Location in the architectural complex:
Northern aisle
Mosaic floor
Illustrative material:
Materials, palette:
Black, red,
Density:
90-100 in 10 cmsq
Composition:
A white surround of 31 cm with patches of cubes along the north wall alternating with plaster patches. The border is 43 cm wide and consists of a double frame in black, red and black-red cubes. The border itself consists of a triple guilloche (17 cm wide) The threes strands consist of 1. Black, white, red, pink 2. Black and light ochre. orange, white and black. 3. Black with greyish blue and white black. On the inner side of the guilloche, there is a dark red crowstep turned outside (B4). One black line borders the field which consists of squares measuring 20 cm and diamonds in the same color scheme as the border at the center of each square.
At the axis of the aisle, there is a cross set in a circle (96 in diameter). Below the cross is a complex symbolic design at its center are three dark red "chevrons" one above the other. The top one almost touches the base of the cross. To the right and the left of the chevrons are figures that resemble fishes. Above those figures are pomegranates. each has a black stalk and leaf with a red outline and pink folioles sprouting from the border of the circle.
Comments:
The pomegranate is an ancient Greek and oriental symbol of fertility and immortality. It also holds symbolic connotations with Israel and is used in Jewish tombs, coins, and synagogue pavements. As such the meaning could have been transferred to the church. Although it is not common in church designs and appears in oriental countries. The fish figures below appear to be done in an ambiguous manner on purpose- due to the problematic use of Christian symbols during that period. The fish is an adopted Christian symbol as an acrostic of Jesus. Often the fish symbol was arranged as facing in two directions like the zodiac sign of Pisces. In our case, the fish both face the same direction as was more common to find in the full adoption of the symbol in Christianity. The use of the fish symbol has begun to dwindle by the 5th century. The chevrons between the fishes could be understood as a stylized version of the three hills Golgotha or the four rivers of paradise. Another possibility is that they represent the cross as a "tree of life".