Collection: Pax Christi

Religions inspire humankind in its pursuit of illusive ideals. They do this by providing systems of myths and symbols. These myths and symbols are poetic and are not usually meant to be taken literally. They beckon cultures forward to higher moral accomplishments and challenge individuals to greater personal growth.

Peace has been an illusive ideal for most of human history. Christians and Jews find inspiration in their pursuit of this ideal in the imagery surrounding their promised messiah. Throughout their sacred scriptures, the coming of the messiah is described in terms of a reign of peace. Perhaps the most beautiful description is in the prophecies of Isaiah 11, where the messiah is a tiny child surrounded by traditional enemies who now live together in peace. The child messiah plays over the viper’s den, and none of the animals do harm to one another.

This icon depicts the vision of Isaiah. A peaceful Christ child stands above a coiled rattlesnake. Both are surrounded by mandalas of light, to emphasize that the snake too, is holy -- that being powerfully dangerous does not make it evil. The child is comfortable in his nakedness, inviting humankind to make peace with our own bodies. Shame leads to violence, and countless millions feel shame towards their very selves. A rainbow surrounds the mandala of the Christ, a reminder of the sign of peace given to Noah in another beautiful biblical myth. The inscription at the bottom is Latin for “Peace of Christ.”