Visual representations of what it means to be holy can vary in how they convey a message particular to their tradition. Byzantine icons are intentionally similar to preserve information about their subjects, whereas sacred Islamic art focuses on non-animate elements. Both traditions suggest a personal connection to holiness and the divine.
When comparing visual representations of what it means to be holy in different religious traditions, the extent to which they convey a message that is particular to their tradition can vary. For example, in Byzantine icons, their similarity is intentional and serves to preserve information about the appearances of their subjects and their representations, making them both accurate and divinely powerful. On the other hand, in sacred Islamic art, the depiction of animate beings is generally prohibited, so the focus is on non-animate elements such as plants or buildings.
Given the features of universalizing traditions, images in these traditions might suggest human access to holiness or the possibility of a personal connection to the divine. In the case of Byzantine icons, they indicate a belief that holy figures can be represented in physical form, like Jesus, and that creating images of that form is following the divine example. In sacred Islamic art, the emphasis is on non-animate elements that can still represent holiness without idolatry.