Sealed scrolls in Iconography

[WeSeeLight]

Brethren,

The famous Glykophilousa icon represents Christ as a Divine Person incarnate: usually in gold and white robes, being held and "sweetly-kissed" by His mother, as the name of the icon suggests.

In Christ's right hand is a closed, sealed scroll - sometimes held by both of His infant hands. What is the meaning of this, and how did it develop?

http://holy-icons.com/site/wp-conten...kophilousa.jpg

[The_Scott]

I believe it could mean a couple things:

1) he's passing down the law in the form of a scroll, since he is God and the ultimate lawgiver.
2) it is typical iconography that a book (or codex) is usually on top of a scroll. The scroll represents the Old Testament (since they were written on scrolls) and the old ways of Judaism, whereas the codex would represent the the New Testament and the new fulfillment of Christianity.

[Joe Kelley]

I have no knowledge in this area. However, it brings to mind Chapter 5 of the Book of Revelation.

1* And I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals; 2 and I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?" 3 And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, 4 and I wept much that no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. 5* Then one of the elders said to me, "Weep not; lo, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals." 6* And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders, I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth; 7 and he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. 8* And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and with golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints; 9* and they sang a new song, saying, "Worthy art thou to take the scroll and to open its seals, for thou wast slain and by thy blood didst ransom men for God from every tribe and tongue and people and nation, 10* and hast made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on earth." 11* Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice, "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!" 13 And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all therein, saying, "To him who sits upon the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might for ever and ever!" 14 And the four living creatures said, "Amen!" and the elders fell down and worshiped.