Bethlehem

This Bethlehem print is the first in a trio of prints - Bethlehem (birthplace of Jesus), Mecca (birthplace of Mohammed) and Lumbini (birthplace of Buddha). Each of these three "Birthplaces" prints is based on a satellite view of the location combined with a border and a symbol at the top for the religion that began with the birth.

For the Bethlehem print I've chosen to use the earliest form of the Christian cross, called the "Greek cross." This cross, with its four arms of equal length, predates the Latin cross. While the Latin cross represents the crucifixion, the Greek cross was an abbreviation for the name "Christ" and also represents the four directions, implying the spread of the gospel. What I especially like about the Greek cross is that this style of cross is said to date to ancient Babylon, that cradle of all civilization now known as Iraq.

One thing I'm curious to discover in these prints is whether anything about the religion might be revealed in working with images of the landform. The swirls in the land around Bethlehem make me think of water, and of the movement of the holy spirit.