Dr. Alice C. Linsley
Have you wondered why historically church altars are on the east wall of the church? This is part of a very ancient, received tradition involving the sun as the emblem or symbol of the High God and his son. The early Hebrew regarded the solar arc as a sign that light returns after darkness and there is life after death.Perhaps you have noticed the prevalence of solar symbolism wherever the early Hebrew dispersed. Early Christians in Ireland, Wales, and England seamlessly merged the solar imagery of the early Hebrew with the daily routines of their Christian faith. Anglo-Celtic daily routines emphasize God’s presence in activities such as drawing water, sowing seed in the fields, harvesting, and baking bread. An example is Irish soda bread scored with a cross. As with the early Hebrew, the people of the remote isles were mindful of the Trinitarian reality of God’s presence.
Threshing floors were built at high windy elevations so the wind could carry away the chaff. Threshing floors were also places of worship because they were symbols of the High God whose emblem was the sun. A ruler named Araunah sold David a threshing floor upon which David constructed an altar.
There is a connection between the threshing of grain and bread making. The most common bread of Anglo-Celtic folk contained a blend of wheat flour and rye flour. Traditional Irish maslin bread is an example. The bread crust is scored with a solar symbol, which connects the sowing of grain and the hope of bodily resurrection.
Some maslin loaves are decorated with oak leaves because Jesus was said to have been crucified on an oak tree.
The 6-prong solar symbol expressed hope in bodily resurrection and as such the symbol appears on grave markers and the ossuary boxes of high-ranking Jewish priests and members of their families.
Another solar image that speaks of the High God is the winged sun. In Scripture we find this wonderful assurance: “But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings…” (Malachi 4:2) This too reflects a very ancient belief concerning the High God.
A threshing floor. Note the resemblance to the sun.
Threshing floors were built at high windy elevations so the wind could carry away the chaff. Threshing floors were also places of worship because they were symbols of the High God whose emblem was the sun. A ruler named Araunah sold David a threshing floor upon which David constructed an altar.
Maslin
bread. Note the solar symbolism.
There is a connection between the threshing of grain and bread making. The most common bread of Anglo-Celtic folk contained a blend of wheat flour and rye flour. Traditional Irish maslin bread is an example. The bread crust is scored with a solar symbol, which connects the sowing of grain and the hope of bodily resurrection.
Some maslin loaves are decorated with oak leaves because Jesus was said to have been crucified on an oak tree.
The village vicar leads the people to the field for blessing.
Grave marker in Banias, Northern Israel. Note the 6-prong solar symbol.
Ossuary of the High Priest Joseph Caiaphas.
Ossuary of Miriam, granddaughter of Joseph Caiaphas.
The inscription identifies this bone box as that of “Miriam Daughter of Yeshua, Son of Caiaphas, Priests of Ma’aziah from Beth Imri.”
Another solar image that speaks of the High God is the winged sun. In Scripture we find this wonderful assurance: “But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings…” (Malachi 4:2) This too reflects a very ancient belief concerning the High God.
King Shalmaneser making an offering to the High God whose symbol was the winged sun. Bowing before him is King Jehu of Israel who became a vassal of the Assyrian king.
Related reading: Just Genesis: Solar Imagery of the Proto-Gospel; Threshing Floors and Solar Symbols
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