The Seven Arrows Icon of the Virgin Mary: A Symbol of Sorrow and Solace
The Seven Arrows Icon of the Virgin Mary, also known as the “Softener of Evil Hearts” or “Symeon’s Prophecy,” is a profound representation of the Virgin Mary’s deep sorrow and her compassionate intercession for humanity. This icon is steeped in rich symbolism and history, offering a window into the Orthodox Christian faith’s reverence for the Mother of God.
The icon depicts the Virgin Mary with her heart pierced by seven swords or arrows, a visual embodiment of the prophecy given to her by Saint Symeon. During the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple, Symeon foretold that a sword would pierce Mary’s soul, signifying the immense pain she would endure witnessing her Son’s suffering and crucifixion.
Each arrow in the icon represents various sorrows that Mary faced in her life, including the Flight into Egypt, the loss of the young Jesus in Jerusalem, His journey carrying the cross, the Crucifixion, the taking down of Jesus’ body from the cross, His burial, and finally, the Virgin Mary’s own departure from this earthly life.
The icon’s background is often dark, symbolizing the grief and suffering of the Virgin Mary, yet her face remains serene and full of grace, reflecting her role as the Comforter of the afflicted and the Refuge of sinners. Her open posture and outstretched hands invite the faithful to seek her intercession and to find solace in her maternal embrace.
The Seven Arrows Icon is not only a reminder of Mary’s sorrows but also a testament to her strength. It encourages the faithful to persevere through their own trials and tribulations, drawing strength from her example of unwavering faith and trust in God’s will.
For believers, this icon serves as a source of comfort during times of sorrow and a reminder of the redemptive suffering of Christ. It is a call to prayer, to compassion, and to the hope that springs from the deepest wells of faith. The Seven Arrows Icon of the Virgin Mary is a powerful symbol of the Mother of God’s enduring love and her ceaseless prayers for the world, making it a cherished addition to any home or place of worship.
In the icon painting workshop “Mstyora Icons” you can buy a filigree icon of the Mother of God of Seven Saints, which is made in the best traditions of Russian iconography. The hand-painted filigree icon of the Mother of God of Seven is not only an expression of spiritual elevation and faith, but also a true work of art, which will become an exquisite decoration of your iconostasis.
All stages of icon production, starting with the icon board and ending with tempera painting, are performed by professional masters and painters of iconography with many years of experience and work experience. Customers of the icon painting workshop are Orthodox Temples and Monasteries.
All icons of the Mstyora Icons icon-painting workshop are made in strict observance of the iconographic canon of the Russian Orthodox Church.
Order The Seven Arrows Icon of the Virgin Mary in the icon-painting workshop “Mstyora Icons”, Mstyora, Vladimir region, where icons have been painted since 1628.
It is possible to paint an image in any size to order.
We accept orders for measurement icons, analoy icons, church icons, and icons for iconostasis.