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How To Read Religious Icons


As any fan of the book and the film *The DaVinci Code* knows, Christian symbolism in general and Catholic symbolism in particular is aware that church symbols are part of a language. This language of hidden meanings and devotion is one that most believers don't know and, if they do know about it, can't read it.
Icons--artistic portraits of Christ, Mary and the saints--are a good place to start learning the history of this language of symbols.
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1. Step 1
Look for tools of the trade. In their icons, saints will often hold objects that symbolize some of the work they did in life. For example, St. Cyril will often hold a scroll covered with the alphabet he created for the Russian people--the Cyrillic Alphabet. St. Cosmas and St. Damien were doctors and are often depicted with medical objects.
2. Step 2


2. Step 2
Study the head. Headgear can also tell the viewer a great deal about the figure in the icon. Mary is the only icon allowed to have stars on her forehead and shoulders; Jesus is the only one who wears a cruciform halo. The figure's eyes are usually disproportionally large to symbolize that they are windows to the soul. The mouth is small, admonishing viewers to contemplate God quietly .


Study the head. Headgear can also tell the viewer a great deal about the figure in the icon. Mary is the only icon allowed to have stars on her forehead and shoulders; Jesus is the only one who wears a cruciform halo. The figure's eyes are usually disproportionally large to symbolize that they are windows to the soul. The mouth is small, admonishing viewers to contemplate God quietly .
3. Step 3


3. Step 3
Notice other objects or animals. A lamb in an icon always symbolizes the presence of Christ, the Lamb of God.
4. Step 4


4. Step 4
Consider the source of light. In traditional paintings, the source of light is external such as the sun, a candle or a lamp. In an icon, the source of light is the figure itself such as Christ or the saint. This symbolism suggests that the figure does not cast a shadow on any other object in the icon, which can make the painting look odd to those not accustomed to this standard. The halo around the figure's head, then, is not from above but emanates from the figure itself.


Consider the source of light. In traditional paintings, the source of light is external such as the sun, a candle or a lamp. In an icon, the source of light is the figure itself such as Christ or the saint. This symbolism suggests that the figure does not cast a shadow on any other object in the icon, which can make the painting look odd to those not accustomed to this standard. The halo around the figure's head, then, is not from above but emanates from the figure itself.
5. Step 5


5. Step 5
Read the hands. The position of the hands and even the fingers have significance in a religious icon. The "blessing hand," where the fingers spell the Greek characters for J and C, is particularly important. If the hand is pointed outward to the viewer, it is a sign of blessing. If the hand is pointed in toward the figure, it means "the kingdom of God is within you."


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