Mappa Mundi Christiana

The discovery of a medieval map leads to a discussion of the cosmic Christ revealed in this text.

Google "Ebstorf Map" to see a fascinating map of the world. You'll find it to be one of the most intriguing maps in the world. Put an image of it on your bulletin cover, or project it on a screen in your worship space.

At the center of this round medieval map is Jerusalem. At the top of the map is the head of Christ, on either side are his hands, and at the bottom are his feet. In Latin, you would call it a mappa mundi Christiana, a Christian map of the world.

Christ literally covers this map and holds it all together. Jerusalem is his navel, with the new life of the resurrection depicted by a picture of Jesus leaving the empty tomb. Rome is represented in the shape of a lion, the Tower of Babel stands in Mesopotamia, and Adam and Eve are shown in the Garden of Eden. Around the map are descriptions of animals and the creation of the world.

The original map was 12 feet by 12 feet, painted on 30 goatskins sewn together in the thirteenth century. This mappa mundi was found in a convent in...