The pictures on the greater Jelling stone

The Greater Jelling Stone, a pivotal artifact at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Jelling Mounds, Runic Stones and Church, reveals a sophisticated Christian iconography that likely reflects the influence of Ottonian German missionaries. The stone's three carved surfaces—one bearing a runic inscription mentioning King Harald Blåtand and Denmark's conversion, another depicting an animal entwined with a snake, and the third showcasing the earliest Scandinavian image of Christ—are interpreted as a diptych symbolizing the Trinity (God the Father and God the Holy Spirit) united in the redemption of mankind. This interpretation draws from early Christian sources, particularly Pope Gregory the Great's writings, suggesting that the stone's design was deliberately crafted to convey theological harmony rather than conflict. The study proposes that Christ is depicted ascending to heaven, reinforcing the unity of the Trinity.

Wood, R. (2014). The pictures on the greater Jelling stone. Danish Journal of Archaeology, 3(1), 19–32. https://doi.org/10.1080/21662282.2014.929882