The Tenderness -Mother Mary & Baby Jesus Icon

Mother Mary & Baby Jesus original Icon - hand-painted on wood with silver ornaments on 4 corners, Size 25 x 18 cm (9.8 x 7.2 inches), made in Greece* 

This icon is a Byzantine-style icon of the Virgin and Child, showing  Virgin Mary holding the Child Jesus Christ.
It belongs to a well-known icon type called “The Tenderness” (Eleousa).
Main Meaning of the Icon
1. The Tenderness (Eleousa) Type
In this icon, the face of Virgin Mary touches the face of Jesus Christ.
This symbolizes:
Deep love between mother and child
God’s compassion for humanity
The human side of Christ’s life
Unlike more formal icons, this one emphasizes emotion and intimacy.
Details in the Icon
The Haloes
Both figures have golden haloes, showing holiness.
Christ’s halo usually contains a cross and Greek letters meaning
“He Who Is” (a reference to the divine name of God).
Mary’s Clothing
Mary’s garments carry traditional symbolism:
Red outer cloak → royalty, sacrifice, suffering
Blue/green inner garment → humanity
In Christian theology, Mary is often called Theotokos (“God-bearer”).
The Child Jesus
The Child Jesus Christ sits on Mary’s arm.
Typical meanings:
The blessing hand → Christ blessing the world
The scroll or book (sometimes present) → the Word of God
In this icon he leans toward Mary, emphasizing love and dependence.
The Scroll with Greek Writing
The ribbon-like scroll beside them usually contains Greek text praising Mary, often meaning something like:
“Rejoice, Mother of God” or “Hail, full of grace.”
Overall Spiritual Message
This icon expresses:
God becoming human
Mary’s role as the loving mother
Divine mercy and tenderness
For believers, such icons are used for prayer and meditation, not just decoration.