Religious Invocation in the Medieval World

     This exhibit presents a selection of medieval objects containing religious invocations, ranging from an imperial seal to a page from the Qur'an. The diversity of objects in the exhibit serves to illustrate an important point: religion was a ubiquitous and constant presence in medieval life. There are many reasons why the holy was invoked in such a large number of objects from the Middle Ages. First, religion, in particular Christianity and Islam, was vital to maintaining the power of the ruling class. Rulers claimed a special relationship with God, deriving their power not only from their lineage but from a divine right. In addition, the large attendance at religious services and events ensured that the holy was a constant presence in the minds of the populace. In the West, a strong monastic tradition allowed for the copying of religious works, as well as the dissemination of religious information. 

     The ubiquity of religious invocation is demonstrated, rather differently, by each object in this collection. The coins show religion in relation to power, expressing the divine right of rulers described above. The seal offers a direct invocation to the Lord, demonstrating the perceived power of God. The censer serves as a means for invocation by providing the smoke to carry a person's prayers to heaven and imagery meant to expose people to Christ so that they may come to worship and venerate him. The Man of Sorrows serves as a visual representation of the suffering of Christ. It evokes humility from the viewer and urges the viewer to worship, as Christ died for his/her sins and thus should be venerated. Finally, the page from the Qur'an offers perhaps the most direct example of religious invocation, with its calligraphic style meant to honor and praise the Lord. The page serves to connect the reader with the word of God and to promote introspection, as to develop a deeper understanding of oneself by way of scriptural interpretation.