Middle Ages Hum 6 Architecture, Symbolism, Project links

large view Overhead St. Stephen Church

Gothic Architecture

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Early Gothic Architecture

Gothic Structure

Ideal Gothic Church Viollet-le-Duc

Flying buttress Villard d'Honnecourt

Early Gothic

Laon Cathedral, 1160-1225	Laon Cathedral, 1160-1225	Laon Cathedral, 1160-1225
Laon Cathedral, 1160-1225	Laon Cathedral, 1160-1225
Notre Dame, Paris c. 1163-1250.	Notre Dame, Paris c. 1163-1250.
Notre Dame, Paris, c. 1163-1250.	Notre Dame, Paris c. 1163-1250.	Notre Dame, Paris c. 1163-1250.

• Laon Cathedral, Laon, France. 1160-1225.
• Notre Dame, Paris, France. c. 1163-1250.

RUSSIAN OR BYZANTINE ICONS

http://www.iconsexplained.com/

http://www.traditionaliconography.com/

SYMBOLISM OF

MIDDLE AGES:

Chi-Rho

The Chi Rho is one of the earliest cruciform symbols used by Christians. It is formed by superimposing the first two letters of the word "Christ" in Greek, chi = ch and rho = r. Although not technically a cross, the Chi Rho invokes the crucifixion of Jesus as well as symbolizing his status as the Christ.

 Skull and Crossbones: Occasionally seen at the feet of Christ on a crucifix to symbolize Christ's victory over death or Golgotha (Place of the Skull, the location of Christ's crucifixion).

The Aureole is the luminous cloud or circle of light used in religious pictures to surround the whole figure. It symbolizes the Glory of GOD and properly used for Divine Persons or the Blessed Virgin as the Mother of Our LORD. [See Christ in Michalangelo's Last Judgment. Note the luminous cloud.]

Alpha and Omega, the first and last letters of the Greek Alphabet, signify the Eternity of GOD, Who, without beginning or end, cannot be conceived of except under human limitations. [For a superimposed example, see this page.]

Three Circles, connected by bands forming an equilateral triangle, symbolize the Three Persons of the Ever Blessed TRINITY.

The Dove represents the HOLY GHOST, under which figure the Holy Spirit descended upon Christ at His Baptism. [View El Greco's Trinity.]

The Eye symbolizes GOD the FATHER, telling that He sees and knows all that we do. The Father is also represented by a HAND, and also by the upper part of the FIGURE OF A MAN. [See representation of the eye here.]

The Flames of Fire signify the HOLY Ghost, as He descended upon the Apostles on Pentecost. [One example is a candle flame; thus the mass candles indicate the presence of God.]

Of Flowers the Lily signifies purity, the Pomegranate Immortality, the Rose Love.

The Fish represents Our LORD and also the Eucharist. The Greek word "Ixthus"* which means "Fish," is spelled from the first letters of Greek words meaning, "Jesus CHRIST, Son of GOD SAVIOR." This sign was used as a secret symbol by the early Christians in the days of persecution. See Christ symbols.

The Gospels are symbolized by the Figures of a Man, a Lion, an Ox, and an Eagle referring to Saint Matthew, Saint Mark, Saint Luke and Saint John, who respectively represented Our Lord as Man, King, Priest and Victim and GOD.

The Good Shepherd represents Our Lord. This is probably the earliest of all Christian symbols. CHRIST is sometimes shown with the Sheep in His Arms.

I. H. S. are initials of the Holy Name. They are generally taken to stand for "Jesus hominum Salvator," (Jesus the Savior of men), but more likely they are an abbreviated form of the first letters of the words Jesus Christ, with a cross between them, as written in Greek.

(See also the symbol of an "x" superimposed over a "p" which is an R in Greek. "The monogram of the name of Christ, formed of the two first letters of that name in Greek, X and P is the celebrated sign which appeared in the sky at noon-day to the Emperor Constantine and his troops, and was afterwards adopted by him on his standard...")

The Lamb typifies Our Lord as the Lamb of GOD that taketh away the sins of the world. It is usually seen holding a Banner and Cross.

A Light symbolizes the Presence of GOD, as the Burning Bush to Moses, or the Pillar of Flame to the Israelites. Thus the Red Lamp or Candle before the Altar notes the Presence of Our LORD in the Blessed Sacrament.

The Nimbus is the halo of light placed about the heads of Saints and Angels, symbolizing the beauty of holiness. [See the head of St. Francis as an example, by Giotto.]

The Passion of Our LORD is typified by the Crown of Thorns, the Spear and the Nails, the Five Sacred Wounds, the Precious Blood and the Sheet. Sometimes there are added the Reed, the Scourge, the Seamless Robe, the Pillar, the Cock and also the Passion Flower.

The Rock represents: sometimes CHRIST, sometimes the Church. A very ancient way was to have flowing from it four streams of water symbolizing the Four Gospels. [Of course, for Catholics, "rock" also represents St. Peter, and his successors.] (Note that Jesus is standing on a rock in Michaelangelo's Last Judgement.]

The Star is the emblem of CHRIST, "the bright and morning Star." This is particularly used to illustrate Christmas and Epiphany.

The Holy Communion is represented by a Chalice with the Host above it; by the Wheat and Grapes and also by some of the Symbols of Our LORD.

Knight images at the site below:

http://www.clemusart.com/kids/armor/1570.html

Cathedral	large view Cathedral
Rose Window	Ribbed Ceiling
Russian Icon	Russian Icon
Gothic Retable	large view Gargoyles
large view	large view
large view	large view
large view How a flying buttress works	gargoyle
diptych	large view Romanesque

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