Design and Tradition: A short account of the principles and historic development of architecture and the applied artsFenn, Amor
History
Design and Tradition: A short account of the principles and historic development of architecture and the applied arts
Fenn, Amor
Architecture; Art; Decoration and ornament; Decoration and ornament -- History
It is also in its various forms an emblem of martyrdom that of St.
Peter’s being in a reversed position in reference to the manner of his
execution.
_The Pastoral Staff_
The cross, invariably with foliated ends, mounted on a staff, is the
Crozier of an Archbishop. The staff of a Bishop terminates with a
curving head in the form of a shepherd’s crook which it symbolises; both
being indicative of authority.
_Symbols of Martyrdom_
Martyrdom is symbolised not only by the palm, and the crown, as
indicative of Victory over death and reward, but by the banner of
Triumph over death and persecution. Also by the sword, as a symbol of
violent death, or by other implements of execution. These are
represented in conjunction with the individual martyr or saint, as
attributes and as a means of identification.
As symbols personal to Christ, the emblems of the Passion and
Crucifixion are proper to the Cross and chalice. Such, for instance, as
the crown of thorns, the nails, scourge, whipping-post, ladder, spear,
lantern, thirty pieces of silver, etc.
_Symbolism of Gems, etc._
In Christian art, gems, metals and colours are invested with symbolic
meaning. The amethyst signifies humility, the Diamond--Invulnerable
Faith, the Sardonyx--Power, the Sapphire--Hope, Gold represents Power or
Glory, and Silver--Purity.
Black represents Grief or Death, Blue--Hope and Divine Contemplation,
pale blue--Peace, Christian Prudence or a serene conscience,
Green--Faith, Gladness, pale green--Baptism, Grey--Tribulation,
Purple--Justice or Royalty, Red--Martyrdom for Faith, Scarlet--Fervour,
and glory of witnesses to the Church, Violet--Penitence, and
White--Purity, Temperance and Innocence.
Shells on tombstones are allusive to the earthly body left behind, a
mere shell of the immortal soul. They are also used to indicate a
pilgrim, by whom they were carried, probably as a drinking vessel or
form of spoon.
Torches, either upright or inverted, symbolised respectively Life and
Death. When in the latter position the flame is represented as
ascending, the significance is Death with hope of the Resurrection. An
earlier signification in Pagan art is the bridal torch of Hymen.
_Masks_
Masks, which frequently appear in Renaissance ornament, are traceable to
the Greek employment to symbolise Comedy and Tragedy.
The Medusa head, which occurs on shields and on the Ægis of Athenē,
was the emblem of Terror. The tradition being that Medusa, one of the
three Gorgons, famous for her hair, set her beauty against that of
Athenē. As a punishment, her hair was converted into serpents, the
aspect of which was so terrible that any who looked thereon were changed
to stone. A fate to which the Gorgon herself succumbed on seeing her
reflection in the burnished shield of Perseus.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account