I happened to see a story that was about what Jesus *probably* looked like and how it was different from what he has always been portrayed as: gentle caucasian with long wavy hair, beard, etc. Where did the traditional image originate?

I happened to see a story that was about what Jesus *probably* looked like and how it was different from what he has always been portrayed as: gentle caucasian with long wavy hair, beard, etc. Where did the traditional image originate?


I would think within the Catholic church, since they are the oldest established Christian faith (other than Gnostics).

Just a thought. Otherwise, not sure.

~ Becca

I love the pics of Jesus with blonde hair and blue eyes.LOL

Darn it, lol...I thought I could find that link from Netscape, but I can't. Some researchers tried to create what He would have looked like based on facial features of people back then, that sort of thing. Short hair, olive skin, kinda chunky; TOTALLY different than what I am used to seeing. I like Him better portrayed as the kind, gentle figure.

Just a guess but I would think that a Mediteranean/Middle Eastern look would be a more accurate description - after all isn't the whole history in the Middle East??!!

In my church we only have icons, no statues or other renditions of Jesus, the saints, apostles, etc. Icons almost always have the same facial features, regardless of who is depicted, because all people are made in the image of the face on the shroud. If you look closely, they all have a strong brow, long nose, small mouth, thin face, and a line accross the neck (where the shroud's image ends).
As an aside, my son who is in the pic below is often called Jesus because he looks like what a lot of people think Jesus looked like. HIs hair is pulled back in this pic, but it goes past his shoulders. In fact, when I have to describe him, I say it, too. (All the girls at school say Orlando Bloom or Johnny Depp. At least its not Walter Matthau!)

I agree...your son does look like what Jesus is "supposed" to look like. And a little Johnny Depp, too, lol. Anyway...I wonder where this preconceived picture came from. Mama2many, I agree; you *would* think that he would look like the people from around that time. I'm going to try and find that link so I can show you because it is eerie in a way.

I'm not sure where the "traditional" Jesus came from, but I found this link that suggests it came from the Shroud of Turin:

http://www.keyway.ca/htm2002/looklike.htm

I always thought the blonde, blue-eyed Jesus was an Anglo American development. Here's a link with a lot of different interpretations of how Jesus may have looked:

http://dsc.discovery.com/convergence/jesus/photo/photo.html

I kinda like this one myself:

http://ralphriver.blogspot.com/2005/01/what-did-jesus-look-like.html

I'm not sure where the "traditional" Jesus came from, but I found this link that suggests it came from the Shroud of Turin:

http://www.keyway.ca/htm2002/looklike.htm
<snip>

What is so funny or ironic about that is -- what if the Shroud of Turin is truly a fake, as so many believe (I do), and what if that image is truly Leonardo DaVinci??!!! Considering his views on the "church" I find that pretty amusing to say the least.

Grassaf,

Becca

I agree Becca! I never thought of that! But yes, the "tradition" depiction of Christ is from the Roman Catholic church, European.

What is so funny or ironic about that is -- what if the Shroud of Turin is truly a fake, as so many believe (I do), and what if that image is truly Leonardo DaVinci??!!! Considering his views on the "church" I find that pretty amusing to say the least.

Grassaf,

Becca

I haven't read the Da Vinci Code. What exactly were Da Vinci's views supposedly?

I still don't think that the caucasian, blonde Jesus is of Catholic origins. The long hair and beard may be though. All the early icons and paintings I've seen show a dark skinned, dark haired Jesus.

I know of men in our time who have seen the Savior. I'm doing searches because I remember hearing once that one of them saw a picture of Him and said that was the rendering he thought most like the personage he'd seen.

I'll link it if I can find it, but maybe another LDS mama knows what I'm talking about?

those images came from silly white people, of course :p

Traditional icons are not supposed to really represent the image of the person they depict as much as they are supposed to point you in a spiritual direction. Icons, also, are all the same. Templates are used and there are specific colors that are used. Evidently this dates back to the evangelist Luke...
History of Icons (http://www.orthodoxinfo.com/general/icon_discourse.aspx)
On that same page there are some great links to learn more about iconography.

Please keep in mind that real icons are not mere imagery or symbols, or even art- but a spiritual tradition.
However, isn't art about self expression? If your self sees Jesus one way, then why not?

I think Jesus was dark skinned.

Not light skin and brown straight hair like he is portrayed in so many images that I've seen. I also think he was not such a "pretty boy" either. I bet that first image originated from a church or group that is white and male dominated. (I guess that fits in with what Becca said)

Michelle

Hey, what is the Shroud of Turin? Laymans terms? Is that the white wrap that was supposed to have been discarded by Jesus and left in the tomb when he disappeared/removed/resurrected??

Michelle

Hey, what is the Shroud of Turin? Laymans terms? Is that the white wrap that was supposed to have been discarded by Jesus and left in the tomb when he disappeared/removed/resurrected??

Michelle

Yes, but the jury is still out on whether it actually dates back to Jesus's time or if it was created in the middle ages.

I understand what you are saying about the icons Jeni. My kids needed me, and I was rushing when I made that last post. What I was trying to say was that I don't think the "traditional Jesus" (caucasian with long flowing blonde hair) made an appearance until after the Reformation so I don't think it is a given that this depiction of Jesus had Catholic origins.

I don't think that Jesus looks like the "typical" pictures we've seen either. His skin had to have been darker, and all his features had to have been more pronounce and less generic if that makes sense.

If you think about it, he was a carpenter who was outside all day long, he probably had very dark leathery skin, big rough hands, not gentle white features.
I don't think he was as handsome as they portray. He was sent to earth to be an every man, if he was so perfect and handsome people would not have taken him so serously I don't think.
Does that make any sense?

I have enjoyed reading all of your replies and am off to look at more links. I would be really intersted in what you were talking about, Ferecito, in terms of a rendition.