Those who are soldiers of the temple are of God.
A Whisper from the Past
Dials of church bells almost always use Roman numerals. But if you look closely, you will discover a special detail: the number 4.
Remarkably often, this is not represented as IV , but as IIII.
Coincidence? Certainly not.
The figure IIII is not a mistake, but a conscious choice — a choice of respect and balance. From the Catholic tradition.
In the Middle Ages, ‘IV’ was sometimes seen as an abbreviation of Iesus, the Latin name of Christ.
That name was not written carelessly, and they did not want it to end up on something as commonplace as a clock.
let alone in a place that was exposed to weather, wind or birds.
Out of respect, therefore, the subdued form was chosen: IIII.
In addition, it also offered visual harmony: the four ‘I’s mirror beautifully against the eight in ‘VIII’ — a balance in form and meaning.
In the Protestant tradition, this sensitivity is less pronounced, less use was made of symbolism and abbreviations. There you see the classical Roman IV.
IIII. Not a mistake, but an echo of reverence.
A whisper from the past.
In January 2019, the dials of the Grote Kerk were temporarily taken down,
to be provided with a new layer of gold leaf.
Restored with love, with the past in honour — including the Holy Four.
What piece of manna did you receive today? And do you dare to trust that there will be enough tomorrow?…….
