The Iconography of the Crucifixion

The Cross is a vital symbol of the Christian religion. And mostly it is considered to be the symbol of death, which is completely wrong. But what does the cross and the Crucifixion icon really symbolize?

Eastern Christian depiction of the Crucifixion is a symbol of victory over the sin and death.

Cross itself is a combination of horizontal and vertical lines which symbolizes Earth and Heaven. Cross shows that these two worlds became united because of Jesus.

According to the Bible, Jesus was crucified at Golgotha (in translation this means skull). Here Adam was buried. In the cave we see Adam's skull. The moment of Christ's death the cave cracked. Christ is a 'new Adam'. Due to Adam's fall sin arrived to the world, while Jesus' obedience brought salvation. 'For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.' (1 Cor. 15:22). The blood of Jesus runs down off the cross to purify Adam's skull, which represents all humanity.

But the body of Jesus Christ is shown without any features of suffering. His face is calm and peaceful. Open palms suggest openness.

Crucifixion leads to Resurrection.

Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling death, and to those in the tombs granting life! (Paschal troparion)

Here are two icons of the Crucifixion I have written in a last few months.

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