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The Jewish religion had been traditionally represented since the ninth century by the female figure of Synagogue in Crucifixion scenes. It had no negative associations at that time and had, as its pair, a similar personification of the Christian Church (Ecclesia). But during the twelfth century the figure of Synagogue assumed increasingly negative attributes, anti-Semitic imagery appeared. In the Stavelot portable altar of the mid-twelfth century, Synagogue is blind-folded, symbolic of her refusal to recognize Christ, and she holds the instruments of Christ's Passion - the crown of thorns, the spear, the sponge - in her hands. The responsibility for Christ's crucifixion is laid upon her.
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