THE SKULL IN ART
Why the skull under the feet of Christ?  This visual symbolism tells the story of redemption clearly for those who knew how to read it. To others it can be very confusing or missed all together. This symbolism is abundantly used in Russian Orthodox art but seems to have been dropped in the last century. 
 
... GENESIS 3:5 ...
I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; He will strike at your head, while you strike at his heel."

READING SYMBOLS IN ART
  The attempt of the Rosary Workshop here is to better understand why the skull was such an important symbol in art and story telling through the centuries - and eventually in rosarymaking during earlier periods of history. Remembering first of all that art was read by its symbols by a people who did not know how to read.  Imagery and tradition were very important. For the Jews, tradition was honored and memorized, to be pass from generation to generation.  It was understood that not a 'jot or tittle' was to be added [even] by the teller. 

For specific information on this tradition, and that of the New Adam, please visit links at bottom of page.

PLACE OF THE SKULL   -   WHO IS THE NEW ADAM?   -   OLD BELIEVERS ICON   -   TWO SKULLS   -   TRADITION OF ADAM    -    TRIPTYCH

 Traditionally, Christ was crucified outside the city walls of Ancient Jerusalem on a hill or a place called the SKULL. GOLGOTHA (Aramaic / Hebrew for Skull) CALVARY: (Latin: Calvaria for "a skull") and KEFALAION (Greek) Excavtions in the 4th century changed the terraine so the Church of the Holy Sepulchre could be built over the holy sites of the crucifixion and the tomb. This place was also well known by the Jews to be the traditioual burial place of Adam, thus the name, Golgatha. This is why we see the name in Scripture.

... JOHN 19:16-17 ...
16 Then he handed him over to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus, 17 and carrying the cross himself  he went out to what is called the Place of the Skull, in Hebrew, Golgotha.

THE NEW ADAM
+Since early times, Jesus is seen as the 'New Adam' ( And Mary as the New Eve ) overcoming the sins of Adam through his passion, death and resurrection. So the skull symbol represents Adam. Rare but seen, two skulls at the bottom of the crucifix, that of Adam and Eve. See  EXAMPLE (also see St Paul's words about the New Adam below:
+ 
1 CORINTHIANS 15:45
45 So, too, it is written, "The first man, Adam, became a living being," the last Adam a life-giving spirit.

 Russian 'Old Believers' Icon Cross with Guardian Saints. Circa 1800s. Bronze.  Heavy casting. Rare miniature size: 2.5 by 3.5". 

CITY OF JERUSALEM
Traditionally, behind the footplate of the cross the walls of the Holy City Jerusalem are shown.  This signifies that Christ was crucified outside the wall of Jerusalem so that his sacrifice would be accessible to the whole world. 

FIRST CROSSBAR
Two angels minister to the crucified Christ. Between the angels there are old Slavonic letters which say "Angels of the Lord".

RIGHT PANEL
St.John the Evangelist and St.longinus the Centurion behold the Glory of Christ. "God the Father" on the top. In the halo of this icon we see three Greek letters which mean "He who is". 

BELOW CHRIST’S FEET
Below the feet of Christ we see the letters IT and MAPB. They stand for The Mount of Golgopha "and" The place of the skull has become Paradise. 

RARE DOUBLE SKULLS ... 
 This is an interesting crucifix with its two skulls (Adam and Eve) under the feet of the Crucified Christ.  It is double sided as reverse is of Christ's baptism. Remember in the (Greek) Orthodox Church the baby is baptized, confirmed and given communion in one rite! This icon crucifix is also a reminder of baptism and communion. The placement of the cross layout and figures match Greek and Russian Icons from the 17 century.  The "Treen" cross follows the icons of events in the life of Christ at His Baptism with the people who witnessed His baptism. For more information:
ADAM AND EVE

A beautiful example from MOTKA filled with rich symbolism. Note God the Father in the clouds on top and the Dove between the two angles just above the Head of Christ, giving the imagery of the triune God. Two more angels are placed on the second crossbar and the skull of Adam rests under the feet of Christ, awaiting the moment of redemption!

This triptych is similar in size as the one we show on the Old Believers site, only it has the two sides still in tact. Opens to:  2 3/4 by 4 1/4". (Kazan Virgin not sure if figures symbolize specific saints or the 12 apostles)