In the Eastern Orthodox Church, we refer to the Virgin Mary as “Theotokos”.  In Greek, (Θεοτόκος) the term “Theotokos” translates to “God-bearer” or “Mother of God.” Orthodox Christians use this title to highlight Mary’s exceptional position as Jesus Christ’s mother, who is both the Son and the Word of God. This title also confirms the belief that Jesus possesses both divine and human natures, which are united within the Trinity as one Person.

In Icons, the portrayal of baby Jesus as a miniature adult symbolizes his divine nature and the belief that he was born without sin. Additionally, he often holds a scroll, which serves as a symbol of his role as the Word of God.

In the halo of Jesus, you may often see three Greek letters inscribed which are called a nimbus or glory. These letters are “Ο ω ν,” which are the Greek words “ὁ ὤν.” In Greek, “ὁ ὤν” translates to “the one who is” or “the existing one.” It signifies God’s eternal and unchanging nature, emphasizing His self-existence and omnipotence.

In art, the use of red for the veil and blue for the outfit of the Theotokos (Mary) holds symbolic significance:

Red Veil: The red veil represents her humanity. It symbolizes her earthly nature and her role as a human mother. It also signifies her willingness to accept the divine will and become the mother of Christ, despite being a mortal woman.

Blue Outfit: The blue garment represents her divinity. It is a color associated with the heavens and the divine. Blue signifies her purity, her unique role as the Mother of God, and her holiness. It reflects her spiritual and heavenly attributes.

Together, the red veil and blue outfit in Orthodox iconography represent the dual nature of Mary as both a human being and the Mother of God, emphasizing her special place in Christian theology as the Theotokos, the God-bearer.

The veil and outfit for Jesus differ from those of the Theotokos (Mary) to convey distinct theological messages:

Jesus’s Veil: Jesus is typically depicted with a red or purple veil. This represents His divinity. Red symbolizes His royal and divine nature as the Son of God, and purple is a color associated with royalty and majesty.

  Jesus’s Outfit:  Jesus is often shown wearing a blue inner garment. This blue signifies His heavenly nature and purity, emphasizing His divine essence.

So, while both Jesus and the Theotokos are often depicted with red veils and blue outfits, the specific colors and their symbolism differ to highlight the distinction between the divine nature of Jesus and the humanity of Mary.