Annunciation icon

[The_Prodigal]

In the icon, the angel is often portrayed with left knee bent. The right leg is straight, and held back, as here:

http://www.soros.org.mk/archive/G02/images/SG1206.JPG

What does this posture signify?

 

[Eucharisted]

Christians bow their right knees to God in adoration.
Christians bow their left knees to saints in respect.

 

[Cluny]

Christians bow their right knees to God in adoration.
Christians bow their left knees to saints in respect.

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Except the candidate for ordination in the Byzantine tradition makes a prostration on BOTH knees to the ordaining bishop.

I think in this icon, it’s supposed to show how swiftly the Archangel came to fulfill God’s command. References to the alacrity Gabriel used are in the hymns for Annunciation.

 

[Patchunky]

In the icon, the angel is often portrayed with left knee bent. The right leg is straight, and held back, as here:

http://www.soros.org.mk/archive/G02/images/SG1206.JPG

What does this posture signify?

It represents that Gabrilel had flown from Heaven to eath and the bent legs and his up-raised wing are note that this flight was not yet complete… from Ospensky’s THE MEANING OF ICONS

Hope this helps…

 

[The_Prodigal]

It represents that Gabrilel had flown from Heaven to eath and the bent legs and his up-raised wing are note that this flight was not yet complete… from Ospensky’s THE MEANING OF ICONS

Hope this helps…

In Cavarnos’s “Guide to Byzantine Iconography” it states he appears “as if he were running.” If he is depicted just “landing” from above, that makes sense.