Okay, you librarians and scholars in here (OH! DIANE!!!)
altreligion.about.com/library...alen.htm
Why is Mary depicted in these pictures holding a jar, or in one case a mortar and pestle?
This is different imagery from The Grail. They are also vestles. Is this a more subtle hint to disguise her being the Divine Vessel?
I think it's much deeper than that.
altreligion.about.com/library...alen.htm
Why is Mary depicted in these pictures holding a jar, or in one case a mortar and pestle?
This is different imagery from The Grail. They are also vestles. Is this a more subtle hint to disguise her being the Divine Vessel?
I think it's much deeper than that.
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Dallas
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Re: Mary of Magdalene
02/25Gee, Todd. Sorry. I have to say I didn't peek at this "Mary of Magdalene" soon-to-be-thread until just now. Dunno why. But here I am and here's your answer.
I googled <<iconography mary magdalen>> and found some interesting stuff...
This page is from Augusta State University and pretty much explain this. It appears to actually be *less* deep than you thought! www.aug.edu/augusta/icon...agdalene.html It says "In the portraits and in some of the desert subjects we see as her attribute the alabaster jar of oil that she used to anoint Jesus' feet, as at left and in this example." The URL under the word "example" there is www.aug.edu/augusta/icon...gnorelli.html
The images in the link you provide are very cool because they span lots of different styles of art, at least I think so. The better-educated-in-art types around here will know more about that, probably. But one looks middle ages, one looks renaissance, etc.... At any rate, it's interesting to note that (apparently.. I am also very ignorant where christianity is concerned) that the woman who anoints Jesus' feet (and brushes her hair over them, right?) is not named. It has only been assumed to be Mary Magdalene.
So there you have it. No more a divine vessel than the tin man's oil can, I suppose! LOL. -
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Re: Mary of Magdalene
02/25Okay, I new that sometimes the woman who anointed Jesus' feet, who was depicted in that scene as a prostitiute, had often been depicted as Mare d'M. But other scholars would dispute that. One of the popes, who's name is escaping me due to the wine I had for supper, initiated a pogram in the early 14th century to discredit Mary d'M, when actually, in Gnostic records, she was equal in stature to St. Peter.
What threw me, I think, was the mortar and pestle in one of the photos. That, and I new from Grail myth that she had been depicted as the vessel of Jesus' putative child, Sarah. Hence the shape of the Grail. -
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Re: Mary of Magdalene
02/25Which picture has the mortar and pestle? I was looking for that. I see one that might look like a mortar, but I don't see the pestle. Just curious.... no biggie... -
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Re: Mary of Magdalene
02/25The Guido Reni, upper right corner. On closer inspection (much closer) it's the belt to her bodice. My mistake. Just goes to show you what perception creates, huh? -
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Re: Mary of Magdalene
02/27Todd, it might have be intended, as some words have two meanings, for two possible/potential perceptions to occur on the Guido Reni. The mortar and pestle idea brings to mind the pharmaceuticals/herbals of that era....and thus the implication of healing.
I think the most important lesson of all of Christianity is the admonition to love one another as ourselves. If we can do THAT, then the healing begins.
Bless you all. Just a thought. -
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Re: Mary of Magdalene
02/27Thank you, Rhino. Good points.
The mortar and pestle idea also brings up the area of alchemy for me.
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Re: Mary of Magdalene
02/27Scroll down on this page altreligion.about.com/library...ode2.htm
to read this:
Mary Magdalen, Priestess?
Mary Magdalen is frequently portrayed carrying a jar of precious spikenard oil for annointing the body of Christ. Previously, the 'alabaster jar' was an accoutrement of the priestess of Isis, the goddess whose ministrations resurrected her husband Osiris. The ancient Cult of Isis stressed a symbolic death and resurrection as a metaphor for spiritual rebirth.
"I have traveled through the tomb, dark and lonely ground. I am here now. I have come. I see."
(I like the other stuff on this page, and the links, too.) -
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Re: Mary of Magdalene
02/27Nice thought, Diane....perhaps Mary Magdalen, priestess/healer?
I've often thought of a true priest/priestess as one who makes valid attempts repeatedly to heal souls of those flaws that might be accumulated in life. And hence,the spirit is reborn.
What do you think? -
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Re: Mary of Magdalene
02/27Maybe it depends on the belief system of society and a cultures interpretation. Be whatever faith or religion they hold.
Two thousand years of art and literature depicting Mary and women like herself is an interesting topic in itself. In general, I find art holds a historical color palette of information that serves as an interesting marker for cultural beliefs. And what a collection of beliefs we have!
This reminds me of the “Da Vinci Code” movie. When that hit the theaters it caused a pretty good ruckus. It revisits old myths of temptation, exploration, scandal, and self-discovery.
The historical to current data is intriguing where some associate Mary Mag as in the genre of “bad girls of the bible gone good” to wife, mistress, healer, temptress, disciple, or goddess. I enjoy that our tribe platform embraces the latter. :-)
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Re: Mary of Magdalene
02/27What do I think? When I start thinking of oil and herbs I start craving one of my Mediterranean salads or sandwiches! LOL.
Seriously, Rhino, I think that's beautifully put. Exquisite! -
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Re: Mary of Magdalene
02/27Where the hell did I put that old jar of Spikenard oil,
Jesus,I know it's around here someplace.
Christ,this place is a mess !
Huh,the cat's eaten it...
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