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The Abbey Chronicle

Medieval Symbols

The Abbey Chronicle · Illuminated Knowledge

The Encyclopedia of Medieval Symbols

Explore the mysterious world of medieval symbolism. Discover the religious, philosophical and artistic meanings hidden in manuscripts, monastery walls and illuminated books, and their connections with Umberto Eco’s The Name of the Rose.

Illuminated Manuscripts

Four symbols include illustrated manuscript pages: The Rose, The Labyrinth, The Pelican and The Apocalypse. Select a symbol and click its illustration to enlarge it.

These illustrations are modern artworks inspired by medieval manuscripts, not reproductions of historical documents.

Select a symbol to discover its meaning.

About This Encyclopedia

Medieval symbols did not always have one fixed meaning. Their interpretation could change according to the century, region, religious tradition and artistic setting.

Connections to The Name of the Rose are interpretative unless explicitly identified as events or imagery in the novel.

The Abbey Chronicle – An Independent Name of the Rose Fan Site.