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Description
Hell icons (icons "painted in hell") are alleged icons with images of Devil hidden under the primer, the riza (a metal cover added for protection and embellishment) or the painted layer. Also, the image of saints could include horns hidden under the paint. The painting of hell icons, known as adopis or "hellography" (as opposed to iconography), was also a type of black magic in medieval Russia. Hell icons were first mentioned in the Life of St. Basil (the 16th century): Basil threw a rock at the icon of Virgin Mary before the eyes of the astonished crowd of pilgrims. Then he allegedly showed that the image of the devil was hidden under the paint.

Description
Hell icons (icons "painted in hell") are alleged icons with images of Devil hidden under the primer, the riza (a metal cover added for protection and embellishment) or the painted layer. Also, the image of saints could include horns hidden under the paint. The painting of hell icons, known as adopis or "hellography" (as opposed to iconography), was also a type of black magic in medieval Russia. Hell icons were first mentioned in the Life of St. Basil (the 16th century): Basil threw a rock at the icon of Virgin Mary before the eyes of the astonished crowd of pilgrims. Then he allegedly showed that the image of the devil was hidden under the paint.