Can someone explain this mosaic?

[Chicken_Pigeon]

This mosaic is found in the dominus flevit church in Jerusalem. See here: Dominus Flevit Church - Wikipedia

Can someone explain what the chicken represents and why the chicken has a halo? I’ve never heard of a holy chicken before.

bokbok

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[Lee1]

At the foot of the altar, a mosaic of a hen gathering her chickens under her wings recalls Christ’s words “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!” (Luke 13:34)

Our Lord was speaking of His prophecy that Jerusalem would be destroyed in years to come, which it was by the Romans.

 

[Lee1]

Thank you, I found that interesting and I’d never have known it if you hadn’t posed the question. I looked it up of course.

 

[midori]

You can see in the Latin inscription around it—

Jervsalem Jervsalem Qvoties Volui Congregare Filios Tuos, Qvemadmodvm Gallina Congregat Pvllos Svos Svb Alas

“Gallina” is hen, “Pullos” is chicks, “congregat” and “congregare” are related “to gather”, “alas” is wings (ala/alae), “volui” is “I wish/will/desire”.

Then you see, sandwiched over the circle, but under the chicks–

Et Nolvisti?

Which is basically “And you have not been wishing?”

So Matthew 23:37 (you can see the “MATTH.” peeping up at the bottom of the image) is the same as the Luke 13:34 that Lee1 explained—

"Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.

 

[SarahKate]

I love this. And not just as the proud owner of 12 chickens.

 

[RandomAlias]

This came to mind. Not sure if it is related. It is a small statue in the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston. I assume it is Mary, but it could also be a mother in some folk tale, I am not sure.

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[Mintaka]

That is a statue of Mary, protecting her spiritual kids under her mantle.

 

[Start]

That type of representation is called the Virgin of Mercy.

 

[midori]

Yes, I love the Mater Misericordie depiction of the Virgin—

 

[Mintaka]

Btw, this image is something that really happens if you are wearing a big cloak like that, and a sudden rainstorm hits. Suddenly you have a bunch of people asking you to hold up your cloaktails as an umbrella…

 

[Wesrock]

This came to mind. Not sure if it is related. It is a small statue in the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston. I assume it is Mary, but it could also be a mother in some folk tale, I am not sure.

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I wonder if this is playing off of Jesus’ lament, with Mary as a type of Daughter Zion and archetype of the Church, doing what Jesus lamented Jerusalem failing to do. Her image here could represent the Church.