珍珠母吊墜 – 凱爾特十字架
Mother of Pearl Pendant – Celtic Cross

凱爾特十字架相傳是於五世紀將基督教傳入愛爾蘭的聖博德所設計。其中一個說法是，由於當時期很多愛爾蘭人敬拜太陽，於是聖博德就將十架置於太陽之前，代表耶穌才是世界真光，並以此宣告耶穌是主。

珍珠母首飾和裝飾品製作可說是伯利恆最著名的古老工藝。這個工藝相傳由方濟會修士於十五世紀傳入。未久，當地原住民成功仿效，並把工藝品售給那些到訪白冷的朝聖者，獲取微薄收入。

昔日由紅海阿卡巴灣運送過來的貝殼及石決明，今日則是從澳洲、加洲、紐世蘭和巴西進口。而伯利恆基督徒—特別是蘇比家—的精湛工藝亦已多次獲得國際認同。

2007 年五月號的《巴勒斯坦今週》英文月刊的其中一篇特色文章，正是講說當地的珍珠母製作歷史。

The Celtic design is said to have originated with St. Patrick, who introduced Christianity to Ireland in the 5th century. Among the many explanations for the circle around the cross is the theory that Patrick wanted to proclaim the lordship of Christ by placing His cross in front of the sun – which many Irish people worshipped at the time – and that the true light of the world is Jesus.

The making of jewellery and decorative items from Mother of Pearl is perhaps Bethlehem’s oldest and most established industry. The practice supposedly came to Bethlehem in the 15th century with the arrival of Franciscan friars. Locals soon mastered the art and made a modest living selling handmade items to the many pilgrims who streamed into Bethlehem.

Traditionally, the sea shells and abalone were brought in from the Port of Aqaba on the Red Sea but now they are imported from Australia, California, New Zealand, and Brazil. Palestinian Christians, particularly the Zoughbi family in Bethlehem, have often received international recognition for their mastery of this art form.

The history of Mother of Pearl carving in Palestine was featured in this article published in the May 2007 issue of This Week in Palestine.