Coptic iconography:colours and symbolism

Timothym

***disclaimer: this topic is about our liturgical symbolism. If you don't care less or think I shouldn't care less and "should just pray", then don't bother commenting on this thread. I want to learn more about our liturgical tradition. Thanks guys :)


Does anyone know the colour scheme of the Coptic iconography? For example, we often see Christ in byzantine icons wearing a red garment (symbolizing His Divinity) covered with a blue/green shawl which symbolizes His Incarnation; while for the Virgin Mary the opposite colour scheme is in effect: blue underneath to symbolize her human nature and the red on top to symbolize how by Christ's incarnation in her womb, she was 'adorned/clothed' with divinity in the sense that Christ was born of/through her (while still remaining fully human of course).

In the Coptic icons, I often see that Christ wears a white garment underneath and then a red shawl-type garment on top, while the Virgin Mary is often clothed in red with a brown over-garment.What, if any, is the symbolism of this?



Of note is the classical/renaissance style coptic icons (which I love as well) of St. Mary with the crown on her head and in this icon she is wearing red underneath and blue on top.
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[/img]
Also, I've heard that the reason why Christ has one finger on his right hand blessing, is to explain the One Incarnate Nature and go in opposition to the supposedly byzantine Christ icons which might make his hands look like He is holding 2 fingers upwards to defend the 2 natures:human and divine; however the meaning of this sign is that He is signing out the name of Jesus Christ  in letters (IC XC)...it has nothing to do with natures. So I was basically told that at some point there was a misunderstanding of this symbolism as Greek was used less in later centuries.

Timothym

that last image:

Holmes

+ Irini nem ehmot,

Coptic Iconography
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Introduction

Iconography began with the intention of educating both the converts and the believers of the church.  It is not merely a picture or a drawing, but a spiritual and dogmatic expression.  An Icon is written and not painted.  It is a faithful representation of the Holy Scripture or a biography of a Saint.  Icons in the Church or at home signify the spiritual presence of Christ, the Saints and events of their lives. The iconographers know the rules to project icons that are considered a religious beauty and aimed to embody the visions of faith and hope.  “For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope. For why does one still hope for what he sees?” (Romans 8:24)  Icons are an integral part of the Coptic worship.  They inspire and teach the faithful the mysteries of the Christian Church. It is visual theology.  Icons stand between the material and spiritual realms.

The origin of the work “icon” is in the Greek word “eikon” or the Coptic word "eikonigow.”  Within the Greek Bible, icon appears in the verse, “Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image’... so God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created.” (Genesis 1:26-27)  Also, “He is the image of the invisible God.” (Colossians 1:15)  In other words, the word “icon” is “image” in Greek.  Icons help us learn the mystery of the presence of God in the world.  The image in the icon must be equivalent to the Scripture as a revelation of the truth.





History of Iconography

Historians date the appearance of the iconographic style to the first three centuries of Christianity.  Some archaeologists believe that icons were first popular in people's houses and later began to appear in places of worship, probably at the end of the 3rd century.  Coptic Iconography reached its peak during the 4th and 7th centuries.  This time coincides with Constantine’s official recognition of Christianity.  The Christian converts beginning to appear were illiterate. They had extreme difficulty comprehending the spiritual meanings, the history of the Church, and the events that took place in the Bible.  Therefore, the Church leaders allowed icons to help the people assimilate Christianity and its doctrine aided by visual means.  Patriarch Cyril I, the 24th Coptic Pope, permitted icons to be hung in all the churches of Egypt.

Soon, Christians began to venerate the icon itself and to forget the event or person it portrays.  An icon is meant to be a window into the spiritual world helping us to contemplate spiritual matters, lead us to a prayerful frame of mind, and remind us of events in the Bible, the life of Christ, and the saints.  The icon is NOT to be an object of worship.  Again, we must contemplate the scene within the icon and not bow before it.  We kneel to Jesus Christ, not to pictures.  We kiss these pictures as if kissing the Lord, His Mother, the Disciples who touched Him, and the Saints who precede us to eternal life.  These are our true family:
“Our Father who art in Heaven;” St. Mary the Virgin, Queen, Theotokos, and the Mother of the world; and our never-ending accumulation of brothers and sisters.

History relates that the use of icons in the Church has its Christian roots from the time of Christ::

·      St. Luke was not only a doctor and a Gospel writer, but also an artist.  He painted the icon presenting St. Mary “the Theotokos” holding Baby Jesus in her arms.

·      The early Christian historian, Eusebius of Caesaria (264-340 A.D) mentioned in his book “The History of the  Church” that King Abagar of Edessa  (an area in eastern Iraq) sent a message to the Lord Jesus asking for a visit to heal him from his disease and inviting our Lord to come and live in his kingdom.  The messenger returned with a cloth with Jesus' image imprinted upon it.  The Lord's image healed the king.

·      Another story of early icon use involves the woman who was cured from her twelve year bleeding. (Luke 8:43)

Symbolism of the Coptic Icon

The Savior and the saints must always be depicted facing the worshipper and looking directly toward him.  In Orthodox iconography, the halo is an expression of light radiating from within the saint, as a sign of the holiness he attained by his spiritual striving, supported by the grace of God. Contrary to common practice in painting, the iconographer, starts by putting down the dark colors first and then continues putting more and more light into the icon.  In this manner, he follows the same order of “enlightenment” which proceeds upon our fallen nature, which is in darkness until the light of Christ shines upon it and saves it.  Because the saint has already completed his struggle and has attained victory, then he must be depicted as victorious and joyful, never as weak or full of pain.  Icons depict saints in their glorified state for a two-fold reason: to honor the saint who is portrayed, and to encourage us, who are struggling to emulate their lives.

The Icons seem to be out of proportion to the viewer since the eyes and ears are quite large.  The characteristics of the large and wide eyes symbolize the spiritual eye that looks beyond the material world.  The large ears show ears listening to the Word of God, “If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” (Mk 4:23)  Gentle lips are reminders to glorify and praise the Lord, “My mouth shall praise You with Joyful lips.” (Ps 63:5) The eyes and ears are disproportionably large because a spiritual person spends more time listening to God's word and seeking to do God's will.  Large heads indicate that the individual are devoted to contemplation and prayer.  The mouth is small because it can be the source of empty and harmful words. The nose is also small since it is viewed as sensual.  Notice that when an evil character is portrayed within an icon, it is always in profile since it is not desirable for one to dwell upon, meditate, or make eye contact with such a being.

Use these icons as windows into the spiritual world to achieve a prayerful mindset.  They represent images of the Body of Christ for through Him we are all united.

Source

Timothym

neeever mind, I did some research and luckily found this:

"His inner white robe (for purity) symbolizes His Divine nature while the red outer tunic (symbolizing blood) reveals His humanity."

"In this icon, the Virgin is on the right of Christ. She wears a red garment underneath her cloak signifying her royalty as the Psalm indicates: "..the glory of the daughter of the King is within..." (Ps. 44:13)."

...it doesnt explain the brown vesture, perhaps humanity?

Timothym

Thanks Cephas, that was helpful!

childoforthodoxy

Brown depicts humility, and is also often to color the clothing of monks in icons for the same purpose.

socoolbishoy

Iconography is one topic that our Church fails to teach much about, which is very unfortunate.... but as a person that writes icons, let me share with you some meanings.

Red- glory honor rich, sacrifice
white- purity, divinity
green- sin, and evil
blue- heaven/heavenly
brown- the ground, so humility

now you only have two icon posted in your post, which is of Christ... the other two are not icons but they are just mere pictures.

in Coptic icons, Christ during the time He's on earth, wears red and white, otherwise He only wears white, because He is the sacrifice to save the world, but after His
Resurrection, He has paid the sacrifice and does not need to be offered as a sacrifice anymore!

and will remain wearing white due to His divinity, and His purity.


now when saint Mary wears blue, it is a symbolic color resembling her as the second heaven, and she will wear red, due the fact that her Son is the sacrifice, also because she is
full of glory.... and she will wear brown, because she is from the ground but carried the heavenly who is full glory. also when she wear brown its usually over the red and the blue,
because even though she Carried God in her stomach, she still was humble and went and served Elizabeth in her house, so she didn't boast...

also about saint Mary, she will have three stars, one on the forehead and two on the shoulders, one is sometimes covered by Christ, and that is due to her being a virgin
before during, and after the birth of Christ.

now for the fingers... there are a few meanings... with the two fingers out He does show the IC XC...

but... here are more reasons... in the coptic icons, He puts the tip of the middle finger under the tip of the thumb... which means, each finger is split in three parts, so if you count
from the thumb, there is three, the index finger, there is three, and on for the tip of the middle finger... the total is seven... seven is the number of completion, so He is a complete,
or perfect ONE God (index finger) and complete father son and holy spirit (middle, ring, pinky fingers), one in three, and three in one, and each one is complete...

now if you do the same method... but to the ring finger the total will be TEN... ten is the number of blessing... also a cool fact of number ten, is the tenth letter of every alphabet is
the first letter of the name of Jesus in that language. so when He has the two fingers it is just for blessing... nothing about the natures! if you know HG David, you will find that he
says the final blessing while putting his two fingers out...

also a note about the fingers, the tips of the fingers have to touch, if they don't more than likely the icon is not orthodox....

Timothym

Thanks for the informative reply Superman! Ok that explains more of the Coptic perspective on icons, which is fairly similar to the Byzantine perspective.

Actually I do have 4 icons...the first icon of Christ is a classical rendition of the popular Byzantine theme "Christ blessing". Although it has a classical flair to it,
it is still an icon because of the colour scheme, Christ's hand blessing (IC XC=Isous Christos), the halo with the Cross in it to represent His Divinity,
and the 2 monograms around His head: IC and XC to mean 'Jesus' and 'Christ'. The other classical icon is of the Theotokos holding Christ. The other 2 icons are
the Coptic icons of Christ Enthroned and the Panagia/Theotokos Enthroned.

I didn't know that about the fingers split in the middle..thats interesting. Thanks again!

mabsoota

interesting perspectives, thanks a lot, folks
:)

TheGodChrist

[quote author=Timothym link=topic=12536.msg147107#msg147107 date=1320438777]
Thanks for the informative reply Superman! Ok that explains more of the Coptic perspective on icons, which is fairly similar to the Byzantine perspective.

Actually I do have 4 icons...the first icon of Christ is a classical rendition of the popular Byzantine theme "Christ blessing". Although it has a classical flair to it,
it is still an icon because of the colour scheme, Christ's hand blessing (IC XC=Isous Christos), the halo with the Cross in it to represent His Divinity,
and the 2 monograms around His head: IC and XC to mean 'Jesus' and 'Christ'. The other classical icon is of the Theotokos holding Christ. The other 2 icons are
the Coptic icons of Christ Enthroned and the Panagia/Theotokos Enthroned.

I didn't know that about the fingers split in the middle..thats interesting. Thanks again!


Please post pics! ;D

Timothym

I did :) see the first and 2nd posts.  Unless you want other icons too?

One of my favourite St. Mary icons. It's called Eleousa which means tenderness/merciful
because of the affection between theSon and His Mother.


An early icon from St. Catherines in Sinai Egypt. The right side of the face of Christ (inverted) shows His mercy, love, and compassion,
with His right hand of blessing. The left side shows Him as Judge of all with the closed book (as it says in Revelation "the books shall
be closed.."). At this time, there is no more time to repent or follow the Gospel, hence the closed book.
It's one of the earliest intact Christ icons we have that was not destroyed by the iconoclasts in the 8th/9th centuries (who destroyed thousands
of icons thinking that they were worshiped rather than venerated).

others feel free to post more icons!

TheGodChrist

Symbolism?

Timothym

I believe this icon is from St. Anthony's (Greek Orthodox in Arizona) and it says O Megas Arhierevs meaning the Great Highpriest
and Christ here is dressed as a (byzantine) bishop with elements from the royal court. Again the red robe (galabaya type dress)
he wears symbolizes His Divinity while the blue patterned cross garb over top again symbolizes His Humanity but also His role
as Priest (one wh offers and is the offered). The crown on His head symbolizes His eternal lordship and glory. The white 'badrashil'
type of cloth is what the bishop wears typically overtop which symbolzies his authority but it is also white to symbolize the sheep
being carried on the shoulders. Our bishops/patriarchs used to wear it as well until recently..I saw a photo of Pope Yusab wearing it.
The four creatures surrounding the throne of God symbolizes the 4 Evangelists and their Gospels: I remember the Gospel of St. Mark
symbolized by the lion, St. John's Gospel symbolized by the eagle because it highlighted the theology and divinity of Christ. The ox
represents the sacrificial nature of the Gospel (can't remember if it's Matthew or Luke...one of them spoke more about Christ as a sacrifice).

TheGodChrist

Thanks :D

Does anyone know why there is a type of necklace threaded into the hair?

Timothym

for St. Mary or for Christ.

If you mean for Christ with the crown its supposed to be jewels hanging down from the crown...thats what the emperors used to wear.

TheGodChrist

For Christ,

Is there a reason why on the left side of the jeweled necklace there are two jewels and on the right side there is one?