aniconic

American  

[an-ahy-kon-ik] / ˌæn aɪˈkɒn ɪk /

adjective

1. not employing or permitting images, idols, etc..

   an aniconic religion.

2. not forming an image.

3. of or relating to aniconism.

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aniconic British  

/ ˌænaɪˈkɒnɪk /

adjective

1. (of images of deities, symbols, etc) not portrayed in a human or animal form

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Etymology

Origin of aniconic

First recorded in 1890–95; an- ¹ + iconic

Example Sentences

Palanga; lower aniconic half of draped statue with incised inscription, now in Constantinople.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 13, Slice 5 "Hinduism" to "Home, Earls of" by Various

Sir Arthur Evans describes as "the aniconic image of the god" a stone pillar on which crude pictures of a double axe have been scratched.

From The Evolution of the Dragon by Smith, G. Elliot

The earliest form of her worship, and one which proved very persistent, was apparently aniconic.

From The Sea-Kings of Crete by Baikie, James

The aniconic lower part of an inscribed statue wholly in the round was found at Palanga, and parts of others at Kirchoglu and Marash.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 13, Slice 5 "Hinduism" to "Home, Earls of" by Various