Christian Iconography

[Jhanananda]

There are not many Contemplative Jesus Images, but I found a few that could be used as such on the web.




Perhaps you have a favorite Contemplative Jesus Image.  Please share it here, if you have one.


I have been working on a logo for the GWV.  Maybe this will work.  What do you think?

[Alexander]

I think the bicycle wheel you have is great. Symbolizes samsara but translates it into a modern, Western kind of image.

[Jhanananda]

Thanks, aglorincz, I like the mountain bike wheel as well.  But, the history of western religions has emphasized the rayification of the individual, and Jesus has been the big deal for about 17 centuries.  So, I think western contemplatives need to work on a contemplative version of Christianity, and we can start with the iconography.

I have now created a page for Jesus the Maitreya Buddha

[violet]

I also like the bicycle wheel. To me, it's neutral and I think non-christian contemplatives would not be put off by it.

But I understand the importance that Jesus has had on western civilization...

[Jhanananda]

Thank-you Violet, that is three votes for the bicycle wheel.  Perhaps the GWV has already selected for people who find a mountain bike wheel is an appropriate symbol for Western Buddhism?

[Jhanananda]

While working on a GWV logo that would embrace Christianity without rejecting Buddhism I examined a few cross ideas.  Here is what attracted me.

The basic, no frills cross

Then, this cross that has a circle in its center could be incorporated into the chakra motif which is common in Buddhism to represent the Noble Eightfold Path.

GWV cross + 8-fold dharma wheel, with a lotus in its center for the opening of the heart chakra, with a classic dharma wheel inside of that, which is small and not too offensive to the fundamentalists who are known for burning mystics at the stake.

Let me know what you think, and any suggestions that you may have.

Please note I moved the topic, because it seemed to no longer be relevant to Charismatic Christianity as we explore ways in which mystics express themselves in art.

[Alexander]

I really don't like this image to be honest. I'd get rid of all the lines and circles, unless there is a particular purpose for their being there. If I wanted to combine Buddhist and Christian imagery I'd probably keep it simple (and a little ambiguous) - I'd take a cross and put a petaled flower at the heart of it.

[Jhanananda]

Thanks, aglorincz, for posting your comments.  I agree with you. I am not so fond of the all of the lines and circles either.  I just wanted to incorporate the cross into the 4 Noble Truths, and Noble Eightfold Path.

So, how about down playing the Hindu-Buddhist aspect, and emphasizing the Christian component?  I like it better.

[violet]

I have the same opinion as aglorincz. If a cross must be in the logo, maybe one with the arms all the same length would help to make it ambiguous and balanced. And a flower could be easily put in the center. Here is one cross that I took from : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross#As_emblems_and_symbols

Sun cross:


It can also be seen as a wheel I suppose.

[Jhanananda]

I like that Violet, and thanks for the link.

How bout this cross, which has 4 and 8 legs?

[Alexander]

Thanks, aglorincz, for posting your comments.  I agree with you. I am not so fond of the all of the lines and circles either.  I just wanted to incorporate the cross into the 4 Noble Truths, and Noble Eightfold Path.

So, how about down playing the Hindu-Buddhist aspect, and emphasizing the Christian component?  I like it better.

This looks a lot better, especially if we want to say the four stripes are symbolizing the four noble truths. makes sense.

[Alexander]

I have the same opinion as aglorincz. If a cross must be in the logo, maybe one with the arms all the same length would help to make it ambiguous and balanced. And a flower could be easily put in the center. Here is one cross that I took from : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross#As_emblems_and_symbols

Sun cross:


It can also be seen as a wheel I suppose.

I think there is a really creative way you could conflate a sun cross with a dharma wheel. I'm not an artist though, so I can't say how to do it

[Jhanananda]

This looks a lot better, especially if we want to say the four stripes are symbolizing the four noble truths. makes sense.

Thank-you for posting your comments.  I agree the 4 white stripes inside of the 2 black stripes represent the 4 noble truths inside of the cross of crucifixion.

I think there is a really creative way you could conflate a sun cross with a dharma wheel. I'm not an artist though, so I can't say how to do it

I just do not think we have to make either the cross, nor the lotus, nor the dharma wheel that obscure.  We contemplatives, after all, are not being persecuted, yet.  Maybe when western contemplatives have to go under ground again, because fundamentalist Christians have started burning us at the stake again, then we can invent a more obscure icon to represent us.

[Jhanananda]

Christian iconography blended with Hindu and Buddhist iconography on the Silk Road dating back to around AD 500