What makes a manuscript "Illuminated"?

An illuminated manuscript is one in which the text is supplemented by the addition of decoration, such as decorated initials, borders  and miniature illustrations. In modern usage, the term now refers to any decorated or illustrated manuscript from the Western traditions.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illuminated_manuscript
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/283009/illuminated-manuscript


The most famous example of illuminated writing is The Book of Kells, which was created by Celtic monks and contains the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) from the Bible.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Kells


There are three main elements to an illuminated manuscript:
1. a Border

A page from the book of Matthew featuring an elaborate border

2. Versal (or leading) letters

versal letters from the book of John

3. Main text or body

As mentioned earlier, there are often other illustrations or decorations included as well. These usually have some symbolism or meaning related to either the text itself, the artist or to the consignee.

Carpet page opposite the Portrait of Christ in the Book of Kells

What is the purpose of this blog?

This blog serves as a more in-depth support to my business: "Illuminations by Lynnea" which creates hand-drawn illuminated manuscripts and other similar products. It is at this location where the actual process of creation is documented.

Other offerings from Illuminations by Lynnea include, but are in no way limited to:

• Poems 
• Historical/Cultural/Folk/Inspirational sayings & quotations 
• Songs, hymns 
• Religious scriptures and passages
• Biblical requests available in the following languages: 
• Bulgarian, Croatian, Chinese, Czech, English, French, Gaelic, Greek, Hebrew, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Spanish, Tamil, Thai, Viet. 
• Special occasion announcement designs: weddings, birth, graduation 
• Family trees Names and name meanings