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’.
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.