Symbolism In Art Flashcards
(38 cards)
What do religious art symbols convey
A deeper and spiritual truths and beliefs, helping believers connect with their faith
Importance of religious art
Expression of faith:
(Art helps communicate…)
Art helps communicate complex religious ideas and emotions
How is symbolism in art a teaching tool
Historically, art educated people who could not read scripture
How does art build the Connection to the divine :
Art inspires worship and brings people closer to god
Cultural heritage of religious art
Religious art reflects the culture and belief of a specific time
What does the cross/crucifix represent in art
- Jesus ‘ sacrifice and resurrection’
- symbolises salvation and gods love
What does the chi rho represent
- Jesus’ role as the messiah
- an early Christian symbol using the first two letters of ‘Christ’ in Greek
What do doves represent in religious art
- symbolises the Holy Spirit
- associated with peace and gods presence
What do fish (ichthys) represent in religious art
- the symbol of early Christians
- represents Jesus (Greek acronym for ‘Jesus Christ , son of god, saviour’)
What does the alpha and omega symbol represent in religious art
- represents god as the beginning and the end (revelation 22:13)
What does lamb represent in religious art
- represent Jesus as the ‘lamb of god’ who takes away sun
- associated with sacrifice and redemption
What does light symbolise in religious art
- symbolises Jesus as the ‘ light of the world’
- often depicted as halos around saints or candles in church
What does the tree of life represent in religious art
- represents eternal life and gods plan for humanity
- often linked to the garden of Eden and salvation
What does the Virgin Mary symbolise in Catholic art
- depicted wearing blue (symbolising purity) and often holding the infant Jesus
What does a sacred heart represent in catholic art
-represents Jesus’ love for humanity , often surrounded by thorns to symbolise his suffering
What does stained glass represent in Catholic art
- gods light entering the world
- used in churches to depict bible stories and saints
What does the trinity symbolise in catholic art
- often represented as a triangle , three intertwined circles, or a dove alongside a hand and cross
What do icons represent in Catholic art
- used in eastern Christianity ; these images are believed to bring believers closer to the divine
Tree of life apse mosaic: cross? (4p)
- the centre of the mosaic is Jesus on the croix (crucifixion)
- Jesus died to take away sons of the world
- Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice to make up for sins of man
- shows gods omnibenevolence
John 1:29-32 (lamb)
“Lamb of god who takes away the sins of the world”
What does the tree under the cross represent in the tree of life painting
- reminder of the tree of knowledge from Eden and and Adam a disobedience
Jesus is the new Adam and shows us how to believe and join god
What did St Paul say about the last Adam
“ the last Adam (Jesus) became a life giving being”
What do the vines represent in the painting of the tree of life
- they are growing from the cross in the painting growing from the cross
- these vines represent Jesus’ death gives life to everyone by freeing them from sin
John 15:1 (vine)
“I am thé true vine and my father the husbandman”
