Definition: A miter is a formal headgear worn by high-ranking Church officials, primarily in the Catholic Church but also in Lutheran, Anglican, and Orthodox churches.
Appearance: The Catholic miter features two triangular points split by a swooping indentation.
Origins and Speculations
Public Speculation: The miter's design has led to various interpretations:
Resembles a fish's mouth (early Christian symbol).
Some anti-Catholic views link it to the ancient Syrian god Deeon (without basis).
Historical Context: The exact origins are unclear, with research by scholars like Dr. Ruth Melanoff and Dr. Katie Turner focusing on its significance and evolution.
Historical Development of the Miter
Early Christian Period: No formal headdress existed for leaders until nearly 1,000 years into Christianity.
8th Century CE: Evidence of leaders wearing a cone-shaped hat called "Kamal Alum" from Byzantine Imperial Court.
12th Century: Transformation of the miter began:
Addition of soft fabric band creating two mounds.
Later, stiffened fabric formed horn-like shapes (known as cornua).
Horns shifted to front and back position.
Symbolism of the Miter Shape
Exodus 34:29: The term "cornuta" (horned) translated by Jerome conveyed empowerment. This translation resulted in:
Moses depicted as having horns, signifying glorification.
Horn shape of miter symbolizing the power of Christian leaders.
12th Century Theologians:
Petrus Contour: Horns signify the bishop's power and authority.
Pope Innocent III: Miter represents knowledge of both the Old and New Testaments.
Transition to the Front-Back Miter
Rotation of Miter Shape: Shift from side horns to front-back positioning likely occurred due to Christian supersessionist theology.
Symbolic Interpretation: Front horn represents the New Testament, signaling priority over the Old Testament.
Development in Art: The older side-horned version became associated with outdatedness, distinguishing historical figures from contemporary ones.
Negative Associations Over Time
Negative Connotations: The side-horned miter began to represent outdated Jewish law:
Used derogatorily in passion plays to depict Jewish priests like Caiaphas.
Medieval Passion Plays often portrayed high priests with side-horned miters, reinforcing anti-Jewish sentiment.
Political Propaganda: Anti-Catholic sentiments also targeted the miter, exemplified by a cartoon from Harper's Weekly (1871) criticizing Catholic influence in education.
Conclusion
The miter's history reflects shifting meanings and interpretations in Christian art and culture:
Originally a positive symbol, it evolved into a representation of authority and an object of misinformation.
Further Exploration: The lecture encourages further interest in the complexities of religious symbols and their implications in history.
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