DIPTYCH and TRIPTYCH ICONS

Diptychs and Triptychs are the types of icon whereby two or three panels have been joined together with a hinge. The main idea of such a construction is to get easiest way to fold or unfold icons-panels. During the travelling the panels folded together for protection. Then the panels can be easy unfolded for worshiping. It is why diptychs and triptychs often called travelling icons. Diptychs and Triptychs usually show the images as a matched set, such as Christ and the Mother of God, or the Nativity (with the Holy Family in the center and the Archangels on the side panels).