Five Precious Wounds
The Five Precious Wounds
The Five Precious (or Sacred) Wounds are the wounds in the hands, feet and side of Christ that were inflicted at the Crucifixion.
These wounds have been the subject of spiritual devotion, mostly among Roman Catholics, for many centuries. A number of churches are dedicated to the Five Precious Wounds, and many prayers have been written on the theme.
Some altars are decorated with five crosses - one in the centre and one at each corner - to represent the Five Precious Wounds.
In mediaeval times it was calculated that Jesus received a total of 5,466 injuries during the Passion.