Nativity Icon Symbolism Explained

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Thread on Nativity icon symbolism - several depictions from this icon are explained in the Protoevangelium of James, a 2nd century extra-Biblical text that contains some of the oldest verbal traditions of the first 2-3 generations of the Church. 🧵

Christ being born in a cave is actually an ancient tradition and is not found in Biblical texts. In this depiction He is dressed in burial clothes which foreshadows His death. His location in a cave also is a foreshadowing of the grave where He would be buried and resurrected.

In most cases, the Theotokos is gazing at the Christ-child, instead here she is looking at St Joseph the Betrothed while interceding for him. The old man depicted next to Joseph is the devil who is filling his mind with doubt and anger. He has a halo, indicating his holiness.

Depicted on the left are the magi on their journey following the star in the sky. On the right, the Angels appear in the heavens and proclaim the Saviour's birth to the shepherds in the field so they can visit the town of Bethlehem and witness the Incarnate Christ.

St. John Chrysostom contends that the Star of Bethlehem was an angel appearing as a star, and this idea can be seen in certain Byzantine icons of the Nativity. This may also explain why today instead of the Star being on the top of the Christmas tree, there is an angel.

The women on the bottom right are midwives holding the Christ-child, indicating that our Lord was born as truly man and did not simply appear as human like the Gnostics claimed. The fountain also indicates that Christ was washed after a normal, messy birth.

In icons of the Nativity, the ox and the ass are usually depicted directly to the side of the Lord. The ox symbolizes the Jews, being a clean, kosher animal that they could eat. The ass represents the Gentiles, being stubborn, wild and unclean. Christ unites them. (Eph. 2:14)

You can read the Protoevangelium of James here if you are interested. newadvent.org/fathers/0847.htm Thanks for reading this thread!