Nimbus (halo) in Latin means "cloud", "cloud" (nimbus) and is a brightly shining circle above the head. In shape, it can be different: triangular, round, hexagonal. But here is a distinctive feature of the images of Jesus Christ is a round (crossed) halo, in which the cross is inscribed.
Although its images are most often found on Christian or Catholic icons, as well as paintings where there are saints, yet the history of its occurrence goes back to ancient times. Drawn haloes illuminating the heads of people have been found for centuries in various cultures - ancient Greek, Byzantine, Muslim, Christian. In the East, a luminous halo around the forehead has always symbolized the reward for a righteous life and meant Enlightenment.
Nimbus over head: origin story
There are not one, but several versions of how such a symbol of holiness as a halo appeared. According tosome scientists, it was preceded by the Greek meniscus - a metal circle that was located around the heads of the statues in order to protect them from birds and bad weather. Other experts argue that the halo around the head arose as a result of the tradition, according to which a shield was placed on the back of the heroes.
The most prudent interpretation is still considered Greek, based on mythology. According to ancient legends, the Olympic gods often appeared to people in human form. A clear blinding light emanated from them, referring to the luminous ether, the above-ground atmosphere, the dwelling place of the gods. It follows that the glow is a sign of belonging to the gods. A little later, mere mortals, who had the honor of being on the same level with heavenly representatives, began to be honored with it. Over time, the divine glow was slightly reduced, and only a luminous halo above the head was applied to the images. Later, this symbol of holiness was borrowed from the Greeks by Christians, Egyptians, Romans and Buddhists.
Distinguishing Features
Christians have a halo around their heads and today is a sign of the Holy Trinity, the Mother of God, angels and saints. But on the icons it can be depicted in different ways. For example, in the face of God the Father, the halo above the head has a triangular shape or the appearance of a six-pointed star. The Holy Spirit can also be depicted in the form of a dove with a triangular halo. As for the Savior Christ, they draw a glow to him, in which the cross is inscribed. Also, Jesus may have a halo, where instead of a cross, three lines of light or a beam of rays are depicted,outgoing along the radius from the center of the disk.
Nimbus of the Mother of God is round in shape and decorated with twelve stars, a radiant crown or diadem. Angels, martyrs, apostles and saints are depicted with round golden halos around their heads. Patriarchs and prophets usually have a silver glow color.
There are certain differences between the images of halos in Orthodox and Catholic icon painting. In the Christian tradition, a divine halo is drawn around the entire head, while in Catholics it is in the form of a circle above it.
What do halos above the heads of saints symbolize?
Nimbus, or solar crown, is considered a sign of a perfect person, confirmation of his special mental strength. Most often, attention is paid to the aura of superpersonality in the head area. This zone of light in the form of a triangle, square or circle speaks of the emanations of the soul, the spiritual energy of saints or divine persons.
Initially, the luminous halo around the head was compared to the solar disk and was considered a manifestation of the power of the Sun, an attribute of its gods. In Eastern iconography, solar deities were identified in this way. A halo above the head spoke of endowed power, power, or spiritual strength. In secular iconography, the crown was such an attribute.
The luminous halo sometimes acted as an attribute of the Phoenix, which is a symbol of immortality. In some drawings, Satan also has a halo, for example, in Byzantine art. This made it clear that he was also endowed with power.
Color accompaniment and shape
The golden nimbus usually represented Christian art, among the Hindus it is red, among the ancient gods it is blue. In some cases, there was rainbow.
The round nimbus (halo) in Byzantine art was a distinctive sign of the dead, who during their lifetime were distinguished by high morality, and the grace of heaven descended on them. For example, the Virgin Mary is always depicted with a round and often exquisitely decorated halo around her head. For divine persons and saints, the halo is similar, but without ornaments.
The cross within a circle or cruciform halo is a specific symbol that characterizes the Atonement and Crucifixion of Christ. But the halo in the form of an ellipse speaks of spiritual light.
A hexagonal or square halo indicates a saint among the living or an ordinary person, but, for example, a donor. Here the square is considered the lowest and serves as a symbol of the earth, while the circle, in turn, is a sign of eternal existence, heaven. The square halo is also interpreted as follows: its three sides are the Trinity, and one is the whole, the head.
The triangular halo is a sign of the Holy Trinity, or the Triune God. A halo shaped like a triangle or rhombus is depicted on the icons of God the Father.
Polygonal haloes have always been used to depict persons famous for their virtue, or other allegorical figures. The hexagonal halo spoke of great virtues or, again, emphasized the allegorical nature of the icon painting. The double aspect of the deity was indicated by the double halo or rays.
What is the difference between halos in differentreligions?
It is very informative and interesting to know what halos above the head of saints of different religious denominations mean. The Buddha, for example, has a red halo and shows the dynamism of solar activity. In Hinduism, Shiva has a rim of flame, symbolizing the Cosmos. Among the Persians, a luminous halo spoke of the power of Ahura Mazda. In ancient and Asian art, the halo was a favorite means of conveying the greatness of kings, rulers, and Roman emperors deified on cash coins. In Mithraism, the halo is a pointer to the light of the Sun, as well as Mithra as his god. Psychology gives the following designation to the halo around the head: this is a solar crown.
Nimbus in Christianity
It is believed that the halo came to Christianity from the iconography of Mithraism, which was originally ousted by him from the Roman Empire. It was borrowed from the images of rulers and pagan gods of the Sun. There is an opinion that the halo on the head of the saints first appeared in the Roman catacombs of Calixtus in the 2nd century. They crowned the head of Christ, then in the same way they identified the special divine status of Mary and the angels.
