Mary Magdalene, the Tower
Mary Magdalene was a prominent follower of Jesus. Recent scholarship suggests that Magdalene was not the name of her hometown, but rather an honorific nickname that Jesus gave her, meaning “The Tower,” to call attention to her leadership. This icon shows Mary sitting with her back to the tomb, waiting until the Sabbath ends so she can anoint his body. She holds a jar of alabaster oil and a red egg. The egg is a traditional symbol for Mary Magdalene, related to a miracle story. Behind her is a stone tower, to symbolize the idea of Mary the Tower. This egg tempera icon on a prepared linden board measures 13.75 x 10.75 inches.
Mary Magdalene was a prominent follower of Jesus. Recent scholarship suggests that Magdalene was not the name of her hometown, but rather an honorific nickname that Jesus gave her, meaning “The Tower,” to call attention to her leadership. This icon shows Mary sitting with her back to the tomb, waiting until the Sabbath ends so she can anoint his body. She holds a jar of alabaster oil and a red egg. The egg is a traditional symbol for Mary Magdalene, related to a miracle story. Behind her is a stone tower, to symbolize the idea of Mary the Tower. This egg tempera icon on a prepared linden board measures 13.75 x 10.75 inches.
Mary Magdalene was a prominent follower of Jesus. Recent scholarship suggests that Magdalene was not the name of her hometown, but rather an honorific nickname that Jesus gave her, meaning “The Tower,” to call attention to her leadership. This icon shows Mary sitting with her back to the tomb, waiting until the Sabbath ends so she can anoint his body. She holds a jar of alabaster oil and a red egg. The egg is a traditional symbol for Mary Magdalene, related to a miracle story. Behind her is a stone tower, to symbolize the idea of Mary the Tower. This egg tempera icon on a prepared linden board measures 13.75 x 10.75 inches.