Windows into Heaven: Icons Aren't Meant to Look Real, and That's the Point
- Elizabeth Zelasko
- 21m
- 3 min read
A Colorado Catholic artist explains the symbolism behind sacred icons, especially those depicting Mary, and invites us to step into the divine mystery.
So, what is an icon actually? I give talks all around the country on the topic, so if you don’t know what an icon is, please know that you are not alone! I get asked this question often. Simply put, icon means “image.” In the context of art in our faith, it is a sacred work of art that belongs to the Eastern Rite churches within the Universal Catholic Church. The rest of the art that we know and love is generally referred to as classical, liturgical or sacred art.
Icons differ significantly from classical art in their creation and stylization. Since they are trying to communicate something of the nature of these holy figures, icons are less concerned with accurately depicting them as they were while on earth. Icons might not look “realistic,” but these figures are now in Heaven, so they should look otherworldly!
Some symbolic, but less realistic elements in icons include:
Large eyes and small mouths. Facial symbolism in icons often includes large eyes and small mouths, signifying meekness and attentiveness. The emphasis is on seeing and listening to God rather than on constant speech.
Enlarged foreheads. This feature, often seen in icons, indicates wisdom and spiritual understanding.
Lighting. The light in an icon does not come from an external source. Instead, it radiates from within the person or angel depicted, representing the light of Christ dwelling within and shining outward, rather than illumination from something like the sun.
To grasp the meaning of Marian icons, it helps to know that they generally fall into three main categories, with nearly every depiction of Mary fitting into one of these forms:
Our Lady of Tenderness. This is often considered the most human of Marian icons because it emphasizes her intimate, familial relationship with Christ. In this type of icon, Mary’s face is depicted very close to that of Jesus. A well-known example is the Virgin of Vladimir — a helpful reference if this category is unfamiliar.
Our Lady Who Shows the Way. This is any icon of Mary and Jesus where she is pointing the way to her son with her hand posture. A popular one from this category is the well-known Our Lady of Perpetual Help.
Our Lady of the Sign. This last category stands out as the most iconic, being highly symbolic rather than grounded in earthly realism. If you have lived in Colorado for any length of time, you would have run into the icon Our Lady of the New Advent. This image, which is tied to our archdiocese, was written by Father William Hart McNichols and commissioned by then-Archbishop (now Cardinal) J. Francis Stafford. It is a classic example of this type of icon.
Each of these archetypes is a facet of Mary's role for the Universal Church. She is Mother, Guide and Intercessor.
Our Lady of the Sign refers to the prophecy of Isaiah 7:14:
“Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and she will name him Emmanuel.”
Christ Emmanuel, the Sign, is the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy in the Divine Incarnation.
In this 12th-century icon, Our Lady of the Sign from Yaroslavl, we see the moment that Mary said yes to God and conceived Jesus in her womb. How might an artist begin to portray the moment Mary conceived Jesus — a mystery both spiritual and material, yet unseen by human eyes?
This challenge reveals one of iconography’s greatest strengths. By relying on symbols rather than strict physical realism, icons are able to convey more profound truths that cannot be fully visualized.
“Platytera ton ouranon." In Greek, this phrase means that “the Virgin Mary's womb became more spacious than the heavens, containing God who cannot be contained,” highlighting her unique role as the Theotokos, or God-bearer.
Sitting with this image for even a moment reveals its deeply Eucharistic nature. Christ is shown within a sacred orb, signifying his presence in the Virgin’s womb. In this same way, God, who cannot be contained, freely chooses to be contained — for us — both in the consecrated host and in the womb of Mary.
As we enter the Christmas season more fully, carry this icon in your heart as you receive Jesus in the Eucharist. Though Christ is born into the world, he still allows himself to be contained for you in the Holy Host. Consider the witness you become when you say yes, when you receive him, and when you carry him out into the world. And a very Merry Christmas to you.
