Exploring Sacred Iconography
The text presents a series of symbols along with detailed explanations of their meanings within various cultural and religious-artistic traditions.For example, one excerpt provides a detailed description of the fish symbol, one of the most common signs of early Christianity. It is emphasized that fish images were used due to their important role in the Gospel narrative and the fact that the Greek word "Ichthus" consists of five letters, which acquired additional symbolic significance. This highlights how familiar images (like the fish and fishers of men) conveyed the idea of a call to apostolic service ("One of the most common symbols of the early centuries was the fish…" (source: link txt, page 8)).Another fragment of the text addresses symbols in artistic aesthetics: the white dove here represents peace, while the "Great Russian River" symbolizes freedom, spaciousness, and wealth. It is also mentioned that in one work, elephants were traditionally arranged in a semicircle—exactly seven elephants, which are associated with the concept of happiness ("The white dove is a symbol of peace. The Great Russian River! It is a symbol of our freedom, our spaciousness, and our prosperity. Arranged in a semicircle were seven elephants—the traditional symbol of happiness." (source: link txt, page 1463)).Furthermore, the text discusses the role of symbols in the religious art of ancient Mesopotamia. Both later iconic images (such as emblems, clothing, and attributes associated with specific gods) and more ancient symbols are presented—plant symbols, celestial bodies (Moon, Sun) and lightning, and various geometric shapes such as crosses, pentagons, rhombuses, swastikas, etc. Special attention is given to how these signs and forms were linked to deities: for example, the moon god Sin adopted the crescent, and Shamash the solar disc ("Symbols of the gods in Mesopotamian art…" (source: link txt, page 7)).The text also touches upon Christian symbols, which were used to gradually reveal the sacred meaning of mysteries. Traditional biblical signs, such as the lamb and Noah's ark, are mentioned as recognizable images for believers ("The meaning of Christian symbols was gradually revealed… Early Christians primarily used biblical symbols, such as the lamb, Noah's ark, etc." (source: link txt, page 7)).Another fragment is dedicated to the issue of divine unity: Eastern symbols, having added the word "one" to the name "God the Father," raised the question of whether the concepts "God" and "Father" should be logically separated, thus preserving the idea of God's unity without confusion with the title "Father" ("By adding the word 'one' to the name 'God the Father,' Eastern symbols brought to the forefront the problem of divine unity…" (source: link txt, page 55)).Finally, the text includes a description of the events related to Jesus' burial, where specific details (the body wrapped in a clean linen cloth, the new tomb, the stone at the entrance) acquired symbolic weight, reflecting deep religious ideas about death and resurrection (source: link txt, page 18).Thus, the text mentions the following symbols and their attributed meanings:• Fish – a symbol of early Christianity, linked to the Gospel narrative and the numerical symbolism of the Greek word "Ichthus."• White dove – a symbol of peace.• The Great Russian River – a symbol of freedom, spaciousness, and wealth.• Seven elephants – a traditional symbol of happiness.• In Mesopotamian art – plant symbols, celestial bodies (Moon, Sun, lightning) and geometric shapes (crosses, pentagons, rhombuses, swastikas, etc.), associated with the forms and attributes of deities.• Biblical symbols, such as the lamb and Noah's ark, which conveyed sacred truths.• Eastern symbols associated with the concept of "the one God the Father," demonstrating the effort to emphasize divine unity.Supporting citation(s):"One of the most common symbols of the early centuries was the fish. The adoption of this symbol by Christians was certainly facilitated by the fact that the fish plays a major role in the Gospel narrative… the significance of the five letters that make up the Greek word for fish—Ichthus." (source: link txt, page 8)"The white dove is a symbol of peace. The Great Russian River! It is a symbol of our freedom, our spaciousness, and our prosperity. Arranged in a semicircle were seven elephants—the traditional symbol of happiness." (source: link txt, page 1463)"Symbols of the gods in Mesopotamian art, as it becomes evident, a whole range of signs or objects owes its sacred significance… (crosses, pentagons, rhombuses, swastikas, etc.)." (source: link txt, page 7)"The meaning of Christian symbols was gradually revealed… Early Christians primarily used biblical symbols, such as the lamb, Noah's ark, etc." (source: link txt, page 7)"By adding the word 'one' to the name 'God the Father,' Eastern symbols brought to the forefront the problem of divine unity…" (source: link txt, page 55)"Joseph took the Lord's body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in a new tomb… (symbolism of the Holy Sepulchre)" (source: link txt, page 18)