the NachtKabarett

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All Writing & Content © Nick Kushner Unless Noted Otherwise

"Of the several sacred monograms of Christ, the Chi Rho is one of the most ancient. It is generally formed of the Greek letters chi (X) and rho (P). These are the first letters of the Greek word "XPICTOC" (pronounced Christos), which means "Christ." The monogram has been styled in a variety of imaginative ways over the centuries. Other symbols are sometimes added to the monogram to call to mind a particular attribute of our Lord."

Symbols In Ancient Christian Art & Architecture


"Left ; cover artwork to the 2004 single of 'Personal Jesus' with a 'PJ" song initial variation of the Chi-Ro. Right ; Common style of Christogram, the "X" is superimposed on the "P" and the symbols of alpha and omega ("'I am the Alpha and the Omega,' says the Lord God..." Revelation 1:8 ; The Beginning and the End) which Manson replaced with double M's for his own 1997 variation below.

'Antichrist Svperstar' era t-shirt, circa 1997, depicting a full band shot and the back bearing a corruption of the Christogram which would reemerge within Manson's art seven years later, on the single for the Depeche Mode cover of 'Personal Jesus' in 2004. The reverse symbol, as stated, is a stylization of what is known as the Chi-rho or Christogram; a single symbol (called a monogram), which represents the name of Christ. Used in irony of course, with a halo-ed Manson personifying the 'Anti-Christ, with his own shock symbol within the opening of the symbol's 'P' on the back art.

Manson's sin-drenched and reinterpreted corruption of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse in the 'Personal Jesus' video. All four "Whores of Babylon" each represent one of the four Horsemen from the Book of Revelation, with proper color correspondences intact (though each not necessarily identified individually in the video). Within the Bible the Horsemen's named representations and their corresponding colors are: Conquest, white ; War, red ; Pestilence, black ; and Death, pale / white.

Contributed by Giorgio D.

For the single of Personal Jesus, the cover features a red and white cross. This cross is commonly known as St George's cross. It is not to be confused with the flag of the Red Cross. It is the national flag of England, and also the symbol of Milan, Genoa, Freiburg and Montreal. In 1277 it officially became the national flag of England. After England joined with Scotland by the Act of Union 1707 a Union Flag was created which was used for all national matters, but the flag of England remains St George's Cross, and continues to be used when showing allegiance to England alone. The flag of St George is also the rank flag of an Admiral in the Royal Navy, and civilian craft are forbidden to fly it. However, ships which took part in the rescue at Dunkirk during World War II are allowed to fly it as a jack.

St. George is the patron saint of England, and various other countries and regions. He is traditionally shown killing a dragon to rescue a beautiful lady. St. George's Day is April 23rd.

But on his breast a bloody Cross he bore,
The dear remembrance of his dying Lord,
For whose sweet sake that glorious badge we wore
And dead (as living) ever he adored.

The legend of St. George and the Dragon is that made popular by the "Legenda Aurea", and translated into English by Caxton. A terrible dragon had ravaged all the country round a city of Libya, called Selena, making its lair in a marshy swamp. Its breath caused pestilence whenever it approached the town, so the people gave the monster two sheep every day to satisfy its hunger, but, when the sheep failed, a human victim was necessary and lots were drawn to determine the victim. On one occasion the lot fell to the king's little daughter. The king offered all his wealth to purchase a substitute, but the people had pledged themselves that no substitutes should be allowed, and so the maiden, dressed as a bride, was led to the marsh. There St. George chanced to ride by, and asked the maiden what she did, but she bade him leave her lest he also might perish. The good knight stayed, however, and, when the dragon appeared, St. George, making the sign of the cross, attacked it with his lance. Then asking the maiden for her girdle he bound it round the neck of the monster, and thereupon the princess was able to lead it like a lamb. They then returned to the city, where St. George bade the people have no fear but only be baptized, after which he cut off the dragon's head and the townsfolk were all converted. The earliest reference in art is probably to be found in an old Roman tombstone at Conisborough in Yorkshire, considered to belong to the first half of the twelfth century. In some myths, St George's sword he slayed the dragon with, is shaped like the Cross of Loraine.


Some ancient myths have stated that St George slayed the dragon with a sword shaped like the Cross of Loraine

The Depeche Mode 'Personal Jesus' single artwork 1989 The precursor version to illustrate Manson's interpretation and portrayal of not only the song but also the original album art