Beardpullers
Muiredach's Cross at Monasterboice, Ireland
This is Anthony Weir's interpretation of the motif:
This is one of the most interesting motifs in pre-Romanesque and Romanesque sculpture. Two males pulling each other's beard seems to have started off as a 'strife-motif' in Christian art, ultimately derived from Assyrian and perhaps earlier motifs. By the end of the 12th century the motif had acquired (homo)sexual overtones, and symbolised the prevalent sin of 'forbidden love' amongst monks (especially) and the clergy in general. Such sins were illustrated for instructive purposes.
This pair on Muiredeach's Cross at Monasterboice, which I think is 11th century, is more likely to illustrate Strife (or vengeance, or whatever was deemed to be dire at the time). For more beardpullers see www.beyond-the-pale.org.uk/beardpullers.htm
Beardpullers
Muiredach's Cross at Monasterboice, Ireland
This is Anthony Weir's interpretation of the motif:
This is one of the most interesting motifs in pre-Romanesque and Romanesque sculpture. Two males pulling each other's beard seems to have started off as a 'strife-motif' in Christian art, ultimately derived from Assyrian and perhaps earlier motifs. By the end of the 12th century the motif had acquired (homo)sexual overtones, and symbolised the prevalent sin of 'forbidden love' amongst monks (especially) and the clergy in general. Such sins were illustrated for instructive purposes.
This pair on Muiredeach's Cross at Monasterboice, which I think is 11th century, is more likely to illustrate Strife (or vengeance, or whatever was deemed to be dire at the time). For more beardpullers see www.beyond-the-pale.org.uk/beardpullers.htm