Emmanuel's Stained Glass Windows Part II
During the Gothic period (1100-1500) stained glass was the foremost form of painting in Europe. If you look closely at our stained glass windows you will notice that the surfaces of each piece of glass are painted in a wide range of dark tones.The term “stained glass” came about because of the use of silver stain being applied to the side that faced the outside of a building. Remember, silver stain was a combination of chemicals that were blended together and applied to clear glass. It enabled a more flexible approach to glass painting, allowing, for example, the hair of a figure to be painted on the same piece of glass as the head. It was also used to highlight details.
In Gothic cathedrals, stained glass was correctly called the “Bible of the Poor”. Many of the poor were unable to read so the colors, pictures, symbols and lines had meaning and taught them the scripture.
Some of the color symbols, and their meanings, you will find in our windows are:
Red: Chaity, Blood of Christ, A reminder of the suffering and sacrifice of the Son of Man. Our windows seem to have Jesus always dressed in red or red on him somewhere.
Blue: Hope, sincerity, love and piety. This is the color assigned to the Virgin Mary.
Green: Faith, immortality, spring. Triump of life over death
Violet: Love, truth, passion and suffering.
White/Gold: Chastity, innocence of soul and purity. The color of God.
Black: Death and regeneration.
Yellow: Power and glory, the Gates of heaven
Purple: Royalty, God the Father.
Gray: The emblem for Christ risen. Also, mourning, humility
There are also other symbols used in religious stained glass windows. You will find many if these symbols as well, on our windows, such as:
Triangle: Trinity.
Bells: news bearers, to announce Jesus conquering death, birth, etc.
Lilies: Chasity, innocence and purity. Symbol of Christ.
Lamp: the manifest presence of God as the light of the world
Harp: represents all music that is sung or played to the glory of God.
Lyre: represents all music that is sung or played to the glory of God.
Holy Bible: Christian Faith
Star of David: 6 pointed star: the star of Creation. The 6 points stand for the six days of creation. It also represents the 6 attributes of God: power, wisdom, majesty, love, mercy and justice. It is also called a Six sided star also the Jewish star.
Bright lantern: Christ's passion, word of God
Cup in God's hand: death
Broken chains: represents Christ's hand reaching from heaven and breaking the chains of death.
Five pointed star: symbol associated with Christianity.
Pomegranate: The fullness of Christ's suffering. The resurrection of hope and eternal life. The many seeds represent the many believers in Christ (the church). It also symbolizes ressurection.
Wheat: Can represent Believers, the Body of Christ, the bread in the communion.
Dove: Holy Spirit with an olive branch...the end of God's judgement and the beginning of a new covenant with man.
Clover: trinity
Oil Lamp: Holy Spirit
Lotus flower: purity
Anchor:the hope of having Christ beyond this life.
Chalice with grapes: the Eucharist. Jesus as the true vine.
Daisy: innocence of the Holy Child.
The vine, grapes, sheaves of wheat: elements of communion
Fruit: A symbol of the 12 fruits of the spirit.
On the lower level of our sanctuary the windows tell the story of Jesus' life, death and resurection.
The windows on the East side are considered the Advent windows. They deal with the announcement of Jesus' birth through his baptism by John the Baptist. Look for continuity in all these windows.
Let's look at the first window from the altar:
"Fear not for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy"
note: The Holy Bible is at the center of this window (above the six-sided star) and is in all but two of the other windows. It is a symbol of Christian faith.)
Visible symbols of note:
handbells (upper left): news bearers, to announce Jesus conquering death, birth.
handbells (upper left): news bearers, to announce Jesus conquering death, birth.
Dove (upper right): Holy Spirit.
Triangle (upper right): Trinity
Pomegranate (open flower shape on the top left): The fullness of Christ's suffering. The resurrection of hope and eternal life. The many seeds represent the many believers in Christ (the church). It also symbolizes resurrection.
Pomegranate (open flower shape on the top left): The fullness of Christ's suffering. The resurrection of hope and eternal life. The many seeds represent the many believers in Christ (the church). It also symbolizes resurrection.
Wheat (top right) : bread of life. Holy communion.
The lamb between the shepherds and the angel: the lamb of God.
The lamb between the shepherds and the angel: the lamb of God.
Notice that the six-sided star is in the center of this window. It is a Jewish symbol representing the six days of creation.
Continue looking for symbols from the list above like bells, lilies, harps, stars, triangles, as well as color symbols.
The second window from the altar
"And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe, lying in a manger."
Notice the bright light of the lantern. This is a prime example where silver stain was used. The manifest presence of God as the light of the world.
Visible symbols of note:
Clover (top left): trinity
Oil lamp (upper left) : represents the word of God.
Lotus flower (top right): purity
Anchor (upper right): Christian's hope in Christ.
Visible symbols of note:
descending dove (upper left): Holy Spirit
white flowers (top left): innocence and peace, purity
grapes (top right): communion
lying lamb with flag (upper right): lamb of God
The Holy Bible is at the center of this window (above the six-sided star) and is in all but two of the other windows. It is a symbol of Christian faith.)
black bird: considered a good omen.
cat tails: A lowly common plant. Symbol of the multitude of the faithful who live a simple life and obey the teaching of the church. The source of living water.
Continue looking for symbols from the list above like bells, lilies, harps, stars, triangles, as well as color symbols.
The Holy Bible is at the center of this window (above the six-sided star) and is in all but two of the other windows. It is a symbol of Christian faith.)
Here the six sided Jewish star is on the left
Continue looking for symbols from the list above like bells, lilies, harps, stars, triangles, as well as color symbols.
Continue looking for symbols from the list above like bells, lilies, harps, stars, triangles, as well as color symbols.
The third window from the altar
"We have seen his star, and are come to worship him."
Wise men bearing gifts see the Star in the East and come to worship Jesus.
Visible symbols of note:
sunflower (top left): worship and faithfulness.
sunflower (top left): worship and faithfulness.
Musical instruments: Music in worship (we are a singing faith).
Sheave of wheat: believers, body of Christ. Bread of life.
Sheave of wheat: believers, body of Christ. Bread of life.
harp: worship
The Holy Bible is at the center of this window (above the six-sided star) and is in all but two of the other windows. It is a symbol of Christian faith.)
Here the six sided Jewish star is on the right.
Continue looking for symbols from the list above like bells, lilies, harps, stars, triangles, as well as color symbols.
The fourth window from the altar.
"And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
Jesus at the age of 12 standing in the Temple amazing the priests with his knowledge.
Visible symbols of note:
3 white flowers (top left): innocence of the holy child
10 commandments (upper left): the law of God for spiritual and moral living
The Holy Bible is at the center of this window (above the six-sided star) and is in all but two of the other windows. It is a symbol of Christian faith.)
Holy Bible (upper right): the word of God
Flowers (top right): innocence of the holy child
Continue looking for symbols from the list above like bells, lilies, harps, stars, triangles, as well as color symbols.
Continue looking for symbols from the list above like bells, lilies, harps, stars, triangles, as well as color symbols.
The fifth window from the altar (near the bell tower)
"Jesus came and was baptized of John in Jordan."
This is probably my favorite window. Maybe because no matter what time of the year, this window always captures the sunlight at seven in the morning. The colors are absolutely remarkable.
Baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist with the voice of God, “This is my beloved son with whom I am well pleased.”
Visible symbols of note:
descending dove (upper left): Holy Spirit
white flowers (top left): innocence and peace, purity
grapes (top right): communion
lying lamb with flag (upper right): lamb of God
The Holy Bible is at the center of this window (above the six-sided star) and is in all but two of the other windows. It is a symbol of Christian faith.)
black bird: considered a good omen.
cat tails: A lowly common plant. Symbol of the multitude of the faithful who live a simple life and obey the teaching of the church. The source of living water.
Continue looking for symbols from the list above like bells, lilies, harps, stars, triangles, as well as color symbols.
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