Gosforth cross
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The Gosforth cross is a large stone cross in Gosforth in the English county of Cumbria. It has elaborate carvings which have been interpreted as representing characters and scenes from Norse mythology. Those include:
- Loki bound with his wife Sigyn protecting him.
- The god Heimdallr holding his horn.
- The god Víðarr tearing the jaws of Fenrir.
- Thor's failed attempt to catch the Midgard Serpent.
The cross also has Christian symbolism, including a depiction of the crucifixion of Christ.
The cross is 4.4 metres tall and made out of red sandstone. It is estimated to date from 920-950 and is still in fairly good condition.
[edit] References
- grid reference NY072036
- Megalithic Portal
- Pre-Norman Stone Crosses in the British Isles
- Bailey, Richard N. Scandinavian Myth on Viking-period Stone Sculpture in England. [1]
- Finnur Jónsson (1913). Goðafræði Norðmanna og Íslendinga eftir heimildum. Reykjavík: Hið íslenska bókmentafjelag.
