Pilgrimage: Physical and Spiritual Journeys
To mark Easter and also as a taster for our forthcoming pilgrimage story and new online exhibits, Professor Catherine Cubitt gives a brief introduction to early Christian pilgrims from Britain and the many perils of their journeys.
Lunar New Year: Down a Rabbit (Hare?) Hole
Each new year is associated with an animal in a 12-year cycle which is found across the eastern Silk Roads and 2023 is the year of the hare or rabbit. This recalls a design which is found across the Silk Roads in Buddhist, Christian and Islamic contexts, the so-called ‘Three Hares’.
On Buddhist stupas and visual abundance
Despite the great variation in Buddhist art and architecture across the centuries throughout Eurasia, many sites still to this day embrace an aesthetic based on rich décor, bright colours, and elaborate patterns.
A visit to Asuka
Nestling in the foothills at the southern end of the Nara basin in Japan is the village of Asuka. This region, full of ancient tombs and temples, is the focus of the Japan chapter of our Nara to Norwich story.
The cross – its development as a symbol in early medieval northwest Europe
The cross is the pre-eminent Christian symbol, depicting the execution of Christ in a brutal method reserved by the Roman State as a deterrent for offensive crimes.
From Norwich to Sweden
In June 2022, the Nara to Norwich team travelled to Sweden to view some of the archaeological sites and items explored in the exhibition.