• Cherub is a multi-winged angel-like creature.

  • Cotta - is a long and straight vestment with wide sleeves worn by the clergy. It sometimes features bordures on the sleeves, symbolizing the ropes with which Jesus Christ was tied when standing before Caiphas and Pilate, and the blood leaking from His rib. The cuts under the sleeves symbolize the pierced rib of Jesus Christ, while neckpieces symbolize ulcers resulting from the wounds inflicted by lashing.

  • Ciborium - is a canopy standing over the throne supported by columns. Ciboria were usually made of wood, stone or metal. In medieval Russia, ciboria were often made as “light” versions, such as on-throne ciboria or woven baldachins (“heaven”). In icon-painting ciborium is a symbol of the altar. The ciborium has many meanings: a symbol of heaven, a grave-stone (when the throne is treated is as the Holy Sepulcher), the Tabernacle of the Testament of Our Lord (when the altar is referred to Moses’ Tabernacle).

  • Clavus — (Greek) — a vertical embroidered strip falling from shoulders down the bottom of the garment. A symbol of nobility in Ancient Rome. On icons clavus is depicted on the chiton of Jesus Christ, it is also encountered on the vestments of the archangels and the apostles Peter and Paul.

  • Chiton — (Greek) — a garment, a kind of shirt, made of woolen or linen fabric which most commonly had no sleeves. It was buttoned with special clasps at the shoulders and belted, with excessive fabric usually pulled above the belt. The chiton’s length varied depending on the age and social status of the wearer, the chiton’s edge was usually caught up. Shabby chiton bottoms usually symbolized mourning or slavery.

  • Canon (a norm or a rule in Greek) in iconography -a commitment to impersonalize a “closed” and invariable set of subjects, compositions and palette features. Strict observation of the established canons allows the viewers to easily recognize the character or event depicted on the icon.