14th-century theological cosmogram
fresco in the Pisa Camposanto, painted ~1390 by Piero di Puccio. a geocentric depiction of the Universe that has a map of the Earth at centre. This is divided into three, corresponding to the three known continents, Asia, Europe and Africa. The 21 ascending circles surrounding the Earth are: water, air and fire, the five known planets, the Sun, the Moon, the star-studded sky with the zodiac symbols, the crystalline sky (Primo Mobile) and then the nine hierarchies of angels.
I was struck by the similarity in form to the standard Buddhist "Wheel of Life"
14th-century theological cosmogram
fresco in the Pisa Camposanto, painted ~1390 by Piero di Puccio. a geocentric depiction of the Universe that has a map of the Earth at centre. This is divided into three, corresponding to the three known continents, Asia, Europe and Africa. The 21 ascending circles surrounding the Earth are: water, air and fire, the five known planets, the Sun, the Moon, the star-studded sky with the zodiac symbols, the crystalline sky (Primo Mobile) and then the nine hierarchies of angels.
I was struck by the similarity in form to the standard Buddhist "Wheel of Life"