An icon (from Greek εἰκών eikōn "image") is a religious work of art, most commonly a painting, from Eastern Orthodox Christianity and Catholicism. More broadly the term is used in a wide number of contexts for an image, picture, or representation; it is a sign or likeness that stands for an object by signifying or representing it either concretely or by analogy, as in semiotics; by extension, icon is also used, particularly in modern culture, in the general sense of symbol — i.e. a name, face, picture, edifice or even a person readily recognized as having some well-known significance or embodying certain qualities: one thing, an image or depiction, that represents something else of greater significance through literal or figurative meaning, usually associated with religious, cultural, political, or economic standing.

Throughout history, various religious cultures have been inspired or supplemented by concrete images, whether in two dimensions or three. The degree to which images are used or permitted, and their functions — whether they are for instruction or inspiration, treated as sacred objects of veneration or worship, or simply applied as ornament — depend upon the tenets of a given religion in a given place and time.

In Eastern Christianity and other icon-painting Christian traditions, the icon is generally a flat panel painting depicting a holy being or object such as Jesus, Mary, saints, angels, or the cross. Icons may also be cast in metal, carved in stone, embroidered on cloth, painted on wood, done in mosaic or fresco work, printed on paper or metal, etc. Creating free-standing, three-dimensional sculptures of holy figures was resisted by Christians for many centuries, out of the belief that daimones inhabited pagan sculptures, and also to make a clear distinction between Christian and pagan art. To this day, in obedience to the commandment not to make "graven images", Orthodox icons may never be more than three-quarter bas relief. Comparable images from Western Christianity are generally not described as "icons", although "iconic" may be used to describe a static style of devotional image.

From Wikipedia under the GNU Free Documentation License
Sat Sep 4 09:56:17 2010

Religious Icon Appraisal ?
Q. I have Orthodox Religious Icons, I want appraised, can anyone give me the info for a dealer/buyer? e-mail etc. Thank You
Asked by Chris G - Thu Jan 29 15:00:05 2009 - - 1 Answers - 0 Comments

A. The best thing is to contact auction houses that are reputable like Christie's, you can check them online they have an online service. They can appraise it for you and let you know how to take care of them too.
Answered by piotrart.com - Sun Feb 1 17:33:34 2009

Does spiritual or religious art statues make for good home decorating? Does it show class or make me a snob?
Q. The only reason I ask, is because I opened up a Yahoo! store with things I like, such as reproduction art of spiritual and religious icons, amongst other things. But I had never thought of decorating my home with it as well. Thank you.
Asked by mjs_mall - Wed Jun 28 11:45:29 2006 - - 6 Answers - 0 Comments

A. Decorate with whatever makes YOU feel comfortable. And, of course, sell these itms on your web site. Most of the world population has a belief system in one faith or another. It's not snobby, it's comforting.
Answered by happyangel1941 - Wed Jun 28 13:00:50 2006

Religious Icons?
Q. Hey everyone. I was wondering if any of you knew any good sites with religious icons for myspace or blogs? Thanks for your help :)
Asked by Jessie - Sun Sep 3 23:45:26 2006 - - 3 Answers - 0 Comments

A. I didn't find much
Answered by lilith - Mon Sep 4 00:01:07 2006

From Yahoo Answer Search: "religious icon"
Sat Sep 4 09:56:19 2010

See also:

  • Sacred Art GallerySacred Art Gallery
    sacredartgallery.com
    Has a good offering of carved and polychrome wood sculpture including Spanish Colonial and European. Museum quality Russian and Greek icons. Fine Old Master oil on canvas paintings. Silver, gold and bronze ecclesiastical including chalices and monstrances, crucifixes and other altar items.
Custom search only religious icon sites:

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Fri Sep 3 13:54:17 2010
Nicholas Kamm / AFP - Getty Images - msnbc.com (blog)
photoblog.msnbc.msn.com
Nicholas Kamm / AFP - Getty Images - msnbc.com (blog)
Mon, 30 Aug 2010 03:18:51 GMT+00:00
msnbc.com (blog) More than a thousand worshippers took part in the annual procession in which an icon of the Virgin Mary is carried from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in ...
Leaders retrace path of Katrina's destruction - SunHerald.com
sunherald.com
Leaders retrace path of Katrina's destruction - SunHerald.com
Sun, 29 Aug 2010 04:14:49 GMT+00:00
SunHerald.com Lewis, a civil rights icon who was beaten nearly to death during an Alabama march in the 1960s, said he was honored to be a part of the pilgrimage which ...
Aug. 23 Open Line - Jacksonville Journal Courier
myjournalcourier.com
Aug. 23 Open Line - Jacksonville Journal Courier
Mon, 23 Aug 2010 13:10:13 GMT+00:00
Jacksonville Journal Courier As a former IC student, it brings great honor to read that the brass of the college is taking care of such an historic icon as the oak tree near Sturtevant ...

From Google News Search: "religious icon"
Sat Sep 4 09:56:19 2010

he Transfiguration Magnet by cowboyannie
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he Transfiguration​ Magnet by cowboyannie
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The Transfiguration of Jesus Christ icon dating to the 12th century

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ancientsculpturegallery.com
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Crucifixion of Jesus Christ Byzantine Christian Orthodox Icon Item No I201

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From Yahoo Image Search: "religious icon"
Sat Sep 4 09:56:19 2010

The Splendor of the Church: THE BIBLICAL FOUNDATION OF HOLY WATER ...
thesplendorofthechurch.blogspot.com
The Splendor of the Church: THE BIBLICAL FOUNDATION OF HOLY WATER ...

Fr. Abe, CRS

ue, 07 Sep 2010 00:34:00 GM

Meron po bang isang larawan lamang o . icon. na tumutukoy sa lahat ng ito,kung meron po,saan ko ito pwedeng makita?Thank you po and more power? September 4, 2010 11:00 PM. Fr. Abe, CRS said... II. the holy water. The presence of Water in ...

From Google Blog Search: "religious icon"
Wed Sep 8 22:56:07 2010