- Early Christianity and its Monuments -
Figure 37.12 The north cross at Ahenny, Co. Tipperary. (Photo: Office of Public Works,
Ireland.)been placed on hunt scenes: for example, the deer has been interpreted as Christ the
victim or as the Christian soul, persecuted by devils (the hounds and riders). The
horse was important in Celtic society, and is often the dominant animal form on
stones, appearing frequently in profile, stylized but powerful and appearing united
with rider (suggesting power by association). The complex 'knotting' which appears
from the mid-seventh century in illuminated manuscripts seems to have been an
Insular development, though not restricted to Celtic areas. The Picts, partially Celtic,
enthusiastically adapted a great variety of interlace, key and spiral patterns to their
cross-slabs.