Arma Christi - The Instruments

The Instruments

Depictions of the Instruments of the Passion may include many combinations of those following (though the cross of Jesus is almost always represented). A primary group of the most frequently used instruments can be distinguished:

• The Cross on which Jesus was crucified (True Cross), either depicted alone or with the crosses of the two thieves
• The Crown of Thorns
• The pillar or column where Jesus was whipped in the Flagellation of Christ
• The whip(s), in Germany often birches, used for the 39 lashes
• The Holy Sponge set on a reed, with which gall and vinegar were offered to Jesus
• The Holy Lance with which a Roman soldier inflicted the final of the Five Wounds in his side
• The Nails, inflicting four wounds on the hands and feet
• The Veil of Veronica

Other common ones are:

• The reed which was placed in Jesus' hand as a sceptre in mockery
• The purple robe of mockery
• The Titulus Crucis, attached to the Cross. It may be inscribed in Latin (INRI, Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum), Greek, Hebrew, or some other language.
• The Holy Grail, the chalice used by Jesus at The Last Supper, and which some traditions say Joseph of Arimathea used to catch his blood at the crucifixion
• The Seamless robe of Jesus
• The dice with which the soldiers cast lots for Christ's seamless robe
• The rooster that crowed after Peter's third denial of Jesus
• The vessel used to hold the gall and vinegar
• The ladder used for the Deposition, i.e. the removal of Christ's body from the cross for burial
• The hammer used to drive the nails into Jesus' hands and feet
• The pincers used to remove the nails
• The vessel of myrrh, used to anoint the body of Jesus, either by Joseph of Arimathea or by the Myrrhbearers
• The shroud used to wrap the body of Jesus before burial
• The sun and moon, representing the eclipse which occurred during the Passion
• Thirty pieces of silver (or a money bag), the price of Judas' betrayal
• The hand which slapped Jesus' face
• The chains or cords which bound Jesus overnight in prison
• The lantern or torches used by the arresting soldiers at the time of the betrayal, as well as their swords and staves
• The sword used by Peter to cut off the ear of the High Priest's servant. Sometimes a human ear is also represented.
• Sometimes the heads of figures from the Passion are shown, including Judas, Caiaphas, or the man who mocked Christ spitting in Christ's face