Seven Arrows Mother of God Icon with Chased Gold

Seven Arrows Mother of God Icon with Chased Gold is a richly decorated hand-painted Orthodox icon of the Most Holy Theotokos in the Seven Arrows iconographic type. The Mother of God is shown alone, with her head gently inclined in sorrow and seven swords piercing her breast. The image unites deep theological meaning with refined Mstyora craftsmanship, chased gold, cold enamel ornament, and a luminous prayerful presence.

This icon is available in 27×31 cm (10.6×12.2 in). It is painted on a linden wood board with kovcheg, linen cloth, chalk gesso, egg tempera, 23K gold leaf, hand chasing, and protective oil finish. The central field is covered with gold and decorated by hand with a fine floral chased pattern, while the outer fields are enriched with multicolored cold enamel ornament.

The icon is suitable for a home icon corner, a family prayer room, or a meaningful Orthodox gift. It is connected with prayer for reconciliation, softening of anger, peace in the home, forgiveness, and the healing of hostility between people.

The Meaning of the Seven Arrows Icon

The meaning of the Seven Arrows icon is rooted in the Gospel event of the Meeting of the Lord in the Temple. When the Most Holy Theotokos brought the Christ Child to the Temple, the righteous elder Simeon spoke a prophecy to her: a sword would pierce her own soul. These words pointed ahead to the suffering she would endure at the Cross, seeing the innocent suffering and death of her Son.

The seven swords in the icon make this prophecy visible. In biblical symbolism, the number seven often expresses fullness or completeness. Here it signifies the fullness of the sorrow borne by the Mother of God. Her grief is not despair; it is compassionate love, joined to obedience to the will of God and to the mystery of salvation.

The icon also has a moral and spiritual meaning. The swords may be understood as the passions and sins that wound the human soul and grieve the Mother of God: pride, envy, anger, greed, lust, gluttony, and despondency. Prayer before this icon asks not only for peace from others, but also for the softening and cleansing of one’s own heart.

Iconography and Symbolism

This icon belongs specifically to the Seven Arrows type. The swords are arranged asymmetrically, four on one side and three on the other. This distinguishes the image from the closely related icon called Softening of Evil Hearts, where the swords are usually arranged more symmetrically, with three on each side and one below.

The Mother of God is shown without the Christ Child. This does not mean spiritual absence or abandonment. The icon focuses on the interior sorrow of the Theotokos and on Simeon’s prophecy. Her inclined head, calm face, and prayerful hands express profound compassion rather than outward drama.

The dark cherry-red maforion is richly patterned and highlighted with fine gold assist. In Orthodox icon painting, gold assist does not indicate earthly luxury. It points to divine grace and to the transfiguring light of the Holy Spirit. The garments are painted with delicate ornamental detail, while the swords are carefully placed across the breast without turning the image into a naturalistic scene.

The halo is decorated with red and blue jewel-like painted forms, imitating rubies and sapphires. These are painted ornamental details, not actual stones. They give the icon a ceremonial and precious appearance while keeping the work within the language of painted Orthodox iconography.

Chased Gold, Cold Enamel, and Mstyora Technique

The central field of the icon is covered with 23K gold leaf, corresponding to 960 purity. The gold is polished and then decorated by hand with chased floral ornament. This chasing creates a relief effect over the golden surface, recalling precious liturgical metalwork and the radiance of an ornate church shrine.

The broad fields of the icon are decorated with multicolored ornament in blue, red, black, and light tones, using cold enamel technique. The border frames the image with a festive rhythm and emphasizes the solemn character of the icon. The result is not a simple painted panel, but a richly finished devotional work.

The icon is painted on a linden wood board with a kovcheg, the recessed central field traditional in many Orthodox icons. Oak splines on the reverse help protect the board from deformation. Linen cloth is applied to the board, followed by natural chalk gesso, which is smoothed and prepared for fine tempera painting.

The face, hands, garments, swords, inscriptions, and ornaments are painted in egg tempera with mineral pigments. The final protective oil finish deepens the colors and helps preserve the painted and gilded surface. Because the icon includes gold, chasing, and enamel-like ornament, careful handling and protection in a kiot are especially recommended.

Prayer and Placement in the Home

Orthodox Christians pray before the Seven Arrows icon for the softening of anger, reconciliation between enemies, peace in the family, and deliverance from bitterness, resentment, envy, and revenge. It is often chosen for homes where people desire greater peace, patience, and mutual understanding.

The icon is sometimes placed near the entrance of a home according to local pious custom, asking the Mother of God to protect the household from hostility, envy, and harmful intentions. It may also be placed in the main home icon corner beside icons of Christ and other holy images. The icon should be treated as an object of prayer and reverence, not as a magical barrier.

Because of the chased gold background and decorated fields, the icon should be kept away from moisture, soot, direct sunlight, and sudden changes in temperature. A wooden kiot with glass is a good choice for long-term preservation.

Free international shipping is included, and payment is made after you receive and approve the icon.

Icon Characteristics

Icon name	Seven Arrows Mother of God Icon with Chased Gold
Iconographic type	Seven Arrows Mother of God
Composition	The Theotokos alone, with seven swords arranged four on one side and three on the other
Available size	27×31 cm (10.6×12.2 in)
Board	Linden wood board with kovcheg and oak splines
Ground	Linen cloth and natural chalk gesso
Painting	Egg tempera with mineral pigments
Gold	23K gold leaf, corresponding to 960 purity, with hand chasing
Decoration	Cold enamel ornament and painted jewel-like halo details
Shipping	Free international shipping; payment after receiving and approving the icon

Care and Preservation

Do not wipe this icon with a wet cloth, alcohol, polish, or household cleaners. Dust may be removed with a dry soft brush. The chased gold and cold enamel ornament should be protected from scratching, dampness, candle soot, and rough handling.

A glazed wooden kiot is recommended for long-term preservation. It helps protect the icon from dust, humidity, temperature changes, and accidental contact while preserving the brilliance of the gilding and the fine painted details.

Questions and Answers

What is the Seven Arrows Mother of God icon?

It is an Orthodox icon of the Theotokos pierced by seven swords, expressing the fullness of her sorrow at the suffering of Christ and her compassion for humanity.

How is Seven Arrows different from Softening of Evil Hearts?

In the Seven Arrows icon, the swords are arranged asymmetrically, usually four on one side and three on the other. In Softening of Evil Hearts, the swords are typically arranged three on each side and one below.

Why are swords shown instead of arrows?

The image comes from Simeon’s prophecy that a sword would pierce the soul of the Mother of God. In iconography the weapons may be shown as swords or arrow-like blades, both pointing to sorrow and spiritual pain.

What does the chased gold background mean?

The hand-chased gold background is a decorative and symbolic element. Gold points to divine light, while the chased floral ornament gives the icon the appearance of a precious liturgical work.

Are the stones in the halo real jewels?

No. The red and blue jewel-like details in the halo are painted ornament, imitating rubies and sapphires as part of the icon’s decorative program.

What materials are used for this icon?

The icon is painted on a linden wood board with kovcheg, oak splines, linen cloth, chalk gesso, egg tempera, 23K gold leaf, hand chasing, cold enamel ornament, and protective oil finish.

What size is available?

This icon is available in 27×31 cm (10.6×12.2 in). Other sizes may be discussed individually before ordering.

Where can this icon be placed in the home?

It may be placed in the home icon corner or near the entrance area, according to local pious custom, while always being treated as a holy image for prayer rather than a magical object.

How should an icon with chased gold be cared for?

Keep it away from moisture, direct sunlight, smoke, and sudden temperature changes. Do not wipe the chased gold with water or chemicals; dust it gently with a dry soft brush.

Do you offer international shipping?

Yes. Free international shipping is included, and payment is made after you receive and approve the icon.