Sophia Delgado
There are several legends about the Romani people and their involvement with the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. One legend claims that a Romani blacksmith made the nails for the cross, and as a result, the Romani people were cursed to wander the earth forever. Another legend states that a Romani woman stole one of the nails to prevent the crucifixion, which is why Jesus was crucified with three nails instead of four. This legend also claims that the Romani people were granted the right to steal by the Virgin Mary or God. These legends are not based in fact, as the Romani people left India long after the crucifixion of Jesus, but they are still important to the Romani culture and history.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Nature of the legend | The Romani/Gypsy crucifixion legend is a story of how a Romani/Gypsy blacksmith made the nails for the cross upon which Jesus Christ was crucified. |
| Variants of the legend | There are several variants of the legend. Some say it was a Gypsy blacksmith who was ordered to make the nails for Jesus' crucifix. Others claim that a Gypsy stole one of the four nails for the Crucifix, which is why Jesus was crucified with three nails. Another version does not condemn blacksmiths and says that God asked a blacksmith to make four nails but only hand over three, as the fourth was intended to pierce Jesus' heart. |
| Regions where the legend is circulated | The legend is circulated in regions such as Lesbos, Scotland, Alsace, and Lithuania. |
| Origin of the legend | The superstition that a Gypsy forged the nails for the crucifixion was first recorded in an article by Dr. B. Bogisic in 1874 and in a book by G. Georgeakis and Léon Pineau in 1891. |
| Relation to art | Paintings of the Crucifixion began showing three nails instead of four around the same time the Gypsies arrived in Europe. |
| Impact on popular culture | The recent serial killer, Joseph Edward Duncan, had a blog named 'The Fifth Nail', which was based on the myth that the Gypsies stole one of the nails used in Jesus' crucifixion. |
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What You'll Learn
The Romani crucifixion legend
One version of the legend states that a Romani blacksmith was ordered to make the nails for Jesus' crucifix. As a result, the Romani people were condemned to wander the earth and never settle. This version of the story is often interpreted as a condemnation of the Romani people, with the act of making the nails being seen as aiding evil.
Another variant of the legend takes a more laudatory stance towards the Romani. In this version, a Romani person steals one of the four nails intended for the crucifixion, preventing it from piercing Jesus' heart. As a result, God grants the Romani people the moral right to commit petty thefts when they need to. This version of the legend is often seen as a justification for Romani cultural practices, such as itinerancy and petty theft.
The legend has been recorded and discussed by various scholars and writers, including Dr. B. Bogisic, G. Georgeakis, and Léon Pineau, M. Bataillard, and Suellen Ocean. It has also been the subject of folkloric and religious studies, with some trying to trace its origins and spread across different regions.
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The Gypsy's role in the crucifixion
There are several legends about the Romani people (Gypsies) and their role in the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. One legend claims that a Romani blacksmith made the four nails used to crucify Jesus. In this version of the story, the Romani people were either condemned to wander the earth and never settle or granted permission to steal by God.
Another legend states that the Romani people were present at the crucifixion and tried to steal the nails to prevent it from happening. In this version, the Virgin Mary blessed them to steal from all nations, and they were permitted to steal without breaking the commandment "Thou shalt not steal". This legend offers a possible explanation for the transition from four nails to three in crucifixes during the 12th and 13th centuries.
The idea that the Romani people were involved in the crucifixion of Jesus has been called a "superstition" and a myth by some. It was first recorded in an article by Dr. B. Bogisic in 1874 and has circulated in Romani communities in Europe. While it is unlikely to be historically accurate, the legend has had a significant cultural impact and continues to be a part of Romani folklore.
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The origin of the myth
The origin of the Romani crucifixion legend can be traced back to various folk tales and legends that have been passed down through generations. One of the earliest recorded mentions of the superstition that a Gypsy was involved with the nails for the crucifixion of Jesus Christ was in an article by Dr. B. Bogisic, "Die slavisirten Zigeuner in Montenegro," published in Das Ausland on May 25, 1874. This was followed by a reference in "Le Folklore de Lesbos" by G. Georgeakis and Léon Pineau in 1891, which included a "Chant du Vendredi Saint," a plaint attributed to the Virgin Mary.
The legend itself has two main variations. The first version, often referred to as the "condemnatory" narrative, asserts that a Romani blacksmith crafted the nails used to crucify Jesus Christ. As a result of this act, the blacksmith and his descendants were cursed to wander the earth eternally and never find peace or rest. This interpretation holds the Romani responsible for the crucifixion and portrays them as accursed by heaven.
The second version, known as the "laudatory" tale, presents a different perspective. In this narrative, a Romani individual steals one of the nails, including the fourth nail intended to pierce Jesus's heart, using it instead for their own purposes. Instead of condemnation, this version suggests that God granted the Romani people the right to steal to meet their needs while travelling. This legend justifies theft as an act of survival rather than a sin.
It is important to note that these legends are not universally accepted within Romani communities and are often recognised as myths. Damian Le Bas, writing for Travellers Times, commented on the absurdity of these stories, highlighting the historical timeline discrepancy, as Jesus was crucified before the ancestors of today's Romanies left India. Nonetheless, the power of these legends persists, reflecting the complex cultural and religious beliefs that have shaped societal perceptions of the Romani people.
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The transition from four nails to three
There are several legends about the role of the Romani people, also known as Gypsies, in the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. One legend claims that a Romani blacksmith made the four nails used in the crucifixion. In this version of the story, the Romani people were either condemned to wander the earth and never settle or granted the right to steal by God.
Another legend, referred to as a "counter-legend", claims that the Romani people stole one of the four nails used in the crucifixion, resulting in Jesus being crucified with three nails. This version of the story is said to explain the transition from four nails to three in crucifixes during the 12th and 13th centuries. The "counter-legend" is mentioned in writings from the late 19th century and is also present in modern Gypsy legends.
The earliest known crucifix with three nails is a copper one of probable Byzantine workmanship, dating from the end of the 12th century. If the Byzantine Gypsies possessed a metallurgical monopoly at that time, this crucifix would have been fashioned by Gypsy hands, and the three nails would be a protest against the calumny that the nails were forged by a Gypsy.
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The Byzantine Gypsies' metallurgical monopoly
The Byzantine Empire, which lasted from approximately 330 CE to 1453 CE, was a period of great cultural, economic, and technological development in the Mediterranean region. During this time, various ethnic and social groups contributed to the empire's prosperity, including the Byzantine Gypsies, who are believed to have held a metallurgical monopoly.
The Byzantine Gypsies, also known as the Roma or Romani people, were renowned for their skills in blacksmithing and metalworking. They played a significant role in the empire's metal industry, particularly in the production and trade of iron and steel. One of the most intriguing aspects of their metallurgical legacy is their association with the nails used in the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
There exists a Romani crucifixion legend that a Byzantine Gypsy blacksmith crafted the nails for the cross upon which Jesus was crucified. This legend has two contrasting narratives. The condemnatory version asserts that the act of creating the nails led to a curse upon the blacksmith and his descendants, condemning them to a life of perpetual wandering. On the other hand, the laudatory version claims that a Gypsy stole one of the nails, and as a result, God granted the Romani people the right to steal when necessary.
Beyond the legends, there are historical and artistic implications that connect the Byzantine Gypsies' metallurgical monopoly with the crucifixion narrative. Firstly, it is worth noting that the earliest known crucifix with three nails instead of four is believed to be of Byzantine workmanship, dating from the end of the 12th century. This change from four nails to three nails in crucifixes during the 12th and 13th centuries coincides with the arrival of the Gypsies in Europe. The transition in artistic depictions could be interpreted as a symbolic protest against the belief that a Gypsy forged the nails for the crucifixion.
Additionally, the spread of these legends across diverse regions, including Lesbos, Scotland, Alsace, and Lithuania, attests to their antiquity and cultural significance. The legends also reflect the societal perceptions and beliefs surrounding the Byzantine Gypsies during that era. While the legends themselves may be mythical, they provide valuable insights into the societal dynamics and cultural beliefs of the time, including the enduring presence of superstition and folklore within communities.
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Frequently asked questions
The Romani crucifixion legend is a story about a Romani blacksmith who made the nails for the cross upon which Jesus Christ was crucified.
There are two versions of the legend. The condemnatory version states that the blacksmith and his kin were condemned to wander the earth and never settle. The laudatory version states that a Romani stole the fourth nail to repair his cart, and ever since God has granted the Romani people the moral right to commit petty thefts.
The superstition was first recorded in an article by Dr. B. Bogisic on 'Die slavisirten Zigeuner in Montenegro' on May 25, 1874.
The origin of the myth is unknown, but it is likely that it emerged within the Romani community due to their history of blacksmithing.
Yes, there are other legends that claim the Gypsies tried stealing the nails out of love for the Lord to prevent his crucifixion. Some legends say that the Holy Virgin Mary blessed them to steal from all nations, giving them permission to steal without breaking the 10th commandment.
