Iconography Comes From The Greek Words Meaning. The word iconography comes from the Greek words for image and to write Its defined as symbolic representation especially the conventional meanings attached to an image or images The term also refers to an entire branch of art history dedicated to the identification description and the interpretation of the content of images. Together we get image-writing so the word iconography conveys the idea that an image can tell a story.
In Greek Orthodox iconography as also in early Christian iconography the gesture of the blessing hand actually shapes the letters IC XC an abbreviation for the Greek words Jesus IHCOYC Christ XPICTOC which includes the first and last letter of each word. Students need to know the term and how it is used. The word iconography comes from the Greek word εἰκονογραφία.
The hand that blesses reproduces with gestures the Name of Jesus the Name.
The word iconography comes from the greek words eikon which means image or icon and graphia which means description writing or sketch according to. The practice of image-writing is quite different from Western art. Since the Renaissance Western art has been influenced by naturalism sensualism and an interest in how things work artists have studied anatomy for example. Arche meaning ruler and angelos meaning messenger.
