Icon - what is it? Ancient icons and their meaning. What are nominal icons?

2024 Author: Miguel Ramacey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 06:11

The icon is a very important part of Christianity. Translated from Greek, this word means "image". Usually the icons depict various saints, the Mother of God, Jesus Christ, or actions that took place in ancient times and are described in the Holy Scriptures.

General information about icons, their spiritual value

The face depicted on the icon is not the Lord God. It is believed that it is intended only to remind the one praying about the Deity. Therefore, they write on the icon not a face, but a face. Very important in it are the eyes, which reflect the depth of the soul. No less significant are the hands, the gestures of which carry a certain meaning.

The rest of the figure is very airy, as it is designed to show inner strength. This is what the emphasis is on.

In a certain period of time, a religious theme became popular among artists. And now it seems to be - a picture and an icon on the same topic, the same saint is depicted on it, for example. But on the first canvas there is spirituality, but on the second it is not. Therefore, when icon painting is required to comply with long-written canons, which exclude random details. Each piece contains a certainsemantic and spiritual load.

An icon in terms of history

The appearance of icons dates back to the 1st century A. D. It is believed that the first of them was created by Luke, who wrote one of the parts of the Gospel. According to the second version, the oldest image is the imprint of the face of Jesus Christ, when he kissed the towel while washing.

Anyway, the oldest images found were dated to the 6th century. They were made in the Byzantine Empire, which had a great influence on the writing of icons. In it, but much later, the canons for writing images were written.

The history of icons has different periods. There were persecutions, and flourishing, and changes in the style of writing. Each of the images reflects its time, each is unique. There are a lot of icons exuding myrrh, tears, blood, healing the sick in difficult times. They are revered as the greatest shrines.

How icons are made

An icon is an important symbol for a believer, so the process of its creation is reflected in the long-described canons that have been preserved to this day. Creating an image is not a quick matter, it takes at least three months for this.

Creating an icon has some steps that are strictly followed:

• Choosing wood and making a board that will be the base.
• Then the surface is prepared. This is necessary in order for the image to remain unchanged for a long time. For this, several steps are taken. First, they make a serration, then apply liquid glue,after - a primer (levkas). The latter should be applied several times and allowed to dry well, then sanded. Often, before a layer of gesso, a pavoloka or sickle (special fabric) is glued.
• The next step is drawing. This is not the final image - just an outline. It should then be squeezed out with something sharp so that it does not get lost among other layers.
• If the icon will be gilded, then it should be applied right now, at this stage.
• Now you need to prepare the paint. To paint the icon, you need to take natural ones.
• First paints are applied in one color, on the background and line elements.
• Then comes the painting. The first to process dolitic elements (landscape, clothes), after which they paint personal details (hands, feet, face). They also sign the icon (who is depicted on it).
• The final touch is drying oil or varnish.

Then the icon must be consecrated.

The importance and meaning of icons in the temple

All the icons in the temple have their own meaning, they are in their place. The iconostasis is immediately visible to those entering the church. This is a wooden wall that is in front of the temple altar. On it are images of the life of Christ, a description of his suffering.

You should know that each icon hangs in its place for a reason. In the center there is always the so-called Deesis row, in which there are numerous saints, martyrs. In its center is the icon of Christ the Almighty. Above are festive images, including scenes from the New Testament.

In the center of the iconostasis areThe Royal Doors, behind which is the altar. On the sides are images with the faces of Christ and the Mother of God. There is also a lower tier, which is filled with icons of saints, as well as images of holidays, which are more revered here.

Speaking about what icons mean in the church, one can note their importance in various ceremonies, in reminding the Lord of the believers. Some have a special status as healers of ailments, fulfilling worldly desires. They are also addressed with gratitude for their help.

It is therefore believed that the icons in the church are intermediaries. Believers know that by making a sincere request to the saints depicted on them, one can expect help.

The most ancient and ancient icons

In Christianity, there are especially revered images that have come to us since ancient times. They are the link between the time when the events described in the Bible took place and ours. These ancient icons in the original are mainly kept in museums, but they were often rewritten for other churches.

For example, the oldest icon of John the Baptist, which dates back to the 6th century, is kept in the Kiev Museum of Western and Oriental Art. It was made using the technique of those times - encaustics. It was she who was used to paint ancient icons in Byzantium.

Also, one of the oldest surviving images is the painting of the Apostles Peter and Paul. The date of its creation is the 11th century. Now it is stored in the Novgorod Museum. It is not completely preserved: the hands, faces and feet have not retained the original paint. However, the contours were updated during the restoration.

Existingthe icon of St. George, which is kept in the Assumption Cathedral in Moscow, is believed to date from the end of the 11th - the beginning of the 12th century. The preservation of this relic is good.

Ancient icons are an important legacy of Christianity. Each of them has its own special history, writing technique. A study of the icons shows what materials were then used to create them. Unfortunately, very few of those first images have survived, as there were periods of their mass destruction.

It should also be noted that the author was rarely credited at the time. This indicated that the image was still important in icon painting.

Inscribed icons

This is a separate category of images in Christianity. Usually personalized icons are purchased at baptism, then they must be kept throughout life. It would be even better if you hang such an image over the baby's bed so that it protects him from harm.

You should know that nominal icons are those that depict a saint in whose honor a person was baptized. Usually such an image is chosen by the name of the child. If there is none among the saints, then one should take the one that is most suitable. Thus, the child has a heavenly patron.

In ancient times, such icons were ordered specifically for the birth or baptism of a child. They were called measured and were made in the size of a baby.

Nominal icons are not the only ones used for special occasions. There are also:

• wedding icons - used during the ceremony in the church;
• family - they can depict saints, nameswhich correspond to family members, they are usually passed down from generation to generation;
• those that should be on the home iconostasis;
• icons of family revered saints.

The most famous icons of the Mother of God

Special attitude in icon painting to the female image, namely to the Mother of God. Her icons are very revered by believers, often have miraculous power. Each of them has its own meaning. Any such icons (there is a photo in the article) are very original.

• Kazan Icon of the Mother of God. She was found on July 8, 1579 on the ashes of a burnt house in Kazan. This icon is considered healing.
• Iberian Icon of the Mother of God. For the first time, it became known about it around the 9th century, when a miracle happened, and blood poured out of it. After that, it was found on Athos 200 years later. Prayer before this icon helps during difficult circumstances, for healing or increasing soil fertility.
• Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God. It is believed that the Evangelist Luke wrote it. Now kept in Russia. This icon is very revered among mothers. She helps in prayer for children, for their healing. Women who want to become mothers also pray to her.
• Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God. One of the oldest, dates back to around the 11th century. Today it is stored in the Tretyakov Gallery. They pray to this icon during wars, to strengthen faith. It also helps during illnesses (both mental and bodily). It is believed that this icon is the guardian of the house and the protector inworldly affairs.

There are other images of the Mother of God that are prayed to. Each icon is a special protection and help of this female image in Christianity.

Icon of Nicholas the Wonderworker

Nicholas the Wonderworker is no less revered saint in the Christian world. They turn to him on various issues - from bodily diseases to the cessation of quarrels and hostilities. He lived in the III-IV centuries and already during his lifetime became famous for great deeds. There are numerous icons of him, photos of which illustrate his spirituality.

The oldest image of the saint dates back to the 11th century and is located on Mount Sinai, in the monastery of St. Catherine.

Today, in many monasteries and temples there are images of him, which have miraculous properties.

Icons of the Son of God Jesus Christ

One of the first images of Jesus Christ was his imprint on a towel, which miraculously appeared there. In the modern world, he received the name of the Savior Not Made by Hands.

If we talk about the icons of Jesus Christ, there are a lot of them. There are also several forms of writing his images.

• The Savior is a strict face, its writing does not deviate from the canon.
• Savior Almighty - it is believed that this is his main image, which also corresponds to his preaching age.
• Savior Not Made by Hands. It is represented by two types - “Spas on the slab” and “Spas on the skull”.

The image of the Son of God now has some mandatoryelements. This is a halo, a book, outerwear, clav, tunic. An inscription is also required.

His icons and their meaning have a special status in Christianity.

Icons of Sergius of Radonezh

Sergius of Radonezh is one of the most revered saints. During his life he performed many deeds in the name of Christ. His words were reconciling and pacifying.

On the icon, Sergius of Radonezh is depicted as strict, with his right hand raised in blessing. In the left, he holds a scroll as a symbol of knowledge. His icons and their meaning are very important for Christians. They pray to this saint for protection from enemies for the country. It also helps in studying, before an exam, or just during times of difficulty in understanding something.

Myrrh-streaming and miracles of icons

The myrrh-streaming icon is a miracle that does not happen very often. It is believed that this is a warning about something. Also, this phenomenon can be the result of sincere and long prayer.

It is believed that the liquid that the icon releases at this moment is healing. If you anoint the sick, then his illness can go away.

The myrrh-streaming is also the manifestation of the Lord to people who believe. This is his message to them.

Icon prices

In every church shop you can buy icons. Their prices may vary. The most expensive, of course, are the old images that have survived to this day. Many of them are kept in museums or temples. Such icons are usually not sold, only evaluated. For example, the images of the Apostles Peter, Paul, John,The stamp dates back to the 16th century. They are valued at 150 thousand euros.

Also, the cost of an icon will depend on its design. After all, even images painted in our time, but decorated with expensive materials (gold, silver, precious stones), will not be sold cheaply. Their price range can start from 2500 rubles. The cost will depend on the materials.

If you need inexpensive icons, then there are absolutely simple ones in design. They can be purchased at shops near the church. Similar images can be bought at a price of 100 rubles or more.

Rare icons can be purchased at an antique shop or at the sale of a private collection. It is difficult to overestimate such icons and their significance, since for a believer they are truly priceless.