Liam Carter
There are several legends about the Romani people and the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. One legend claims that a Romani blacksmith made the nails for the cross upon which Jesus was crucified. This legend states that the Romani people were condemned by God to wander the earth and never settle. Another variant of this legend claims that a Romani blacksmith stole one of the four nails needed for the crucifixion, thus sparing Jesus's heart, and for this deed, God granted the Romani people the right to take what they needed on their journeys.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Nails | 3 or 4 |
| Theft of Nails | One nail was stolen by a Gypsy woman, leaving three nails for the crucifixion |
| Gypsy Reward | God granted the Gypsy's descendants the right to steal |
| Nail Placement | Two in the hands, one in the feet, and the fourth in the heart |
| Byzantine Crucifix | Earliest known three-nail crucifix dates to the 12th century |
| Gypsy Skills | Gypsies were skilled blacksmiths |
| Gypsy Stereotypes | Filmmaker George Eli explores Gypsy stereotypes in his film "Searching for the 4th Nail" |
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What You'll Learn
A Gypsy woman stole one of the nails
There are several legends and superstitions surrounding the Romani people and the nails used in the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. One such legend claims that a Gypsy woman stole one of the nails that were to be used in the crucifixion. This tale originates from a letter written by M. Bataillard in 1880, in which he recounts a conversation with an Alsatian Gypsy woman named Reinhart. According to Reinhart, her people, the "Manousch" or Gypsies, were present at the Crucifixion and took one of the four nails intended for Jesus' hands and feet. This resulted in Jesus being crucified with only three nails, a single one for both feet.
The Lithuanian Gypsies share a similar counter-legend, stating that stealing has been permitted for them by the crucified Jesus. They believe that because they stole one of the nails, God allowed them to steal, and it is not considered a sin for them. This belief offers an explanation for the transition from four-nailed crucifixes to three-nailed ones during the 12th and 13th centuries.
The idea that a Gypsy woman stole one of the nails contrasts with another widespread superstition. This superstition suggests that a Gypsy blacksmith forged the nails for the crucifixion, leading to a curse upon his race. This belief was first recorded by Dr. B. Bogisic in an article published in 1874. It was also mentioned in "Le Folklore de Lesbos" by G. Georgeakis and Léon Pineau in 1891, which included a plaintive poem about the Virgin Mary witnessing the crucifixion.
The Romani crucifixion legend has two versions. One version, the condemnatory tale, states that a Romani blacksmith made the nails for Jesus' cross, and as a result, the blacksmith and his kin were condemned to wander the earth endlessly. The other version, the laudatory tale, aligns with the story of the Gypsy woman stealing one nail. It claims that a Romani stole the fourth nail, which was meant for Jesus' heart, to repair his cart. This act supposedly granted the Romani people divine permission to commit petty theft when necessary.
These legends and superstitions have been widely circulated, with variations appearing in regions such as Lesbos, Scotland, Alsace, and Lithuania. Despite their enduring power, it is important to recognize that these stories are not based on historical facts, as Jesus was crucified long before the ancestors of today's Romani people left India.
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The transition from four nails to three in crucifixes
In his letter from December 1880, M. Bataillard mentions a superstition held by the Reinhart family, a group of Alsatian Gypsies. According to this belief, one of their ancestors, a Gypsy woman, stole one of the four nails intended for Jesus' crucifixion. This legend is also echoed by the Lithuanian Gypsies, who claim that Jesus permitted them to steal because they were present at his crucifixion and took one of the nails.
These counter-legends offer a potential explanation for the transition from four nails to three in crucifixes during the 12th and 13th centuries. The idea is further supported by the fact that the earliest known crucifix with only three nails is believed to be of Byzantine workmanship from the end of the 12th century. If the Byzantine Gypsies indeed had a metallurgical monopoly at that time, it would suggest that the three nails were a deliberate choice and a protest against the notion that a Gypsy forged the nails used in the crucifixion.
However, it is important to note that the number of nails used in the crucifixion has been a subject of speculation for centuries. Triclavianism, the belief that three nails were used, has been considered heretical by some, including Pope Innocent III who declared that four nails were used. This belief is supported by saints such as Cyprian, Augustine, and Gregory of Tours, among others. On the other hand, figures like St. Gregory Nazianzen, Nonnus, and the author of the Ancren Riwle speak of three nails only.
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The Byzantine Gypsies' metallurgical monopoly
The Byzantine Empire, which was once the most powerful economy in the world, had a metallurgical industry that was partly operated by the Roma people, also known as Byzantine Gypsies. The Roma, who originated in India, were settled in the Byzantine Empire, as well as in Ragusa, the Venetian colonies, and Ottoman Constantinople. They were metalworkers, smiths, and nail makers, as evidenced by a 1491 account by Dieter von Schachen, who observed their work in Modon.
The Byzantine state had strict control over its economy, including internal and international trade, and retained the monopoly over coinage. It also had the power to intervene in other sectors, such as setting interest rates and regulating guilds and corporations. One of these important guilds was the silk industry, which was an imperial monopoly with processing limited to imperial factories. Raw silk was bought from China and crafted into fine brocades and cloth-of-gold, which commanded high prices worldwide.
The Byzantine Gypsies, or Roma, were an integral part of the metallurgical industry in the Byzantine Empire. Their skills as metalworkers and nail makers, as mentioned by von Schachen, suggest that they played a significant role in metalworking and nail production within the empire.
The idea that the Byzantine Gypsies possessed a metallurgical monopoly during the 12th century has been proposed. This suggestion stems from the existence of a Byzantine crucifix made of copper and featuring only three nails, which dates from the end of the 12th century. The theory posits that if the Byzantine Gypsies held a metallurgical monopoly at that time, this crucifix would have been crafted by their hands, and the use of three nails would serve as a protest against the belief that a Gypsy forged the nails for Jesus's crucifixion.
The impact of the Byzantine Gypsies' metallurgical skills extended beyond the economic realm. There was a widespread superstition that a Gypsy had forged the nails for Jesus's crucifixion, leading to the belief that their race had been cursed by heaven. This superstition was recorded as early as 1874 by Dr. B. Bogisic in his article "Die slavisirten Zigeuner in Montenegro." Additionally, Gypsy folk tales from Lithuania and Alsace mention that a Gypsy woman stole one of the nails used in the crucifixion, resulting in Jesus being crucified with only three nails. These tales offer a counter-legend to the curse belief, suggesting that Jesus permitted stealing by the Gypsies as a result of their presence at the crucifixion and their act of stealing one of the nails.
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The origin of the myth of Romany blacksmiths
According to the myth, the Gypsies either stole one of the four nails used to crucify Jesus, or they made four nails but kept one for themselves. This resulted in Jesus being crucified with only three nails, a single one for the two feet. The Lithuanian Gypsies believe that stealing has been permitted for them by Jesus because they stole one of the nails, and therefore, God allowed it and does not consider it a sin.
The occurrence of this legend and its counter-legend in regions like Lesbos, Scotland, Alsace, and Lithuania suggests its antiquity. The legend also provides a possible explanation for the transition from four nails to three in crucifixes during the 12th and 13th centuries.
The association between Gypsies and blacksmithing is further evidenced by the Romani surname Petulengro, which means "person who makes horseshoes." Additionally, the word "tinker," which has become associated with Gypsies and Travellers, especially in Ireland and Scotland, originates from whitesmithing, the opposite of blacksmithing.
The myth of Romany blacksmiths has been perpetuated and adapted over time, with some Gypsies believing that they are descended from the blacksmith who aided the Romans in crucifying Jesus and that they should be respected by non-Gypsies as a result. However, it is worth noting that this belief is not universally accepted within the Gypsy community.
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The Gypsy's right to steal
There are several legends and superstitions surrounding the role of Gypsies in the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. One legend suggests that a Gypsy blacksmith forged the four nails used in Jesus' crucifixion and stole one of them, sparing Jesus' heart. This legend holds that God then granted the Gypsy's descendants the right to steal when necessary. This belief is reflected in a film titled "Searching for the 4th Nail," which explores Romani culture and challenges stereotypes.
Another variation of the legend claims that a Gypsy woman walked by as Jesus was about to be crucified and stole one of the nails intended for his feet, resulting in Jesus being crucified with only three nails. This story is recorded in a letter from M. Bataillard dated December 16, 1880, and is also mentioned by Mieczyslaw Dowojno-Sylwestrowicz in "The Lithuanian Gypsies and their Language" (1889).
The idea that Gypsies played a role in Jesus' crucifixion has led to superstitions about their race being accursed by heaven. However, some interpret the nail theft as a reason for a boon from God, sparing Jesus additional suffering. The transition from four nails to three in crucifixes during the 12th and 13th centuries may be influenced by these legends, as the Byzantine Gypsies were known for their metallurgical skills.
While these stories are not universally accepted, they have persisted and spread across regions, reflecting the ancient origins of such beliefs. The legends surrounding the "fourth nail" have become intertwined with Gypsy culture and identity, influencing their perception in popular culture and media.
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Frequently asked questions
There is a Romani legend that a Romani blacksmith made the nails for the cross upon which Jesus Christ was crucified.
Some sources say the Romani blacksmith made four nails, but only three were used because one was stolen by a Romani woman. Other sources say the blacksmith made five nails and kept one.
The Romani woman wanted to prevent the crucifixion of Jesus. As a reward, God granted the Romani people the moral right to commit petty thefts for things they need while travelling.
