Iconography.

Adoro Te Devote explains the iconography of Our Lady of Perpetual Help.

In this icon, the lamb, the Child Jesus, is being held in his mother’s arms. Stop for a moment, and consider this image, note the lines, note the expressions, note the eyes…especially the eyes – of each person.

The Archangel Gabriel (who first appeared to Mary with the invitation from God) holds the Cross and the nails which signified the death of Christ, which were, of couse, the instruments leading to his Redemption. The Archangel Michael holds the sword that pierced his side, and the spear holding the sponge that wet his lips as he hung experiencing deep, physical and spiritual thirst those three hours upon the cross in abject misery. Jesus as a child in this image, was so striken by the view of these instruments of torture, these tools of his death, that he ran immediately to his Mother, so quickly that he nearly lost one of his sandals.

There’s a picture and more explanation at her post.  If you’re not familiar with this icon, and you’d like to be, take a look.  I’d like to know more about iconography, but haven’t had time to read more than bits and pieces here and there.