Dagger or Crucifix?

What do you see?

“Is it a dagger or a crucifix I see 

you hold so tightly in your hands?” 

Blood of Eden, by Peter Gabriel

“Dagger or Crucifix” is an interpretation of Gabriel's lyrics which gives us a very powerful statement on the abuse of power by any organized religion. There is a very prominent vertical slash through the left side of the painting which is rather ambiguous about whether this is a tool for causing injury and possibly death or whether it is a symbol of redemption and everlasting life. The aura surrounding this form glows with the colors that seem to suggest a holy artifact, but the stiletto tipped shaft terminates surrounded by a blood colored splash. The green background suggests there is life beyond either interpretation of the symbol, life after religion, recovery after abuse, healing after war.