Icons Flashcards
Who creates icons?
An iconographer creates icons.
What is an icon?
An icon is a religious symbol.
What does an iconographer do before painting an icon?
An iconographer spends time in prayer and meditation, go to confession and communion before painting an icon.
What is the purpose of an icon in the Orthodox Church?
In the Orthodox Church, people use icons to help them communicate with the world of the sacred. They are means of helping the person to focus their prayer and attention to God.
What techniques do iconographers use to capture the spiritual nature of the person they are painting?
Icons are painted on wood in a special style. Some features are enlarged and others reduced.
What is an iconostasis?
An iconostasis is a solid screen, in front of the alter, which divides the church in two. The word iconostasis means the place of icons or pictures. It is usually decorated with icons and pictures and is only done in Orthodox Churches.
What is done to show that icons are an important part of the interior of orthodox churches?
Icons cover the walls and pillars inside the church. Some are placed on special stands inside the entrance and in the worshipping space in the muddle if the church. Ornate oil lamps often hang in front of the icons.
What colours are used in icons and what do the symbolise?
Gold and silver- holiness and power of God
Blue- heaven
Red- royalty
White- presence of God
What symbolises the connection between the human world and the spiritual world of the icon?
The deep border around the edge of the icon.
What features in an icon?
1 Eyes are bigger and wider than normal.
2 Nose is long and narrow.
3 Mouth us small and lips are closed.
4 Hands are long and thin and may be holding something, pointing, or raised in a blessing.
