religious symbolism and iconography

Introduction
The nature of religious symbols and symbolization
- Concepts of symbolization
- Varieties and meanings associated with the term symbol
- The symbolic process
- Symbols in the religious consciousness
The relation of the symbol and the sacred
- Symbols as the incarnate presence of the sacred or holy
- Symbols as indicators of the sacred or holy
- Symbols of sacred time and space
- Ceremonial and ritualistic objects as indicators or bearers of the sacred or holy
- Other relations between the symbol and the sacred
Relation of religious symbolism and iconography to other aspects of religion and culture
- Relation to myth and ritual
- Relation to meditation and mysticism
- Relation to the social realm
- Relation to the literary and visual arts
- Relation to other areas of culture
- Changes in symbolical relations and meanings
Modes of symbolic expression
- Diagrammatic and emblematic
- Pictorial
- Gestural and physical movements
- Verbal symbolism
- Musical symbolism
- Conjunction and combination of various modes
Icons and systems of iconography
- Iconographic forms
  - Temples and other sacred places
  - Icons and images
- Iconographic themes
- Iconographic types
  - Anthropomorphic motifs
  - Theriomorphic, or zoomorphic, motifs
  - Phytomorphic motifs
  - Hybrid motifs
  - Chrematomorphic motifs
  - Absence of representational forms
Influence of humanity’s environment on religious symbolism and iconography
- Influences from nature
- Influence of human relationships
- Symbolism of sex and the life cycle
- Cultural influences
- Conceptual influences
Influence of religion on symbolism and iconography
Conclusion

References & Edit History Related Topics

Images

Charles Sprague Pearce: Religion

Antelami, Benedetto: Deposition from the Cross

Gold dharma wheel with eight spokes flanked by two gold deer statues on the roof of Jokhang Temple in Lhasa, Tibet, against a clear blue sky.

Coello, Claudio: Adoration of the Holy Eucharist

Colorful idol of Goddess Durga with ten arms, holding weapons and riding a lion, displayed on a decorated platform at a Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata, India.

A Hindu woman in a blue sari stands with hands clasped in prayer before a tulsi (holy basil) plant growing in a decorated stone planter at an ancient temple.

murti of the god Ganesha

ground-level view of Stonehenge

The Bahai House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois, features an ornate white domed structure with arched windows, landscaped gardens, and a reflecting pool in front.

At a Glance

Charles Sprague Pearce: Religion

religious symbolism and iconography summary

Charles Sprague Pearce: Religion — Charles Sprague Pearce: Religion Detail of Religion, mural in lunette from the Family and Education series by Charles Sprague Pearce, 1897; in the Library of Congress, Thomas Jefferson Building, Washington, D.C.

religious symbolism and iconography

religion

Written by

Kurt Moritz Artur Goldammer

Fact-checked by

Britannica Editors

religious symbolism and iconography, respectively, the basic and often complex artistic forms and gestures used as a kind of key to convey religious concepts and the visual, auditory, and kinetic representations of religious ideas and events. Symbolism and iconography have been utilized by all the religions of the world. Since the 20th century some scholars have stressed the symbolical character of religion over attempts to present religion rationally. The symbolic aspect of religion is even...

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