Canterbury Cathedral Stained Glass

Medieval stained glass depiction of the Crucifixion with flanking scenes of Old Testament "types." Bottom scene in the Corona Redemption Window (Corona I), c.1200-07. The central panel was fully recreated in 1853, but the surrounding scenes are medieval.

(1) At the top is the Sacrifice of Isaac, widely regarded as a foreshadowing of God's sacrifice of his own Son. The parallel with Christ is further emphasized by the crossed sticks on the altar, a fairly rare device seen also in the mosaics of the Capella Palatina in Sicily. (2) On the bottom are the spies who were sent by Moses to explore the Promised Land, who return with the Grapes of the Valley of Eschol. The T-shape reflects the cross and the grapes the wine of the Eucharist. Further, the inscription explains: "The one refuses to look back at the cluster and the other thirsts to see it; Israel knows not Christ, the Gentiles adore him."

(3) On the right is the Tau on the Lintel, representing the Passover instructions to mark the lintel with lamb's blood to be spared from the plague (Ex 12:1-13). Exodus doesn't indicate the shape of the mark, but medieval iconography imagined it as a cross to emphasize the link with Christ, the Lamb of God. (4) On the left, Moses strikes a rock and miraculously makes water flow, saving the Israelites from their thirst in the desert (Ex 17:6-7). Similarly, Christ was stabbed with a spear and produced blood and water (Jn 19:34) for the salvation of the people.