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Heraldry - The West Front

The west elevation carries a series of seven shields divided into three sections.

Reading from left to right :The shields show -

1. A central cross dividing the shield into four panels in which are depicted instruments of the passion . The nails are depicted in three panels - and thorns (from the crown of thorns) in the fourth panel.

2. Pomegranates- A symbol of new life and resurrection.

3. The name Clara - The latinate form of Clare

4. The sacred Monogram ihc ( an abbreviation of the name 'Jesus' in Greek )

5. The Monogram of the Blessed Virgin - M and R intertwined -ie Maria Regina . When combined with the crown this shows that Mary is Queen of Heaven.

Shields 6 and 7 are as Shields 2 and 1