What icon is hung over the front door: the meaning of holy images
Often, believers think about hanging an icon over the front door. The placement of the holy image not only serves as an additional decoration, but also fills the house with positive energy. From what kind of image you choose depends on its effect on the inhabitants of the apartment.
Today, many can find an icon in the house
Features of placing icons in the house
Often people who want to place an icon in the house ask themselves the question - is it possible to hang it above the front door and how best to place it? Usually, a special corner is arranged in the house for arranging the most significant icons for a person. There are no special requirements for this, but there are still a number of recommendations:
- It is best to install the icon in the eastern part of the apartment, especially the main image, but nevertheless, to attract positive energy, it is permissible to hang it near the front door.
- It is necessary to ensure the cleanliness of the corner. Constant cleaning is a prerequisite, so the item must be within reach for the hostess.
- It is desirable to supplement the face of the Saint with a towel.
- Clear the space in the place where you plan to hang the icon, you should not use other amulets and talismans.
- You can place the image opposite the entrance to protect the house from evil spirits and negative energy.
It is undesirable to place icons near photographs of family members, as well as other images and household appliances.
To repel negative energy, you can hang an icon in the children's room on the eastern wall
What does the icon bring with it?
For some people, placing an icon above the door is just another fashion trend or some kind of tradition passed down from the older generation. Religious Orthodox people take this issue more seriously. Regardless of the reason why you decide to use such a symbol, the icon carries with it a certain semantic and energetic load.
What does the face of the Saint carry with it? First of all, it is generally accepted that it helps a person maintain a spiritual connection with God and higher powers. Also, the icon serves as a kind of amulet against bad influence from the outside, especially if it is located directly in front of the entrance. In general, it fills the house with positive energy and brings with it a blessing for its inhabitants and their guests.
It is also believed that some images have a specific influence. For example, some of them are able to positively influence a person’s character, prevent quarrels in the family, while others are responsible for health and heal ailments. Patrons have a special influence, they are chosen individually, so in some cases it is allowed to place several images near the doors.
The icon will bring prosperity and peace in the family to the house.
What icons are most often hung over the front door? The most popular are the icon of the Mother of God "Seven-shooter" and "Goalkeeper". Personal guardian angels are also very popular.
Rules for installing an image near the front door
In order for the holy image to benefit your home, you must follow some rules regarding its placement. First you need to choose which icon to hang near the front door. To do this, you need to pay attention to its value and the properties attributed to it.
It is better to place some images just above the opening, so that everyone entering the house, as it were, receives a certain energy charge. At the same time, it will additionally endow your home with positive energy. If you hang the icon in front of the door, you will be able to push away all the negativity from the outside, but there are no strict recommendations on choosing a place, the main thing here is the purity of your intentions and compliance with the general rules for placing icons.
Let's take a closer look at some of the most popular images that are most often hung near the entrance. Perhaps one of them will be the most suitable for you.
The images of shrines above the doorway give each incoming part of their energy.
Mother of God "Seven Arrows"
One of the most widely used images of Saints is the icon of the Mother of God with swords. In other words, it is often called the "Seven-shooter". It depicts the Mother of God alone. In her hands she holds swords, seven or six pieces, depending on the variation of the icon, as if they pierce her chest. Such their arrangement is a kind of symbol of the suffering of the Mother. Knives can be placed in three positions:
- three on the left and four on the right;
- three above the palms and one in the center below them with the handle down;
- three on each side.
The power of the icon lies in the fact that it is able to heal ailments and protect its owners from negativity. She is known for the legend of her appearance when she healed a man who found her under the steps of the bell tower.
For the house, the Seven-shot Mother of God is valuable primarily because it is able to protect it from the penetration of thieves and other ill-wishers. In addition, it improves the emotional situation and prevents the occurrence of domestic quarrels, its alternative name directly indicates these properties. It drives away bad thoughts and helps to cope with negative emotions. The power of an icon does not depend on whether it was consecrated or not, it is such a strong image that even an ordinary copy or an embroidered picture can be used.
The seven-shooter icon in the house protects from any negative state of family members
This is another icon of the Mother of God, which is great for placing near the front door. It is also known as the "Indestructible Wall" or "Oranta". According to legend, she guarded Kyiv and while the face of the Saint was in the city, it was never conquered.
Miraculous power is attributed to the properties of this image, aimed at protecting the house. It helps to protect the home from ill-wishers, thieves, as well as evil spirits and witchcraft. The power of the image is directed to all the inhabitants of the house and protects the dwelling even during the absence of its owners. If guests come to you with bad intentions or negative thoughts directed in your direction, the Goalkeeper will help to take them away. Soon, the ill-wishers themselves will leave the house, as they will feel some discomfort.
"Goalkeeper" - one of the most important Orthodox shrines, protects against a variety of negative events, from the invasion of the house of thieves and ill-wishers
Guardian angel
Another win-win option when choosing a suitable icon to place at the entrance to the apartment is the face of your personal patron or guardian angel. Here you first need to determine the specific Saint who is assigned to you.
You can determine your patron by date of birth. This image will serve as protection for a person and bring him success in life.
Guardian angel helps in any trouble
There is a whole procedure for determining your angel. The most common way is to correlate with your date of birth, but this is far from the only option. You can refer to the name under which you were baptized in the church. Usually it corresponds to the name of some martyr or great martyr. The image of this person will help you cope with the difficulties of life and bring peace and prosperity to your home.
You can also choose a patron yourself. The determining factor in this case is the specific goal that you want to achieve with the help of the icon. For example, it can be an image of a Saint, which has the ability to strengthen family ties and enhance the atmosphere of love and understanding between households. It would be more useful for other people to place a face over the entrance to heal diseases and improve health. In each case, there is a list of suitable icons. Of course, this does not mean at all that she will somehow miraculously solve all the problems for you, but at least you will have self-confidence and inspiration on a spiritual level.
Regardless of which icon you choose, it will in any case favorably affect your home and create positive energy. When moving into a new apartment, you can also bless the home to bless its inhabitants.