mandorlas

Noun

mandorla (plural mandorlas)

1. A vesica piscis-shaped aureola that surrounds the figures of Christ and the Virgin Mary, or represents God the Father (who is not traditionally depicted) in traditional Eastern Christian art.
   • In addition, the mandorla may be considered on a more primal level as an archetypically ritual shape that transcends conscious and intentional symbolism, thus falling under the category of the mandala.2005, Andreas Andreopoulos, Metamorphosis: The Transfiguration in Byzantine Theology and Iconography