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halo
halo The halo, usually represented as a luminous figure around the head of a god or holy person, appears in the iconography of a number of religious traditions. The indigenous civilizations of Central America depict agrarian gods with golden crowns or halos, suggesting an association of the halo with the sun. This is clearest in the Inca god, Viracocha, who wears a tiara that is also a sun. In other traditions, the connection to light symbolism is much more general, pointing to intellect, knowledge, or enlightenment. Within some Mahayana Buddhist texts, for example, bodhisattvas are described as having halos studded with 500 Buddhas, each attended by numberless gods. In this way, the halo points to the transcendent nature of the bodhisattva.
The halo is used in Hellenistic representations of gods and goddesses and those associated with them. Similarly, in Christianity, halos around the head of a figure mark it as divine or saintly. In the third and fourth centuries, the halo or nimbus (Latin: ‘cloud’ or ‘mist’) was used only for Christ and the lamb. In the fifth century and after, it was extended to the Virgin Mary, angels, and saints. By the eighth century, square halos were used to designate donors, bishops, and popes. When used for human figures, the halo represents holiness or sanctity, and its iconography is developed to mark important distinctions between the figures represented. Square zones of light behind the head are used to show that the person was living at the time the painting was made. The square is inferior to the circle and is associated with the earth. Trinitarian figures often have three rays of light emanating from the head. The Virgin Mary always appears with a circular halo. A cross within the circle of light is used to signify Christ. Halos also appear around the heads of animals who symbolize a saintly or divine figure. A lamb with a circular halo within which the cross appears, for example, is a common figure for Christ. Amy Hollywood Bibliography Collinet-Guérin, M. (1961). Histoire du nimbus des origines au temps modernes. Nouvelles Editions Latines, Paris. |
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COLIN BLAKEMORE and SHELIA JENNETT. "halo." The Oxford Companion to the Body. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. COLIN BLAKEMORE and SHELIA JENNETT. "halo." The Oxford Companion to the Body. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O128-halo.html COLIN BLAKEMORE and SHELIA JENNETT. "halo." The Oxford Companion to the Body. 2001. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O128-halo.html |
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halo
halo in meteorology, short-lived circles or arcs, and less commonly spikes and crosses, of colored or whitish light surrounding the moon or sun or in clouds as seen from above. A halo occurs when the light from the sun or the moon is refracted and reflected by ice crystals in the atmosphere, usually in a thin layer of high cirrostratus clouds. Under certain circumstances a second, or outer, halo appears, which is fainter than the inner one. At times white or colored luminous arcs are also seen lying somewhat parallel to the horizon and passing through the source of light, called mock suns, parhelia, or sun dogs for the sun, and paraselenae for the moon. A single mock sun, the anthelion, directly opposite the sun, may be added. In general a white halo results from the reflection of light by ice crystals, while one which appears as colored rings results from the refraction of light by ice crystals. Halos are more brilliant and complex near the poles than in other parts of the world. The theory attributing their formation to the presence of ice crystals was first suggested by the 17th cent. French philosopher Descartes. Similar to a halo and sometimes confused with it is the sun's corona . In X-ray electron diffraction, the term halos refers to the broad rings that appear on a photographic film as a result of the diffraction of a monoenergetic beam of X rays or electrons from a crystalline powder located at the center of the camera. |
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"halo." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "halo." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-halo-met.html "halo." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-halo-met.html |
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halo
ha·lo / ˈhālō/ • n. (pl. -loes or -los) a disk or circle of light shown surrounding or above the head of a saint or holy person to represent their holiness. ∎ fig. the glory associated with an idealized person or thing: he has long since lost his halo for many ordinary Russians. ∎ a circle or ring of something resembling a halo: their frizzy haloes of hair. ∎ a circle of white or colored light around the sun, moon, or other luminous body caused by refraction through ice crystals in the atmosphere. ∎ Astron. a tenuous sphere of hot gas and old stars surrounding a spiral galaxy. • v. (-loes, -loed) [tr.] (usu. be haloed) surround with or as if with a halo. ORIGIN: mid 16th cent. (denoting a circle of light around the sun, etc.): from medieval Latin, from Latin halos, from Greek halōs ‘disk of the sun or moon.’ |
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"halo." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "halo." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-halo.html "halo." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-halo.html |
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Halo
Halo. Circular symbol of holiness or enlightenment, surrounding the head of the person thus distinguished. In Buddhist iconography, halos surround arhats, buddhas, and bodhisattvas, often infilled with designs borrowed from maṇḍalas. They are found in Christian art from the 3rd cent. for Christ alone; then from the 5th cent. for Mary, saints, and angels also. In the Middle Ages Christ's nimbus was distinguished, usually with a cross. In the case of Christ and the Virgin Mary (and the Persons of the Trinity), the halo is extended to a gilt background, indicating glory, called the aureole. In early Byzantine art, it is of an oval shape and is known as mandorla (Ital., ‘almond-shaped’).
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JOHN BOWKER. "Halo." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. JOHN BOWKER. "Halo." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-Halo.html JOHN BOWKER. "Halo." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-Halo.html |
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halo
halo a disc or circle of light shown surrounding or above the head of a saint or holy person to represent their holiness, recorded in this sense from the mid 19th century. (From the 6th century, living persons were shown with a square halo.) The word dates from the mid 16th century (denoting a circle of light round the sun), and comes via medieval Latin and Latin from Greek halōs ‘disc of the sun and moon’.
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ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "halo." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "halo." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-halo.html ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "halo." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-halo.html |
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halo
halo (or nimbus). A circle of light round the head or, more rarely, the whole body. In Christian art its use was at first restricted to Christ, but from the 5th cent. it was extended to the BVM, angels, and saints, and later to other important persons. In modern RC practice a halo is allowed only for persons canonized or beatified or whose cult has been otherwise approved.
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E. A. LIVINGSTONE. "halo." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. E. A. LIVINGSTONE. "halo." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O95-halo.html E. A. LIVINGSTONE. "halo." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. 2000. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O95-halo.html |
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halo
halo circle of light round the sun, etc., XVI; nimbus of a saint XVII; fig. XIX. — medL. halō, for L. halōs, -ōn-, — Gr. hālōs threshing-floor, disk of the sun, moon, or a shield.
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T. F. HOAD. "halo." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "halo." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-halo.html T. F. HOAD. "halo." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-halo.html |
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halo
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MICHAEL ALLABY. "halo." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. MICHAEL ALLABY. "halo." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O14-halo1.html MICHAEL ALLABY. "halo." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O14-halo1.html |
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halo
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AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "halo." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "halo." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O13-halo.html AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "halo." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O13-halo.html |
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halo-
halo- A prefix meaning ‘pertaining to salt’, derived from the Greek hals, halos, meaning ‘salt’.
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MICHAEL ALLABY. "halo-." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. MICHAEL ALLABY. "halo-." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O14-halo.html MICHAEL ALLABY. "halo-." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O14-halo.html |
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halo-
halo- A prefix meaning ‘pertaining to salt’, derived from the Greek hals, halos, meaning ‘salt’.
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MICHAEL ALLABY. "halo-." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. MICHAEL ALLABY. "halo-." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O7-halo.html MICHAEL ALLABY. "halo-." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O7-halo.html |
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halo
halo in art: see nimbus . |
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"halo." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "halo." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-X-halo-art.html "halo." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-X-halo-art.html |
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halo
halo
•aloe, callow, fallow, hallow, mallow, marshmallow, sallow, shallow, tallow
•Pablo, tableau
•cashflow • Anglo • matelot
•Carlo, Harlow, Marlowe
•Bargello, bellow, bordello, cello, Donatello, fellow, jello, martello, mellow, morello, niello, Novello, Pirandello, Portobello, Punchinello, Uccello, violoncello, yellow
•pueblo • bedfellow • playfellow
•Oddfellow • Longfellow
•schoolfellow • Robin Goodfellow
•airflow • halo • Day-Glo
•filo, kilo
•armadillo, billow, cigarillo, Murillo, Negrillo, peccadillo, pillow, tamarillo, Utrillo, willow
•inflow • Wicklow • furbelow • Angelo
•pomelo • uniflow
•kyloe, lilo, milo, silo
•Apollo, follow, hollow, Rollo, swallow, wallow
•Oslo • São Paulo • outflow
•bolo, criollo, polo, solo, tombolo
•rouleau • regulo • modulo • mudflow
•diabolo • bibelot • pedalo • underflow
•buffalo
•brigalow, gigolo
•bungalow
•Michelangelo, tangelo
•piccolo • tremolo • alpenglow • tupelo
•contraflow • afterglow • overflow
•furlough • workflow
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"halo." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "halo." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-halo.html "halo." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-halo.html |
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