Sunday 6 December 2009

Saturn


I found this very intriguing image in a book on alchemical engravings. The story behind it is that Saturn ate all of his children because he was afraid they would become stronger than him. When his wife was about to give birth to Jupiter she tricked him by giving him a rock to eat instead. Saturn then vomited the rock which became a mountain.

3 comments:

Diasporos said...

did you notice that the mountain is a reverse symbol of saturn, a mouth itself devouring him? This symbolizes the cyclical nature of creation: The creaor 'vomits' his insides and his reverse self eats it up only to vomit it again. Infinity.

Emme Toaye said...

Beautiful drawing and interesting tale, well waste not want not.

Daphne said...

I did not notice the mountain eating him. I thought it was rather odd that he is floating in the sky. Now I can see why.Thank you for pointing it out!