0 · Abstract, Non-representational Art
1 · Religion and Magic
2 · Nature
3 · Human Being, Man in General
4 · Society, Civilization, Culture
5 · Abstract Ideas and Concepts
6 · History
7 · Bible
8 · Literature
9 · Classical Mythology and Ancient History
The outline below lists the 450 basic categories of the Iconclass system. You can use the outline to familiarize yourself with the main groups of subjects. When you click on a concept you can see how each category is further subdivided.
You will find illustrations for almost all of the main categories in the collection of RKDImages. If RKDImages does not have pictures to illustrate the use of an Iconclass concept, you can also reference German Bildindex, probably the most prolific user of the Iconclass system.
0 · Abstract, Non-representational Art
1 · Religion and Magic
10 · (symbolic) representations ~ creation, cosmos, cosmogony, universe, and life (in the broadest sense)
11 · Christian religion
11A · Deity, God (in general) ~ Christian religion
11B · the Holy Trinity, ‘Trinitas coelestis’; Father, Son and Holy Ghost ~ Christian religion
11C · God the Father
11D · Christ
11E · the Holy Ghost
11F · the Virgin Mary
11G · angels
11H · saints
11I · prophets, sibyls, evangelists, Doctors of the Church; persons ~ the Bible (not in biblical context)
11K · devil(s) and demons
11L · Christian doctrine
11M · ‘Sapientia’ and the Seven Virtues, i.e. the Three Theological and the Four Cardinal Virtues
11N · Vice, and the Seven Deadly Sins
11O · strife between Virtues and Vices, Psychomachy
11P · the Church (as institution)
11Q · the worship of God
11R · the life of man
11S · heaven, celestial paradise, New Earth
11T · hell and purgatory
11U · Last Judgement
11V · the (seven) Acts of Mercy
12 · non-Christian religions (including institutions, customs and antiquities)
12A · Jewish religion and culture
12B · non-Christian religions and cults (in general)
12C · Egyptian religion
12D · Babylonian-Assyrian religions and other antique religions of the Near East and Northern Africa
12E · Greek religion (including Minoan and Mycenaean culture)
12F · Roman religion (including Etruscan religion)
12G · Mithraism and other Hellenistic or Late Roman (provincial) religions (including ancient Iranian religions)
12H · Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism
12I · Islam, Mohammedanism
12K · Celtic religion
12L · Germanic and Scandinavian religions
12M · Slavonic and other European and Central-Asian religions (including Basque, Finnish, and Magyar religions)
12N · traditional Chinese religions
12O · Shinto
12P · tribal religions of South-East Asia
12Q · African tribal religions
12R · American Indian religions
12S · Australian and Polynesian/Melanesian religions
12T · Arctic religions (Siberian-, Lapp-, Eskimo-religions)
12U · miscellaneous religions, cults and doctrines
13 · magic, supernaturalism, occultism
13A · general phenomena ~ magic and supernaturalism (spirits, ghosts, etc.)
13B · witchcraft, sorcery
13C · magic signs and objects (numbers, words, etc.)
13D · enchantment (evil eye, transformation, healings, etc.)
13E · divination, prognostication ~ magic
13F · microcosmos ~ macrocosmos
13G · superstition, popular belief
13H · parapsychology
14 · astrology
14A · astrologer at work
14B · horoscope
14C · astrological signs and symbols
2 · Nature
20 · ‘Natura’ (allegorical figure or scene; or as Diana of Ephesus, with many breasts); ‘Natura’ (Ripa)
21 · the four elements, and ether, the fifth element
21A · air (one of the four elements)
21B · earth (one of the four elements)
21C · fire (one of the four elements)
21D · water (one of the four elements)
21E · ether as ‘quinta essentia’
22 · natural phenomena
22A · matter
22B · electricity and magnetism
22C · light
22D · sound
22E · temperature
23 · time
23A · allegory of Time and Eternity
23B · period of more than one year
23C · year, solar year
23D · seasons of the year (esp. personifications); ‘Stagione’, ‘Le quattro stagione dell’anno’ (Ripa)
23E · seasons of the year represented by scenes showing human activities, usually in a landscape
23F · seasons of the year represented by landscapes
23G · seasons of the year represented by still lifes of flowers and/or fruits
23H · seasons of the year represented by concepts other than personifications, human activities, landscapes, or still lifes of flowers and/or fruits (e.g. biblical scenes)
23I · the twelve months (especially personifications); ‘Mese in generale’ (Ripa)
23K · the twelve months represented by scenes showing human activities, usually in a landscape; so-called ‘labours of the months’
23L · the twelve months represented by landscapes
23M · the twelve months represented by still lifes of flowers and/or fruits
23N · the twelve months of the year represented by concepts other than personifications, human activities, landscapes, or still lifes of flowers and/or fruits
23O · zodiac; the twelve zodiacal signs together
23P · weeks
23Q · days of the week
23R · day and night
23S · the empires of the world
23T · historical epochs
23U · chronology
24 · the heavens (celestial bodies)
24A · sun as celestial body
24B · moon as celestial body
24C · planets (except the earth)
24D · stars
24E · astronomical phenomena
24F · firmament, sky
24G · spheres ~ heavens
25 · earth, world as celestial body
25A · maps, atlases
25B · continents represented allegorically
25C · geological phenomena
25D · rock types; minerals and metals; soil types
25E · geological-chronological division; historical geology; geological era
25F · animals
25G · plants; vegetation
25H · landscapes
25I · city-view, and landscape with man-made constructions
25K · landscapes in the non-temperate zone, exotic landscapes
25L · cities represented allegorically or symbolically
25M · the Seven Wonders of the World
25N · fictitious countries
26 · meteorological phenomena
26A · clouds
26B · rain
26C · winds
26D · frost, freezing weather
26E · thunderstorm
26F · good and bad weather
26G · mirage, ‘fata morgana’
26H · still other meteorological phenomena
29 · surrealia, surrealistic representations
29A · animals acting as human beings
29B · plants behaving as human beings or animals
29C · objects coming to life, e.g. puppets
29D · natural forms in stones, wood, clouds, etc. interpreted as representations
3 · Human Being, Man in General
31 · man in a general biological sense
31A · the (nude) human figure; ‘Corpo humano’ (Ripa)
31B · mind, spirit
31C · spirit (or soul) versus body
31D · human life and its ages (young, adult, old, etc.)
31E · death of human being
31F · symbols and personifications of Death
31G · the soul
32 · human types; peoples and nationalities
32A · human types
32B · human races; peoples; nationalities
32C · scientific classification of human races
33 · relations between individual persons
33A · non-aggressive relationships
33B · aggressive relationships, enmity, animosity
33C · relations between the sexes
34 · man and animal
34A · taming and training of animals
34B · domestic animals, kept in and outside the house
34C · protection of animals
34D · control and eradication of injurious animals
34E · restraint of animals
34F · man and (wild) animal
34G · man disguised as animal
35 · pastorals, Arcadian scenes
36 · man and environment
36A · environmental conservation, protection
36B · environmental destruction
4 · Society, Civilization, Culture
41 · material aspects of daily life
41A · housing
41B · heating and lighting
41C · nutrition, nourishment
41D · fashion, clothing
41E · still life of miscellaneous objects
42 · family, descendance
42A · procreation, birth and (early) youth
42B · parents with their children
42C · period of adolescence
42D · betrothal and marriage
42E · burial rites
42F · household management; housewife at work
42G · family, relationship, descent
42Z · exotic and non-monogamous family forms
43 · recreation, amusement
43A · festivities
43B · recreation
43C · sports, games and physical performances
43D · other leisure time activities
44 · state; law; political life
44A · symbols of the state (in general)
44B · government, the State; ‘Politica’, ‘Auttorità o Potestà’ (Ripa)
44C · the citizen and his rights
44D · administrative bodies
44E · government services, public services
44F · revolution, revolt
44G · law and jurisprudence
45 · warfare; military affairs
45A · war and peace
45B · the soldier; the soldier’s life
45C · (military) equipment and supply
45D · insignia; division of armed forces; ranks
45E · communication and transport
45F · preparation for battle
45G · defensive measures (military)
45H · battle, fighting in general
45I · after the battle
45K · siege, position war
45L · occupation ~ war
45M · non-combatants ~ war
46 · social and economic life, transport and communication
46A · communal life
46B · trade, commerce and finance
46C · traffic and transport
46D · press, journalism
46E · post, telegraph and telephone; means of communication
47 · crafts and industries
47A · industrial structures
47B · handicrafts and industries
47C · industrial processes, handling of materials
47D · machines; parts of machines; tools and appliances
47E · organization of craft and industry
47F · before and after production
47G · building activities
47H · textile industry and clothing industry
47I · agriculture, cattle-breeding, horticulture, flowerculture, etc.
47K · commercial fishery
47L · shipbuilding industry
48 · art
48A · art and the public; styles and ornaments
48B · artist (in general)
48C · the arts; artists
49 · education, science and learning
49A · education
49B · scholastic education, tuition
49C · aspects of science in general
49D · mathematics
49E · science and technology
49F · biology
49G · medicine, medical science
49H · social sciences
49I · geography
49K · historical disciplines; philology
49L · writing and letters
49M · production of printed matter, book-production
49N · reading
5 · Abstract Ideas and Concepts
51 · Generalities
51A · Existence and Modes of Existence
51B · Kinds of Relation
51C · Causation
51D · Order and Disorder
51E · Hierarchical Order
51F · Temporal Relationship
51G · Some Characteristics of Matter
51H · Quantity and Degree
51I · Space
51K · Aspects of Change
51L · Types of Motion
51M · Quality of Motion
52 · Reasoning and Formation of Ideas
52A · Intelligence and Intellectual Faculties
52B · Reasoning
52C · Understanding and Misunderstanding
52D · Communication of Thought (qualitative aspects)
52E · Communication of Thought (answer and question)
53 · Will, Volition
53A · Characteristics of Will
53B · Acts of the Will
53C · Authority and Subordination
53D · Intersocial Volition
54 · Process of Action
54A · State of Being while Doing
54B · Means and Characteristics of Means
54C · Intention, Purpose, Aim
54D · Procedure
54E · Reciprocal Action
54F · Fortune and Misfortune
55 · Property
55A · Acquisition and Loss
55B · Possession
55C · Use of Property
56 · Emotion
56A · Feeling
56B · Joy and Sorrow
56C · Aesthetic Sense
56D · Hope and Fear
56E · Anger and Meekness
56F · Desire and Aversion
57 · Morality
57A · Good and Bad Behaviour, Moral Qualities
57B · Judgment of Conduct
58 · Creation
58A · Creation and Destruction
58B · Vitality and Mortality
59 · Aspects of Social Conduct
59A · Man ~ Community
59B · Social Position
59C · Justice and Injustice
6 · History
61 · historical events and situations; historical persons
61A · historical events and situations
61B · historical persons (portraits and scenes from the life)
61C · proper names of plants and animals
61D · geographical names of countries, regions, mountains, rivers, etc.
61E · names of cities and villages
61F · names of historical buildings, sites, streets, etc.
61G · names of artefacts and man-made objects
61H · names of organizations, companies, trade unions, etc.
61I · names of historical events and situations
61K · (other) historical names
62 · visions of the future
7 · Bible
71 · Old Testament
71A · Genesis from the creation to the expulsion from paradise, and later years of Adam and Eve
71B · Genesis from the descendants of Cain and Seth to Abraham
71C · Genesis: the patriarchs
71D · Genesis: the story of Joseph
71E · Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua: from the bondage of the Israelites in Egypt to their settlement in Canaan
71F · the time of the Judges
71G · story of Saul
71H · story of David
71I · story of Solomon
71K · division of the Kingdom, and story of Israel, the Northern Kingdom
71L · the divided kingdom: story of the Southern Kingdom (Judah)
71M · story of Elijah (Elias)
71N · story of Elisha (Eliseus)
71O · prophets (before and during the Babylonian Captivity)
71P · the story of the prophet Daniel; his visions and prophecies
71Q · the story of Esther
71R · the books of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esdras
71S · prophets (after the Babylonian Captivity)
71T · the book of Tobit
71U · the book of Judith
71V · the book of Jonah
71W · the book of Job
71X · the lyric books: Psalms and Song of Solomon
71Y · the books of Wisdom
71Z · (books of the) Maccabees
72 · typological juxtapositions and compositions
72A · typological juxtapositions
72B · comprehensive typological compositions
73 · New Testament
73A · (scenes from the life of) John the Baptist and Mary
73B · birth and youth of Christ
73C · public life of Christ: from his baptism until the Passion
73D · Passion of Christ
73E · events from Resurrection to Pentecost (Matthew 28; Mark 16; Luke 24; John 20-21; Acts 1:3-11); Mary’s and Joseph’s death
73F · lives and acts of the apostles of Christ; epistles
73G · the Revelation of John, the Apocalypse
8 · Literature
81 · literary cycles
81A · Arthurian legend : Use 81(ARTHURIAN LEGEND)
81B · ‘Nibelungenlied’ : Use 81(NIBELUNGENLIED)
81C · Dante, ‘Divina Commedia’ : Use 83(DANTE, Divina Commedia)
81D · Boccaccio, ‘Decameron’ : Use 83(BOCCACCIO, Decamerone)
81E · Ariosto, ‘Orlando Furioso’ : Use 83(ARIOSTO, Orlando Furioso)
81F · Tasso, ‘Gerusalemme Liberata’ : Use 83(TASSO, Gerusalemme Liberata)
81G · ‘The Poems of Ossian’ : Use 83(MACPHERSON, Poems of Ossian)
81H · other cycles : Use 81(…)
82 · literary characters and objects
82A · names of literary characters
82B · names of fictional animals, plants, objects, etc.
83 · specific works of literature
84 · tales and fairy tales
85 · fables
85A · fables of Aesop : Use 85(…)
85B · fables of Lafontaine : Use 85(…)
85C · other fables : Use 85(…)
86 · proverbs, sayings, etc.
9 · Classical Mythology and Ancient History
91 · myths about creation: cosmogony, theogony, and the origin of man
91A · genesis of the universe ~ classical mythology
91B · offspring of Uranus and Gaea (Titans, Cyclopes, Centimani)
91C · the battles (of Titans, Giants, Typhon, Aloeids) with the gods
91D · division of the universe (among Jupiter, Neptune and Pluto)
91E · origin of man
92 · gods ~ classical mythology
92A · the Olympian gods together: Jupiter, Juno, Neptune, Ceres, Apollo, Diana, Mars, Venus, Mercury, Minerva, Vulcan, Vesta (or Bacchus)
92B · the great gods of Heaven, and their train
92C · the great goddesses of Heaven, and their train
92D · lesser divinities of Heaven ~ serving and attendant environment
92E · lesser divinities of Heaven ~ phenomena of air and sky
92F · lesser divinities of Heaven ~ birth and healing
92G · lesser divinities of Heaven ~ destiny, fate, adversity
92H · gods of the waters: Neptune and his environment
92I · gods of the waters: the older dynasty (first series): offspring of Pontus and the monsters of the sea
92K · gods of the waters: the older dynasty (second series): children of Oceanus, river and small water deities
92L · gods of the earth and fertility ~ life in mountains and woods
92M · gods of the earth and fertility ~ agriculture
92N · gods of the underworld
93 · meetings and dwellings of the gods
93A · meetings of the gods
93B · Olympus
93C · Parnassus, sacred to Apollo Musagetes
93D · Helicon, sacred to the Muses
93E · Hades, the Underworld
93F · the Garden of the Hesperides
93G · House of Sleep: a gloomy cave through which runs the river Lethe; possibly with two gates, one of ivory through which deceptive dreams issue, and one of horn through which true dreams issue
93H · cave of winds
93I · other dwellings of the gods
94 · the Greek heroic legends (I)
94A · the story of the Argonauts: the quest for the Golden Fleece
94B · the Theban wars: the Seven against Thebes and the Epigoni
94C · the Trojan war (94C – 94H)
94D · the Trojan war: the journey to Troy
94E · the Trojan war: the arrival and the first nine years
94F · the tenth year of the Trojan war (part I); the wrath of Achilles: from the quarrel about Briseis to the death of Patroclus
94G · the tenth year of the Trojan war (part II): Achilles back to war; his last deeds and his death
94H · last months of the siege and the fall of Troy
94I · adventures of the Greeks after the fall of Troy: the wanderings of Ulysses (Homer, Odyssey)
94K · adventures of the Greeks after the fall of Troy: the return of other Greek heroes
94L · (story of) Hercules (Heracles)
94M · (story of) Theseus
94N · (story of) Meleager
94O · (story of) Orpheus
94P · (story of) Perseus
94Q · (story of) Orion
94R · (story of) the Dioscuri: Castor (the horse-tamer) and Pollux (the boxer)
94S · (story of) Bellerophon
94T · (story of) Oedipus
95 · the Greek heroic legends (II)
95A · the Greek heroic legends (II): heroes
95B · the Greek heroic legends (II): heroines
96 · Roman gods and legends
96A · Roman deities, and foreign deities included in the classical Pantheon
96B · the story of Aeneas’ wanderings to Italy (Virgil, Aeneid)
96C · heroes, male characters from the legendary origins of Rome
96D · heroines, female characters from the legendary origins of Rome
97 · metamorphoses ~ classical mythology
97A · metamorphoses of male persons into trees
97B · metamorphoses of male persons into plants and flowers
97C · metamorphoses of male persons into mammals
97D · metamorphoses of male persons into birds
97E · metamorphoses of male persons into (fabulous) animals
97F · metamorphoses of male persons into stone
97G · metamorphoses of male persons into stars and constellations
97H · metamorphoses of male persons into water, air, or other elements
97I · metamorphoses into islands
97K · metamorphoses ~ sex
97L · metamorphoses ~ age
97M · metamorphoses into various forms at will
97N · metamorphoses of (fabulous) animals
97O · metamorphoses of objects, plants and flowers
98 · classical history
98A · events and situations from classical history
98B · male persons from classical history
98C · female persons from classical history