Folios 310v – 311r, Gospel of John

Caoimhe Ní Ghormáin
Caoimhe Ní Ghormáin

Manuscripts Curator, Research Collections

1 min read • 8 August 2024

Explore the symbolism and artistry in weaving through the text in folios 310v – 311r, Gospel of John, Book of Kells.

Folio 310v, Book of Kells

Book of Kells. Folio 310v: John

Peacocks were widely used as decorative motifs in manuscripts, sculptures and metalwork in early Christian art. In the Book of Kells the peacock motif is contorted into fantastical shapes to form letters and to draw the eye towards significant gospel texts and passages. The peacock symbolised the incorruptibility of Christ, arising from the belief that its flesh does not putrefy. Because the peacock sheds its tail feathers every year, this is another analogy of resurrection.

The decorated word Si … (‘If’) on line 12 of folio 310v of the Book of Kells introduces the passage when Jesus speaks of his ascension to heaven. The curves of the S are filled with peacocks, symbols of resurrection. Another peacock, standing on line 16, indicates that the text on that line continues on the line above as Jesus speaks of his ascension to heaven, highlighting the phrase verba quae ego locutus sum vobis, spiritus (line 16)/ et vita sunt sed (line 15)/ sunt quidam ex vobis qui not credunt (line 17):

‘The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life but there are some of you who believe not’ (John 6.54-65).

Folio 311r, Book of Kells

Book of Kells. Folio 311r: John

Clusters of three grapes, each highlighted with three red dots are suspended from the downstroke of the letter q in the words quoniam quarerebant eum at the foot of the right-hand folio.

This motif evokes the Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit), appearing throughout the Book of Kells. Red dots highlight the decorated initial letters. Dots placed around letters for emphasis are also found in the late seventh-century Book of Durrow and are a major decorative feature of the Book of Kells.

Explore the artwork

Explore the artwork

Multi, folio 310v

Enlarged initials on these pages are used to emphasis meaning. Here the M of MULTI ‘many’ starts a sentence in which many apostles find it hard to understand Christ’s teaching

Bird, folio 310v

Birds illustrate the text throughout the book. Here it is used to emphasize the second sentence of John 6: 64.
‘It is the spirit that quickeneth: the flesh profiteth nothing. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.’

SCIEBAT, folio 310v

The first three letters of this word , SCIEBAT, ‘knew’, have been enlarged to emphasize the importance of the sentence. ‘Jesus knew from the beginning who they were…’

ET DICEBAT, folio 311r

Decorated initials on this page are used to highlight coversations between Jesus and his disciples. Such as here: ET DICEBAT, ‘and he said’.

RESPONDIT, folio 311r

Emphasis on this word RESPONDIT, ‘answered’, and the same word four lines down emphasizes the apostles responding to him, so highlighting the conversation of the page.

POST, folio 311r

The letter P of POST (after), is lavishly decorated with Celtic-type spirals and the interlaced tongue of an animal. It marks the start of a new gospel chapter (John 7.1).

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