The icon is a symbol of faith, which is always with you

The icon of the native for many centuries accompanies its masters, protecting from troubles, providing an opportunity to appeal with prayer for support and gratitude to the revered saint.

Native icon in ancient traditions

The tradition of wearing cross-stitch and natural icons came to Russia along with the Christian faith in the distant 988.

The first icons of the saints were first worn by traveling people. The roads in those days were dangerous and long. Therefore, in order not to deprive oneself of the opportunity to pray to the revered image - the symbol of faith and the guard, we used our own products.

Icons in those days were made of wood, bone, copper, silver, gold. The choice of material depended on the class, rank and wealth of the owner.

The richer the man was, the more elegant his icon looked. It was certainly made of precious metal and decorated with expensive stones.

The same rich icons considered it their duty to carry and many clergymen, asserting their advantage over God.

The icon was made manually by hand, so the surviving examples of the 15th-16th century often have a much better look than the later period when mass production became fashionable. Stamped icons often reach us in the form of a polished oval.

The ancient icon icons, made after the 16th century, were often dedicated to certain events, rather than specific saints. Own icons were made for students, cadets of military schools: they could be depicted as images of the Savior and the Saints patrons of the school. There were also special officer's images.

During the period of atheism in Russia, the tradition of wearing the icons of the native was lost and began to revive only in the last several decades.

The nude image for modern man

In modern traditions, the strongest symbol of faith is a cross, but the icon of the body becomes more and more popular. Wear it as a symbol of faith either on a separate chain or lace, or with a cross.

It happens to meet people who wear holy images as an accessory. This can be treated differently, but perhaps even unconscious wearing can melt the ice of disbelief.

How to choose an icon?

What icons are more revered at the present time? Often men wear the image of the Savior, the woman - the Mother of God, the picture of the angel is suitable for children. Many are revered by personal icons.

In Orthodoxy there are traditions in special cases praying to a certain Saint. Therefore, often the choice of the icon of the native is connected with this.

Nicholas helps on the road, so it is often preferred by travelers and drivers. On healing from illnesses they turn to Panteleimon the Healer. Very often women wear icons of the Virgin. The choice of an icon can also depend on certain conditions. Thus, the image of the Seven-Mouth praying for the softening of the evil heart, the Healer - about recovery, Fedorovskaya is considered an assistant in childbirth.

What icons are made of

As in the old days, icons are made from different materials. Everyone can choose the right one. Any material has its own advantages, and each person has his own preferences.

There is a suggestion that for men, gold native icons are more suitable, and for women, silver ones. To be guided by this principle is a personal matter for every person.

It is also necessary to take into account that for the child the material of the icon should be easy. Men often prefer more massive images, women - elegant.

Gold and silver inlays

Currently, the icon of the body is not just a symbol of faith, but also a fashionable jewelry. Native icons of silver or gold are very popular. Often such products are decorated with small precious or semiprecious stones, signify enamel. Often, handmade products are transformed into hands of masters in real works of art.

Wooden icons

The icon of the native birch bark becomes more and more popular. This is because it is more affordable, made of environmentally friendly material. In addition, the tree has healing properties. This icon is nice to hold in your hands, it is always warm and acts on the owner soothingly, it is easy and will not cause inconvenience to its mass.

Other materials

Icons from copper are rare, but there are still lovers of this material. There are very simple icons of light alloys. They are usually bought for children or the elderly. Such icons are easy, inexpensive. The image of the Holy, pictured on the icon, does not lose its significance.

At present, if you set a goal, you can find masters who will make for you a permanent icon from more exotic materials. There will be demand - there will be an offer.

And yet I want to believe that the icon will become a symbol of faith for its owner first of all, and not a luxurious bauble for bragging.