Most people have a special, reverent attitude to icons - images of saints, the Lord and His mother. Often it arises by itself, independently, a believing person comes into contact with them or not. This is due to the special energy emitted by one or another pictorial image. In Russia, there has long been a tradition of having icons handed down from generation to generation to representatives of the same family, of the same kind.
Family icon - a multi-valued concept. It could be images that have been in the family for more than one generation, are, as it were, the charms of the family, the defenders of its representatives. This icon is usually inherited by the eldest child in the family. Or she is transmitted along the female line. Or it remains with one of the male representatives - the successor of the surname. Such a family icon can carry the image of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, the face of the Virgin or Savior, etc. With her parents bless the bride and groom for a long and joyful marriage. Praying before the image, one of the family receives healing or other important help. Over time, the family icon becomes that very relic that helps maintain peace in the house and way between husbands and wives, children and parents, the family memory of ancestors - grandfathers and great-grandfathers. Hence the attitude to her as a priceless shrine. And her loss is perceived as a fatal omen of impending troubles for the whole family.
The term “family icon” has another meaning. This is the name of the image written by the master to order and depicting all the saints who patronize the members of this family. In Orthodoxy they are called "holy namesake." And the more people in the family, the more saints on the icon can be seen. Moreover, it can depict guardian angels of grandparents, who are no longer alive. What is the purpose of this? Such an image has tremendous power, because it is connected to the Christian egregor with many “sensors”. It unites the whole family, helps to resolve conflicts and disputes. The older the image, the greater the sacred meaning it takes. And the icon itself is extremely important for family well-being. Its peculiarity is that in front of this colored "picture" people pray not only for themselves, for the safe resolution of their own needs, but also for their loved ones, their health, well-being, happiness. Therefore, at the head of the image, the artist painted either the Savior blessing the flock, or the Mother of God with a cover protecting her children. There are many other options for the composition of the family icon.
The keepers of our hearth
But what if you do not have an inherited image, but want to have your own home amulet? What other family icons exist? Firstly, with St. Nicholas, the Mother of God of Kazan with the Baby, as well as with Christ himself. It is they who give parental blessing, they symbolize the harmony of family relationships, fidelity and peace. The Mother of God personifies the mistress of the house, the Savior - the owner, the Infant - their children. The icon of the Iveron Mother of God also belongs to the category of family, very strong and significant, miraculous. This image helps those who ask for love, a happy marriage, are in search of their soul mates.
It is also recommended that you have the images of the
Holy Trinity, the Seven-shooter, the Three-handed, "Softening the evil hearts", "Our Lady of the unfading Color" as family ones. The first two are usually hung above the front doors and opposite them. They protect the whole house and its inhabitants from evil and filth. Before the last, they pray for the preservation of the family, especially if the spouses are on the verge of a divorce. It is desirable to have the image of the Mother of God of the Healer, so that the physical and moral health in the family is at the proper level. She is asked that this or that begun business will end safely.
In general, in Russia there are about 100 icons that can be used as family icons to protect the well-being of a kind with their help.