The chi-rho symbol

 

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 (A or α) on its left-hand side and a small omega (Ω) on its right.

It’s common to see the X of the chi crossing the rho, for example in art. The image below is a modern copy of a world-famous image: this great chi–rho reproduces a page 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 nestles beneath the arms of the chi. Both letters are divided into compartments that are lavishly decorated with knot work and other patterns.