The Secret of Kells: The Artwork

The artwork in the 2009 film, The Secret of Kells, (director Tom Moore, co-director, Nora Twomy, art director, Ross Stewart,) reflects the beauty of The Book of Kells. The images in both are rich in color, iconic, and play with perspective.

The Book of Kells features "zoomorphic" designs. Basically, animals that are twisted, stretched, and bent into 2-D designs.  A bird might be chewing on his foot, his toes and beak woven like a piece of cloth. A dog's neck is stretched longer than a giraffe's and interlaces with those of four other dogs just like it to form a Celtic knot.   "Zoo" for "animal." "Morphic" for "formed/morphed/changed."

And of course, intricate Celtic knots and swirling designs of many colors fill the pages.

 The only real zoomorphic design in the film, (although certain creatures morph into other forms) appears when Crom Crúiagh is chasing Brendan. 

 The film has iconic images, like the book. Some people are lumps or rectangles with heads. Aiden has squared-off fingers.  The edge of the forest is very organized: the tallest trees form arches for the ones beneath.
This images are also highly detailed and contain Celtic designs, like The Book of Kells.

The film also plays with perspective: A person in the distance will pass behind a tree and suddenly they are much, much closer. This depiction represents the actions going on. It's not meant to be taken literally, it's art. It's similar to changing angles on a film camera, except it all happens in the same frame. 

In order to respect copyright laws, I have not put pictures in this post. However, here are some links so you can see the features I discussed:  

The Chi Rho page, (mentioned in the film!): The Book of Kells
Besides Celtic designs, the page of the manuscript contains a zoomorph man, iconic figures, and animals.

See the gallery, it contains the images I was talking about: The Secret of Kells 

This is an informative video on The Book of Kells:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMvfMVBhUXI

On a side note:
Symbolism is found in the depiction of certain characters. The presence of monks from all over the world (Africa, Asia, Italy, and Ireland) at Kells symbolizes the fact that Ireland was an important center for Christianity during the period. It was a beacon of light in the Dark Ages. (See previous post for more on dark and light).

Turning Darkness into Light

Credit: Edana A.

"Turning Darkness into light."

This is a line from a 8th or 9th century poem by an Irish monk, called Pangur Ban.  In the poem, the monk talks about how he sits up at night writing while his white cat, Pangur Ban, hunts mice. ("Ban" means "white" in Irish Gaelic.)

Another word for the process of "turning darkness into light" is "illumination."  Additionally, this word can also refer to the practice of decorating and embellishing text with designs.  Perhaps the most well known example of an illuminated manuscript is The Book of Kells. 
The line and the cat also appear in the film, The Secret of Kells. (See The Secret of Kells)

In the film, Brendan learns the art of illumination and uses his skill to work on the legendary Book of Kells. Pangur Ban, a white cat who accompanied Brother Aiden from the Isle of Iona, joins Brendan on his adventures and becomes his friend.
Obviously, the poem was an inspiration for the film, for during the credits, the poem is read aloud in Irish.
To most, darkness means ignorance and light symbolizes truth and knowledge. Think of the word "enlighten." 
Although not mentioned specifically in film or poem, the phrase, "turning darkness into light," has a very profound significance, evoking Biblical truths. While the monks illuminate (enlighten) by preserving and sharing the Bible, it is Jesus who ultimately turns darkness into light.  Jesus said,“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

Link to Pangur Ban and additional background on the poem: Irish Culture and Customs

Personal Reflections on St. Patrick's Day

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Did you know that, in essence, Patrick was a missionary?

St. Patrick, whose Irish name is Padraig, was a Briton captured by the Irish Celts and forced into slavery.  Eventually he returned to his native England, but then went back to Ireland to share the Gospel with the Irish.  Instead of turning his back on the Irish, he returned to save his enslavers, demonstrating the love of Christ.  He faced many dangers, such as hostile chieftains and the Devil seeking to keep Ireland in his clutches.

Through Patrick's ministry, many Irish were saved.  Irish monks in turn, traveled to Scotland and spread God's good news there.  Because St. Patrick returned to the Irish, Ireland has a Christian heritage and because of the monasteries that were established, we now have such treats today as The Book of Kells and beautiful Irish poems written to the glory of God.

It seems that no one remembers this. For many it is just a day to wear green, drink green beer, and get trashed.

Celtic Cross  (PD Photo.org)

But what is the real meaning of St. Patrick's Day?

While St. Patrick's Day is a nice day to celebrate the Irish and Irish heritage, it is also more than just that. It is a day to remember St. Patrick. This can mean different things for different people.

For me personally, it is a day to thank God for sending Patrick to the Irish and for remembering the missionaries like him around the world.  When I think of St. Patrick, I thank God that He sends out people like Patrick to call people of all nations to Christ. I thank God for His mercy and the way in which He works through our feebleness to accomplish the salvation of many.

Quotes by St. Patrick:  http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/s/saint_patrick.html