Pentecost Window, St Michael's Linlithgow IMG_1551 merge
St Michael’s Parish Church Linlithgow
The image is formed from two (hand-held) photos with different exposures, to try and ensure that all the details are as clear as possible – we used Paintshop Pro as a photo-editor. The Canon camera firmware was temporarily upgraded via the memory card using CHDK to provide the exposure bracketing needed (plus a host of other features such as a live histogram while shooting) - see chdk.wikia.com/wiki/CHDK.
This stunning stained glass window was designed and made by Crear McCartney to mark the 750th anniversary of the consecration of St Michael’s in 1242. The stonework, the work of a master mason from northern France, combines Pentecost (the tracery) and New Jerusalem (the lancets) and the design is controlled by the mystical number 12. The window showers light upon the walls and centre of the nave.
The guide book and leaflets in the church explain the rich and complex symbolism of the design, which I give below.
12 signifies perfection, the universe, the Word of God Incarnate, time, the Apostles – a multiple of 2 (two natures of Christ) and 6 (balance and equilibrium).
The Tracery - Pentecost
The Tracery combines a triangle with three circles – giving 6 large red flames, three large yellow flames and three smaller flames – the twelve flames touch symbols of the Apostles (their commission to preach the Word of God).
The apostles symbols are (from 1o’clock to 12 o’clock):
1 Simon (fish); 2 Jude (halbeard); 3 James the Greater (scallop shell); 4 Matthias (lance); 5 Matthew (money bag); 6 Andrew (saltire); 7 John (chalice and serpent); 8 Philip (crozier); 9 Thomas (builder’s tools); 10 Bartholomew (flaying knife); 11 James the Less (club); 12 Peter (key).
The outer elements are butterfly wings (the Risen Christ) and peacock feathers (the Risen Christ and All-seeing eye of the Church – 18 in the lancets and 6 in the tracery, making 24 the Elders of the Apocalypse).
The Lancets – The New Jerusalem
The imagery of the lancets is from the Revelation of St John the Divine (Ch 1, 4, 21, 22), and introduces 7, the mystic number of Heaven. The 6 lancets together contain a shallow ellipse (the city) – the projection of the circle of the Pentecost – with walls of crystal and gates the colour of the precious stones listed in Ch21, vv19-20. Silver threads suspend the city, descending from Heaven.
Lancets 2 and 5 contain the flags of the 4 beasts – symbols of the 4 evangelists (man, ox, lion eagle, Ch4). The 3rd lancet shows the Tree of Life with 12 fruits (7 gifts of the Holy Spirit and 5 Wounds of Christ), 7 golden leaves (for the Healing of the Nations) and 7 stars (for the Angels of the 7 Churches) (Ch1).
The 4th lancet shows the River of the Water of Life, flowing from the Throne of God and the Lamb. The Resurrection banner is surrounded by the 7 candlesticks of the 7 Churches (Ch1).
For a lovely view of the window in situ, taken about noon, see this photo by Al houdi Donelly
www.flickr.com/photos/elhoudifunko/2997539426/
The website for St Michael's has changed, it is now at:
This is such a beautiful window that one day I would like to commission a wooden jigsaw of it - probably a 250pc Wentworth, cut with their church/religious set of whimsies.
Pentecost Window, St Michael's Linlithgow IMG_1551 merge
St Michael’s Parish Church Linlithgow
The image is formed from two (hand-held) photos with different exposures, to try and ensure that all the details are as clear as possible – we used Paintshop Pro as a photo-editor. The Canon camera firmware was temporarily upgraded via the memory card using CHDK to provide the exposure bracketing needed (plus a host of other features such as a live histogram while shooting) - see chdk.wikia.com/wiki/CHDK.
This stunning stained glass window was designed and made by Crear McCartney to mark the 750th anniversary of the consecration of St Michael’s in 1242. The stonework, the work of a master mason from northern France, combines Pentecost (the tracery) and New Jerusalem (the lancets) and the design is controlled by the mystical number 12. The window showers light upon the walls and centre of the nave.
The guide book and leaflets in the church explain the rich and complex symbolism of the design, which I give below.
12 signifies perfection, the universe, the Word of God Incarnate, time, the Apostles – a multiple of 2 (two natures of Christ) and 6 (balance and equilibrium).
The Tracery - Pentecost
The Tracery combines a triangle with three circles – giving 6 large red flames, three large yellow flames and three smaller flames – the twelve flames touch symbols of the Apostles (their commission to preach the Word of God).
The apostles symbols are (from 1o’clock to 12 o’clock):
1 Simon (fish); 2 Jude (halbeard); 3 James the Greater (scallop shell); 4 Matthias (lance); 5 Matthew (money bag); 6 Andrew (saltire); 7 John (chalice and serpent); 8 Philip (crozier); 9 Thomas (builder’s tools); 10 Bartholomew (flaying knife); 11 James the Less (club); 12 Peter (key).
The outer elements are butterfly wings (the Risen Christ) and peacock feathers (the Risen Christ and All-seeing eye of the Church – 18 in the lancets and 6 in the tracery, making 24 the Elders of the Apocalypse).
The Lancets – The New Jerusalem
The imagery of the lancets is from the Revelation of St John the Divine (Ch 1, 4, 21, 22), and introduces 7, the mystic number of Heaven. The 6 lancets together contain a shallow ellipse (the city) – the projection of the circle of the Pentecost – with walls of crystal and gates the colour of the precious stones listed in Ch21, vv19-20. Silver threads suspend the city, descending from Heaven.
Lancets 2 and 5 contain the flags of the 4 beasts – symbols of the 4 evangelists (man, ox, lion eagle, Ch4). The 3rd lancet shows the Tree of Life with 12 fruits (7 gifts of the Holy Spirit and 5 Wounds of Christ), 7 golden leaves (for the Healing of the Nations) and 7 stars (for the Angels of the 7 Churches) (Ch1).
The 4th lancet shows the River of the Water of Life, flowing from the Throne of God and the Lamb. The Resurrection banner is surrounded by the 7 candlesticks of the 7 Churches (Ch1).
For a lovely view of the window in situ, taken about noon, see this photo by Al houdi Donelly
www.flickr.com/photos/elhoudifunko/2997539426/
The website for St Michael's has changed, it is now at:
This is such a beautiful window that one day I would like to commission a wooden jigsaw of it - probably a 250pc Wentworth, cut with their church/religious set of whimsies.