Byzantine ornament: features, colors, motifs

We want to tell in our article about the Byzantine ornament. Ancient motifs of the Byzantine patterns can be seen even today in ultramodern interiors of apartments, on a decorative tile decorating walls and floor, on items of expensive utensils, on ornaments. Such patterns are always associated with brilliance and luxury, the brightness of color. But the origins of a particular Byzantine style originate in strict asceticism and the striving of mankind for spiritual harmony, which manifested itself in special external forms.

Features of the Byzantine ornament

The Byzantine ornament united the Eastern and Hellenistic traditions. It gracefully interweaves lush spectacle and refined decorativeness, deep religiosity and conventionality of the figurative language, dogmatism and emotionality, philosophical depth and artistic expression, admiration for the transient perishable beauty of the world and humble worship of the Higher Beginning.

The most characteristic feature of Byzantine ornamental creativity can be called a bizarre pattern, borrowed from the Persians. For example, patterns on Byzantine fabrics often consist of geometric shapes (circles or polygons) into which images of animals are intricately inscribed. Often all this splendor is framed by a long and smoothly curved acanthus leaf.

For Byzantine patterns, the most characteristic is the use of zoomorphic and geometric elements in combination with human figures. Ornamental floristry of the Byzantine ornament is strongly stylized and is divided into the simplest elements: palmetto, half-palmetto, and also a stem, forming various combinations.

The colors of Byzantine ornaments

If you look at the illustration, where the Byzantine ornament in color is depicted, you can immediately notice the basic tones most often found in the patterned ornaments of Byzantium. These are bright red shades, bright green, purple and violet. Interestingly, the characteristic Byzantine style, which was formed under the influence of the cultural heritage of other peoples, in turn, had a direct impact on Russian art, as well as on the art of Western European countries.

Byzantine ornament: main motifs

• Lily - this flower is a symbol of the Annunciation, the renewal and the coming of the Savior to the earth.
• The Tree of Life is a symbol of the Kingdom of Heaven, the Eucharist.
• Spiral - it can often be seen in the motifs of contiguous circles, as if forming a grid covering the entire ornamental surface. Inside circles, in turn, are depicted three-part compositions and crosses - traces of the influence of the Persian ornament.
• The braid is the motive, which is the symbol of the network, which catches human souls. Often at the head of the principle of building the entire composition, which combines the Old Russian and Byzantine ornaments. Often present in architecture, in church paintings, in typographical and manuscript books.
• Byzantine flower - one of the favorite motifs in ornamental Byzantine art.
• Acanthus is an image that marks the eternal life of the future century. This motif came in Byzantine ornamentation from ancient art.
• A precious stone is a graphic imitation of a natural stone. This element was often used in architecture.
• Laurel wreath - symbolizes the victory of Jesus Christ over death.
• Monogram of Christ.
• Anchor - personifies the hope of eternal life and salvation.

Zoomorphic motifs in Byzantine ornamentation

In the Byzantine ornament, images of dragons, fish, griffins (a hybrid of an eagle with a lion), senmurvs (a hybrid of a bird and a dog), lions, wolves, leopards, and also birds (eagles, pigeons, peacocks) are skillfully interlaced.

Griffins

These mythical animals symbolize wisdom and strength, as well as the dual nature of the Savior - both divine and human.

A fish

Ancient symbol of Christ, a symbol of Christian faith.

a lion

A favorite heraldic image, symbolizing the idea of strong power.

Peacock

In the Byzantine Empire, peacocks were compulsorily kept at the court, they were called royal birds. As an element of a peacock's ornament personifies the immortality of an imperishable soul.

Dove

The symbol of divine inspiration, enlightenment and purification of the soul.