Is there a particular reason?

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Nelka

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Why we sometimes have pictures of Mary with the Infant Jesus and sometimes without?

Also, on a side note, what is the significance of the child Jesus losing his sandal? Our Lady of Perpetual Succour.
 
Nelka said:
Why we sometimes have pictures of Mary with the Infant Jesus and sometimes without?

Also, on a side note, what is the significance of the child Jesus losing his sandal? Our Lady of Perpetual Succour.
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Bump…yes there is a reason, but I can’t recall. The only thing I can remember is the sandal has something to do with John the Baptist saying one will come that I’m not worthy of loosening His sandal strap…I’m pretty sure on this, but not positive and would appreciate more (name removed by moderator)ut of the matter. Samson
 
for a time Jesus was a child being reared by Mary, and after that He grew up>? :o 😛
 
I do believe I have never seen an Icon of the Theotokos without the Child. The older depictions of the Theotokos usually have her with the Christ-Child, but for the ones of the Annunciation (and then the Child is implied), in both East and West. The more traditional depictions of the Theotokos in East and West say something very important: we venerate this Woman because of the Child in her arms (or womb as the case sometimes is). Thus, with that artistically-given focus, veneration of the Theotokos can never be separated, conceptually or practically, from the worship of the Christ. The word Theotokos, God-Bearer, has the same effect in text and prayers.

The only images I have seen of Mary which do not include her Son have been Western works inspired by the “apparitions” seen through the last five or so centuries. I am not saying others do not exist, but I simply have not been able to find one that is not traced back to some “apparition.”

The missing sandal, I do think is a reference to Lk xxx, 16.
 
The folder I have of how to pray the rosary has a icon of our Mother of Perpetual Succor on the front cover with the various symbols of the icon explained.
The falling sandal indicates Christ’s “alarm at the thought of His passion and death.”

I would think the reason why Jesus is at times included and at other times not included in portraits of our Blessed Mother would have to do with the artist’s purpose in portraying Mary. I liken it to photos and drawings we may have of our own families. At one time the photo focuses on a single person, the mother. A photo may be of both husband and wife, or it may include all members of the family.
 
there is a legend of el Santo Nino, the Christ Child, whose devotion is strong among Hispanics in the southwest, that has to do with his sandals, as he appeared to workers bringing them food when they were starving, and was wearing red sandals, if I can find it I will post it.
ninoatocha.com/history.html
the description says the sandals, typical of the pilgrim, in whose garb he is depicted, were silver, but images I have seen here have them in red so I don’t know if that is significant

your link knocked me off the internet but I found the image of OLPH with the dangling sandal, but no source that described its significance. Since sandals are a sign of the pilgrim it could be a sign of Christ’s presence on earth to bring us on a pilgrimage with him as he carries his cross. One sandal off and one on could also signify his dual divine (heavenly) and human (earthly) natures.
 
The icons I have seen with Jesus having one sandal partly hanging also have what I am told are symbols of his passion in the upper corners. He saw them and was frightened, so jumped in the lap of his mother so quickly that one of his sandals almost fell off.
 
katy said:
The icons I have seen with Jesus having one sandal partly hanging also have what I am told are symbols of his passion in the upper corners. He saw them and was frightened, so jumped in the lap of his mother so quickly that one of his sandals almost fell off.
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Looking at my icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Succor with explanation:
Upper Left Hand Corner = Greek Initials for Mother of God
Just Below = Greek initials for the Archangel Michael who holds the lance and the sponge.

Upper Right Hand Corner = Greek initials for Mother of God
Just Beneath = Greek initials for Archangel Gabriel, who holds the cross of Christ.

The Christ child clings lovingly to His mother who holds him with supporting hands.
The gold background symbolizes heaven.
 
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