I have what is probably a very dumb question:
For Ash Wednesday our Tridentine community had to offer Holy Mass back in the sacristy. My mother attended and brought to my attention the crucifix and what appeared to be wings on Jesus' head. She had never seen it before and I had not either. Looking online I could not find anything until by very lucky chance this Youtube video for Vidi Aquam had this type of crucifix.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JN9Sdv_uXQ
Can someone explain to me what this is?
Thanks!
How interesting! (following)
I would assume that they are "Tongues on Fire" though I am not sure why.
I am not sure, but in the absence of further info, I would guess that it is a cruciform halo consisting of flames, suggesting the fire of divinity. I'd be curious about the age and provenance of the crucifix. At the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in DC, the mosaic of Christ in Majesty in the north apse has a halo with a cross of flames behind His head.
From that video image, you can clearly see three cruciform offshoots. So, if there were three at your ash Wednesday mass, then that would be what it represents.
Thank you everyone for your replies. I guess I can kinda of see the cruciform halo, but its a pretty unique way of representing it. I guess given that no one has offered a conclusive answer to this it seems my question was not as dumb as I thought it to be.