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>Here's another view.
he traditional view is that the eight faces represent the 8 Books of the
Prophets of the Old Testament, Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings, Isaiah,
Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Daniel. The significance of this may be explained
by St Aldhelm's acknowledged understanding of the Old Testament some five
hundred years before.
The symbolism of the number eight also plays an important role in the
construction of many baptismal fonts. Although important in many faiths,
in terms of Christian symobilm, the number eight and the octagon
represent the resurrection and rebirth, because Christ rose from grave 8
days after entry into Jerusalem. Thus they became symbols of baptism, the
spiritual rebirth of a person, and many baptisteries and baptismal fonts
are octagonal or show eight features of differing types. Also, from the
Old Testament, Eight is perfect intelligence; splendour. The digit value
of "IHVH" is the "Number of the Lord". The Temple was sanctified in eight
days.
>
>Beatrice Hopkinson
>
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>
>>Perhaps the reason for octagonal buildings is that there is no dark corner
>>for the devil to hide in.
>>
>>Best wishes
>>
>>Bruce Osborne
>>============================================================
>>From : Dr Bruce Osborne Email: [log in to unmask]
>>SPAS RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP www.thespas.co.uk + www.BritishNationalParks.com
>>FRIENDS OF MALVERN SPRINGS AND WELLS at www.malvernspa.com
>>Tower House, Tower Road, Tadworth, Surrey. UK. KT20 5QY.
>>Tel. +44 (0) 1737 213169 SKYPE:Spagazer
>>This message and attachments are confidential, copyright or otherwise
>>protected
>>============================================================
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: stephen buckley
>> To: [log in to unmask]
>> Sent: Friday, November 20, 2009 9:36 AM
>> Subject: Re: Fish in wells and cisterns
>>
>>
>> They'd be particularly handy, wouldn't they, in a monastic context, for
>>the days when the religious could only eat fish?
>>
>> On the subject of religious contexts: the latest Current Archaeology
>>(237) has a piece on an octagonal plunge bath at Bax Farm, Kent, from the
>>late Roman period, which might have served as a baptistery. It was in a
>>building with painted plaster. On a visit to Chedworth this summer, I
>>realized that the pool that collected the water supply there is octagonal.
>>I've read explanations of why fonts and baptismal pools are octagonal, but
>>haven't come across any reason why pre-Christian spring housings might be
>>the same shape - might, I suppose, be practical, though why not make them
>>square? Any ideas or mythology?
>>
>> In CA 237, there's also a major piece on the bluestone henge that seems
>>to have stood by the River Avon at the end of an avenue from Stonehenge. A
>>short avenue also links the settlement at Durrington Walls with the river,
>>and the discovery seems to support the idea that there was a ritual way
>>from Durrington Walls to Stonehenge via the river. The traces of stone at
>>the newly discovered henge appear to match the Stonehenge bluestone.
>>
>> Christine B
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ========================================
>> Message Received: Nov 20 2009, 08:24 AM
>> From: "James Rattue"
>> To: [log in to unmask]
>> Cc:
>> Subject: Re: Fish in wells and cisterns
>>
>>
>> When I visited the wonderful wells at San Gimignano they were full of
>>fish.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> =
>
>
>Beatrice Hopkinson,
>Hon. Secretary Los Angeles Branch, Oxford University Society
>Board Member, Archaeological Institute of America
>President, Droitwich Brine Springs and Archaeological Trust
>Affilliate, Cotsen institute of Archaeology, UCLA
>([log in to unmask])
>
>818 766 7780
>
Beatrice Hopkinson,
Hon. Secretary Los Angeles Branch, Oxford University Society
Board Member, Archaeological Institute of America
President, Droitwich Brine Springs and Archaeological Trust
Affilliate, Cotsen institute of Archaeology, UCLA
([log in to unmask])
818 766 7780
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