Motif from the large Jelling Stone, crucifix, disc on head

Archaeological Museum of Alicante, Spain (MARQ)

---

Crucifix-like design with 

Motif from the large Jelling Stone

The large Jelling Stone erected in 965 by Harald Bluetooth, son of King Gorm and Queen Thyra, tells of Harald's achievements in uniting Denmark and making the Danes Christian. The stone has three sides. One is engraved with runes, and another with a mythical beast. The third side depicts a crucified Christ.

The stone is decorated in the Mammen style, and its shape reveals Western European influences. Unlike traditional Nordic stones with deep grooves in the hard granite, this stone has been carved in relief. The actual rune inscription has also been made according to Western Europe traditions. Instead of the traditional vertical text, the words on the stone are written horizontally. This follows the style of writing in Latin, thereby emulating a document written on parchment. The large Jelling Stone, often called 'Denmark's birth certificate' was erected to proclaim the king's baptism and thereby the establishment of Christianity as the official religion of Denmark. The depiction of Christ on the stone does not look like the suffering figure that was to become common centuries later. Here Christ is represented as a triumphant king. The stone stands approximately where it was originally erected in Jelling - mid between the two burial mounds.

The inscription on the sone reads:

Translation

King Harald ordered these kumbls made in memory of Gorm, his father, and in memory of Thyra, his mother; that Harald who won for himself all of Denmark and Norway and made the Danes Christian

---

Supplementary images:

• 
• 

---

Crucifix-like Motif from the large Jelling Stone

---

Source:  Alicante, Spain