Liturgical Art

Paintings, Drawings, and Liturgical Art by Lynne Beard

Fine Art, Liturgical Art, Icons, Watercolor, Illustration, Drawing, Icon Prints, Shop

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Liturgical Art Tag

July 2, 2012

Manna

Manna – This design reflects the Old Testament reading which tells of the miraculous falling of manna from heaven which was sent by God to feed the Israelites during their stay in the wilderness. Manna was a mysterious substance and the name is derived from the ancient Hebrew word manhu which means “what is it”. It is described in the Bible as white, seed-like oval flakes which fell during the night covering the ground like frost, and had to be collected by sunrise before it melted in the sun. Manna resembled coriander seeds and was the color of bdellium, a

July 2, 2012

Rachel’s Day

Rachel’s Day – Rachel’s Day is a time set apart on the first Sunday in May when we mourn the loss of our children and youth to violence and injustice. The day took its name from Jeremiah 31:15-17. In these verses Rachel mourns for her children. There are many children in the world who fear that they will not grow up to be adults. They feel unloved and alone. Rachel’s Day is an opportunity to build community and relationships by connecting adults with children at risk and it reminds us of an African proverb which says, “It takes a village

July 2, 2012

Healing Cross

Healing Cross –The Cross Potent is based on four Tau Crosses whose lower ends meet. It is called the Cross Potent because of its resemblance to an ancient crutch. This cross is a symbol of Our Lord’s power to heal the afflictions of the bodies and souls of all mankind. The design also incorporates the Chi- Rho, a monogram of Christ, with the renewing water of baptism.

July 2, 2012

Phoenix

Phoenix – A widely used symbol of Our Lord’s Resurrection is the phoenix. According to one legend of this fabled bird, which somewhat resembles an eagle, it lives to an age of four or five hundred years. It is set on fire by the heat of the sun by the fanning of its wings and is consumed in the fire. The bird then rises out of the ashes, recreated and young, and is destined to live another four or five hundred years. The phoenix appears on early coins of emperors, such as Constantine, and is also a common symbol on

July 2, 2012

Dove of Peace

Dove of Peace – As a symbol for the Holy Spirit, the dove is by nature characterized by gentleness, purity and peace. As an attribute it typifies divine inspiration. In Matthew 10:16, Christ commands the disciples to express in their lives the love and gentleness of the dove. In 3:16, Matthew calls the dove a visible expression of the anointing presence of the Holy Spirit. As a symbol of love, the dove participates in the experience of Christ’s baptism and God’s love flowed through Him and provides us with grace and deliverance to do His will. During the Christmas season

July 2, 2012

Day of Pentecost

Day of Pentecost – The Holy Spirit is most often represented by a snow white dove and this symbol is used on Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit descended on the apostles to illumine them with the gift of languages. On Pentecost the church also remembers the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit and in Revelation 5:12 the list includes Blessing, Glory, Wisdom, Thanksgiving, Honor, Power and Might. In Christian art it is rendered: Divinitas, Sapientia, Benedicio, Gloria, Honor, Fortitudo and Virtus, represented in the design by the first letter of each gift. These gifts are considered to be the outpouring

July 2, 2012

Saints Peter and Paul

Peter and Paul – Peter and Paul represent the spread of the gospel and, according to tradition, were martyred on the same date. The two keys symbolize the giving of the keys to the kingdom to Peter by Jesus and is known as the donatio or traditio clavicum. Paul received the gift of the law, that is doctrine, which is represented by the open book. This is known as traditio legis. Christian tradition, and therefore the iconography too, often thinks of these two apostles together as pillars supporting the church, Paul by his teaching and Peter by his assigned task

July 2, 2012

Sheltered Bird in Mustard Tree

Sheltered Bird in Mustard Tree – This design reflects the symbolism of the parable of the mustard seed as told by Jesus in Matthew 13:31-32. Though it is the smallest of seeds, it grows into a tree where birds might take shelter. The sower of the seed is Christ, who came to atone for our sins so that we may become fruitful. The mustard seed represents the Gospel, which grows to reach people throughout the world. The tree, rooted in Jesus Christ, is where the birds of the air, who represent the faithful, come to rest as they hear and

July 2, 2012

Alpha Omega

Alpha-Omega–The Alpha-Omega emblem expresses God’s eternity by means of the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. The first letter, Alpha, denotes that God is the first of all things- there was no one before Him from whom He could have received the fullness of truth. The last letter, Omega, signifies that God is the last of all things- there will be no one after Him to whom He could bequeath this perfect truth. This symbolism has its origins from the Jewish word Emeth, or truth, the first and last letters of which are also the first and last

July 2, 2012

All Saints Day

All Saints – The design for All Saints is centered around the tree which is a symbol of life in all stages. The tree, as it sheds its leaves in the fall and then comes into leaf once again in spring, symbolizes our lives in this world and in heaven. Birds represent the soul and in early Christian art were symbols of the spiritual life and of new souls and souls saved through baptism. The cross is a reminder that eternal life is made possible by Christ’s sacrifice.

July 2, 2012

Agnus Dei — Palm Sunday in Color

Agnus Dei – The symbol of the Lamb of God or The Agnus Dei is of most ancient origin and is based on Scripture verses found in Isaiah, John and Revelation. It is often depicted carrying the banner of victory and crowned with the nimbus representing divinity. Combined with the branches of the Palm tree, it represents Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem. The qualities of gentleness and innocence associated with lambs reflect the concept of the sacrifice of Christ offered as an expiation of the guilt of mankind. The colors purple and deep red are symbolic of both the majesty

July 2, 2012

Agnus Dei — Palm Sunday

Agnus Dei – The symbol of the Lamb of God or The Agnus Dei is of most ancient origin and is based on Scripture verses found in Isaiah, John and Revelation. It is often depicted carrying the banner of victory and crowned with the nimbus representing divinity. Combined with the branches of the Palm tree, it represents Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem. The qualities of gentleness and innocence associated with lambs reflect the concept of the sacrifice of Christ offered as an expiation of the guilt of mankind. It is a symbol of the triumph of the Cross and also

July 2, 2012

The Passion Cross

Passion Cross – The Passion Cross, which is also called the Cross Aiguisee and the Cross Urdee, has its ends cut to points, which stand free of the cross. Because it represents the suffering of Our Lord, it is also known as the Cross of Suffering. In this design it is combined with the crown of thorns, which was a parody upon the Roman Emperor’s crown of roses. Three nails and the monogram of Christ are included and all of these are symbols of the Passion.

July 1, 2012

Easter Sunday

Easter Cross – Because it blooms at Eastertide, the familiar Easter Lily is a common and extremely popular symbol of Our Lord’s Resurrection. It also represents purity, innocence, rebirth and hope- the spiritual essence of Easter. Tradition has it that lilies were seen growing in the Garden of Gethsemane after Christ’s agony. The lily has the shape of a trumpet and depicts the announcement of the birth (and hence the death and resurrection) of Jesus Christ. Because they are white, lilies signify the pure new life which is the promise of the Resurrection. The cross combined with lilies is known

July 1, 2012

Wheat and Tares

Wheat and Tares – This design is based on Matthew 13:24-30 and 36-43 in which Jesus tells the parable of the wheat and tares sown together. Exegesis has strongly influenced the plant chosen for tares in the bible. Tares is taken from the Arabic word zawan which is widely accepted to mean noxious weed. Having both wheat and weeds within us, we acknowledge that we should place our hope in God’s promise and receive grace and strength from the Lord’s table so that we may show justice and mercy in the world.

July 1, 2012

World Communion Sunday

World Communion Sunday – Wheat is an ancient symbol that is used to represent Holy Communion and it is combined with the never-ending circle of unity and the globe of the earth. These are depicted with the cross to remind us that on World Communion Sunday, Christians around the world are gathered together to receive the Eucharist as one united body in Christ.

July 1, 2012

The Vine and Branches

Vine And Branches – The vine and vine leaves are ancient symbols of peace and plenty widely used in both the Old and New Testaments to denote the relationship between God and His people. The vineyard was the sheltered site where the Keeper of the Vineyard (God) tended His vines (the children of God) (Is 5:7). As an emblem of Christ, it is the “true vine” (Jn 15:1, 5, 8). Vine and vine leaves referred to the Christian church and God as the Keeper of the Vineyard and are also symbols of the Eucharist. This reminds us that all are

July 1, 2012

Tree of Life

Tree of Life – The tree has played an important part in Christian symbolism and about thirty trees are mentioned in the Bible. In Christian art they are sometimes depicted in a decorative style and represent the cycle of life, death, and resurrection in the fullness of the four seasons. As one of the “fruits of the earth”, trees contained the seeds for each new and successive generation. From its roots to its leafy branches, the tree signified a link between heaven and earth. Trees are often represented in catacomb paintings, but they are symbolic rather than recognizable images of

July 1, 2012

St. Benedict

St. Benedict – Benedict of Nursia, Abbot of Monte Casino, is known as the Father of Western monasticism. His rule for monasteries was moderate and encouraged a generous spirit of hospitality in that visitors to Benedictine communities are to be welcomed as Christ himself. In iconography, Benedict is often seen with a raven, which is one of the symbols associated with him. From the Dialogues of Gregory the Great comes this legend: At dinner time, a raven came daily to receive some bread from Benedict. One day, Benedict received a poisoned loaf of bread from an envious priest. Benedict gave

July 1, 2012

John the Baptist

John the Baptist – One of the symbols of St. John the Baptist is the lamb. During the Renaissance the lamb was often used in depictions of the Holy Family with St. John as an infant. In this case the lamb represents St. John’s role as the forerunner of Christ and his recognition of Him as the Lamb of God who would come to earth to save humanity. The lamb standing on a book alludes to John’s teachings which foretold the coming of Christ and the shell on the banner represents John baptizing Jesus.

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