Nativity Central Russia, 16th century Narrative elements of this icon are based on texts of the Gospels of Matthew and Luke and Protoevangelion of James. In many respects the composition follows the Byzantine tradition. The Virgin, shown larger than most other figures, lies on a vermillion bed in the center; she looks down at the preparations being made for the ablution. Next to her the swaddled Child lies in the manger within a cave, where an ox and a donkey, symbolizing the Jews and pagans, worship the child. Above the cave an angel points out to the maagi the star of Bethlehem. The magi are represented as equestrians, following a Byzantine archetype seen, for example, in the twelfth century Nativity icon from the Monastery of saint Catherine, Sinai, and the mosaics dated 1312-13 from the church of the Holy Apostles in Thessalonike. In keeping wiith an ancient tradition, the magi are depicted as a gray-haired old man, a bearded middle-aged man, and a beardless youth, their three different ages signifying the infinitude of time. In the icon's upper right an angel worships Christ Child in the manger and another angel announces the Nativity. The sheperd below them, joyfully blowing his horn, represents rejoicing mankind. Joseph sits on a hillcock by the Virgin's feet and listens to the inquiry of an old man before him. At the lower right, two women flanking the font basin prepare for the ablution of the Child. The seated woman wears a head covering with a white band and black stripes, recalling common attribute of the prophets in icon painting.