Nimbus is a multifaceted concept

Visually we get acquainted with this concept, considering Icons. On each above the heads of the Saints are depicted a ring - a halo. This is an indication of their holiness.

Nimbus in Orthodoxy

In Christianity, the glow around the head has its own specific meaning. Thus, one who has attained the highest connection with the Lord is designated. In addition, a halo is an indicator of righteousness. That person who could not sin and do good in life, could receive the status of the Holy One. He was then portrayed with a halo above his head. It is interesting that the shape of the glow can be not only round. Sometimes it is depicted in the form of a triangle, less often - a hexagon. Head Jesus is always inscribed in a round halo. In addition, there is also a cross - a symbol of faith. The saints were always portrayed with a golden glow. But among the martyrs it could be silvery.

Nimbus of a different shape

Despite the fact that the two religions have the same basis, there are significant differences in their interpretation. So, the halo of an angel in Catholicism can acquire unthinkable forms. Christian icon painters depict a circle above their heads, Catholic icons - a glow around it. On the frescoes in some churches are depicted ktitor with square halves. It is believed that this is a tribute to special respect for people who have done good for society. The square shape of the glow is a sign that it is an earthly inhabitant who has received the special trust of the Saints. From the seventh century to the present day, frescoes have appeared, on which are depicted ktitori next to the Saints. In the same place there is an explanation: it is the person who has enclosed the means in erection of a temple. The saint is his patron.

The origin of the concept

Scientists put forward many versions of the emergence of the symbol. Some believe that halos are a stylization in the icons of disks, by which the ancient Greeks covered their statues from the sun. There are also more sublime versions. According to one of them, the light came from the gods coming to people. If to imagine abstractly, it looked as if a person were standing against the sun, which looked out from behind his head. Such were the higher beings who were ancient. So they portrayed them, which left a lot of material evidence - from cave paintings to books. In any case, the version that the halo is an indicator of closeness to God is more real.

How the concept is used in science

The concept was so imaginative that when they began to study the star and the star, they could not come up with a more suitable word. Rather, the terms arose, but did not take root. Thus, the phrase "halo of the sun" characterizes the whole phenomenon, which is otherwise called halo. This is the appearance of a kind of aura around the light source. It is due to the fact that the rays have to interact with the atmosphere before they reach our eyes. It turns out that the energy beam is blurred, forming a beautiful ring. Halo happens around any celestial source of light, and not just near the Sun. Myopic people observe it almost always. This is due to the peculiarities of perception. Gloria - called the phenomenon of glow around the aircraft.

Nimbus in philosophy

The meaning of the concept was often used in other sciences. So, if it is necessary to characterize the correctness, the validity of a certain phenomenon, then one speaks of its nimbus. Thus it is clear that this phenomenon or person manifests a kind of "righteousness". Nimbus can also be used to debunk those stable phenomena or social traditions that go against, for example, morality. Then the concept is interpreted as being arbitrarily appropriated. For example, removing the halo from the leader. That is, what a person declares is not a value for society.

Is it possible to see a halo?

Here is how an amazing phenomenon that can be observed in the summer on Valaam is described. If you look at the water from the side of the ship at dawn, you can see a real halo in your shadow. Each person sees only his own "sign of holiness." On the shadows of other people, this miracle is not noticeable to him. This is considered one of the wonders of the holy place. In addition, plasmoids and other unique phenomena are often observed here.