Sophia

Information

Materials Inks on thick deckle Khadi paper
Dimensions Approximately 29 x 41 cm.
This paper is handmade and some variation is expected.
Created Summer 2022. Limited prints available.

Explanation of the symbolism

Sophia, the Wisdom of God is a rare, mystical icon. Though not directly named by Péladan, whose work inspires this collection, the pursuit of wisdom is the ultimate aim of all his work, so this piece is the capstone to the Genii of the Rose-Croix series.

I have used elements from four different icons - mainly the Novgorod and Kyiv types - to compose this one, altering some details to harmonise the symbolism. More on the traditional symbolism is here .

Sophia, in the centre, is red because traditionally angels are considered to be made of the fire of divinity itself. She sits on a throne beneath the canopy of heaven, supported by seven pillars, reflecting a verse from the Book of Proverbs 9:1 which is written in Greek above the image: Wisdom has built herself a house and set up pillars seven. . On the pillars are a set of septenaries from the Book of Revelation: a book with seven seals, the seven-branched candlestick, seven eyes, seven trumpets, seven stars, seven golden vials, and seven thunders. The symbols of the seven archangels (Michael/sword; Uriel/flame; Raphael/vial of medicine; Gabriel/lily; Selaphiel/praying hands; Yegudiel/crown; Barachiel; cloth with roses) are in the canopy of heaven above.

The seven (rainbow) steps below her represent the seven steps leading to "Sophia's house" (know as the seven steps of Her Ascent). Traditionally these reflect faith, hope, love, purity, humility, grace, and glory, and they also reflect Péladan's septenaries for achieving self-initiation.

Traditionally this icon depicts Christ in his conventional aspect and that of the Holy Wisdom above Sophia. I have broken with tradition to give Sophia most of the latter attributes. Thus, she and her nimbus both feature an eight-pointed halo (glory), symbolising divinity (the seven days of creation and the eighth day of Eternity). She is surrounded by eight Thrones (the angelic order signified by a winged circle), and her feet rest on them, again a mark of divinity. This composition is encircled by the dark blue circle depicted creation and uncreated Being, sealed with the remaining Orders of angels (see St Dionysius the Areopagite for more on these). The ninth order are the Thrones, already depicted.

At the top of the icon, in the centre of heaven, traditional icons place Sabaoth, The Ancient of Days, in the form of an old, grey-bearded man. I have replaced this with the All-Seeing Eye, also red for divinity, with the divine fire pouring from the triangle, taking form in the dove that signifies the Holy Spirit, carrying Jesus and entering the Grail that seals the circle around Sophia...

The border ornamentation is taken from a design found in Hagia Sophia, Constantinople.