• Title/Summary/Keyword: Man of truth

Search Result 43, Processing Time 0.034 seconds

Feasibility of Deep Learning-Based Analysis of Auscultation for Screening Significant Stenosis of Native Arteriovenous Fistula for Hemodialysis Requiring Angioplasty

  • Jae Hyon Park;Insun Park;Kichang Han;Jongjin Yoon;Yongsik Sim;Soo Jin Kim;Jong Yun Won;Shina Lee;Joon Ho Kwon;Sungmo Moon;Gyoung Min Kim;Man-deuk Kim
    • Korean Journal of Radiology
    • /
    • v.23 no.10
    • /
    • pp.949-958
    • /
    • 2022
  • Objective: To investigate the feasibility of using a deep learning-based analysis of auscultation data to predict significant stenosis of arteriovenous fistulas (AVF) in patients undergoing hemodialysis requiring percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA). Materials and Methods: Forty patients (24 male and 16 female; median age, 62.5 years) with dysfunctional native AVF were prospectively recruited. Digital sounds from the AVF shunt were recorded using a wireless electronic stethoscope before (pre-PTA) and after PTA (post-PTA), and the audio files were subsequently converted to mel spectrograms, which were used to construct various deep convolutional neural network (DCNN) models (DenseNet201, EfficientNetB5, and ResNet50). The performance of these models for diagnosing ≥ 50% AVF stenosis was assessed and compared. The ground truth for the presence of ≥ 50% AVF stenosis was obtained using digital subtraction angiography. Gradient-weighted class activation mapping (Grad-CAM) was used to produce visual explanations for DCNN model decisions. Results: Eighty audio files were obtained from the 40 recruited patients and pooled for the study. Mel spectrograms of "pre-PTA" shunt sounds showed patterns corresponding to abnormal high-pitched bruits with systolic accentuation observed in patients with stenotic AVF. The ResNet50 and EfficientNetB5 models yielded an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.99 and 0.98, respectively, at optimized epochs for predicting ≥ 50% AVF stenosis. However, Grad-CAM heatmaps revealed that only ResNet50 highlighted areas relevant to AVF stenosis in the mel spectrogram. Conclusion: Mel spectrogram-based DCNN models, particularly ResNet50, successfully predicted the presence of significant AVF stenosis requiring PTA in this feasibility study and may potentially be used in AVF surveillance.

Exploring the Values of Korean in the Period of Transitional and Industrial Era (전환기부터 산업화 시기까지 한국인의 가치 탐색)

  • Ryu, Hyungsun
    • The Journal of Korean Philosophical History
    • /
    • no.39
    • /
    • pp.115-142
    • /
    • 2013
  • The purpose of this study was to explore the changes of values in Korea focused on the period from liberation in 1945 to industrialization in the late 1970s. Those periods classified into 'Transitional Era' and 'Industrial Era' based on historical events significantly influenced the changes of value system of Korean people or Korean society. In this study, not only main values and right people for society but also the way of changing value system in those periods were suggested by investigating factors of politics, economy and society. The results are as follows : First, main values and right people for society on each period were as follows : In Transitional Era, main values were manners and social norms, and right people for this period were practical intellectuals pursuing the principle of action-oriented truth-and- knowledge-seeking. In Industrial Era, on the other hand, main values were sincerity, diligence, self-help and collaboration, and right people for this period were skilled man having occupational ability which was essential for economic development. Second, lasting value in Transitional Era and Industrial Era was patriotism. The patriotism in early Transitional Era was appealed to nation and people because of the collapse of ruling system and the absence of leaders, however, the patriotism changed to loyalty towards a national leader or seniors after the formation of new ruling system by building nation and electing a leader. On the other hand, the patriotism of Industrial Era was distinctly defined purpose for carrying out national economic policy and overwhelming Democratic People's Republic of Korea with anti-communist spirit and unification will.

The Thought of Correct Changes(正易) and a direction of development of Korean culture (정역사상(正易思想)과 한국문화(韓國文化) 발전(發展)의 방향(方向))

  • Kim, Moon Joon
    • The Journal of Korean Philosophical History
    • /
    • no.27
    • /
    • pp.85-118
    • /
    • 2009
  • Kim Hang(金恒: Il-Boo 1826-1898) presented that in the end of 19 century The Book of Correct Changes(正易) alternated I-Ching(周易) in Korea. He predicted that the New world would be realized soon. In other words, the Former-Heaven(先天) would be changed in to the After-Heaven(後天). The New world means the highest well-being society and harmonized world. He named the New world as the Yuli world(琉璃世上). The Book of Correct Changes contained the idea of reformation of society with great cosmic changes and taught us to cultivate and train our mind for transformation of human beings. The New world will be come true, and there the struggling will be ceased. The New world will be accompanied by the transformation of human beings. Each person has to persevere changing him(her)-Selfin his(her) efforts to be a holy man. All people will achieve the high spirit. Kim Hang taught us to renew ourself and made the new world where every person will live with Truth and have an equal right and treat others without discrimination.

A Study on the Possibility of Geothermal Resources Assessment Using Landsat 7 ETM+ (Landsat 7 ETM+를 이용한 지열자원 평가 가능성 연구)

  • Oh, Il-Hwan;Lee, Tae-Jong;Kim, Kwang-Eun;Suh, Man-Cheol;Hong, Suk-Young
    • Proceedings of the KSRS Conference
    • /
    • 2008.03a
    • /
    • pp.113-118
    • /
    • 2008
  • 본 연구는 Landsat 7 ETM+를 이용한 지열자원 평가 가능성 연구로써, 위성영상의 열적외 밴드에서 추출된 지표온도와 지열자료의 비교를 통해 위성영상이 초기 지열 탐사에 적용 가능한지를 평가하기 위하여 실시하였다. 지열자원 부존 가능성 평가를 위해 경상도지역(114-35)의 여름시기영상(2001년8월24일)과 겨울시기영상(2000년3월14일)사이의 DN(Digital Number) 값을 이용하였으며, 두 시기영상은 시추공 온도자료 및 지형자료와 함께 비교 분석을 실시하였다. 영상에서 지표온도 추출을 위해 1) NASA에서 제공하는 지표온도 산출 경험식 ( T = K $_2$ / ln ( K $_1$ / L $_{\lambda}$ + 1 ) )을 이용한 방법과 2) 기상청에서 제공하는 실제 지표면온도 관측자료(n=7)를 이용해 영상의 화소(Pixel) 값을 계산하여 실측값과 비교하였다. 3월과 8월 모두 Ground Truth 방법에 따라 추정한 지표면 온도값이 실측값과 더 가깝게 나타났고, 특히 3월은 NASA의 경험식을 이용했을 때 보다 실측 지표면 온도에 훨씬 더 가까운 것으로 나타났다. 지표온도의 일변화(Diurnal ${\triangle}$T)는 지표 열물성과 밀접한 관련이 있으므로, 일변화(Diurnal ${\triangle}$T) 보다는 지열의 영향이 더 클 것으로 기대되는 계절변화(Seasonal ${\triangle}$T)를 이용하여 지열 자료와 비교해 보았다. 그 결과, 계절변화(Seasonal ${\triangle}$T)는 고도에 영향을 받으며, 일사량에 의한 차이는 거의 일정하게 나타났다. 위성영상에서 계절변화(Seasonal ${\triangle}$T)와 심도 20m 온도를 비교해 본 결과결정계수(R$^2$)는 0.46으로 낮지만 심도 20m 온도가 높을수록 계절변화(Seasonal ${\triangle}$T)는 작아지는 경향을 보여 지열자원 탐사에 있어 위성영상 적용 가능성을 볼 수 있었다. 이번 연구는 기초단계로서 두 시기 위성영상을 이용하여 초기 지열자원탐사에 가능성만을 연구했지만, 지형과 특히 토지피복(함수량 등)에 의한 영향에 대해 좀 더 심도 있는 연구가 요구된다.

  • PDF

A Study on the J. Calvin's thought of Economy and Management and its modern Application - with a Application Viewpoint of Distribution & Logistics Sectors - (존 칼빈의 경제, 경영 사상과 현대적 적용에 대한 연구 - 유통, 물류에의 적용 관점 -)

  • Kim, Hong-Seop
    • Journal of Korea Port Economic Association
    • /
    • v.31 no.1
    • /
    • pp.147-169
    • /
    • 2015
  • Our society has been changed so rapidly and we have achieved industrialization and democratization swiftly. On our Economic growth and democratization, it is appraised that Christian Thought and western Capitalism thoughts have been one of the important factors. John Calvin, well known Reformer and thinker of Protestant, as M. Weber assessed, contributed greatly to the progress of Capitalism. He was a Religion Reformer as M. Luther and especially a thinker and man of deed, who affected large areas of human life such as Religion, Economy, Society and Politics. Calvin understood Economy is the main issue of theology and Economic activities can be a position which may restore the correct relationship of God and Man. This Paper aimed to survey, synthesize and systemize the Economy and Management thought of J. Calvin. On these changing current society, it surveyed if His thoughts that has long history, can be applicable or not and Where and How it may. Calvin's Thought not only on his age caused important changes and Reformation but now suggests critical milestones. His Thoughts of Love, Justice, and Fairness based on the Bible have been evaluated as the universal truth and important criteria. Until nowadays his Philosophy has composed critical Principles of decision making rules of Economy and Management and National policies. Especially today, when economy has been more emphasized as a center of our lives, His Thought suggests momentous directions on various Human Life such as Justice and Fairness, deepening of gap between poor and rich, expansion of conflicts among social classes, employment and wages, freedom of markets and its balance, and public good of land use. Reviewing Calvin's Economy and Management thoughts as meaningful basis on the our and world Economy which became worse caused by world monetary crisis and Europe financial crisis that aroused by world Economy globalization and expansion of neo-liberalism, this Paper suggested some future directions. And for the practical sectors, Distribution and Logistics, it proposed some issues and Directions, considering the impacts of His thoughts on the Industries. Nevertheless it can deliver some contributions, as a literature research, it reveals some limitations that it may contain lacking of practical investigations and cases on economy and management fields. In the future, more detailed and deeper research on the practical and situations of economy and management shall be needed.

Visual Media Education in Visual Arts Education (미술교육에 있어서 시각적 미디어를 통한 조형교육에 관한 연구)

  • Park Ji-Sook
    • Journal of Science of Art and Design
    • /
    • v.7
    • /
    • pp.64-104
    • /
    • 2005
  • Visual media transmits image and information reproduced in large quantities, such as a photography, film, television, video, advertisement, or computer image. Correspondence to the students' reception and recognition of culture in the future. arrangements for the field of studies of visual culture. 'Visual Culture' implies cultural phenomena of visual images via visual media, which includes not only the categories of traditional arts like a painting, sculpture, print, or design, but the performance arts including a fashion show or parade of carnival, and the mass and electronic media like a photography, film, television, video, advertisement, cartoon, animation, or computer image. In the world of visual media, Image' functions as an essential medium of communication. Therefore, people call the culture of today fra of Image Culture', which has been converted from an alphabet convergence era to an image convergence one. Image, via visual media, has become a dominant means for communication in large part of human life, so we can designate an Image' as a typical aspect of visual culture today. Image, as an essential medium of communication, plays an important role in contemporary society. The one way is the conversion of analogue image like an actual picture, photograph, or film into digital one through the digitalization of digital camera or scanner as 'an analogue/digital commutator'. The other is a way of process with a computer drawing, or modeling of objects. It is appropriate to the production of pictorial and surreal images. Digital images, produced by the other, can be divided into the form of Pixel' and form of Vector'. Vector is a line linking the point of departure to the point of end, which organizes informations. Computer stores each line's standard location and correlative locations to one another Digital image shows for more 'Perfectness' than any other visual media. Digital image has been evolving in the diverse aspects, such as a production of geometrical or organic image compositing, interactive art, multimedia art, or web art, which has been applied a computer as an extended trot of painting. Someone often interprets digitalized copy with endless reproduction of original even as an extension of a print. Visual af is no longer a simple activity of representation by a painter or sculptor, but now is intimately associated with a matter of application of media. There is some problem in images via visual media. First, the image via media doesn't reflect a reality as it is, but reflects an artificial manipulated world, that is, a virtual reality. Second, the introduction of digital effect and the development of image processing technology have enhanced a spectacle of destructive and violent scenes. Third, a child intends to recognize the interactive images of computer game and virtual reality as a reality, or truth. Education needs not only to point out an ill effect of mass media and prevent the younger generation from being damaged by it, but also to offer a knowledge and know-how to cope actively with social, cultural circumstances. Visual media education is one of these essential methods for the contemporary and future human being in the overflowing of image informations. The fosterage of 'Visual Literacy' can be considered as a very purpose of visual media education. This is a way to lead an individual to the discerning, active consumer and producer of visual media in life as far as possible. The elements of 'Visual Literacy' can be divided into a faculty of recognition related to the visual media, a faculty of critical reception, a faculty of appropriate application, a faculty of active work and a faculty of creative modeling, which are promoted at the same time by the education of 'visual literacy'. In conclusion, the education of 'Visual Literacy' guides students to comprehend and discriminate the visual image media carefully, or receive them critically, apply them properly, or produce them creatively and voluntarily. Moreover, it leads to an artistic activity by means of new media. This education can be approached and enhanced by the connection and integration with real life. Visual arts and education of them play an important role in the digital era depended on visual communications via image information. Visual me야a of day functions as an essential element both in daily life and in arts. Students can soundly understand visual phenomena of today by means of visual media, and apply it as an expression tool of life culture as well. A new recognition and valuation visual image and media education is required to cultivate the capability of active, upright dealing with the changes of history of civilization. 1) Visual media education helps to cultivate a sensibility for images, which reacts to and deals with the circumstances. 2) It helps students to comprehend the contemporary arts and culture via new media. 3) It supplies a chance of students' experiencing a visual modeling by means of new media. 4) There are educational opportunities of images with temporality and spaciality, and therefore a discerning person becomes to increase. 5) The modeling activity via new media leads students to be continuously interested in the school and production of plastic arts. 6) It raises the ability of visual communications dealing with image information society. 7) An education of digital image is significant in respect of cultivation of man of talent for the future society of image information as well. To correspond to the changing and developing social, cultural circumstances, and the form and recognition of students' reception of them, visual arts education must arrange the field of studying on a new visual culture. Besides, a program needs to be developed, which is in more systematic and active level in relation to visual media education. Educational contents should be extended to the media for visual images, that is, photography, film, television, video, computer graphic, animation, music video, computer game and multimedia. Every media must be separately approached, because they maintain the modes and peculiarities of their own according to the conveyance form of message. The concrete and systematic method of teaching and the quality of education must be researched and developed, centering around the development of a course of study. Teacher's foundational capability of teaching should be cultivated for the visual media education. In this case, it must be paid attention to the fact that a technological level of media is considered as a secondary. Because school education doesn't intend to train expert and skillful producers, but intends to lay stress on the essential aesthetic one with visual media under the social and cultural context, in respect of a consumer including a man of culture.

  • PDF

The Comparative Research on the Theory of Self-cultivation in Neo-Confucianism and Daesoon Thought (주자학과 대순사상의 수양론 비교 연구)

  • Lee, Gwang-ju
    • Journal of the Daesoon Academy of Sciences
    • /
    • v.24_2
    • /
    • pp.231-270
    • /
    • 2015
  • This thesis examined Chu Hsi's self-cultivation theory as the representative theory of cultivation in Confucianism, while juxtaposing it to self-cultivation theory in Daesoon thought, concentrating on its similarity and difference. Neo-Confucianism is a scholarship which has wielded a tremendous influence upon East Asia, while functioning as an official scholarship for long period up to Yuan, Ming, and Ching period, after achieving its synthesis by Chu Hsi. After 13th century, Neo-Confucianism has been a representative academic system in Confucianism, and self-cultivation theory was in its center. It suggested various virtues that classical scholars have to equip to fulfill the sainthood and the politics of royal road. The self-cultivation theory of Chu Hsi was developed upon the basis of the theory 'Li-Qi' and the theory of mind. Here, the practice of Geokyung(morally awakened state with a reverent spirit in every moment) and Gyeokmul-tsiji(reaching into the utmost knowledge through investigation of things) formed a nucleus of Chu Hsi's self-cultivation theory. While Geokyung was to reveal one's true nature through cultivation of mind, Gyeokmul-tsiji was to demonstrate the complete use of mind's essence and function. Chu Hsi's self-cultivation theory attempted to realize the unity of heaven and man, and through cultivating self and governing people, it also tried to achieve its ideal of the society of Great Union(Daedong). Daesoon Thought is originated from Sangjenim who has descended to this world as a human being called Jeungsan. He went on his circuit to rectify the disorder of heaven and earth for 9 years to rectify the Three worlds of heaven, earth and human being which were faced with total annihilation due to its rule of mutual conflict, while creating an earthly paradise. Respecting the will of Sangjenim, Dojunim established the foundation of Do through launching 'Meukeukdo' and setting tenet, creed and object so that the cultivators (Doins) could believe and respect the truth of Sangje's great itineration (Daesoon). Among those, the two components of creed, which are four fundamental principles and the three fundamental attitudes are of great account as precept and cardinal point. Through this means, the cultivators of Daesoonjinrihoe aspire to guard against self-deception through transforming the human spirit, to realize earthly immortality through renewing human beings, and to create an earthly paradise through transforming the world. This thesis attempted to compare and analyze the theory of self-cultivation in Neo-Confucianism and Daesoon Thought in the aspect of ground, method, and object of cultivation. First, as for the ground of cultivation, the doctrines of Chu-tzu and Daesoon thought place the essence of cultivation on 'heaven'. Yet, whereas the former postulates Taekeuk (the Great Ultimate) as a principle as well as the heaven of a natural order, Daesoon thought postulates Sangenim as the heaven of superintendence as well as the heaven of a natural order, signified as its equation of Daesoon with circle, along with the unity of Meukeuk (Endlessness) and Taegeuk (the Great Ultimate). Further, the doctrine of Chu-zhu and Daesoon thought is identical in the point that both thoughts see mind as the subject of cultivation, while trying to restore a pure essence. Nevertheless, whereas Neo-Confucianism intends to give scope to ability of the complete use of mind's essence and function, Daesoon Thought sees mind as the essence which is used by spiritual beings and as an organ that heaven, earth and human being rely upon as the center of the universe. In the aspect of method of cultivation, the doctrine of Chuzhu lays emphasis on the rational factor in that it brightens its 'myung-deoki'(bright inner virtue),' while trying to correspond to the law of heaven on the basis of 'Geokyung' and 'Gyeokmul-tsiji.' On the contrary, Daesoon thought lays much emphasis on faith factor in that it aspires for human perfection based on the restoration of conscience by cultivating Daesoonjinri with sincerity, reverence and faith along with 'quieting the heart-mind', 'quieting the body', 'respecting the God of the Ninth Heaven', and 'observing ritual practice on the basis of the faith in Sangjenim. Yet, both thoughts have similarities in that cultivation of body forms the basis and that they attempt to realize their ideals through cultivation in daily life while taking 'Guarding against self-deception' as the key method of self-cultivation.' However, the principle of Chu-zhu can be said to be a voluntary and autonomous practice based on scripture of the saint as well as self-reflection. On the other hand, Daesoon thought reveals certain difference in that it combines faith factor with one's self-effort by concentrating on cultivation under the presence of Sangjenim as the object of belief and the spirits of heaven and earth. In the aspect of object of cultivation, both thoughts share similarities in that the saint and the perfected gentleman with a moral virtue as an ideal image of men in both thoughts attempt to realize each of their 'myung-deok' in human nature as a heavenly mandate while respecting morality. Further, they also share similarity in the point that the desirable characters in both thoughts want to participate in harmonious creation and nurturance. Yet, the perfected gentleman with a moral virtue is also characterized by its aim for a new heaven and earth where there is no mutual conflict but mutual beneficence, by promoting the moral influence and virtue of Sangjenim over one's own virtue, while practising the mutual beneficence of all life through harmonious union of divine beings and human beings.

Jungian Interpretation of Creation Myths Focused on Egg Symbolism (분석심리학적 관점으로 고찰한 창조신화 : '알(卵)'의 상징성 중심으로)

  • Jin-Sook Kim
    • Sim-seong Yeon-gu
    • /
    • v.27 no.1_2
    • /
    • pp.28-70
    • /
    • 2012
  • In Jungian psychology, creation myths regard as the story of unconscious and preconscious processes(projection of archaic identity) which describe not necessary the origin of our cosmos, but the origin of man's conscious awareness of the world. Therefore projections have nothing to do with matter itself but experience of one's own unconscious. Jung emphasizes importance to understand projection in individual's conscious experience rather than in philosophical doctrine. The purpose of this thesis is to explore unconscious process of creation myths with egg symbolism in clinical cases to present universal feature of Cosmic/alchemical egg. Psychologically, creation myths retold when human mind needs new order. Depending on the attitude of ego, it can be sudden expansion of consciousness or contamination of ego by unconscious. In this study, 'chaos(messa confusa)' in creation myths as archaic identity, experience of uroboros or infant, and nigredo state in alchemy. 'Separation of primordial parents' as beginning of consciousness refers to separatio operation in alchemical process. 'Light' as attainment of consciousness. Discussion of psychological meaning of egg starts with amplification which include the concept of cosmic/alchemical/philosophical egg. Egg symbolism in this study refers to emergence of egg, tapas/brooding of egg, and separation of egg. Emergence of egg as a state of preconscious totality, psychic wholeness conceived as the thing which came before the rise of ego consciousness. Discussion of conceptssuch as Shiva bindu, hiranyagharba, germ of gold, Tathāgatagarbha follows. 'Tapas/brooding of egg' as concentration of all psychic energy into one point for self reflection. Discussion includes The I Ching Hexagram 61, image of brooding egg identified with inner truth, Wonhyo's concept of jikwansasang, and Gnostic idea of Ennoia, introverted act of thinking, as well as the concept of 'Night Sea Journey'. 'Separation or hatching of egg' regarded as the idea of sudden illumination, Phanes, the shining God, and "sun-point," in alchemy. Birth of fledgling as birth of new personality. As a conclusion, psychological meaning of cosmic egg/creation myths is the story of separating from 'Not-I'(unconscious, object, undifferentiated) to 'I'(ego, subject, differentiated) which shares the same meaning as individuation process.

The aspect of the revelation of profound secrets of nature in the Poetry of Jo Gyeong[趙璥] and its meaning (조경(趙璥) 시(詩)의 천기유로양상(天機流露樣相)과 그 의미(意味))

  • Ryu, Ho-jin
    • (The)Study of the Eastern Classic
    • /
    • no.49
    • /
    • pp.225-260
    • /
    • 2012
  • The poetry of Haseo Jo Gyeong is first characterized by its fantasy content with mysterious and strange beings such as mountain wizards, gods of flowers, ghosts, Jujos and dragons. Such works imply the huge gap between his political ideal of Neo-Confucianism and the reality of society and are expressions of his resulting sorrow. Of course, he did not just look at reality pessimistically. Like other Neo-Confucianism scholars, he used the symbol of "spring" in his poems, which indicates that he did have optimistic belief in the world in spite of despair. In his poems, the symbol of "spring" implies the political world where the noble man grabbed the power and the sinister groups were extracted or the world where the political ethics of Neo-Confucianism was implemented. His works depicting the essence of natural objects, mountains, and rivers exhibit the characteristics of his poetry more clearly. He described the law of the universe behind natural objects and the vibrant aspects of natural objects by depicting their movements in a clear and sharp manner. Unlike the old Neo-Confucianism scholars that often created poems on the topic of acquirement of natural law and nature, he expanded his poetic world in a direction of revealing the secrets of objects. His works describing the spirit of mountains and rivers are especially noteworthy in that they implied a life attitude of moving forward in an deteriorating world bravely by manifesting strong and dynamic power. Paying attention to the secrets of natural objects, Haseo displayed his life ideal in richer ways by painting the new forms of ume flowers. Unlike the old ume flowers poems in the past, his ume flowers poems present ume flowers as ascetics that obtained truth, men of virtue that inspired contemporary people, or retired gentlemen that revealed the profound secrets of nature. While it is unique that he manifested the forms of ume flowers in ascetics and men of virtue while perceiving the dark reality of society, it is more noteworthy that he described ume flowers as the beings revealing the profound secrets of nature. It was the expression of his yearning for an innocent personality and his fear for losing the personality, clearly depicting a human form of his ego. He created a more human and realistic personality ideal by embracing the contemporary thinking based on the profound secrets of nature in his Dohak poetry[道學詩], which is a significant achievement in that it showed new changes to Dohak poetry in the 18th century.

A Study on Angels' Costumes in Religious Paintings (종교화에 나타난 천사의 복식에 관한 연구)

  • Kim Hae Jon
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
    • /
    • v.3 no.1
    • /
    • pp.1-11
    • /
    • 1979
  • This is a study on angels' costumes in religious paintings, especially as this relates to the questions of concepts and theological symbolism. Angels, as spiritual creatures in Christian thought, play the role of praising God's glory, as messengers of God, the role of guarding Israel and the Church, and protecting or punishing human beings. Sometimes the angels appear in incarnate form. They display no sexual differences and are not able to procreate. The angels' funtional classification being thus; nevertheless, they are pictured in various costumes and appearances according to characteristics of the paintings. The angel Michael appears as a man of dignity when pictured as a guard; the angel Gabriel in the annunciation is often portrayed as a woman of mystical beauty. Under the Renaissance, the mighty cherubim and seraphim at Yahweh's throne are degraded as plump child-angels, or winged child-heads looking alike Eros or Cupid. They have become playful and all too obviously non-heavenly chrubs, accepted features of the Temple decorations. However, cherubim are often depicted as naked or wrapped around with a piece of cloth and accompanied with wind, which symbolizes the Glory of God. The angels, costumes without seam are hung over or wrapped around the body, and when sewn they are simple and ample enough that they fall in a great many folds. However, by the 14C. angels are mostly dressed in costumes common to all Europe, and after that angels gradually appear in folk costumes; for example Italian, Flemish, etc. Dalmatic, the typical costume of Byzantine often shows up as angels' dresses even after the period. Originally the dalmatic was the Roman tunic to which Eastern influences added. The Roman clavus on the tunic had gradually lost distinction until, by the Imperial epoch, it was worn by the lowest servants. It was proudly therefore, as 'The servants of God', that the early Christians are shown wearing the clavus on their wide, ungirdled, sleeved dalmatics. In addition to their costume, angels have some other distinct charateristics. First, angels have a halo around their head; this symbolizes their holiness. Second, angels wear a narrow diadem or a queen's crown that seems to denote their glorious status close to God's throne. Third, the cloth band across the breast resembles a priest's stole, which suggests the sacred role of a priest and symbolizes the grace santified. Fourth, lilies in the annunciations are symbols of Mary's virginity. chastity, innocence and heavenly bliss. Angels hold palms or olives in their hands. The former denote prosperity. beauty and the Christians' reward after death; the latter represent peace and amity. the imperial crown made of olives means victory. Fifth, angels in paintings always have a pair of wings, which can be traced to scripture where cherubim and seraphim are described as having pairs of wings. Angels' wings often have colors of the rainbow, and the rainbow is compared to God's glory. Sixth, generally artists paint angels' costumes as white, blue, green, gold and purple. Other colors such as red rarely appear. According, to scriptures it is believed that angels should be depicted 'as white as snow'. According to the biblical expressions of angels as lightning, sun or a pillar of fire, angels should be described as creatures of light. Nevertheless being a form of art, religious paintings may differ in their presentation according to an artist's inspiration and intention. Since religious paintings illustrated above were almost all done before the Reformation, symbols of colors used in the Catholic Church will also be mentioned. The white color symbolizes chastity, purity, brightness, delight and divinity. Green represents new birth, eternal life, spiritual revival and the expectance of the grace of God. Blue, the color of sapphires, denotes chastity and truth. Red, the color of rubies, represents divinity, love and religious passion. Violet is the color of dignity, indicating the sovereign, royal or imperial power and the great Sacrifice of Christ. As mentionad above, angels' costumes were expressed in accordance with contemporary patterns or as indicated in the Bible, and accesories and colors correspond with Christian symbols. Therefore these facts should be taken into consideration when it comes to the study of costume history.

  • PDF