Chi Rho Monogram
from the
Book of Kells
HOLY BIBLE, I Timothy 1:17
“Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the
only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever.
Amen.”
Chi Rho monogram
This is the Chi Rho monogram from folio 34 of the Book of Kells, an ornately illustrated manuscript produced by Celtic monks* around AD 800. The Book of Kells is one of the most lavishly illuminated (supplemented by the addition of decoration or illustration, sometimes with gold or silver) manuscripts to survive the mediaeval period. It contains the four gospels of the Bible in Latin, along with prefatory and explanatory matter decorated with numerous colorful illustrations and illuminations. [*The Celtic monks were Christians from the British Isles, generally dominating the western portion of Great Britain (Cornwall and Wales), Ireland, Scotland and even Brittany on the Continent.]
This Chi Rho monogram serves as incipit (beginning) for the narrative of the life of Christ and precedes the Book of Matthew. In the Book of Kells, the Chi Rho monogram covers the entire page. The Greek letters "Chi" and "Rho" were often used in mediaeval manuscripts to abbreviate the word "Christ", since “Chi” and “Rho” are the first two letters of the word "Christ" in Greek. The letter "Chi" (similar in looks to our letter “X”) dominates the page with one arm swooping across the majority of the page. The letter "Rho" (similar in looks to our letter “P”) is snuggled underneath the arms of the Chi. Both letters are divided into compartments which are lavishly decorated with Keltic knot work and other patterns. The background is likewise awash in a mass of swirling and knotted decoration. Within this mass of Celtic decoration are hidden animals and insects. Three angels arise from one of the cross arms of the Chi.