Identifying Scriptural Panels

The iconographic or scriptural panels on some of the high crosses are so badly weathered it is hard to identify what they may represent. I am showing several depictions of the same scene below, in order to help in identifying some of the more weathered or damaged panels. Generally the east face features scriptural images from the Old Testament and the west face depicts scenes from the New Testament, but there are variations. Also some crosses may have been re-erected wrongly after being moved to a new location.

Adam and Eve

The iconographic panels below depict, Top Row: Adam and Eve know their nakedness, you can see both of them covering their nakedness with their hands, and the second row shows Adam taking the apple from Eve, these images are depicting the Fall of Man, they appear on at least thirty of the high crosses.

Armagh

East face

Donaghmore, Tyrone

West face

Kells, Meath

West Cross, West face

Kinnity, Offaly

North face

Lisnaskea, Fermanagh

East face

Monasterboice, Louth

Muirdach's Cross, East face

Daniel

Castledermot, Kildare

North cross, west face

Castledermot, Kildare

South cross, west face

Clones, Monaghan

South face

Drumcliffe, Sligo

East face

Moone, Kildare

North cross, East face

Noah's Ark

Armagh

North cross, East face

Camus, Derry

East face

Donaghmore, Down

West face

Kells, Meath

Broken cross, East face

Killary, Meath

East face

Sacrifice of Isaac

The Sacrifice of Isaac is the second most popular scripture to appear on the high crosses behind the Fallof Man. it appears on 22 different crosses. It is, along with Adam and Eve, one of the easiest scriptural panels to recognise, even if badly damaged from erosion, see Armagh below left.

Armagh

East face

Castledermot

North cross, west face, south arm

Castledermot

South cross, west face, south arm

Clones, Monaghan

Southeast face

Durrow, Offaly

East face

Moone, Kildare

East face