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Symbolism During the Renaissance art was used as a religious tool, to help people who could not read and write to understand the Bible. Objects Most works, particularly paintings, contained symbols or icons which held extra meaning. For instance, a closed door or gate in relation to the Madonna was a symbol of her virginity and helped the viewer to understand who was being referred to. This symbol also made reference to the Old Testament prophecies concerning the coming of the Messiah. Below is a list of some common Renaissance symbols. It is also important to remember that many symbols have both Christian and pagan meanings, depending on their context. apple Temptation. Fall of mankind – tradition claimed this as the original fruit of the Tree of Knowledge. bread Body of Christ, flesh. butterfly the Resurrection (emerges from cocoon and is ‘reborn’) cock or rooster vigilance, also Saint Peter cross Christ’s suffering; Christian dog faithfulness dove Holy Spirit (with an olive branch – peace and deliverance) dragon Satan or the Devil eagle the ascension of Christ flower because its form is cup-like, it can symbolise the chalice that Christ drank from; or the Virgin Mary fleur de lis symbol of the Holy Trinity (it ahs three prongs); also of France fruit the garden of Eden and the fall of mankind. Sometimes fertility. The transience of earthy life (insubstantial). garden paradise; a locked or enclosed garden can also relate to the Virgin goldfinch because its habitat is thorns and thistles, it symbolises Christ’s suffering. grapes Last Supper; or transformation of mankind; blood of Christ halo divinity. Haloes came in different shapes: circular ones symbolised the perfection of heaven; cruciform for Christ; triangular, the Trinity, square for Popes, donors etc hexagonal, the theological and cardinal virtues hand emerging from cloud, God’s presence iris sword lily; the Virgin Mary key access to heaven or knowledge lamb Christ; sacrifice– the lamb was a sacrificial animal in the Old Testament lamp or candle divine light. All seeing eye of God lily symbol of the Virgin, purity of the Virgin lion the Resurrection; also courage olive tree peace ostrich Virgin birth, sometimes represented by an egg rather than the bird itself ox patience palm martyrdom, victory over death pelican piety, charity, sacrifice of Christ on the cross. Medieval belief held that the pelican pierced its own breast to feed its young with its blood. pomegranate the Resurrection rose Virgin Mary; reference to the Old Testament, the song of Solomon snake Satan or the devil; in pagan mythology, symbol of the goddess of wisdom, healing and fertility tree Wood of the Cross unicorn chastity vase (or jug) of water purity Colour Colour was also used in a symbolic way. This use of colour had its origins in both heraldry and alchemy. Many Renaissance artists were practising alchemists. Alberti identified relationships between colours and elements as follows: - blue: green red ash air water fire (that is, grey); earth (grey was used, since it is neither black nor white – colours that Alberti said should be used sparingly, never in their strongest tones) Colour was to be used to both beautify and enrich a painting. The scientific study and use of colour complementaries began around this time. Below is a list of some of the more common colours used in Renaissance painting and their meanings. Remember that these meanings were not fixed and varied as time passed. black blue gold green purple red silver yellow white death, mourning, sin, evil (the devil was sometimes painted black) Heaven, holiness (sometimes used in place of purple for royalty) (precious metal; used for haloes, etc) justice, also sometimes fertility royalty, sometimes martyrdom martyrdom, suffering, blood, charity. Colour associated with Mary Magdalene (the Scarlet Woman) (precious metal; could be used with the same meanings as white) Cowardice. Judas was often depicted in a yellow robe. purity, chastity, peace, happiness, rejoicing Key Terms alchemy medieval chemistry; belief that it is possible to change base metals, such as lead, into gold through various processes. heraldry science of armorial bearings; coats of arms and heraldic devices identified individuals, families, cities, states, etc. icon image, representation, especially of a religious figure. iconography the study of iconographic motifs (eg images, symbols, signs, icons, emblems), used to convey meaning in art. Symbol sometime used to represent an object, idea or process.