tablion (2)
- in roman dress this was a large square, usually highly embellished, located on the upper part of an outer garment to indicate the wearer’s rank.
- In icons, it often decorates the clothing of martyrs to show their exalted rank in heaven, but is also found in depictions of royal saints and others
What does a cross suggest?
Martyr
what does a gospel book suggest
most commonly bishops, but occasionally apostles
what does a sword suggest?
saintly prince, or in some cases a solider saint (usually these will also be holding a cross if they died, as they sacrificed themselves for christ in battle)
what does a medicine box and spoon suggest?
a doctor saint
what does the saints own head suggest?
they were martyred by decapitated
schema (4) (greek meanings (3))
- From Greek, ‘form’, ‘shape’, ‘manner’.
- in the clothing of a monk, this is a stole (long loose garment) that hangs down the front of the body, often decorated with crosses.
- In the early stages of a monk’s career s/he wears a smaller version of this garment, but adopts a longer one if s/he takes the final and most severe monastic vows.
- This is the version most often seen in icons.
omophorion (3)
- in the clothing of a bishop, this is the broad band ornamented with crosses draped over the shoulders.
- It seems to have evolved from an element of late Roman civil dress.
- In the Christian tradition, it symbolizes lost sheep found and carried on the shoulders of the good shepherd.
phelonion (3)
- in the clothing of a bishop, this is a sort of poncho which served as an outer garment
- it also evolved from Roman civilian dress.
- In icons, it is often covered with small crosses.
sticharion (3)
- full-body garment with long sleeves which reaches to the ground.
- Deacons wear it as an outer garment
- priests and bishops wear it under other items of clothing.
orarion (2)
- in the clothing of a deacon, this is a long, narrow strip of cloth, usually decorated with embroidered crosses, which hangs over the left shoulder.
- The deacon manipulates it in various ways during services.
censor (2)
- contains burning incense and is swung during services
- deacons usually depicted holding one
Zion or Jerusalem
a small alms box, sometimes in the shape of a church.
orans (2) (latin meaning)
- from Latin, ‘pray’.
- In iconography, a depiction of a subject in an ancient pose of prayer, with arms held up and bent at the elbows.
blessing
- is done with the saint’s right hand, usually with two or three fingers sticking up and the others folded.
deesis (2) (greek meaning)
- Greek, ‘entreaty, supplication’.
- A symmetrical composition with Christ at the centre and a number of figures on each side who hold out their hands toward him in supplication.
- The figures are usually arranged by rank, starting with the Mother of God and John the Baptist.
akakia
- A cylindrical silk purse containing dust which the ruler carried on ceremonial occasions, symbolising the instability of temporal power and the humility of its mortal bearer.
Imperial Iconography (saints AND non-saints) (6)
- halo
- sword
- ornate and highly embellished clothing, e.g. a tablion
- red shoes
- crown (also seen with martyrs)
- akakia
vita icon
an icon with a portrait of a saint in the centre, and scenes from his or her life around the sides
square halo
If, however, the icon depicts an important historical figure who is not a saint (e.g. a donor to a church), he or she will often have square halo.
What does a scroll suggest?
- holy person known not only for imparting divine knowledge to others - one of the Apostles or the Old Testament prophet.
- it can also be other saints whose theological writings showed divine prophecy
Crosier
a T shaped walking stick, often given to saints who were abbots/abesses and bishops, but occasionally those who had significant spiritual authority (xenia of st Petersburg)
