Virgin Mary with Child Icon – Arched Engraved Silver, Gold & Wood

Description

Icons of the Virgin Mary, or Theotokos, are the most popular icons, second only to those depicting our Lord Jesus Christ. In this icon, the Virgin Mary is depicted holding Jesus, with her head leading toward His, symbolizing the Theotokos guiding the faithful to follow her Son for salvation. Icons depicting this image are often referred to as Hodegetria, The Guide, or Our Lady of the Way. However, typically in icons depicting the Theotokos Hodegetria, the Theotokos is pointing toward Him with her hand. The Virgin Mary is further depicted wearing both red and dark blue, as is common in iconography of the Theotokos. In Byzantine icons, dark blue is the colour most often associated with the Virgin Mary, as it symbolizes the joining of the heavens and earth. Similarly, red is a common colour in icons of the Theotokos, symbolizing love, life, and sacrifice. The letters seen on the icon – ‘ΜΡ ΘΥ’ – are in reference to the Theotokos and mean Mother of God. 

Jesus is seen sitting on the Theotokos’ lap, holding his right hand up in blessing. In His left hand, He holds a scroll, symbolizing Holy Wisdom and knowledge. Next to Him appears the text – ‘IC XC’ – which means Jesus Christ in Greek. In the upper corners of the icon are two angels, depicting Archangels Michael and Gabriel.