Originally, the term referred only to gilded decoration, but it is now used to describe any form of text decoration.
Decoration, usually hand-painted in gold, silver or colored paint.
The state of spiritual enlightenment in which the mind sees the Soul (God) but has not realized God. Cf. Realization. (1b)
Illumination, from the Latin illuminare, "to enlighten or illuminate," is the embellishment of a manuscript with luminous colors (especially gold).
Spiritual or intellectual enlightenment; clarification; elucidation
Decoration applied by hand in gold, silver or coloured paint.
Illumination is the act of enlightening. This is the process of adding bright and beautiful colors as well as gold leaf to manuscript. The root word is illuminare, from Latin.
The process by which God enlightens or gives understanding of the revelation of God in the Bible.
Art of illustrating and decorating manuscripts. Usually entails painting in watercolor or tempera on parchment or paper. Popular during the Romanesque period to educate the faithful through sacred images.
an interpretation that removes obstacles to understanding; "the professor's clarification helped her to understand the textbook"
painting or drawing included in a book (especially in illuminated medieval manuscripts)
(also: miniature) Illustration or decoration, usually next to the text. Illuminated manuscripts reached their height during the Middle Ages, when masters like the Van Limburg brothers and the Azor masters were active. Illuminations range from decorated initials through series of coherent images. See also book of hours.
Hand-drawn decoration or illustration in a manuscript, especially prevalent in medieval art.
the decoration of a manuscript with gold leaf; the term is used loosely, but not strictly correctly, to refer to any illustrated manuscript
Enlightenment. In the Bible, darkness is often used as an image of sin and death. To be illuminated is to be shown the true path of righteousness in God, thereby being led out of the darkness of sin and death. Baptism is called illumination, because in it we are delivered from sin and death and regenerated by the Holy Spirit. See Ezra 9:8; Ps. 13:3; 18:28; Eph. 1:18.
(also: miniature) Illustration or decoration, usually alongside the text. The illumination of manuscripts reached its peak in the Middle Ages when masters like the Van Limburg brothers and the Azor masters were active. Illuminations range from decorated initials through series of coherent images. See also book of hours.
Adding extra details around a capital letter to make it more decorative or noticeable
A hand-painted piece of decorative type, usually at the beginning of a passage, as in ancient manuscripts
Decoration applied by hand in gold, silver or colored paint.
" 6. a. The embellishment or decoration of a letter or writing with bright or luminous colours, the use of gold and silver, the addition of elaborate tracery or miniature illustrations, etc.: see ILLUMINATE v. 8. b. with pl. The designs, miniatures, and the like, employed in such decoration." (From the OED.n.6,a-b) Glossary Glossary (History of Reading)
Medieval manuscripts are often described as "illuminated", meaning embellished with gold and silver, and also luminous colours. These illuminations are found in the first letters of words, borders and pictures.