Jan 26 2014

The fifth nave window

We are unsure as to exactly what this window detail is showing. It could be a small casket or a large chest. It doesn’t look like an altar. Could it be the Ark of the Covenant? –

“They shall make an ark of acacia wood. Two cubits and a half shall be its length [a cubit was about 18 inches or 45 centimetres], a cubit and a half its breadth, and a cubit and a half its height. You shall overlay it with pure gold, inside and outside shall you overlay it, and you shall make on it a moulding of gold around it. You shall cast four rings of gold for it and put them on its four feet, two rings on the one side of it, and two rings on the other side of it. You shall make poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold. And you shall put the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark to carry the ark by them. The poles shall remain in the rings of the ark; they shall not be taken from it. And you shall put into the ark the testimony that I shall give you [the two stone tablets bearing the ten commandments].

“You shall make a mercy seat of pure gold. Two cubits and a half shall be its length, and a cubit and a half its breadth. And you shall make two cherubim of gold; of hammered work shall you make them, on the two ends of the mercy seat. Make one cherub on the one end, and one cherub on the other end. Of one piece with the mercy seat shall you make the cherubim on its two ends. The cherubim shall spread out their wings above, overshadowing the mercy seat with their wings, their faces one to another; toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the cherubim be. And you shall put the mercy seat on the top of the ark, and in the ark you shall put the testimony that I shall give you. There I will meet with you, and from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim that are on the ark of the testimony, I will speak with you about all that I will give you in commandment for the people of Israel”. [Exodus 25:10-22].

The window detail is grey in colour instead of golden, has no rings or poles, no feet, and no mercy seat or cherubim. So it’s unlikely to represent the Ark. (See also the sixth south transept window).

Jan 26 2014

The fourth nave window

A looking glass or mirror is the subject of this window. Why a mirror? What do you see when you look into a hand mirror? Principally, you see yourself, warts and all – just as others see you.

“O wad some Power the giftie gie us
To see oursels as ithers see us!
It wad frae monie a blunder free us,
An’ foolish notion:
What airs in dress an’ gait wad lea’e us,
An’ ev’n devotion!”
[Robert Burns, “To a Louse” – verse 8]

Jan 26 2014

The South Nave Windows

There are six windows in the nave and we will number them 1 to 6. Windows 1 to 3 are in the north wall of the nave (the left side of the church when facing the altar) with number 1 nearest to the altar and number 3 next to the porch door.

Windows 4 to 6 are in the south wall (the right side of the church when facing the altar) with number 4 next to the porch door and number 6 nearest to the altar. If you stand in the nave facing the altar and then turn left a full circle, you will see the windows in the order 1 to 6.

The windows all have the same decorative features but in different colours.

Each window has a different main detail. They say, “The devil is in the detail”.

Jan 26 2014

The third nave window

This window is situated under the gallery and it is impossible to photograph all of the window in a single photograph which is why the top of the window appears to be missing.
The window shows a pair of lighted candles, a sandglass, and a third object which we are unable to identify but which may be an extinguished oil lamp. All of these signify the transience of human existence –
“And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!
Life’s but a walking shadow …” [Macbeth Act 5, scene 5].

Jan 26 2014

The second nave window

In this window, the chalice and the host (consecrated bread) represent the Eucharist (Holy Communion).

The Latin word calix means cup and hostia is Latin for victim –
“For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, ‘This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.'” [1 Corinthians 11:23-25].

The letters IHS on the host are the first three letters of the Greek name for Jesus (see HERE for an explanation).

Jan 26 2014

The first nave window

This window is slightly obscured by a loudspeaker on the right side.

The handshake, or grip, is a sign of friendship, unity, oneness of purpose and allegiance or devotion to a joint cause. The right hand in particular is an emblem of friendship, and the window detail shows two right hands.

The stole that is wrapped around the two hands is a priestly garment that symbolizes the bonds and fetters with which Jesus was bound during his Passion; it is usually ornamented with crosses, as in this case. The stole and handshake together particularly emphasise the bond of friendship.

The letters I, H, and S are the first three letters of the Greek name for Jesus (see HERE for an explanation).

Jan 26 2014

The North Nave Windows

The windows all have the same decorative features but in different colours.

Each window has a different main detail. They say, “The devil is in the detail”.

Jan 26 2014

The sixth north transept window

In this window we see another dove representing the Holy Spirit [we can’t say why there should be two windows of doves].

The Holy Spirit is also associated with fire and the window shows flames emanating from the dove –
“When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance”. [Acts 2:1-4].

Jan 26 2014

The fifth north transept window

The main detail shows a stylised pelican in its nest with two young.

The pelican is vulning – pecking at its breast to draw blood with which to feed its young. The “Pelican in its Piety” is a symbol of Christ’s passion.

Jan 26 2014

The fourth north transept window

Here we see a flagellum and a pair of keys. The flagellum was a form of whip used for scourging. It was made of leather with leather thongs and had pieces of leather or metal knotted into the thongs so as to tear the flesh.
The Jewish practice was to deliver thirty-nine lashes but the Romans had no limit – the victim was scourged until almost dead –
“Five times I [St. Paul] received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one”. [2 Cor 11:24].

There is one silver key and one gold key for which there are two interpretations. One interpretation is that the silver key symbolises the power to bind and loose on Earth, and the gold key the power to bind and loose in Heaven. The other interpretation is that the silver key represents “binding” and the golden key represents “loosing”.

The crossed keys are the “keys to the Kingdom of Heaven” and are the quintessential symbol of the Papacy as an institution. Indeed, the crossed keys are part of the papal insignia shown above –
“And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” [Matthew 16:18,19].

dunhillandfenorparish

Dunhill & Fenor Parish Website

Category Stained Glass Windows

The fifth nave window