medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
From: Rochelle Altman <[log in to unmask]>
> Christopher Crockett wrote:
>>From: Rochelle Altman
>>>In Syriac iconography, the triple arch symbolizes the Synoptic Gospels...
>>what's your source for that statement?
From: Rochelle Altman <[log in to unmask]>
> This is not exactly a secret. You may read descriptions of, for
instance, the Rabbula in the Laurentian or the Chester Beatty Syriac Gospels.
The early versions are illuminated; illuminated later versions are rare. In
the illustrated Syriac versions, the Synoptic Gospels
and the Eusebian canons are always presented in three columns with one
name per column.
i am aware of the appearance of "Canon Tables" prefacing mss of the Gospels
--though more with the Carolingian & Ottonian examples than the earlier ones.
my understanding is that there are three columns because there are three
Synoptic gospels to be "co-ordinated" (or whatever).
not because "the triple arch symbolizes the Synoptic Gospels".
> There are exterior pillars. Each column is separated from the next by
interior pillars. The area between the pillars contain a gospel or canon.
mmmmm.... not in the examples which i have seen --there is no *text* in the
area between the pillars/columns.
> Illustrations of Mary in the Rabbula place her under a double arch.
what is the "symbolism" of that?
and on what would you base your speculation about it?
>By the 6th century, when the Rabbula was written, the "double tombstone" arch
was already the symbol for "the" Law handed down to Moses at Sinai.
so, Mary in the Rabbula is connected to "the symbol for 'the' Law handed down
to Moses at Sinai" ?
> The windows and doors of Syriac monasteries use the pointed arch;
some may.
most that i've seen --speaking from memory here-- are round, not pointed.
and, the significance of this is... ?
>many times the main door is situated between two windows that descend from
the same height as the door giving again the triple arch divided by pillars.
more "symbolism", surely.
> Further, this particular triple columnar division appears in the
architecture and mss of the various sects -- and the Syriac sects splintered.
The MSS of the different sects are easily distinguished from one another by
their scripts. And this is also well known and discussed
by Syriac scholars..
and, the significance of this is.... ?
>except perhaps Lamsa.
http://www.metamind.net/lamsabio.html
http://www.metamind.net/lamsabooks1.html
> I have seen photographs of a few leaves of an Estrangela MSS that is in
Southern Lebanon. It is illustrated and the Gospels are divided by pillars
into, that's right, three columns.
yes, there are three Gospels.
>Across the top is the triple arch.
mmm.... three columns would give two arches, would they not?
> If you prefer, I'll qualify the statement. "In Syriac iconography, the
evidence that the triple arch symbolizes the Synoptic Gospels is rather
strong."
that doesn't help much.
as i understand it, you are extrapolating from the fact that there are three
Synoptic Gospels --which are "indexed" (i don't know quite what to call it) in
the Eusebian Canon Tables by three "columns" (of references to the parallel
parts of them) set between four [architectural] columns above which are three
round arches-- to the general conclusion that "the triple arch symbolizes the
Synoptic Gospels"
i'm simply suggesting that "that dog won't hunt".
obviously.
>In Roman iconography,
"Roman" ?
>the form of the triple diptych seems to symbolize the trinity -- as does the
tri-lobed arch.
"seems" ?
> Which is why, John, calling it a tri-lobed arch in a Jewish or Moslem
setting is a bit difficult
that, and the more significant point that there ain't three "lobes" on that
bit of jewelry your original question referred to.
> even though the number of Mosques with windows set in triads is quite
noticeable.
are these "trinitarian" symbols, as well?
if not, why not?
could it be possible that *sometimes*, in *some* contexts, three of
*some*thing could "symbolise" one thing, while in *some* other contexts three
of *some*thing could "symbolise" something quite different --or even (heaven
forbid) "symbolise" nothing ?
>I presume the triads of the stylized pointed cloud arches in Arabic
architecture has a symbolic meaning,
might.
or, might not.
> but I have no idea what it would be.
me, neither.
>Besides, the example I was asking about doesn't have three lobes...
no, it doesn't.
so, refering to it as a "trilobed" form is not all that good of an idea.
best from here,
christopher
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