The great Chi-Rho

We often see a combination of a Greek chi (which looks like an X) and a Greek rho ρ (which looks either like a rounded P or an r). These two are the first letters of ‘Christ’ in the Greek word ‘Christos’.

      The chi–rho is a favourite image on an altar frontal or a stylised image on the front of a priest’s vestments. For artistic reasons, we often see the symbol depicted with a small X and a very long ρ, although it is still common for their lengths to be equal. The chi–rho symbol can also be shown with a miniature alpha on its left-hand side and a small omega on its right.

    It’s common to see the X of the chi crossing the rho, for example in art. The great chi–rho (left) comes from the Book of Kells, which was written and illuminated by Celtic monks in about 800 ad.In this example, the letter Chi dominating the page with one arm swooping across most of the page. The letter rho snuggles beneath the arms of the chi. Both letters are divided into compartments that are lavishly decorated with knot work and other patterns.

This image occurs on page 34r of the Book of Kells.