Byzantine Icon Symbols

[VintageRose]

I enjoy cross stitching projects.

I’ve recently started a beautiful Orthodox Icon called, “The Christ.”

Within the picture (above Christ’s head) are the letters ‘IC’ and ‘XC.’

Does anyone happen to know what these mean…?

Also, surrounding His head are the three letters ‘O’ ‘W’ and ‘N.’

I plan to hang this Icon in our home and would truly appreciate knowing the meaning of these symbols.

Thank you, my friends.

 

[Cavaradossi]

I enjoy cross stitching projects.

I’ve recently started a beautiful Orthodox Icon called, “The Christ.”

Within the picture (above Christ’s head) are the letters ‘IC’ and ‘XC.’

Does anyone happen to know what these mean…?

Also, surrounding His head are the three letters ‘O’ ‘W’ and ‘N.’

I plan to hang this Icon in our home and would truly appreciate knowing the meaning of these symbols.

Thank you, my friends.

IC XC is a Greek abbreviation for Jesus Christ (Ιησους Χριστος). The letters that look like C are actually lunate sigmas (a medieval way of writing the letter sigma, which otherwise looks like this Σ or σ).

ο ων, meaning literally ‘the being,’ in Greek, is written over Christ’s head to signify His divinity.

 

[VintageRose]

I’ve been enjoying listening to “Light of the East” on Catholic radio all this year, (Fr. Thomas Loya) and been amazingly enlightened.

I’m also enjoying their glorious music CD called “Theosis” by the Choirs of Annunciation Byzantine Catholic Church.

We have beloved Crucifixes hanging in our home, yet when selecting a new cross stitch project I desired to connect a bit with our Eastern brothers and sisters in Christ.

Thanks so much for helping me to learn even MORE new things.

 

[rciadan]

The IC XC means “Jesus Christ Conquers”

 

[MorEphrem]

The IC XC means “Jesus Christ Conquers”

IC XC is a Greek abbreviation for Jesus Christ (Ιησους Χριστος). The letters that look like C are actually lunate sigmas (a medieval way of writing the letter sigma, which otherwise looks like this Σ or σ).

 

[Cavaradossi]

The IC XC means “Jesus Christ Conquers”

That would be IC XC NIKA. IC XC alone just means, “Jesus Christ.”

 

[Apotheoun]

IC XC is a Greek abbreviation for Jesus Christ (Ιησους Χριστος). The letters that look like C are actually lunate sigmas (a medieval way of writing the letter sigma, which otherwise looks like this Σ or σ).

ο ων, meaning literally ‘the being,’ in Greek, is written over Christ’s head to signify His divinity.

This ↑

 

[rciadan]

That would be IC XC NIKA. IC XC alone just means, “Jesus Christ.”

Thanks

 

[patrick457]

Also, surrounding His head are the three letters ‘O’ ‘W’ and ‘N.’

I plan to hang this Icon in our home and would truly appreciate knowing the meaning of these symbols.

Thank you, my friends.

Since the others already explained what IC XC means:

It’s actually an omicron (Ο, ο), an omega (Ω, ω) and a nu (Ν, ν). It’s basically a phrase: ο ων (ho ōn), “the being” or “he who is.” In the Septuagint (the translation of the Old Testament into Greek), the name God revealed to Moses - 'ehyeh-asher-'ehyeh “I am that I am” in Hebrew - is rendered as Ἐγώ εἰμι ὁ ὤν (egō eimi ho ōn), “I am ‘the one who is’.” The inscription thus identifies Jesus as God.

 

[Patchunky]

I enjoy cross stitching projects.

You may want to check eBay. Several years ago, DMC created 3 or 4 patterns for Ukainian icons. I know three patterns were Christ the Teacher, Mother of God with the Christ Child and St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. I can’t remember what the 4th one was.

You will often find one or all of these patterns listed on eBay.

There are also icon patterns available on eBay that are printed in Ukraine but have a color chart that will match DMC thread numbers.

Hope this helps…