Abstract:

The paper examines the symbolic meanings of visual metaphor of “sword” in an iconographic composition of title page frame of book by Lazar Baranovich Spiritual Sword (1666). This metaphor correlates with the main literary image of book interpreted by Lazar as Word of God, acting as an instrument of struggle between Good and Evil in the End Times. The plot of title page is primarily associated with the Preface to the Reader, but, moreover, it is not an accurate and complete illustration. Lazar Baranovich does not explain in detail the deep eschatological meaning of the title’s microplots. Instead, with help of the text of Preface and the visual language of engraving, he engages the reader in theological and intellectual play of images and metaphors. The symbolism of sword, based on quotations from Scripture, is complex, varied and ambivalent. But the inscriptions accompanying the images constantly emphasize that the swords present here are, first of all, metaphors of speech. They, like the harp peeping out of the back of King David, can be used to preach spiritual truth and expose verbal lies, which, like a sword, are wielded by opponents of the true faith.

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