Iconography is an integral part of Orthodox practice and worship in that icons not only represent significant people in the history of the Church – Christ, Mary, the Old Testament prophets – they convey essential elements of what we believe. That is why icons are often called “theology in color.”

Because its goal is to portray a more perfected state of existence, as opposed to the imperfect world in which we live, it’s important to understand that traditional Byzantine iconography makes no attempt at photo-realism. You will see no shadows cast by an external light source, like the sun. This is rooted in Orthodox belief: Christ, Mary, angels, and the saints are all illuminated from within, shining with the light of the Kingdom of Heaven.

Byzantine iconography also employs the use of “inverse perspective.” The laws of perspective state that the farther away an object is from the viewer, the smaller it becomes; i.e.: the viewer is necessarily the largest element compared to that which is viewed. Inverse perspective, on the other hand, dictates that the viewer – a mere mortal living in this life – is necessarily the smallest element while viewing and contemplating the divine. This is why the faces in iconography look a little distorted, compared to the way we normally see other people.

Iconography also employs a theology of color. Perhaps the most well known symbolic colors are that of the Virgin Mary and of Christ. You’ll see that in icons of Mary, she is wearing a red garment on the outside and a blue tunic on the inside. The exact opposite is found in icons of Christ. Red symbolizes blood, flesh, humanity. Blue symbolizes the celestial, the divine. Hence, the way Mary’s garments are depicted symbolizes her complete humanity while, as the mother of Christ, carrying the divine within her. Jesus’ garments represent his true nature: the son of God, fully divine, while becoming incarnate as a true, flesh and blood, human body.

Through narrative, iconography provides a rich, visual statement of belief. Some of the most theologically significant themes can be found in the “story icons” of the Nativity and the Resurrection. Please visit our Archdiocesan web page on the Nativity where you can download meditations on the icon of the Nativity.

In the meantime, be sure to check out our links page on iconography – specifically our Archdiocese’s page on the history of Orthodox art and architecture.