[log in to unmask]
>
>看
Hi Christine,
>Thanks, Bea and Bruce. I have come across explanations for Christian uses
>- fonts and baptisteries - although Bea's account puts everything together
>very concisely. (What's the ref, please?)
Sorry it was Wikepedia! As usual as I see from below you do a very
thorough
job of research!
>看
>I was wondering what evidence there might be for pre-Christian, non-Judaic
>symbolism. The more explanations there are for something, the more I begin
>to suspect it's an adaptation of a previous practice without a great deal
>of thought. A rationale is then constructed retrospectively, or several
>rationales.
>看
>Octagons weren't obligatory, of course, although most if not all of the
>early (c.5th C) Byzantine ones we saw in north Italy were. They're
>regularly round or square, as well, or a synthsis of both, and in the 11th
>C legend of St Rumwold (fictional, but informative re baptismal theology)
>the font seems to be a rough piece of rock on the exterior. But maybe this
>again refers to the rock-cut tomb of Christ, and also to Moses striking a
>rock in the desert, from which water gushed; hagiographers used quite
>complex imagery sometimes.
>看
>Clearly, the eight flat sides give an easy opportunity for decoration with
>figures, specially in an architectural setting, e.g. arches. The
>boffo-sized fonts in the Byzantine baptisteries that we saw in Ravenna
>were constructed of upright slabs, and maybe this was simply the easiest
>way to construct an above-ground tank large enough to immerse adults. On
>the other hand, the original cupola on the Edicule of the Tomb of Christ
>(researched by Martin Biddle) was hexagonal, and one might expect early
>fonts that referred to Christ's death and resurrection would echo that
>shape.
>看
>The choice of the term 'font' (spring) is quite intriguing, perhaps,
>especially compared to the term for the little basin for hand-washing at
>the Eucharist: piscina = fishpond. Let's hope they removed the fish first.
>看
>Christine B
>看
>看
>
>
>
>
>========================================
> Message Received: Nov 23 2009, 03:05 AM
> From: "Beatrice Hopkinson"
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Cc:
> Subject: Re: Fish in wells and cisterns 看Resent: 看sorry for omission
>
>
> [log in to unmask]
>
> >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
> >
> >[log in to unmask]
> >
> >>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
>
>
>
>
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
|