BYZANTINE ICON: “CHRIST PANTOCRATOR”
TECHNIQUE: egg tempera on plasterboard (1.8 cm thick multilayer)
DIMENSIONS: 35 cm X 25 cm
ICON READING GUIDE:
Christ Pantocrator (from the Greek “Pantocrator”, meaning “sovereign of all things”).
At the top of the Byzantine icon, there are the Greek letters IC (left) and XC (right).
These monograms stand for “Iesus” and “Cristos”.
The three letters placed on the halo ( Ο Ω Ν) mean “He who is”.
The image is shown frontally with an half-bust, as it’s customary in Byzantine icons.
The Book of Life is held in the left hand, indicating the Revelation of God the Father in Christ his Son.
Double is the significance of the right hand, in an act of blessing.
The three fingers joined together symbolise the Holy Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit), the other two indicate Christ’s double nature (human and divine).
Further signs of his double nature can be found in his clothing.
The red tunic (chiton), is a symbol of his divine kingship, and the blue cloak (himation), a symbol of his humanity.
