Continuing with our discussion of all things magical and mystical, today’s entry is a sacred relic about which there has been much talk and controversy: The Shroud of Turin.
The Shroud is a piece of linen bearing the likeness of a man who has suffered physical injuries that bear likeness to those which would occur from a crucifixion.
Over the years tests have been performed on small bits of the Shroud for purposes of carbon-dating it and analyzing the various blood stains, pollen, textiles, etc. which made up the shroud.
In 1988, tests to date the Shroud indicated that it likely came from the Middle Ages, possibly from around 1260 and 1390. Additional tests show the presence of iron commonly used in pigments, and yet pigments do not form the image. Although there is blood, DNA testing was not possible and so no one knows if the blood belongs to the man covered by the Shroud or to someone handling the Shroud. Images of flowers pressed onto the Shroud as well as the pollens suggests that the shroud does come from Jerusalem and/or the Middle East. Analysis of the man confirm injuries consistent with crucifixion, but some question the proportions of the forehead, arms and legs as being out-of-sync.
But here’s the thing about the Shroud. No one, and I mean no one, can explain how the image got there.
The image has 3-D qualities that cannot be explained by saying that somehow someone in the Middle Ages was able to create a photograph on the linen. Tests have shown that the image does not contain any pigments and so it cannot be attributed to a painting. Various scientists have tried to recreate the image on similar textiles, but have not been able to do so and match the known physical properties of the image.
Many surmise that it took a great deal of energy, a source which is too high to reproduce in a laboratory, to create the image.
Energy. It’s all around us and in us. Is it possible that the person in the shroud possessed incredible energy that was released at death or as some Christians believe, at the moment of resurrection?
What’s your take on this? Have you been to Turin to see the Shroud?
Thank you so much! I’m going to find lots of other fun things like this to talk about. Glad you are enjoying it.
I saw a show on the discovery channel that showed this & they did a image of what Jesus may look like other people were trying to get the image, but they did it with the understanding that the cloth does not lay flat but around the body. It was a great show & the image they feel looks like him is pretty accurate to statues that we have & see today. As a catholic I believe what I am told but love the scientist’s point of view & they now seem to think it is real. My favorite cloth story is Guadalupe I love to hear it every dec. 12th. I have not seen that but my grandmother has. We saw a life size photo at our church but that isnt the real thing. Have a nice day it is pouring in Buffalo NY today so I will be reading.
So sorry to hear it is pouring! It’s getting overcast here and rain is supposed to be on the way.
Can you tell us the story about the cloth of Guadalupe?
A peasant Juan Diego saw a vision of a girl with light around her, she told him to build a church. He told the bishop about this but they did not believe him & needed proof. She told him to go on top of the mountain & get proof. There were roses & they should not have grown there because it was winter. He picked them put them in his poncho & showed it to the bishop. When he open the ponch the roses fell to the ground and an image of the virgin of guadalupe was on it. It can be seen today in a church in Mexico. The celebrated day is Dec. 12th & here in Buffalo we have a feast at church to celebrate.
Very interesting! Just like the Shroud. Have they ever tested the cloth (like you, the scientist in me wants to know)?
That one I can’t answer. But they did say the material of the poncho should have disintigrated by now. And I think they consider that a miracle in itself. I am having a ball with your questions, my mom & I love this stuff. I would read a book just about your blogs.