Justinian and attendants North wall apse mosaic, San Vitale Ravenna, Italy ca. 547 mosaic

Icons are paintings of Christ, saints and the Madonna and Child. The figures are typically rigid, frontal poses, often with halos and staring wide eyed.

The paintings were done on small wooden panels and sometimes were gilded with gold.

They were believed to possess supernatural powers such as healing the sick and answering prayers. Believers would carry even carry them into battle for protection. Many of the faces of icons were worn away from people kissing the paintings out of devotion.