Art history. How was symbolism an important means of communication within the early Chrisitian community?

Question

Art history. How was symbolism an important means of communication within the early Chrisitian community?

How was symbolism an important means of communication within the early Christian community? What challenges did artist face on representing important event such as the crucifixion, nativity and the lamentation in art?
Just a little help or where to find the info.
Thank you

Answer 1

Symbols were used because many people were originally illiterate.

The fish <>< symbol was a popular one, and it was found in underground passageways in Rome where Christians would meet in secret!

Answer 2

The first two answerers are quite right, because many of the early Christians were indeed illiterate. However, let's dig a little deeper.

First of all, the earliest Christians didn't usually choose the Nativity or the Crucifixion as subjects for depiction.

Generally, the fish was commonly used, because the Greek letters for the word "fish" just happened to be the first letters of the phrase "Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior." Later on a lamb was often used to symbolize Christ (as the sacrifice for the sins of the world), and, later still, a figure of a shepherd (recalling Jesus' description of himself as "the good shepherd").

It wasn't until Christianity was established as the official religion of the Roman Empire that other subjects became common in art.

Hope this is some help.

Answer 3

No, by no skill. All strikes are defined to us as options. it is thrilling. i ask your self how a lot of that's western interpretation and how a lot is really asian interpretation. None of my asian (Okinawan and chinese) instructors have ever said any symbolism contained in the movements. really the different. at the same time as preparation with one in all my chinese instructors a pair years back at the same time as the instructor changed into explaining a way between the scholars said that he concept the stream changed into symbolic. First my instructor turned right into slightly wondered at what the student meant yet then concept it changed into the funniest aspect he ever heard and changed into guffawing on the idea. in spite of the indisputable fact that, the chinese do supply names to options like 'shoot the tiger', 'dragon out of the water', 'snake creeps into the hollow' etc yet those are meant to placed around the way a way or stream is meant to experience like and are not meant to be symbolic. So i do not understand. BTW once you have ever considered chinese mountains that's really logical that the nature for diamond and mountain are similar. The mountains really do seem as if wide diamond formed rocks stuck into the earth with astounding drops which could make your head spin searching down. chinese mountains supply an complete new which skill to mountains and are very unique of their structure.

Answer 4

in Roman Catacombs or in Gallia Placidia Mausoleum (V century) you can still see many symbols.
First of all the "Fish" coming from the acronyms of "Christ" in ancient Greek, but maybe also a remembering of Simon Peter. Then Lamb, than very common is Jesus expressed as "The Good Shepard". Sometimes there are also representations of Christ, but only from the IV century we have Him represented with the beard, like we imagine nowadays.

Answer 5

well, people back then couldn't read. Pictures pretty much portrayed everything they needed to know about the bible... lots of misery if ya ain't good n pay your tithe.