Religious icons

What are the characteristics of religious icons?

Religious icons depict holy persons. Their faces are distinguished by a stern, stern look, devoid of gestures, facial expressions or any feelings. The silhouette positioned frontally, with the gaze directed at the onlooker, is intended to establish eye contact with the onlooker, thus promoting his concentration on prayer.

Each line and color has a closely subordinated secret, the expression of which is the painting itself. Its pure color (without the possibility of mixing) has a symbolic meaning and is as important as the word. Moreover, religious icons never have chiaroscuro, which is also strictly dictated by spiritual considerations. The shadow is treated as the absence of light. And after all, God is light, so it is unacceptable that he could be missing from the sacred paintings, which is why painters are not allowed to show him in their works of art.

A characteristic feature of icons is also their diversity. In this way, everyone can find a biblical figure or event for themselves that will specifically address their heart's needs. Not without significance is also the fact that religious icons are created by hand, which gives them originality and uniqueness.

How religious icons are made?

The name icon is derived from the Greek word eikón, which means image, picture and likeness. The first paintings were created in monasteries and were created exclusively by clerics. All because religious icons were attributed a sacred, sacred value, hence they were dedicated to the few. To perform them, knowledge of the Scriptures was required, as well as prayer, contemplation, and often fasting. Religious icons were often created in a kneeling position, which gave them a deeper meaning. These paintings symbolize the extrasensory world. They have the rank of exceptional, because not only do they represent an object of worship and mediate prayer, but in addition they provide a link with the saints, strengthening and deepening our spiritual life. Their task is to lead man to salvation. They are also works of art of exceptional aesthetic value. It is assumed that the creator of the first religious icon was Christ himself, who imprinted his face and gave it to King Abgar V to cure him of leprosy. The shawl was referred to as the Mandylion and was the prototype for later icon painters.

What religious icons depict?

The religious icons we would like to offer you depict images of saints or biblical events. Among the most popular are images of the Savior shown in the form of Pantocrator, or ruler and judge of the Universe, or the Mandylion, depicting the face of Jesus on an unfurled headscarf. They also present the Risen, Merciful or Crucified Christ.
Religious icons are equally keen on the figure of Mary, presenting her in various guises, m.in. as Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Fatima, Pompeii or Sorrowful Mother of God.
There were also icons with images of the Guardian Angel or Archangel, as well as saints and patron saints, m.in. st. Charbel, St. St. Anne's, St. St. Mary Magdalene, St. Veronica or St. Dominica Savio.

What distinguishes the religious icons available in our store?

All the religious icons available in the Aslan store are handmade and made exclusively for a special order. They are made using high-quality linden wood, double primed and refined with gilding flakes ? to emphasize their sacred character. The paintings are protected with varnish, so they show resistance to sunlight and abrasion. Each icon comes with a special certificate of authenticity and a crocodile pendant. Sold in several size variants to choose from: 10 × 15 cm, 15 × 20 cm, 20 × 25 cm, 30 × 40 cm and 40 × 50 cm.

With such meticulous workmanship, wooden religious icons can be a perfect gift idea for a loved one. You can successfully give them to a priest, religious or nun. They will also be a beautiful gift for a married couple on their anniversary or a young couple on their wedding day. Icons depicting the Guardian Angel, on the other hand, will be a perfect memento for birthdays, name days or the reception of Baptism, Holy Communion or Confirmation.

Religious icons are beautiful images of a sacred nature that not only decorate a Catholic home in an impressive way, but also become a multi-generational heirloom for life. So, if you are interested in the offer of our paintings, we invite you to purchase. In our collections we have a wide selection of proposals that are sure to satisfy any Christian taste.