Religious art of Middle Ages in Europe
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Amanita muscaria, commonly known as the fly agaric (pronounced /ˈ or fly Amanita (pronounced , is a poisonous and psychoactive basidiomycete fungus, one of many in the genus Amanita. Native throughout the temperate and boreal regions of the Northern Hemisphere, Amanita muscaria has been unintentionally introduced to many countries in the Southern Hemisphere, generally as a symbiont with pine plantations, and is now a true cosmopolitan species. It associates with various deciduous and coniferous trees. The quintessential toadstool, it is a large white-gilled, white-spotted, usually deep red mushroom, one of the most recognizable and widely encountered in popular culture. Several subspecies, with differing cap colour have been recognised to date, including the brown regalis (considered a separate species), the yellow-orange flavivolata, guessowii, and formosa, and the pinkish persicina. Genetic studies published in 2006 and 2008 show several sharply delineated clades which may represent separate species.
Although generally considered poisonous, deaths are extremely rare, and it has been consumed as a food in parts of Europe, Asia, and North America after parboiling in water. Amanita muscaria is now primarily famed for its hallucinogenic properties, with its main psychoactive constituent being the compound muscimol. It was used as an intoxicant and entheogen by the peoples of Siberia and has a religious significance in these cultures. There has been much speculation on traditional use of this mushroom as an intoxicant in places other than Siberia; however, such traditions are far less well-documented.
Ollantaytambo is one of the most impressive Inca cities. It was at the same time a fortress, a religious centre, an astronomical observatory, and an agricultural centre which is laid out in a series of steps facing east on the flanks of a rocky spur.
"The Basilica of SS. Ulrich and Afra [...] is a Catholic parish in Augsburg. [...] The building is a great example of Gothic architecture in Germany [...]. Its high bell tower with an "onion" dome, which dominates the city to the south, served as a prototype for the construction of numerous baroque towers of Bavaria." en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basilica_of_SS._Ulrich_and_Afra,_Au...
This onion tower was built in 1594. The construction of the church had already begun in 1467 in late gothic style, but was repeatedly interrupted due to religious disputes. It was not until 1607 that the church was finally consecrated. de.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Ulrich_und_Afra_(Augsburg)
This is no doubt one of the most amazing churches I have ever seen, and it is amazing to me that this church is still a work in progress!! Here is a panoramic of the ceiling of this awe inspiring church.
The Bayon is a richly decorated Khmer temple at Angkor in Cambodia. Built in the late 12th or early 13th century as the state temple of the Mahayana Buddhist King Jayavarman VII, the Bayon stands at the center of Jayavarman's capital, Angkor Thom. Following Jayavarman's death, it was modified and augmented by later Hindu and Theravada Buddhist kings in accordance with their own religious preferences.
The Bayon's most distinctive feature is the multitude of serene and smiling stone faces on the many towers which jut out from the upper terrace and cluster around its central peak. The temple has two sets of bas-reliefs, which present a combination of mythological, historical, and mundane scenes. The main conservatory body, the Japanese Government Team for the Safeguarding of Angkor (the JSA) has described the temple as "the most striking expression of the baroque style" of Khmer architecture, as contrasted with the classical style of Angkor Wat. (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayon)
Part 3 of 3 of my Ancient Egypt series.
The title is known to be given during the Old Kingdom of Egypt, and was at that point very powerful and prestigious. The mummies of the priestesses testify that they were decorated with a religious tattoo, covering the stomach around the area of the uterus. After the Middle Kingdom of Egypt, the title was often irregularly awarded the women of the royal family, typically princesses.
The rise, fall & extinction of the priestesses of Hathor are seen in ancient Egyptian culture. The women who wanted to become socially powerful usually took refuge in religion & took the charge of priesthood.
Ancient Egyptian society took women's empowerment much more loosely than ancient Greece & ancient Rome. There women were given the right to their own property. However, after becoming a priestess, a woman is seen not only as an important figure in ancient Egyptian society, but also a living symbol of divinity.
The priestesses of Hathor were called hm ntr hthr & they were one of the most respected people in Egypt. But After the Middle Kingdom of Egypt, the title was often irregularly awarded only to the women of the royal family, typically princesses. This includes the daughter of Ramesses II. At one time their names were completely erased from history.
Egyptologysts have shown that in early days only women of aristocratic lineage could be appointed to the priesthood of Hathor. They were called Badak-Purohit or God's Consort (Hmt nTr). They performed dances and songs during the sacred rites. Because of their menstruation and ability to give child-birth, they were considered unholy, which is why they could not perform sacred duties like dressing up the sacred image of deity.
Taken at the amazing Alexandria
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Unusual, intriguing, memorable! The Cannonball tree is one of my favorite tropical trees with sea-anemone-like flowers whose sweet enticing fragrance can be enjoyed a field away. It has large hard brown fruit that clang like Cannonballs in the tropical forest at night. The flowers don't erupt on the upper branches either but on root-like branches around the base of the trunk! At night the flowers are particularly aromatic to attract swift-flying pollinators including bats. This particular Cannonball tree was collected in 1913 at Jamaica’s Hope Gardens and has flourished here at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden since it was planted in 1938.
According to textual records, Couroupita guianensis trees have been growing in India for at least 3,000 years, where it is so revered that it is often found growing at religious temples. It's possible that it is native to India as well. Part of the Lecythidaceae family, it grows up to 25m (82ft) in height.The majority of Cannonball trees that grow outside their natural environment were planted as botanical curiosities. Their large orange, scarlet and pink flowers form bunches that measure up to 3m in length. The large spherical, woody fruits, which range from 15 to 24cm in diameter, each contain up to 300 seeds.
Cannonball Tree, Ayahuma, Couroupita guianensis
Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Miami, FL
The castle was built by Imam Sultan bin Saif II in 1708. It was built as a residence for the imam. The castle also had a prison, mosque, and religious classrooms.
St Giles’ Cathedral, founded in 1124 by King David I, has been a working church for over 900 years. A backdrop to Scotland’s turbulent religious history, it has seen the seeds of civil war sown and been John Knox’s parish church during the Reformation. It is still an important centre for civic services such as the Kirking of the Parliament and services for Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle.
St Giles’ Cathedral is open to all, to worship, to visit and to experience music, art and history within its walls.
Happy Bench Monday!
Proud collector of a private person Arranging the statues in his house. He scours the Netherlands for that. In the mirror you see the photographer.
Trotse verzamelaar van een pariticulier Het schikken van de beelden in zijn huis. Daar struint hij Nederland voor af. In de spiegel zie je de fotografe.
Fier collectionneur d'un particulier arrangeant les statues dans sa maison. Il parcourt les Pays-Bas pour cela. Vous voyez le photographe dans le miroir.
Stolzer Sammler einer Privatperson, der die Statuen in seinem Haus arrangiert. Dafür durchkämmt er die Niederlande. Sie sehen den Fotografen im Spiegel.
Or, the separation of church and foyer. I found this 'ghost town' relic, along with a few other abandoned buildings, while seeking out old grain elevators in rural Saskatchewan. The foyer is separating from the main body of the church. Like most of the buildings in the former town, the church (and the elevators) was in very bad condition.
The Chancel at the far end of St John The Baptist church in Shepherds Bush looking resplendent picked out in bright gold.
To me, this sums up the changes in Ireland in the last couple of decades. Seen at a vintage show / boot sale some time ago.
The spot in the crypt of The Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem where, supposedly, Jesus was born. There was an extremely long queue of devoted Christians wanting to venerate here but, as a very small non religious party, we were allowed in the exit to take quick photos and straight out again. ;-)
Siem Reap - Ankor Wat Temple - Sunrise @ lotus pond
CAM7497.F
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Take care and stay healthy!
Angkor Wat is a temple complex in Cambodia and the largest religious monument in the world with the site measuring 162.6 hectares (1,626,000 m2). It was originally constructed as a Hindu temple of god Vishnu for the Khmer Empire, gradually transforming into a Buddhist temple toward the end of the 12th century. It was built by the Khmer King Suryavarman II in the early 12th century in Yaśodharapura, present-day Angkor, the capital of the Khmer Empire, as his state temple and eventual mausoleum. Breaking from the Shaiva tradition of previous kings, Angkor Wat was instead dedicated to Vishnu. As the best-preserved temple at the site, it is the only one to have remained a significant religious center since its foundation. The temple is at the top of the high classical style of Khmer architecture. It has become a symbol of Cambodia, appearing on its national flag, and it is the country's prime attraction for visitors.
He noted that “[ Zen] can shine through this or that system, religious or irreligious, just as light can shine through glass that is blue, or green, or red, or yellow.” 47 This understanding of the nature of Zen led Merton not only to a deep affinity for Buddhism but to the discovery of the possibility of Buddhist-Christian dialogue at a deeper spiritual level.
-Thomas Merton’s encounter with Buddhism and beyond: his interreligious dialogue, inter-monastic exchanges, and their legacy / Jaechan Anselmo Park, OSB.
In a letter to Graham, Merton wrote, “I liked the book so much . . . [Zen] is actually a life-saver for many people, here at the exhausted end of an era in which thinking has been dominated by Cartesianism, Kant and so on.” 49 Both Merton and Graham saw that Zen was not in conflict with the Catholic faith, and they encouraged Christians to explore Zen for their spiritual growth.
-Thomas Merton’s encounter with Buddhism and beyond: his interreligious dialogue, inter-monastic exchanges, and their legacy / Jaechan Anselmo Park, OSB.
Happy Thanksgiving to those who celebrate(d) - hope it is/was a wonderful day for you and yours.
Per Wiki:
Thanksgiving is a national holiday celebrated on various dates in the United States, Canada, Grenada, Saint Lucia, and Liberia.
It began as a day of giving thanks and sacrifice for the blessing of the harvest and of the preceding year. Similarly named festival holidays occur in Germany, and Japan.
Thanksgiving is celebrated on the second Monday of October in Canada and on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States and around the same part of the year in other places.
Although Thanksgiving has historical roots in religious and cultural traditions, it has long been celebrated as a secular holiday as well.