Fugli's Fantasy Foundry

Tile Mosaic

The Byzantine Empire split from the Roman Empire and lasted for many centuries after the fall of Rome. Although many art forms were practiced throughout the middle ages, tile mosaics often typify this medieval style.

Below is a collection of the icons depicted on Bysontine. If you wish to see the process of creating this sculpture, please check out The Making of Bysontine.

The Papal Cross is the official emblem of the papal office. It typically is only displayed when the pope is present. I stuck it on Bysontine's forehead to sort of lead the way.

The Orb Cross symbolizes the final triumph and reign of Christ over the world. This was one of the most difficult crosses to put together because it covers some of the most deeply textured surface of the sculpture.

The Ankh, or Ansate Cross, is an ancient Egyptian hieroglyph representing life and regeneration. This symbol is also pieced together over a highly textured surface.

The Latin Cross is the most common form of cross. It is difficult to see this cross from a distance, since it crosses over the back of Bysontine's head.

The Tau Cross is the original form of cross. One can actually see in this photograph how the shapes become less regular going down this cross as the surface of the fiberglass sculpture underneath became more and more deeply textured.

The Russian Orthodox Cross has an angled foot bar. I read somewhere that the foot bar is angled because the Russian Orthodox Church believes that one of Jesus' legs was longer than the other. This story amuses me, but I know of no biblical basis for this belief.

This Forked Cross is and ancient symbol also called a Gabelkreuz. There are several crucifixes sculpted with this sort of cross. It would seem to have a Trinitarian aspect similar to the triquetra.

The Patriarchal Cross has an upper bar that represents the inscription placed on the cross by Pilate. Unlike the Russian Orthodox Cross, it bears no foot bar.

The Crutch Cross is a simplified form of the Jerusalem cross. It consists of four tau crosses, or crutches joined together.

The Greek Cross has four arms of equal length. It is quite commonly seen today in the color red.

The St. Andrew's Cross tradition says that the apostle Andrew died on this "x" form of cross, requesting that he be crucified on a cross unlike that of his Lord. This cross is hard to see because it is right on top of the buffalo's hump.

The Triquetra is an early symbol of the Holy Trinity. The three equal arcs express eternity in their continuous form, indivisibility in their interweaving, and create a triangle at their center.

The Fish was a secret sign used by early persecuted Christians to designate themselves as believers in Jesus. The initial letters for the Greek words for "Jesus Christ, God's Son, Savior" spell the Greek word for fish, (ICTHUS). ICQUS

The Anchor Cross is Egyptian in origin. I stuck this on the buffalo's right forearm, like a Popeye the sailor tattoo.

The Jerusalem Cross is made of five crosses symbolizing the five wounds of Christ. This was the first cross drawn on the surface of the buffalo.

The Chi Rho is a monogram of the first two letters, Chi (X) and Rho (P), of the Greek word for Christ. When the buffalo appeared in the local paper, the Shawnee News-Star, the picture was reversed, making this symbol look backward.

The Cross Pattée is often confused with the Maltese Cross. A red version of this cross was often associated with the Knights Templar.

The Step Cross or Graded Cross has three steps that stand for faith, hope, and love.

Finally:
The ELCA emblem, similar to the Jerusalem cross and shaped like an orb, is used to visually identify the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

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	The Papal Cross is the official emblem of the papal office. It typically is only displayed when the pope is present. I stuck it on Bysontine's forehead to sort of lead the way.
The Orb Cross symbolizes the final triumph and reign of Christ over the world. This was one of the most difficult crosses to put together because it covers some of the most deeply textured surface of the sculpture.
	The Ankh, or Ansate Cross, is an ancient Egyptian hieroglyph representing life and regeneration. This symbol is also pieced together over a highly textured surface.
The Latin Cross is the most common form of cross. It is difficult to see this cross from a distance, since it crosses over the back of Bysontine's head.
	The Tau Cross is the original form of cross. One can actually see in this photograph how the shapes become less regular going down this cross as the surface of the fiberglass sculpture underneath became more and more deeply textured.
The Russian Orthodox Cross has an angled foot bar. I read somewhere that the foot bar is angled because the Russian Orthodox Church believes that one of Jesus' legs was longer than the other. This story amuses me, but I know of no biblical basis for this belief.
	This Forked Cross is and ancient symbol also called a Gabelkreuz. There are several crucifixes sculpted with this sort of cross. It would seem to have a Trinitarian aspect similar to the triquetra.
The Patriarchal Cross has an upper bar that represents the inscription placed on the cross by Pilate. Unlike the Russian Orthodox Cross, it bears no foot bar.
	The Crutch Cross is a simplified form of the Jerusalem cross. It consists of four tau crosses, or crutches joined together.
The Greek Cross has four arms of equal length. It is quite commonly seen today in the color red.
	The St. Andrew's Cross tradition says that the apostle Andrew died on this "x" form of cross, requesting that he be crucified on a cross unlike that of his Lord. This cross is hard to see because it is right on top of the buffalo's hump.
The Triquetra is an early symbol of the Holy Trinity. The three equal arcs express eternity in their continuous form, indivisibility in their interweaving, and create a triangle at their center.
	The Fish was a secret sign used by early persecuted Christians to designate themselves as believers in Jesus. The initial letters for the Greek words for "Jesus Christ, God's Son, Savior" spell the Greek word for fish, (ICTHUS). ICQUS
The Anchor Cross is Egyptian in origin. I stuck this on the buffalo's right forearm, like a Popeye the sailor tattoo.
	The Jerusalem Cross is made of five crosses symbolizing the five wounds of Christ. This was the first cross drawn on the surface of the buffalo.
The Chi Rho is a monogram of the first two letters, Chi (X) and Rho (P), of the Greek word for Christ. When the buffalo appeared in the local paper, the Shawnee News-Star, the picture was reversed, making this symbol look backward.
	The Cross Pattée is often confused with the Maltese Cross. A red version of this cross was often associated with the Knights Templar.
The Step Cross or Graded Cross has three steps that stand for faith, hope, and love.
	Finally: The ELCA emblem, similar to the Jerusalem cross and shaped like an orb, is used to visually identify the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

Tile Mosaic