Icons 101
Some Questions: What is an icon? Where do they come from? What are they used for? How do you look at them? What do you see in them?
What is an icon? In everyday usage, Computer button Sports logo Person .
A (religious) icon is a holy image • Jesus • Mother of God • a holy person (saint) • story from Old or New testament • stories from nonbiblical tradition (or legend) • feasts of the church
Virgin of Vladimir, 12th century
Saint Nicholas
Nativity of Christ, Andrei Rublev, 1405 AD
Transfiguration – 12th c., St. Catherine Monastery, Sinai Desert
The Dormition
Exaltation of the Holy Cross, 20th century
“Not Made By Hands”
Where do they come from? Holy Land a Byzantine Empire a Russia a West iconoclasm Bolshevism
Conventions for Representation Ensure Consistency Over Time 6th century 17th century 20th century Conventions for Representation Ensure Consistency Over Time
What are they used for? • Proclaiming the Gospel • Personal Devotion • Liturgical Services
How do you look at icons? How do you understand icons?
Halo extends into frame Influence extends beyond heaven into the world Icons contain “clues” Halo extends into frame Influence extends beyond heaven into the world
Cross in his halo Only Jesus has it Icons contain “clues” Cross in his halo Only Jesus has it
an abbreviation for Ιησούς Χριστός Jesus the Christ Icons contain “clues” IC XC an abbreviation for Ιησούς Χριστός Jesus the Christ
“Tell them I AM sent you” Icons contain “clues” A I M = I AM (literally, He who is) “Tell them I AM sent you” Jesus is God
Icons contain “clues” ο Παντοκράτορας Pantocrator Lord of the universe
Icons contain “clues” Colors Gold background = Heavenly light Red robe = Jesus’ humanity Blue cloak = Jesus’ divinity
Icons contain “clues” Gesture of blessing (image reversed) I C X
an abbreviation for ΜETER QEOU Icons contain “clues” MP ΘΥ Mother of God
Stars on shoulders and forehead Icons contain “clues” Stars on shoulders and forehead = Mary’s perpetual virginity
Icons contain “clues” Purple robe Gold trim = royalty
The Iconostasis — a Vision of the Heavenly Jerusalem
An icon beckons the viewer through its plane into the divine light It is a window into heaven