The word pentagram originates from the Greek pentagrammon, “having five lines” (pente “five” and gramma “character”. The pentagram is a five pointed shape where each point of a 5 sided polygon (pentagon) circumscribed around a circle is connected by one continuous line that travels internally, from 3 o’clock, to 8 o’clock, to 12 o’clock, to 4 o’clock, to 9 o’clock, and back to 3 o’clock. Neither the circle, nor the pentagon, is part of the shape. The shape results from the line that connects the points, which can be drawn in one continuous motion. It is most often referred to as a star shape. The pentagram has been around for centuries, not only as one of the most widely used religious motifs, but as a basic symbol that has meant many things to many different cultures. In fact, I have found numerous references to some of the earliest pentagrams having been found etched in the walls of Neolithic caves; I’ve not been able to find the original source documentation. It's reasonable to assume this is correct. Early man was built his understanding of the world by watching the movements of the stars and astronomical events. Astronomers have found that the movements of the planet Venus in the heavens, from our point of view on earth, form the geometric pattern of the pentagram. Perhaps this may explain the importance of Venus throughout history. …show more content…
Pot shards dating to 4,000 B.C. were found decorated with a pentagram. It should be noted that this supports that fact that the symbol never had any ties to demons or Satanism, as these are constructs of Christianity which didn't exist at that
The pentad is a the tool used to investigate motives. Burke writes, ". . .
Encyclopedia Mythica. "Venus." Encyclopedia Mythica: mythology, folklore, and religion. N.p., 3 Mar. 1997. Web. 12 Apr. 2014. .
There have been different significant meanings about the Venus of Willendorf, which is fertility, good luck, and a mother goddess. The Venus of Willendorf statue was found at Willendorf, Austria in 1908. It is 4 3/8 inches and made between 28,000-25,000 B.C.E. It was made from limestone with a tint of red orchard. It has an abstract body of a nude woman with enlarged parts. She has little hand that overlap over the breast, and appear to have no feet. There is no face on the head, but it appears to be a cap or maybe curls on the head.
Not only do they have historical value, but they also have story telling power. In the sculpture Hermes Infant Dionysis there is a story of protection is being told. The gaze of trust is a powerful message being conveyed through the sculpture. (Hermes Infant Dionysos, n.d.) We see another strong story being told in
A farmer in the late 19th century, upon plowing his land near Carthage, Alabama, discovered an object buried in the earth. From the soil, he removed a large stone disk, polished and flawlessly round. The disk was about 12 inches in diameter with small-notched edges. One side displayed incised globular lines and the flip side was “a strange engraving showing an open hand with what looked like an eye peering from it. Encircling the hand-and-eye image were two entwined rattlesnakes with horns and long tongues.” The farmer had previously found tools pieces of pottery, but he had never seen an object such as this (Blitz 2008:1).
The term Pentagram has several meanings one being an object of a five-pointed star. The Pentagram can also mean symbolic used by a faith, the Pentagram is said to have magic, it is said to have come from by the Greeks. The Pentagram has the meaning of the four elements earth, air, fire, water including spirit. Christians have said that the Pentagram stands for Gods wounds. It is said that if the Pentagram is reversed it can represent evil.
The author of the Latin poem, The Vigil of Venus, remains a mystery, along with the date it was penned. Many have speculated who might have written this piece of poetry, but no one can be certain. It is assumed that it was written in early spring on the eve of the festival of Venus, and set it what might be Sicily. The writer is focused on the natural world, and seems motivated by love, spring, and hope of the renewal of both. Some believe this particular piece is seen through the eyes of Venus, known in Greek mythology as the mother of the Roman people. Critics might argue that this poem somehow suggests the imminent fall of the Roman Empire, and while I agree with this possible explanation, I could argue
The age of the figurine has been changed several times. Originally, when found, the date was estimated to be 15,000 to 10,000 BCE. During the 1970’s the time period was adjusted to 25,000 to 20,000 BCE; the date was again recalculated in the 1980’s to 30,000 to 25,000 BCE; the most recent estimate of age was in the 1990’s and was placed at 24,000 to 22,000 BCE after scientific research was performed on the rock stratification. This statuette was discovered by Josef Szombathy in 1908 near the town of Willendorf, Austria, in an Aurignacian loess deposit, which loosely defined is a yellow brown loamy geological deposit dating to the Paleolithic period. The name Venus was first associated with the figurine as a joke.
The increase of wealth during the twelfth century allowed artists to showcase their talents in churches. The apse titled Christ in Majesty with Symbols of the Four Evangelists in the church of Santa Maria de Mur displays the representation of divinity through its subject matter, technique, and style. In the apse, the main subjects revolve around scenes from the Old and New Testament with Christ as the focal point. For technique, the artist employed fresco painting instead of mosaics to show the images. The style of the apse avoids a sense of realism by hiding the bodies of the figures in the drapery and using the hierarchy of scale.
These messages from the very beginning offered new, unique views and ideas upon existing scenarios. Ancient authors who had witnessed and read such symbols got their own ideas and developed their own style of writing and stories. This is has happened throughout history and is most prevalent in today’s society.
Many believed, (and still do) that "monsters" were real, that the fictional creatures that "go bump at night" actually do go bump at night. So, a few people formed a society of men and women called "Hunters". From generation to generation, men rose to the responsibility of protecting the life of others, by hunting them. The two story of two of these remarkable group of people will forever live in the minds of men, we are forever indebted to them.
Created from limestone, votive figures revealed an aspect of Sumerian religious art. These figures were part of a devotional practice and dedicated to the gods in which individual worshipers would sculpt themselves as a figure and place it in a temple or shrine before a larger, more complex image of god. The intention was that the replica of the figure, being the worshiper it was meant to represent, would constantly be under the eye of God. It’s this act of worship that explains the universal stance of each votive figure. Each figure is positioned in the same respectful way with their hands clasped, yet because they were meant to signify the worshiper who sculpted them, they vary in heights, faces, and shapes.
Religious symbols are aspects of all different religions that strengthen faith, promote certain beliefs, and represent the fundamentals of that specific religion. According to Furst’s article on the use of physical religious symbols, “As beings that are both body and spirit, humans use symbols in order to perceive and to grasp realities that are not empirical. As social beings, humans use symbols to communicate with others,” (p 2). But, there are many issues that arise when these symbols are involved and existing in the media, the state, our government, and the public. Mainly this is because symbols are truly powerful and represent controversies that come along with different religions. Furst also states that, “symbols play a powerful role in the transmission of the culture of human society,” (p 2). If religious symbols transmit culture into society, then people in our society are going to pay very close attention to what symbols are present...
Such reflection was noted in Dan Brown’s The Lost Symbol with examples that were really shocking to read. “Don’t tell anyone, but on the pagan day of the sun god Ra, I kneel at the foot of an ancient instrument of torture and consume ritualistic symbols of blood and flesh…And if any of you care to join me, come to the Harvard chapel on Sunday, kneel beneath the crucifix, and take Holy Communion.”
The Birth of Venus by Sandro Botticelli depicts a moment from Venus birth when she stepping, almost floating, off the seashell that was blown ashore by Zephyors along with Chloris. Horae awaits Venus arrival to shore with a large red cloak to cover her naked body .Venus is the Roman goddess of love, sex, beauty, fertility, and prostitution. Venus is the Roman Aphrodite. Born of seafoam from a singled drop of blood in to the sea from the castration of her farther Uranus by his son Saturn.