James,
If you read German, I suggest that you try Doelger's treatment of the
symbolism of octogonal structures in early Christian architecture:
DO"LGER Franz Joseph
Zur Geschichte des altchristlichen Taufhauses, I: Das Okto-
gon und die Symbolik der Achtzahl. In: id., Antike und Chri-
stentum. Kultur- und religionsgeschichtliche Studien, vol.
IV, Mu"nster 1934, p.153-187
There is also an article by R. Staats on Ogdoas as a symbol of resurrection
in _Vigiliae Christianae_ 1972, p.29-52
As to your question, which of the traditional reasons for worshipping the
Holy Rock one should believe, I would say that it is the purpose of this
list to *study* medieval religious beliefs, not to sort out which (if any)
of them are to be shared ;-)
Otfried
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