Kiot is not just an icon decoration. It has an ancient history and carries a semantic and functional load. Even in ancient times, representatives of different religions used icon cases to store all kinds of relics and scrolls. They protected items from dust and moisture, thereby extending their life. Today, the kiot is a frame for icons that can be seen in a church church. A special atmosphere is created inside it, which prevents any negative influence of the environment on the sacred image. In addition, one glance at such a handmade masterpiece as an icon case wakes up respect not only for religion, but also for the skillful hands of a person, his ingenuity, craftsmanship, fantasy and spirituality.
Types of icon cases
The kiot can be wall or floor. It depends on where exactly the icon is located. As a rule, in most temples you can see portable icon cases or, as they are also called, cabinets in the form of pencil cases or boxes that are designed for storage.holiday icons on the central lectern. They can be fully closed or open.
Often, in addition to framing, glass is used. Such an icon case is intended for especially valuable images. The kiot for the icon can be quite simple, without glass and all kinds of decorations. But in churches, as a rule, there are beautiful icon cases, richly decorated with carvings. The style of the temple, the appropriateness of decorating a particular sacred image, as well as its location determine how the icon cabinet will be designed.
What should be the right kiot?
To make a high-quality and durable frame for an icon, you need to know a few important nuances. The most important thing is the space between the glass and the image, which should remain after the icon is inserted into the kiot. It should be two or three centimeters. To fix the icon inside the icon case, use wooden blocks, corrugated cardboard or thick paper.
Kiot is also the protection of the icon. Therefore, to preserve the holy face for many years, glass is used, not plastic. The latter sags over time, which negatively affects the state of the image. In addition, harmful bacteria and mold develop under the plastic, which destroy the paint.
What do you need to know to make an kiot at home?
The kiot for the icon can be made at home. It is not as difficult as it seems at first glance. To do this, stock up on wooden boards, carpentry tools, glass and fittings. You also need to purchasestain, varnish and paint. First of all, it is necessary to decide for which icon the kiot will be made, and where it will be installed. Lighting of the location of the icon case should also be taken into account. Based on all this, you need to choose the future color shade to frame the image. You also need to clarify what kind of deity will be, floor or table. Another important point is the number of images that will be placed in the kiot.
The first stage of making the icon case
To make an icon case with your own hands, you need to measure the dimensions of the icon. Next, you need to properly design the icon case: make a drawing and put down the dimensions. After that, you can start drawing a sketch of decorative elements. The best tree for making a goddess is pine or linden. For the frame of the icon case, you can use pine, and for the decorative elements of the thread - linden. Homemade kiot can be made from birch, ash or fruit trees.
Between the icon itself and the glass sash there should be an air gap, which is equal to the sum of the thickness of the icon board and the protruding part of the dowels. The main thing is that this value should be at least two centimeters. The dowels should not rest against the walls of the icon case. A gap of one centimeter is usually left between the edge of the dowel and the wall of the chapel.
Second stage
When making such an ornament as a kiot for an icon with your own hands, it is necessary to take into account the bend of the warped board from which the image is made. In an inner framea wooden deity should make a curly cut for this bend. The stock should be up to two centimeters. Next, inside the wooden cabinet, you need to stick a velvet strip. After all, the holy face should not come into contact with the icon case. Otherwise, the icon board may jam.
After these manipulations, it is necessary to fix the icon in the icon case. This is done using small wooden blocks or thick cardboard liners. At this point the glass can be inserted. The next step is to cover the icon case with a stain, and then a layer of varnish or paint. Ready. Hardware can be installed. It should not be forgotten that the kiot is not only an ornament for the icon. He protects the holy image, which must be treated with due respect. Having made an icon case, you can protect an icon, valuable not only in material, but also in spiritual terms, from the adverse effects of the environment.
