Differences between the usages of icons and statues?

[Romanos]

Referencing the Eastern Orthodox practice of using icons rather than statues, would you say there is a reason why the primary use of the RCC is statues? And vice versa for the EO?

 

[Tigger]

I believe the intentions are the same. I think nuances come out in the usages between denominations..

 

[MoreCoffee]

Referencing the Eastern Orthodox practice of using icons rather than statues, would you say there is a reason why the primary use of the RCC is statues? And vice versa for the EO?

Probably culture and the proximity of Palestine and later in history Islamic influences led to iconoclasm from which the Orthodox recovered after about a century of religious and civil disturbances.

 

[Romanos]

So due to iconoclasm, the RCC refrained from iconography?

 

[MoreCoffee]

So due to iconoclasm, the RCC refrained from iconography?

No, more the Orthodox refrained from statues (which were in common use in the East Roman Empire until the pressures from Judaism and Islam produced the effect I mentioned).

 

[Romanos]

One thought I always had in mind was that statues always seemed to catch more of a bad taste.

 

[MoreCoffee]

One thought I always had in mind was that statues always seemed to catch more of a bad taste.

The wording "graven images" in the KJV translation of the ten commandments probably contributes to the idea that statues are forbidden to the faithful in Christ. It is noteworthy, however, that God himself commanded the preparation and use of carved images and woven pictures in the construction of the tabernacle and in the worship of Israel. Thus the serpent that was instrumental in healing snake bite in the 40 years wilderness wanderings and the cherubim atop the ark of the covenant and the images of cherubim on the curtains separating the holy from the most holy places in the tabernacle. It was not until later in Israel's history that image phobia set in and that was because of the many episodes of idolatry that the nation fell into. And Islam, the second influence on Orthodoxy in the period of Iconoclasm, started out with image phobia.

 

[psalms 91]

Yes, I can remember when I was stationed in Turkey we were warned not to try to take a picture of anyone especially the veiled women. I know the Amish also do not believe in pictures

 

[Tallguy88]

I don't believe there is any theological difference between statues and icons in the Catholic tradition. I believe the EO do believe there us a difference. You might ask them about it.

 

[MoreCoffee]

I don't believe there is any theological difference between statues and icons in the Catholic tradition. I believe the EO do believe there us a difference. You might ask them about it.

Yes, I think there is some theological rationale behind the use of icons among the Orthodox and the relative scarcity of statues among them. Catholics do not appear to have the same theological rationale at work because we have plenty of statues and plenty of icons as well as many 'realistic' style paintings in our churches.

 

[Tigger]

I've heard that Coptic Christians prefer more animated icons to ensure they are not too realistic.

 

[Josiah]

I have no issues with icons or statues.