SOME ICONOGRAPHY TERMS & SYMBOLS

AARON'S BREASTPLATE: As recorded in Ex. 28; 15-21, God instructs Moses that a breastplate must be made and worn by Aaron, the First High Priest of the Jews. On that breastplate are to be twelve gemstones representing each of the tribes. The Tanakh records these stones as: carnelian, chrysolite, emerald, turquoise, sapphire, amethyst, jacinth, crystal, agate, beryl, lapis-lazuli and jasper.

ANATHEMA(S): Placed by the Orthodox Church, an anathema is the ultimate penalty that Church has and when placed, prohibits that subject from participation in or benefiting from, Church services.

BYZANTIUM: The original name for the center of the Byzantine Empire; later named Constantinople and finally, today, Istanbul (Turkey).

CHILD HOLY ONE: When a Holy One is to be depicted in an icon, he or she is always shown as a miniature adult, possessing all the faculties and qualities (and dress) that the adult became or acquired.

CONSTANTINOPLE: The name given to former Byzantium, by the Emperor Constantine. The name lasted from about 330 C.E. until collapse of the Ottoman Empire in 1930 C.E.

CROWN: A crown symbolizes martyrdom of the icon subject, except when shown on an icon of the Theotokos.

DIPTYCH: A two-part icon, often hinged together.

DORMITION: A term applied only to the Theotokos, indicating Her "falling asleep" in preparation for the assumption of Her soul into Heaven.

EUCUMENICAL COUNCILS: A series of councils of the Eastern and Western Churches.

EXCOMMUNICATION: The ultimate penalty of the Western (later, only the Roman Catholic Church) which, when applied, prohibits the subject from participation in or benefits of services of the Church.

GOD, THE FATHER: The First part of the Trinity. God the Father may not be represented in human form, since He has never been seen by anyone on Earth. In icons, He is inferred as a hand in blessing, descending from a cloud.

GOD, THE HOLY SPIRIT: The Second part of the Trinity usually depicted as a tongue of fire or a dove in flight.

GOLD: Yellow gold is used extensively in iconography and always symbolizes Heavenly light. Usually, only pure (23-carat) gold is used. White gold is often used to denote purity.

GREAT SCHISM: The split that occurred in 1054 C.E. between the Eastern Church (later to be called the "Orthodox Church") and the Western Church, later to be called the "Roman Catholic" Church and from which, many other separations would later occur.

HALO: A circle of light surrounding the head and shoulders of a Holy One. Usually circular and solid, rather than the open circlet often shown in Western art. In some icons, the light is almond-shape and encompasses the whole body; this is referred to as a Mandorla
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HEAVENLY LIGHT: A light that emanates from Heaven and usually represented by the use of pure gold either around the head or a Holy one (as in a halo or nimbus) around the whole body as in a mandorla, or as the icon's background.

HOLY (HEAVENLY) MESSENGERS: Angels shown with staffs or wands of office in their hands. The wand is usually topped with a Cross. If the Messengers are not carrying a staff, their hands are covered by long sleeves or a cloth as they approach the Holy One.

ICON: Literally, an "image" now most often used only with respect to the panels on which a Holy one or Biblical scene is depicted.

ICONOCLASTS: A group of Christians who declared that icons and the veneration of them, were idolatrous and who for a period from about 726 C.E. until 843 C.E. destroyed icons and often, iconographers also.

ICONOGRAPHER: A person who has studied the Scriptures and historic Church Canons and technical techniques for rendering a painting of a Holy One or Biblical scene. Literally, a combination of two Greek words "eikon" and "graphia" meaning, "to write an image".

"IC - XC": Symbols always shown in an icon of Christ, they denote the abbreviation in Greek of the name, Jesus Christ. When Christ is shown blessing, the fingers of His right hand are formed into a representation of those initials.

LAPIS-LAZULI: A bluish gem-stone, sometimes flecked with gold, which, when ground into a powder and mixed with a medium, creates a paint used in icons to represent Heaven. The stones themselves may also be used to represent Heaven.

MANDORLA: An almond-shape effusion of Heavenly light, symbolized by use of pure gold, usually only found in icons of Christ.

MOUNTAINS: When included in an icon, they are "shorthand" for establishing that the action takes place outdoors.

"MP - OY": An approximation of the Greek symbols in abbreviation of the name "Mother of God" and always included in an icon of the Theotokos.

NICAEAN COUNCIL(S): A series of Ecumenical Councils held in Nicaea, (hence, Nicaean Council); the Second of which produced the solution to the iconoclast's concerns and ended that movement. This Council also promulgated the Nicaean Creed.

NIMBUS: Another term for a halo (see above).

OKLAD: A cover, usually of some precious metal, often formed to show only the face, hands and sometimes feet, of an icon's subject. Originally designed to protect the icon, they often became quite lavish, frequently encrusted with gem-stones to demonstrate the gratitude (and wealth) of the donor.

PANTOKRATOR: A Greek term, literally meaning "All-Ruler" or "All Powerful" and used to describe a particular presentation of Christ in an icon.

PEARLS: Symbols of peace and purity, pearls are often used to adorn icons of the Theotokos and other female Holy Ones.

PROTOTYPE: The original (or as close as may be available) icon approved by Orthodox Church authorities for a person or event. All iconographers are required to revert to the prototype when re-creating an icon.

RED GARMENTS/CAPE: These garments are usually shown on a martyr, with the red cape usually found on soldier-Saints and worn over the armor that depicts their soldier status.

RIZA: Another name for the form of cover on an icon.

STARBURST(S): Every icon of the Theotokos will show three starbursts, one on each of Her shoulders (often one is hidden by the Christ-child) and one on Her forehead. These represent the Theotokos' virginity before, during and after the Birth of Christ.

SOUL: The soul of a Holy One when shown in an icon, takes the form of the adult Saint in miniature, often shown in white burial winding sheets, and in the hands of Christ in Heaven.

TANAKH: The Hebrew name for the Torah, or Books of Moses.

THEOTOKOS: The name and Title for the Virgin Mary, literally translating to "Mother of God". It is in this form that the Virgin is always shown accompanied by Christ…the Virgin is never shown alone in an icon.

TORAH: The Books of Moses; often called "The Law" forming the basis of Judaism's teachings and practices.

TRIPTYCH: A three-part icon, usually hinged together.

TWELVE TRIBES OF JUDAH: Rev. 21 describes the twelve tribes and their functions, that comprise Judah and explains the symbolism of a gem-stone associated with each of the tribes. In describing the walls surrounding New Jerusalem, Exodus also states that there are twelve gates, one for each tribe. Aaron's breastplate was said to contain each of the tribe's gem-stones.

TWELVE GEMSTONES OF AARON: Please refer to Aaron's Breastplate (above) for this explanation.