Joseph Campbell called this the "omphalos,"
didn't he? The navel of the world?
I can't remember where he got that from, but it
was from somewhere else (and that somewhere else
would probably be a good *old* source).
Hmm - Wikipedia delivers this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omphalos_%28book%29
which is a Creation Science argument from the
1800s basically saying fossils (and, I suppose,
our navels) are *tricks played by GOD*.
So maybe not that great a source.
But there are other resources here, discussing
the omphalos stones of ancient Greece:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omphalos
There are other sources on that page, which may
lead to other things.
Uneducated Speculation: if the oracle at Delphi
really *was* getting high on ethylene (as has
been suggested fairly recently), then a hollow
stone situated in the place of prophecy *might*
have had a function of concentrating the fumes.
So this particular universal gateway might be a
cosmic bong....
Anyway, you might get some ideas from browsing
Joseph Campbell. He's big on universal symbols.
--- James John Bell <[log in to unmask]>
wrote:
> Hey folks,
>
> I'm working on a design project and we're
> looking for visual metaphors (or
> symbols, sigils, etc.) for a "gateway to all
> worlds". In my brief research
> I've uncovered some rivers from different
> mythos that connect to multiple
> worlds, and of course folk tales featuring
> books, wells, caves, arches,
> doors and windows. Was wondering if there might
> be a good source or sources
> on this theme in mythology? Interested in
> universal themes, patterns,
> symbols, etc.
>
> Thanks!
>
> James John Bell
> http://www.smartmeme.com
>
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grant's words: http://www.flyingfists.org, http://china.adoptionblogs.com
grant's music: http://grantimatter.com/
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