6-Bacic
ICON
"Icons are like visual prayers. In a church setting, they're windows to the
presence of God. They have a distinct purpose: To teach, inspire, invite
veneration and invite a mystical experience." (quotation from Daniel R. Bibb, a
Roman Catholic collector of the art form)
Icons are deliberately painted in 2 dimensional form. The colors have symbolism
that is related to the subject that is being painted. The main colors of this
icon are prescribed, through centuries of tradition, to exemplify Christ the
Pantocrator - Christ the Ruler of all the Universe
Gold - The brilliance of gold in this icon make it possible to feel the radiant
light of God and the splendor of the celestial kingdom where there is never any
night. Gold symbolized the divine nature of God himself.
Red - This is the color of heat, passion, love, life and life-giving energy, and
for this very reason red became the symbol of the resurrection - the victory of
life over death. But at the same time it is the color of blood and torments, and
the color of Christ's sacrifice.
Blue - indicates the infiniteness of the sky and is the symbol of another
everlasting world.
Greek symbols adorn the icon which tell the viewer that it is Jesus Christ who
is looking at them.