A collection of excerpts containing chronologically issued answers to some of the questions submitted by individual believers and institutions

6/05/2017

Portrayal of any Manifestation of God Forbidden - 3 December 1972

Your understanding that the portrayal of the Báb and Bahá'u'lláh in works of art is forbidden, is correct. The Guardian made it clear that this prohibition refers to all Manifestations of God; photographs, or reproductions of portraits, of the Master may be used in books, but no attempt should be made to portray Him in dramatic or other works where He would be one of the 'dramatic personae'. However, there can be no objection to symbolic representation of such Holy Figures, provided it does not become a ritual and that the symbol used is not irreverent." 
- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter of the Universal House of Justice, December 3, 1972; compilation: Lights of Guidance)