To icons - images of saints, the Lord and His mother - most people have a special, quivering attitude. It often arises on its own, independently, the believing person comes into contact with them or not. This is due to the special energy that this or that pictorial image radiates. For a long time there was a tradition in Russia to have icons passed from generation to generation to representatives of the same family, of the same gender.
The family icon is a multi-valued concept. These could be images that are in the family for more than one generation, are, as it were, the wards of the genus, the protectors of its representatives. Inherit this icon is usually the older child in the family. Or it is transmitted through the female line. Or it remains with one of the male representatives - the successor of the surname. Such an icon of the family can bear the image of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, the face of the Virgin or Savior, etc. Her parents bless the bride and groom for a long and joyful marriage. Praying before the image, someone from the family receives healing or other important help. Over time, the family icon becomes the very relic that helps to keep the peace in the house and the harmony between husbands and wives, children and parents, the ancestral memory of ancestors - grandfathers and great-grandfathers. Hence the attitude towards it as an invaluable shrine. And its loss is perceived as a fateful omen of future troubles for the whole family.
The term "family icon" also has another meaning. This is the name of the image written by the master to order and depicting all the saints who patronize the members of this family. In Orthodoxy they are called "holy names". And the more a person in the family, the more saints on the icon can be seen. Moreover, it can depict the guardian angels of grandmothers, grandfathers, who are no longer alive. What is the purpose of this? This image has tremendous power, because it is connected to the Christian egregor by a lot of "sensors". He unites the whole family, helps to resolve conflicts and controversial situations. The older the image, the greater sacral meaning it acquires. And the icon itself for family well-being is extremely important. Its peculiarity is that before this color "picture" people pray not only for themselves, for the safe resolution of their own needs, but also for their loved ones, their health, well-being, happiness. Therefore, at the head of the image the artist drew either the Savior who blesses the flock, or the Mother of God with a veil protecting his children. There are many other options for composing a family icon.
Keepers of our hearths
But what if you do not have an inherited image, but want to have your own home guard? What other family icons exist? First, with St. Nicholas, the Mother of God of Kazan with the Child, and also with Christ himself. It is they who give the parental blessing, they symbolize the harmony of family relations, loyalty and peace. The Mother of God represents the hostess of the house, the Savior - the master, the Infant - their children. The icon of the Iberian Mother of God also belongs to the category of family, very strong and significant, miraculous. This image helps those who ask for love, a happy marriage, is in search of his half.
Also as family it is recommended to have the images of the Holy Trinity, Seven-Stroke, Troeruchnitsa, "Softening of Evil Hearts", "God's Mother Undying Color". The first two hang usually above the front doors and opposite them. They protect the whole house and its inhabitants from evil and filth. Before the latter they pray for the preservation of the family, especially if the spouses are on the verge of divorce. It is desirable to have the image of the Lady of the Healer, so that the physical and moral health in the family is at the proper level. She is asked that this or that started case end safely.
In general, in Russia there are about 100 icons that can be used as family icons to protect their welfare with their own kind.