When the Latin missionary monks brought Christianity to Ireland in early 400 A.D., they also brought a new way of teaching people Bible stories and prayers. As many people could not read, the monks used pictures and symbols in their writings, as can be seen in the Kells manuscript. On this design the image are of dogs or hounds entwined sometimes these images were incorporated into letters in the manuscript. The hound is a symbol of bravery and courage which is associated with Irish legends – the Hound of Culainn.