The Annunciation

Symbolism of the Window

 Our new Annunciation window in the chapel of St. Mary’s is a pleasing blend of art and prayer. Sacred art and architecture make use of symbols to present religious truths. Words sometimes fail where symbolism succeeds, and taken together they enable spiritual ideas to be more fully grasped.

The dove at the top of the window represents the Holy Spirit: After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water and behold, the heavens were opened…and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove….—Matt 3:16

The angel Gabriel gestures toward God with his right hand in the form of the Christogram.  The fingers form the Greek letters ICXC, an abbreviation of the Greek name of Christ: IhcoyC  XrictoC.  Gabriel holds white lilies in his left hand, symbolizing Mary’s purity.

Mary’s posture and expression show piety and submissiveness to the will of God. The wild rose blooming behind the railing reminds of Isaiah’s prophesy revealed in her: ...The desert and the parched land will exult; the steppe will rejoice and bloom. They will bloom with abundant flowers, and rejoice with joyful song….—Is 35:1-2

The ewer and basin are used for cleansing, and represent ritual purity and the water of Baptism.  They recall Pilate’s washing of his hands as Jesus is sent to his death.  The water also relates to the four hundred year drought of silence--the period of time before the birth of Jesus without revelation from God.

Flowers, plants and other religious symbols may contain layers of meaning.  The rose, usually shown in stylized form, has been a common Christian symbol since the thirteenth century, and may be used to represent the Messianic promise, the nativity of Christ, or the Virgin Mary

The grapes represent the blood of Christ in the Eucharist, while the apple represents the original sin conquered by Jesus.  The ripeness of the fruit represents the ripeness or fullness of time in God’s plan: But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law….—Gal 4:4

The long-lived evergreen Cedars of Lebanon represent Christ, symbolizing eternal life and steadfastness of faith.  The dogwood is a modern representation of the Passion of Christ.  According to legend, dogwood was the source of the wood of the cross.  Once tall and straight, now it is small and twisted.  Its blossoms are in the form of a cross with nail prints on the outer edge of each petal, brown with rust and stained with red.  The center of the flower is marked with a crown of thorns.

Other decorative motifs reinforce the concepts of royalty, majesty, and divinity.  The circle, without beginning or end, is symbolic of eternity and is a reference to God.  Blue, the color of the sky, is symbolic of heaven and of truth.  The green of plant life is used to represent the triumph of life over death.  Purple is the color of penitence and mourning, as well as of royalty.  Red, the color of blood, commemorates the crucifixion.  As the color of fire, it is also a symbol for the Holy Spirit.  White reminds of purity, innocence and holiness, while yellow, the color of light may be used to represent divinity.  Gold signifies royalty, providence, and glory.