While on the subject of crosses, another fine historical artefact to appear in Scottish heraldry is the Kirkmadrine Cross which appears on the arms of the Diocese of Galloway, and those of its bishop, Bishop William Nolan Bishop, all granted in 2019.
Diocese of Galloway: Argent the Kirkmadrine Cross Azure.
Rt Rev. William Nolan, Bishop of Galloway: Azure the Kirkmadrine cross Argent in chief a fountain between a martlet and a lion's head erased of the Second.
The Petrus Stone which stood outside Whithorn on the road leading towards the Isle of Whithorn is inscribed with a most beautiful hooked cross within a circle and the inscription ‘the place of Peter the Apostle’. This is later than the Latinus Stone and the Kirkmadrine stones, dating from around the year 700. The Kirkmadrine Stones are earlier in origin, the earliest of them dating from around 500 and so much closer in time to St Ninian.
The distinguishing features of these stones are the wonderful Kirkmadrine crosses with the distinctive hook at the top of each cross. This is a key feature in dating them. The hook is the remnant of the early Christian Chi Rho symbol (the Greek LettersChiandRhobeing the first letters ofChristos– Christ) so we are seeing a transition from Chi Rho to the cross of Christ as the pre-eminent symbol of Christianity.
