RE: VMs: re: VMS: Finding

["GC" <glenclaston@xxxxxxxxx>]

Nick wrote:

> Which Christian crosses? The "cross-like thing" in the
> hand of a nymph in
> the balneological section is very possibly something
> else entirely (GC and
> I debated this on-list not so very long ago).


Quite so, but there is one piece of religious iconery we haven't
discussed in any detail, that being the cross-topped crown on
folio 72v1.  I've actually done a bit of research into this
particular crown, and have made some interesting discoveries.

There are several medieval statues and paintings that depict a
crown of this type on the Virgin Mary.  There's some history to
the "crowning of Mary", etc., and I haven't gotten to the bottom
of it all as yet, which probably means that I haven't yet run
across an extremely knowledgeable source up to now.  Anyway,
here's what I know so far.

Up until the 17th century, there was a tradition called
"Tricesimum" which was in essence a thirty day devotion to the
Virgin Mary.  This was traditionally celebrated from August 15 to
September 14.  This is now celebrated in May, but this did not
occur until the 17th century, and took until the 19th century to
truly catch on.  For the purposes of the VMS, I believe the
Tricesimum to have been celebrated as stated above.

If this is the case, there is the question of why this is under
Libra.  For that I would need the help of one of our star-gazing
members, who could calculate the exact beginning and ending of
Libra against the old calendar.  I'm also doing some research on
traditions involving the actual date of birth of the Virgin Mary,
which might also have some bearing on this.

I'm certain more will surface on this, but I strongly suspect we
have a truly christian piece of symbolism here, and not just a
cross on a crown.

GC


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