Bubbles in Icons

[RileyG]

What do Bubbles signify in icons? I was watching an Orthodox video on YouTube and there were many icons with skulls and bubbles present.

Is it significant?

Blessings

 

[AlexB23]

What do Bubbles signify in icons? I was watching an Orthodox video on YouTube and there were many icons with skulls and bubbles present.

Is it significant?

Blessings

Maybe the icon(s) were of St. Michael Bublé, the Canadian patron saint of singing and of Bubly sparkling water. Just messin' with you. I am not an Orthodox, so it is best for me to let the Orthodox professionals here answer this one.

Michael Bublé: Michael Bublé - Wikipedia

 

[RileyG]

Anyone?

 

[AlexB23]

Anyone?

I'll get @ArmyMatt on the line for you.

 

[nutroll]

You might want to link to the video. As an iconographer, I can't even imagine what you're referring to...

 

[RileyG]

 

[nutroll]

That explains it. None of those are icons...

 

[RileyG]

That explains it. None of those are icons...

Disregard then. My mistake!

I just found the art fascinating is all.

 

[nutroll]

I suspect that it has more to do with the artists showing their skill by painting something transparent

 

[RileyG]

I suspect that it has more to do with the artists showing their skill by painting something transparent

That makes more sense.

There were also some Roman mitres in there so I doubt all of the artwork was truly Orthodox.

 

[RileyG]

I wonder if @ArmyMatt has anything to add?

Blessings

 

[ArmyMatt]

I wonder if @ArmyMatt has anything to add?

Blessings

nope

 

[RileyG]

nope

Ok! I was wondering if you had a thing to say!

God bless

 

[ArmyMatt]

Ok! I was wondering if you had a thing to say!

God bless

you got it from the actual iconographer on here

 

[RileyG]

you got it from the actual iconographer on here

YES! IT's pretty awesome to be informed.

I just didn't know what constitutes as an icon vs just Christian art.

Blessings

 

[ArmyMatt]

I just didn't know what constitutes as an icon vs just Christian art.

icons are visual tools to be used in prayer, not just beautiful art.

 

[RileyG]

icons are visual tools to be used in prayer, not just beautiful art.

Yes. Thanks for the info.

I know they are also called Windows into Heaven by some?

 

[ArmyMatt]

I know they are also called Windows into Heaven by some?

yes

 

[nutroll]

If you want to know whether something is an icon or just religious art, I would start with the question "who does this depict?" Most other forms of art you can ask "what does this depict?" and have some sort of answer -- a person, a thing, an idea, an emotion, etc. But icons depict people (the rare exception being something like the cross or the throne of God which still depict Christ though sometimes without directly depicting Him.)

In the video that was posted, it wasn't people being depicted -- not Christ, not the Theotokos, not Saints -- so it can't really be an icon even if it makes us feel things like compunction or remembrance of death.

Icons are a place where we come in contact with the people depicted. The term "Windows to Heaven," though popular, is weakened by or understanding of what a window does. For us windows let us observe the outside while keeping the inside in and the outside out. Contrast that to windows without glass in them -- an opening to the outside world which lets the outside in. Or contrast it to old ladies in a New York high rise yelling to their neighbors in the building across from them and stringing their laundry from window to window. Icons are a place to interact with the Church Triumphant, not merely something that shows us some truth about something.

 

[RileyG]

If you want to know whether something is an icon or just religious art, I would start with the question "who does this depict?" Most other forms of art you can ask "what does this depict?" and have some sort of answer -- a person, a thing, an idea, an emotion, etc. But icons depict people (the rare exception being something like the cross or the throne of God which still depict Christ though sometimes without directly depicting Him.)

In the video that was posted, it wasn't people being depicted -- not Christ, not the Theotokos, not Saints -- so it can't really be an icon even if it makes us feel things like compunction or remembrance of death.

Icons are a place where we come in contact with the people depicted. The term "Windows to Heaven," though popular, is weakened by or understanding of what a window does. For us windows let us observe the outside while keeping the inside in and the outside out. Contrast that to windows without glass in them -- an opening to the outside world which lets the outside in. Or contrast it to old ladies in a New York high rise yelling to their neighbors in the building across from them and stringing their laundry from window to window. Icons are a place to interact with the Church Triumphant, not merely something that shows us some truth about something.

Thanks for your detailed response.

Blessings