3-038-285 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Inhabited Initial C; Stammheim Missal, probably 1170s. Additional Info:An inhabited initial C opens the text of the priest's prayers for the Mass on Christmas day. The hybrid nude figure at the left holding a rod may refer to the yoke of sin, which oppresses humanity, symbolized by the nude man in the upper right. Similarly, the clusters of green grapes may here refer to the wine served at the Last Supper, which Christ spoke of as his blood. Through this reference, the initial alludes to Christ's redemptive sacrifice for the Christian faithful in the context of celebrating his birth.