew scripture depicted on the crosses:
Genesis 3 images, 1 Samuel 2 images and 1 image with unspecified text.
According to the type of literature there is a balance between the Pentateuch and the Historical books.
There are 3 images from the Pentateuch and 3 from the Historical books.
According to individual stories or cycles, the David cycle represents half of the Hebrew scripture images on this cross.
Related to the top 10 images represented on the crosses, 5 of the 10 are represented.
9. Kells, Broken Cross, 6
- Adam and Eve Know their Nakedness
- Noah’s Ark
- Moses turns the Nile to Blood
- Pillar of Fire
- Passage Through the Red Sea
- Three Children in the Fiery Furnace
The Cross pictured to the right is the Broken Cross at Kells in County Meath.
According to the Books of the Bible, the images on this cross represents 3 of the 9 books of Hebrew scripture depicted on the crosses:
Genesis 2 images, Exodus 3 images and Daniel 1 image.
According to the type of literature the focus is on the Pentateuch.
There are 5 images from the Pentateuch and only 1 from the Prophetic books.
According to individual stories or cycles, the Exodus cycle is predominant. There are 3 images representing this story.
Related to the top 10 images represented on the crosses, 3 of the 10 are represented.
10. Kells, Patrick and Columba Cross, 6
- Adam and Eve Know their Nakedness
- Cain Kills Abel
- Sacrifice of Isaac
- David Plays for Saul
- David slays the Lion
- Three Children in the Fiery Furnace
The Cross pictured to the right is the Cross of Patrick and Columba at Kells in County Meath.
According to the Books of the Bible, the images on this cross represents 3 of the 9 books of Hebrew scripture depicted on the crosses:
Genesis 3 images, 1 Samuel 2 images and Daniel 1 image.
According to the type of literature there is a slight preference for the Pentateuch.
There are 3 images from the Pentateuch, 2 from the Historical books and 1 from the Prophetic books.
According to individual stories or cycles, the David cycle, with 2 images, is the only one with more than 1 image.
Related to the top 10 images represented on the crosses, 5 of the 10 are represented.
The Top Ten Hebrew Scripture Images
What parts of the Hebrew scriptures are emphasized by the images on the High Crosses? Considering the top 10 images listed below, it appears that the stories of the Fall, the Sacrifice of Isaac and the Three Children in the Fiery Furnace predominate.
The 10 most frequently used images are:
- Sacrifice of Isaac 22 appearances & crosses
- Fiery Furnace 17 appearances & 15 crosses
- Adam and Eve know nakedness 17 appearances & crosses
- Eve gives Adam the Apple 13 appearances & crosses
- David slays the lion 13 appearances & crosses
- Cain kills Abel 12 appearances & crosses
- Noah’s Ark 8 appearances & crosses
- David as Musician 8 appearances & crosses
- Daniel in the Lions’ Den 9 appearances & 8 crosses
- David and Goliath (general) 6 appearances & crosses
The top 10 list above may be a bit misleading. Consider the following:
- All images related to the Fall, 33 appearances
- All David Cycle images, 44 appearances
- All David and Goliath images within the David cycle, 12 appearances
Of these 36 different figural images, 13 of them may not appear at all on the crosses as on each of the crosses on which the image has been identified the identification is questionable. A (?) before the name of a cross in the index below indicates that the identification of this image is not clear. These images are:
- Adam Names the Animals
- God Reproves Adam
- Adam and Eve at Labor
- Joseph Interprets Dream of Pharaoh’s butler
- Chief Butler gives cup to Pharaoh
- Samuel anoints Saul or David
- Summoning of David
- David plays before Saul
- David as Shepherd
- David arms himself
- David Acclaimed King
- Judgment of Solomon
- Repentance of Manasseh
The Cross pictured to the right is the Killamery Cross in County Kilkenny. It may or may not have an image of Adam and Eve at labor.
The number of top ten most frequently used Hebrew scripture images on the 10 crosses with the most Hebrew scripture images above are:
- Monasterboice, Tall Cross, 11 images, 4 of top 10 images
- 2. Kells, Market Cross 11 images, 5 of top 10 images
- 3. Arboe, 7 images, 6 of top 10 images
- 4. Armagh, 7 images, 6 of top 10 images
- 5. Donaghmore/Down, 7 images, 5 of top 10 images, 2 David & Goliath
- 6. Castledermot, South Cross, 6 images, 3 of top 10 images, 2 David & Goliath
- 7. Clones, 6 images, 4 of top 10 images, 2 Daniel and Lion’s Den
- 8. Durrow Cross, 6 images, 3 of top 10 images
- 9. Kells, Broken Cross, 6 images, 2 of top 10 images
- 10. Kells, Patrick and Columba Cross, 6 images, 4 of top 10 images
It is surprising that the cross with the largest number of Hebrew scripture images has very few of the top 10 images: Monasterboice Tall Cross, 3 of 10. Crosses 2-5 above each have half or more of the top 10 Hebrew scripture images. Crosses 6-10 have the fewest total Hebrew scripture images but in all but the case of cross 9, half or more of the images depicted on each cross are in the top 10.
Crosses with Hebrew Scripture Images: By Subject
Adam names the Animals Genesis 1:21-25 Image appears 1 time
- (?) Ahenny, North Cross, east face, base
The Cross pictured to the right is the North Cross at Ahenny in County Tipperary.
God sanctifies the Sabbath Genesis 2:1-3 Image appears 1 time
- Killamery, west face, head, below center
The Cross pictured to the right is the Killamery Cross in County Kilkenny.
Eve gives Adam the Apple Genesis 3:6 Image appears 13 times
- Boho, east 2
- Camus, west 1
- Castlebernard, north 4
- Castledermot, North Cross, west face, center of head
- Castledermot, South Cross, west 3
- Drumcliff, east 2
- Durrow Cross, south 1
- (?) Graiguenamanagh, North Cross, east 3
- Lisnaskea, northeast face
- Monasterboice, Muiredach’s Cross, east 1, left
- Moone, east face, base 3
- Oldcourt, base, west face upper panel, left
- (?) Ullard, east face, head, lower panel
The Cross pictured to the right is the Lisnaskea Cross in County Fermanagh.
Adam and Eve know their nakedness Genesis 3:7 Image appears 17 times
- Arboe, east 1
- Armagh, east 1
- Clones, southeast 1
- Clonmacnois, South Cross, south side, base, left
- Donaghmore/Down, west 1
- Donaghmore/Tyrone, west 1
- Downpatrick, west 1
- Dysert O’Dea, west, base
- Galloon, West Cross, east 3
- Kells, Broken Cross, west 1
- Kells, Market Cross, south 3, left
- Kells, Patrick and Columba’s Cross, east 2, left
- Killary, east 1
- Roscrea Cross, shaft, east
- Sier Kieran, base, east face, lower register, right of center
- Tihilly, west 3
- Tynan, Village Cross, east face, shaft
The Cross pictured to the right is the Broken Cross at Kells in County Meath.
God reproves Adam Genesis 3:9-11 Image appears 1 time
- (?) Graiguenamanagh, North Cross, east 3
The Cross pictured to the right is the Graiguenamanagh, North Cross, County Kilkenny.
Adam and Eve at labor Genesis 3:23 Image appears 2 times
- (?) Kells, Market Cross, south face, head, upper panel
- (?) Killamery, west face, head, above center
The Cross pictured to the right is the Killamery Cross in County Kilkenny. The image is badly worn.
Cain kills Abel Genesis 4:8 Image appears 12 times
- Arboe, south 1
- Armagh, south 1
- Camus, west 2
- Clones, southeast face, head, southwest arm
- Connor, face, lower panel
- Donaghmore/Tyrone, west 2
- (?) Downpatrick west 2
- Durrow Cross, south 2
- Kells, Market Cross, south 3, right
- Kells, Patrick and Columba’s Cross, east 2, right
- Monasterboice, Muiredach’s Cross, east 1, right
- Old Kilcullen, west shaft, north 3
The Cross pictured to the right is Muiredach’s Cross at Monasterboice in County Louth. See the right side of the panel.
Noah’s Ark Genesis 8:10-11 Image appears 8 times
- Armagh, east 2
- Camus, west 3
- (?) Clonlea, North Cross, east 2
- Donaghmore/Down, west 2
- Galloon, West Cross, west 3
- Kells, Broken Cross, west 2
- Killamery, end of south arm
- Killary, east 2
The Cross pictured to the right is the Killary Cross in County Meath.
Sacrifice of Isaac Genesis 12:9-13 Image appears 22 times
- Arboe, east 2
- Armagh, east 3
- Camus, west 4
- Castledermot, North Cross, west face, south arm
- Castledermot, South Cross, west face, south arm
- Clones, southeast 2
- (?) Clonmacnois, South Cross, base, south side, right
- (?) Connor, side, lower panel
- (?) Donaghmore/Down, west 4
- Donaghmore/Tyrone, west 3
- Drumcliff, National Museum, upper fragment, east 1
- Durrow Cross, east 3
- Galloon, East Cross, east 1
- Galloon, West Cross, west 2
- Graiguenamanagh, North Cross, east 2
- Kells, Market Cross, south face, west arm
- Kells, Patrick and Columba’s Cross, east face, south arm
- Killary, east 3
- Monasterboice, Tall Cross, east 2
- Moone, east face, base 2
- Sier Kieran, base, east face, upper register, center
- Ullard, east face, head, north arm
The Cross pictured above right is the Moone Cross in County Kildare.
The Joseph Cycle: Harbison informs us that “Early Christian theology saw the Joseph story as a pre-cursor of the Passion of Christ” and that it was “the most extensive pictorial cycles of which we have knowledge in Early Christian art.” (Harbison, 1992, pp. 200-201) However, there are, at best, a hand full of images from the Joseph cycle on the Irish High Crosses.
Joseph taken from the Pit Genesis 37:28 Image appears 1 time
- Connor, face, upper panel
The Cross pictured to the right is the Connor Cross Shaft in County Antrim. The photo is from Peter Harbison, 1992, Volume 2.
Joseph interprets dream of Pharaoh’s Butler Genesis 40:9-13 Image appears 2 times
- (?) Clones, southeast face, head, northeast arm
- (?) Clonmacnois, Cross of the Scriptures, east 1
The Cross pictured to the right the Cross of the Scriptures at Clonmacnois, County Offaly.
Chief Butler gives cup to Pharaoh Genesis 40:21 Image appears 1 time
- (?) Clonmacnois, Cross of the Scriptures, east 2
The Cross pictured to the right is the Cross of the Scriptures at Clonmacnois in County Offaly.
Moses turns waters of Nile into blood Exodus 7:17-21 Image appears 1 time
- Kells, Broken Cross, west 3
The Cross pictured to the right is the Broken Cross at Kells, County Meath. It is badly worn.
Pillar of Fire Exodus 8:21-22 Image appears 2 times
- Kells, Broken Cross, west 4
- Kells, Market Cross, west 4
The Cross pictured to the right is the Broken Cross at Kells, County Meath.
Passage through the Red Sea Exodus 14:27-30 Image appears 1 time
- Kells, Broken Cross, west 5
The Cross pictured to the right is the Broken Cross at Kells, County Meath.
Moses smites Water from the Rock Exodus 17:6 Image appears 3 times
- Donaghmore/Down, east 3
- Monasterboice, Muiredach’s Cross, east 3
- Monasterboice, Tall Cross, east 3
The Cross pictured to the right is the Tall Cross at Monasterboice, County Louth.
Samson rends Pillars of the House Judges 16:26-30 Image appears 1 time
- Monasterboice, Tall Cross, east 5
The Cross pictured to the right is the Tall Cross at Monasterboice County Louth.
Samuel anoints Saul or David First Samuel 10:1 Image appears 2 times
- (?) Galloon, East Cross, north side
- (?) Inishcealtra, Ringed Cross, end of arms
The Cross pictured to the right is the East Cross at Galloon in County Fermanagh. The photo is from Peter Harbison, 1992, Volume 2.
The David Cycle: This is the most extensive of the cycles to be illustrated on the Irish High Crosses. David was both an ancestor of Jesus, according to the genealogies, but also a pre-figuration of Christ as King. (Harbison, 1992, p. 210)
Summoning of David First Samuel 14:11-12, Image appears 1 time
- (?) Castlebernard, south 2
No clear image is available.
Samuel anoints David First Samuel 16:13 Image appears 2 times
- (?) Kells, Market Cross, west 3
- Monasterboice, Tall Cross, east 4, right
The Cross pictured to the right is the Tall Cross at Monasterboice in County Louth.
David plays before Saul First Samuel 16:23 Image appears 1 time
- (?) Kells, Patrick and Columba’s Cross, east face, top
The Cross pictured to the right is the Patrick and Columba Cross at Kells in County Meath.
David as Musician No specific text Image appears 8 times
- Castledermot, North Cross, west face, north arm
- Castledermot, South Cross, west face, north arm
- Clonmacnois, Cross of the Scriptures, south 2
- Durrow Cross, east face, south arm
- Graiguenamanagh, North Cross, east 1
- Kells, Market Cross, south face, head, lower panel
- (?) Newtown, west face, north arm
- Ullard, east face, head, south arm
The Cross pictured to the right is the North Cross at Castledermot in County Kildare.
David as Shepherd No specific text Image appears 2 times
- (?) Clonmacnois, Cross of the Scriptures, south 3
- (?) Durrow, Cross head, east face
The Cross pictured to the right is the Scripture Cross at Clonmacnois, County Offaly. The photo is from Peter Harbison, 1992, Volume 2.
David slays the Lion First Samuel 17:34-35, Image appears 13 times
- Arboe, south 2
- Armagh, south 3
- Donaghmore/Down, east 4, right
- Drumcliff, National Museum, lower fragment, east 2
- Durrow Cross, east face, north arm
- Kells, Market Cross, west side, end of arm
- Kells, Patrick and Columba’s Cross, end of south arm
- (?) Kells, Patrick and Columba’s Cross, end of north arm
- (?) Kilcullen west shaft, north 1
- Monasterboice, Tall Cross, east 1
- (?) Newtown, west face, south arm
- (?) Oldcourt, base, east face, lower panel, right
- (?) Old Kilcullen, west shaft, west 3
The Cross pictured above to the right is the Market Cross at Kells in County Meath.
David arms himself First Samuel 7:38-39 Image appears 1 time
- (?) Castledermot, South Cross, north 4
The Cross pictured to the right is the South Cross at Castledermot, County Kildare. The photo is from Peter Harbison, 1992, Volume 2.
David and Goliath First Samuel 17:40-41, 45-50, Image appears 6 times
- Arboe, south 3
- Armagh, south 2
- Castledermot, South Cross, north 3
- (?) Donaghmore/Down, north 2
- Monasterboice, Muiredach’s Cross, east 2
- (?) Ullard, east face, head, upper panel
The Cross pictured to the right is the South Cross at Castledermot, County Kildare. The photo is from Peter Harbison, 1992, Volume 2.
David slays Goliath First Samuel 17:51 Image appears 2 times
- Castledermot, South Cross, north 2
- Drumcliff, east 4
The Cross pictured to the right is the South Cross at Castledermot County Kildare. The photo is from Peter Harbison, 1992, Volume 2.
David with Head of Goliath First Samuel 17:54 Image appears 4 times
- Donaghmore/Down, east 4, left
- (?) Killary, north 1
- Monasterboice, Tall Cross, east 4, left
- (?) Sier Kieran, base, east face, upper register, left
The Cross pictured to the right is the Tall Cross at Monasterboice, County Louth. This particular image is on the left of the panel.
David acclaimed King Second Samuel 5:3 Image appears 3 times
- (?) Kells, Market Cross, south 2
- (?) Monasterboice, Tall Cross, east face, center of head
- (?) Tynan, Village Cross, shaft, west face
The Cross pictured to the right is the Tall Cross at Monasterboice, County Louth.
David as King No specific text Image appears 2 times
- Durrow Cross, south 3
- Monasterboice, Tall Cross, north 2
The Cross pictured to the right is the Tall Cross at Monasterboice, County Louth.
Judgment of Solomon First Kings 3:24-28 Image appears 2 times
- (?) Castledermot, North Cross, west face, top of head
- (?) Kells, Market Cross, west 2
The Cross pictured to the right is the North Cross at Castledermot, County Kildare.
Elijah ascends to Heaven Second Kings 2:11 Image appears 1 time
- Monbasterboice, Tall Cross, east 6
The Cross pictured to the right is the Tall Cross at Monasterboice, County Louth.
Repentance of Manasseh Second Chronicles 33:3, 7, 11-13 and 15-16, Image appears 1 time
- (?) Monasterboice, Tall Cross, east face, top
The Cross pictured to the right is the Tall Cross at Monasterboice, County Louth.
Three Children in the Fiery Furnace Daniel 3:20-28 Image appears 16 times
- Ahenny, South Cross, east face, base, left panel
- Arboe, east 3
- (?) Armagh, east 4
- Armagh, north 1
- Dysert O’Dea, south side, base
- Galloon, West Cross, west 1
- Kells, Market Cross, south face, center of head
- Kells, Patrick and Columba’s Cross, east
- Killary, east 4
- (?) Lorrha, Southeast Cross, base, north side
- Monasterboice, Tall Cross, east face, head, lower panel
- Monasterboice, Tall Cross, north 4
- Moone, south side, base 3
- Oldcourt, base, east face, upper panel
- (?) Roscrea pillar, east face, center
- Sier Kieran, base, east face, lower register, center
The Cross pictured above right is the Moone Cross, County Kildare.
Daniel in the Lions’ Den Daniel 6:16-23 Image appears 10 times
- Arboe, east 3
- Castledermot, North Cross, west 3
- Castledermot, South Cross, west 1
- Clones, southeast 3
- Clones, southeast face, center of head
- Drumcliff, east 5
- Drumcliff, National Museum upper fragment, east 2
- Galloon, West Cross, east 2
- Galloon, Head fragment, east face, center
- Kells, Patrick and Columba, east 4
The Cross pictured to the right is the Drumcliff Cross, County Sligo.
Daniel in the Lion Pit Daniel 14:31-32, 40-42, Image appears 1 time
- Moone, east face, base 1
The Cross pictured to the right is the Moon Cross, County Kildare.
Crosses with Hebrew Scripture Images: By Name of Cross
Ahenny, North Cross
- Adam Names the Animals
Ahenny, South Cross
- Three Children in the Fiery Furnace
Arboe
- Adam and Eve Know their Nakedness
- Cain kills Abel
- Sacrifice of Isaac
- David slays the Lion
- David and Goliath
- Three Children in the Fiery Furnace
- Three Children in the Fiery Furnace
Armagh
- Adam and Eve Know their Nakedness
- Cain kills Abel
- Noah’s Ark
- Sacrifice of Isaac
- David slays the Lion
- David and Goliath
- Three Children in the Fiery Furnace
Boho
- Eve Gives Adam the Apple
Camus
- Eve Gives Adam the Apple
- Cain kills Abel
- Noah’s Ark
- Sacrifice of Isaac
Castlebernard
- Eve Gives Adam the Apple
- Summoning of David
Castledermot, North Cross
- Eve Gives Adam the Apple
- Sacrifice of Isaac
- David as Musician
- Judgment of Solomon
- Daniel in the Lion’s Den
Castledermot, South Cross
- Eve Gives Adam the Apple
- Sacrifice of Isaac
- David as Musician
- David and Goliath
- David Slays Goliath
- Daniel in the Lions’ Den
Clones
- Adam and Eve Know their Nakedness
- Cain Slays Abel
- Sacrifice of Isaac
- Joseph Interprets Dream of Pharaoh’s Butler
- Daniel in the Lions’ Den
- Daniel in the Lions’ Den
Clonlea
- Noah’s Ark
Clonmacnois, South Cross
- Adam and Eve Know their Nakedness
Clonmacnois, Scripture Cross
- Joseph Interprets Dream of Pharaoh’s Butler
- Chief Butler gives Cup to Pharaoh
- David as Musician
- David as Shepherd
Connor
- Cain Kills Abel
- Joseph Taken from the Pit
Donaghmore/Down
- Adam and Eve Know their Nakedness
- Noah’s Ark
- Sacrifice of Isaac
- Moses Smites Water from the Rock
- David slays the Lion
- David and Goliath
- David with Head of Goliath
Donaghmore/Tyrone
- Adam and Eve Know their Nakedness
- Cain kills Abel
- Sacrifice of Isaac
Downpatrick
- Adam and Eve Know their Nakedness
- Cain kills Abel
Drumcliff
- Eve Gives Adam the Apple
- David slays Goliath
- Daniel in the Lion’s Den
Drumcliff, National Museum
- Sacrifice of Isaac
- David slays the Lion
- Daniel in the Lion’s Den
Durrow Cross
- Eve Gives Adam the Apple
- Cain kills Abel
- Sacrifice of Isaac
- David as Musician
- David slays the Lion
- David as King
Durrow Cross Head
- David as Shepherd
Dysert O’Dea
- Adam and Eve Know their Nakedness
- Three Children in the Fiery Furnace
Galloon East Cross
- Sacrifice of Isaac
- Samuel anoints Saul or David
Galloon Head Fragment
- Daniel in the Lion’s Den
Galloon, West Cross
- Noah’s Ark
- Sacrifice of Isaac
- Three Children in the Fiery Furnace
- Daniel in the Lion’s Den
Graiguenamanagh, North Cross
- Eve Gives Adam the Apple
- God Reproves Adam
- Sacrifice of Isaac
- David as Musician
Inishcealtra, Ringed Cross
- Samuel Anoints Saul or David
Kells, Broken Cross
- Adam and Eve Know their Nakedness
- Noah’s Ark
- Moses Turns the Nile to Blood
- Pillar of Fire
- Passage Through the Red Sea
- Three Children in the Fiery Furnace
Kells, Market Cross
- Adam and Eve Know their Nakedness
- Adam and Eve at Labor
- Cain kills Abel
- Sacrifice of Isaac
- Pillar of Fire
- Samuel anoints David
- David as Musician
- David slays the Lion
- David acclaimed King
- Judgment of Solomon
- Three Children in the Fiery Furnace
Kells, Patrick and Columba’s Cross
- Adam and Eve Know their Nakedness
- Cain kills Abel
- Sacrifice of Isaac
- David Plays for Saul
- David slays the Lion
- Three Children in the Fiery Furnace
Kilcullen
- David slays the Lion
Killamery
- God sanctifies the Sabbath
- Adam and Eve at Labor
- Noah’s Ark
Killary
- Adam and Eve Know their Nakedness
- Noah’s Ark
- Sacrifice of Isaac
- David With the Head of Goliath
- Three Children in the Fiery Furnace
Lisnaskea
- Eve gives Adam the Apple
Lorrha, Southeast Cross
- Daniel in the Lion’s Den
Monasterboice, Muiredach’s Cross
- Eve gives Adam the Apple
- Cain kills Abel
- Moses Smites Water from the Rock
- David and Goliath
Monasterboice, Tall Cross
- Sacrifice of Isaac
- Moses Smites Water from the Rock
- Samson Rends the Pillars of the House
- Samuel Anoints David
- David slays the Lion
- David with Head of Goliath
- David Acclaimed King
- David as King
- Elijah Ascends to Heaven
- Repentance of Manasseh
- Three Children in the Fiery Furnace
- Three Children in the Fiery Furnace
Moone
- Eve Gives Adam the Apple
- Sacrifice of Isaac
- Three Children in the Fiery Furnace
- Daniel in the Lion Pit
Newtown
- David as Musician
- David slays the Lion
Oldcourt
- Eve Gives Adam the Apple
- David slays the Lion
- Three Children in the Fiery Furnace
Old Kilcullen, West Cross
- Cain kills Abel
- David slays the Lion
Roscrea Cross
- Adam and Eve Know their Nakedness
Roscrea Pillar
- Three Children in the Fiery Furnace
Sier Kieran
- Adam and Eve Know their Nakedness
- Sacrifice of Isaac
- David with the Head of Goliath
- Three Children in the Fiery Furnace
Tihilly
- Adam and Eve Know their Nakedness
Tynan, Village Cross
- Adam and Eve Know their Nakedness
- David acclaimed King
Ullard
- Eve Gives Adam the Apple
- Sacrifice of Isaac
- David as Musician
- David and Goliath