珍珠母吊墜 – 十字架
Mother of Pearl Pendant – Cross

這個十字架中間的「X」代表希臘文字中的 xhi，「基督」一字的第一個字母。

十字架是基督教最重要的標記，代表著上主犧牲的愛。用來釘死耶穌的十字架，是一世紀佔領著聖地的羅馬人所用的酷刑。根據新約記載，耶穌的死和復活讓我們的罪得赦免、與神和好（羅馬書五8），而十字架亦因此轉化成生命與愛的標記。

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 carved “X” in the middle of this cross is the symbol of the Greek letter xhi, the first letter of the word Christos (Χριστός).

The cross is the ultimate symbol of Christian faith, communicating the sacrificial love of God. The cross Jesus died on was an instrument of torture used by the Roman Empire occupying the first-century Holy Land. According to the New Testament, Jesus’ death and resurrection made it possible for us to receive forgiveness of our sins and reconciliation with God (Romans 5:8). The cross is thus transformed into a symbol of life and love.

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.